Then Came You by Jennifer Weiner
With the publication of Jennifer Weiner’s latest novel, THEN CAME YOU, scheduled for tomorrow, I thought I would run a little interview from Jennifer.
Q. How would you describe your life in only 8 words?
A. Writer, reader, social networker, Mom. Busy, busy, busy!
Q. What is your motto or maxim?
A. “Don’t pick it.” My Mom told me that, and it applies to any number of situations.
Q. How would you describe perfect happiness?
A. A quiet afternoon, a down comforter, a fire in the fireplace, a great book. (Oh, and snacks. Maybe tea and shortbread).
Q. What’s your greatest fear?
A. Being between books, and unable to find a good one.
Q. If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you choose to be?
A. Cape Cod, on a perfect sunny July afternoon, paddling my kayak through the salt marsh with my daughters, looking for clams.
Q. What do you regret most?
A. Meeting one of my literary heroes — one of the men whose work made me think that I could become a writer, too. He turned out to be a horrible sexist who claimed to never read books by women. I’m still getting over that one.
Q. If you could acquire any talent, what would it be?
A. I can sing adequately, but if I could, I’d love to be really, really good. Good enough to take it on the road.
Q. What is your greatest achievement?
A. I think I’m supposed to say something about my children or my books here, but honestly, any morning that I wake up and find that I’ve successfully charged the various electronic devices that I’ll need, that’s a good day.
Q. What’s your greatest flaw?
A. I am terrifically thin-skinned, and I hold grudges. So don’t piss me off! Not even accidentally!
Q. What’s your best quality?
A. I’m an excellent tipper, I know lots of dirty jokes, and I watch lots of bad reality TV. So if you’re a struggling waitress who wants to talk about “America’s Next Top Model,” I’m your girl.
Q. If you could be any person or thing, who or what would it be?
A. I think I’d be me, only maybe a little younger and better-looking.
Q. What trait is most noticeable about you?
A. I’m usually smiling.
Q. Who is your favorite fictional hero?
A. Linda Voss, from Susan Isaac’s SHINING THROUGH, a secretary-turned-spy who saves the world and gets the guy.
Q. Who is your favorite fictional villain?
A. Pennywise in Stephen King’s IT. Seriously, if there’s anything scarier than a killer clown, I don’t even want to know about it.
Q. If you could meet any historical character, who would it be and what would you say to him or her?
A. After meeting the horribly sexist literary hero, I think I’ve given up on wishing for future encounters with famous people.
Q. What is your biggest pet peeve?
A. That women’s fiction is still — still! — considered less worthy than the stuff men writer. And that’s if it’s considered at all.
Q. What is your favorite occupation, when you’re not writing?
A. I love to read, I like to cook, and I love hanging out with my daughters.
Q. What’s your fantasy profession?
A. Backup singer! I actually got to live the fantasy for a night when the Rock Bottom Remainders, an all-author supergroup, came to town, and I sang back-up on “Mustang Sally.” I have no idea how I sounded, or even if my microphone was on, but I loved it, loved it, loved it.
Q. What 3 personal qualities are most important to you?
A. Integrity, sense of humor, willingness to share dessert.
Yay–I can’t wait for Then Came You! And Jennifer Weiner is right–Linda Voss is the most amazing fictional hero!!
I got a chuckle out of her motto! When you think about it, it does fit lots of situations.