Author Abby Rosmarin

An Interview with Abby Rosmarin: Author & Writer

Sylvia: Welcome Abby and congratulations on your upcoming book. Please give our readers an introduction of yourself and a little about your book.

Abby:  Hi there!  It might be a little redundant to start this off with, “I’m a writer,” but that’s exactly how I’m starting it: I’m a writer, and have been since before I even knew how to spell or write out letters (true story: my mom has a box in the attic full of the “novels” I wrote when I was four, which are comprised of scribbles where words would’ve been).  I tend to do a little of everything, from personal essays to op-ed pieces, from poetry to fiction.

My book Chick Lit (And Other Formulas for Life) is all about finding your purpose in life – all the while poking fun at a very enjoyable genre.  The main character, Katy, finds herself in the middle of a quarter life crisis.  She is stuck in the same life she’d had since she was 19 and she knows she has to do something.  The problem?  She has no clue what to do.  The other problem?  Her life starts mimicking every chick lit stereotype, from the harebrained misadventures to the best guy friend who is not-so-secretly in love with her.  And things only get more complicated when she tries to solve her problems the same way a chick lit protagonist would try to solve hers.

 

Sylvia: I love the fact that you’ve been living your passion since the age of 4. I bet you can take some of those old drawing and create a ‘how to’ book for children. What inspired you to write your first book?

Abby: Sandra Bullock was the inspiration for this book, if you can believe that!  Particularly, the press release from when Sandra Bullock landed the lead role in The Proposal.  I remember reading the synopsis for the movie – where Sandra Bullock’s character has to pretend she is engaged to her coworker in order to avoid deportation – and going, “Gee, I wonder how that movie ends!”  This got me thinking about how movies and books sometimes follow very predictable formulas, which quickly morphed into the idea of someone who despises the formulaic nature of books – particularly chick lit – only to find herself living out every chick lit trope.

And the rest, as they say, is history.

 

Sylvia: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Abby: Life is unpredictable, life is confusing, but life is also an adventure.  It’s okay to not know what you want, or to change your mind about what it is that you want.  Almost every character in the book finds themselves at some type of crossroads, whether it is in their professional life, their personal life, or their romantic life.  Change and uncertainty are a given.  The question is what do we do with it.

Also?  Chick lit isn’t as bad as people make it out to be. 

 

Sylvia: You are right; life is all of those things plus more! You never know what is going to happen by second, minute hour or day. We can only hope and have faith. Do you have any advice for other writers?

Abby: Read.  Read everything you can get your hands on.  Learn about the great authors of the past, the great authors of the present.  Learn about grammar, spelling, sentence structure.  Learn about story arcs and character development.  Take in every potential bit of information you possibly can about the wonderful world of literature.

Now forget everything and just write (and be ready to edit mercilessly).

 

Sylvia: What marketing techniques have you used to sell your books and which ones have been most successful?

Abby: Only time will tell with that one!  My biggest strategy so far has been reaching out through every channel to the reading community.  Every blog, every page on Goodreads; everywhere I can find them.  When you are independently publishing your book, word of mouth is your biggest asset.  I reach out in hopes that people will learn about my book, enjoy it, and then tell others about it.

My second biggest technique is to use my universal love of writing to get my name in general out there.  I write for a slew of different websites, and I do my best to channel that priceless platform into attention for my book.

 

Sylvia: Great information! Speaking of writing, I accept articles on my blog. Why should we buy your book?

Abby: Because stealing is frowned upon in this society!

But, in all seriousness, my book is more than just “chick lit”.  It’s more than just a coming of age tale.  It’s even more than a series of jokes and humorous situations.  It’s a reminder that life is what you make of it, even if you don’t know what to make of it at first.  A reminder I think we can all use from time to time.

Plus, my book is seriously entertaining.

 

Sylvia: LOL to your first answer! You have a sense of humor. Is there a special place that you prefer when you write?

Abby: I honestly write everywhere.  My laptop is situated at my kitchen table (because it’s right by the patio door and I can’t stomach feeling closed in/away from the outside.  I have a journal that I take everywhere with me, and therefore has been used everywhere (including in my car at red lights!).  Sometimes I’ll even Tweet passages and poetry snippets if that’s the quickest way to get my thought out!

I’ve learned – for me, at least – that the “special place” is a mindset.  A moment where I think clearly and lucidly and feel like I would burst if I didn’t get what I needed to say out.  The actual location of my body is irrelevant.

 

Sylvia: I’ve never had that answer, and I’ve interviewed close to 200 authors. I like that thought.  What projects are you currently working on?

Abby: Right now my main focus is getting Chick Lit (And Other Formulas for Life) out there by any means necessary.  However, when I’m not doing that, I am writing essays and op-ed pieces (which can be found on The Huffington Post, HelloGiggles, Elite Daily, and/or Thought Catalog).  I’m also currently editing my newest manuscript and pulling together old & new poetry for a potential compilation.  It is a very scattered and very hectic writing life, but I wouldn’t have it any other way J

 

Sylvia: What is your POWER WORD? Why this word?

Abby: My power word is “cherished” – even though something that is cherished is usually very fragile or delicate.  But I consider “cherish” to be the foundation of every positive emotion in our lives.  We cherish the ones we love.  We cherish memories.  We cherish a beautiful fall day or a gorgeous sunset.  We cherish a good laugh and even a good cry.

‘Cherish’ is actually an incredibly powerful word.

 

Sylvia: ‘Cherish’ is not only powerful, but very personal… close to your heart. Something that is very sentimental to each individual. 

 Thank you Abby for sharing with my readers and followers!  Please share your social media and book contact information. 

 Abby: And thank you, Sylvia!  You can find me as these wonderful places:

• Blog: http://thatabbyrose.wordpress.com
• Facebook: http://facebook.com/abbyrosewriter
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/thatabbyrose
• Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8131171.Abby_Rosmarin