1. What is your
name and where do you call home?
My name is Wendy Lawless and I live in Los Angeles, California.
2. Do you have a
pen name?
No, though Lawless is my "stage name" that I have used in my
acting career. It's also my maiden name.
3. What is the
name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or less words,
what would you say?
My memoir "Chanel Bonfire" is my first book. I would say it is
a horrible and horribly funny true story of two girls trying to survive the
shipwreck of their childhood, without a map or a how-to manual.
4. Do you have
plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?
There is some talk of a follow-up book to "Chanel Bonfire". It
would be the story of a young actress, living in 1980's New York, searching for
love, identity, work and maybe a free meal. Oh, and she has a crazy mother.
5. What or who
inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing?
When my second child was born, I decided to stop auditioning for acting
jobs (I still do an occasional television commercial) but I still wanted to do
something creative, so I started writing. First, I wrote short essays, about
being a mom, being a mom in Hollywood and being a mom who was raised by a mom
who was nuts. And one of them became the springboard for my book.
6. How did you
come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book?
A woman named Lisa Litwak at my publisher, Simon & Schuster,
designed the cover. I love it. The picture on the wall on the book cover is
actually a portrait of my mother, done by a very talented society portraitist
named Pedro Menocal, painted in 1967. The cover depicts the first scene in the
book, so I like to think it helps pull the reader in right away.
7. How did you
come up with the title for your book?
The title was originally a chapter heading in the London section of the
book, where the wild, teenage, backyard bonfire party scene was. My husband
(the screenwriter David Kidd) and I were brainstorming titles one night, and he
landed on this one. It sounded catchy, and we needed something to grab people
while I was trying to find an agent and then sell the book. I think it worked -
people responded to it.
8. Do you have a
book trailer? And what are your thoughts on book trailers?
I do have a book trailer! It was shot in a little studio at Simon &
Schuster in New York. I think it's a great way to get the word out, especially
now with YouTube, and all the social media outlets we have today. For me, as an
actress, it was like making a commercial for my book. Very fun.
9. What is your
opinion on ARCs?
ARCs are, again, a wonderful way to get the buzz going about your book.
I know that there have been three different giveaways of "Chanel
Bonfire" so far on Goodreads. What doesn't make me happy is when I see
people selling them on Ebay! But what can you do.
10. Are you a
self-published / Indie author?
I was lucky to have my book bought by Gallery Books, which is an imprint
of Simon & Schuster. If it hadn't been bought, I most likely would have
self-published it.
11. Have you ever
read a book more than once? And if so what was it?
I reread "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee every few
years. I love the beautifully true way she writes, through the eyes of a young
girl. I have read "Portrait of a Lady" by Henry James, maybe three
times. It's just so gorgeous and tragic, with intrigue, darkness and a cast of
marvelous characters.
12. Have you ever
read a book just based on it’s cover?
I might be drawn to a cover, but I always read the first few pages in
the bookshop. That's what decides whether I'll buy the book... Must take it
home so I can find out what happens on page four? The last book I simply
devoured was Amor Towles' "The Rules of Civility". It has a beautiful
cover, and the writing is amazing! I scooped it up and finished it in two days.
13. What is your
favourite film based on a book?
I would have to say that my favorite film based on a book is "To
Kill a Mockingbird". I just find it to be a seemless, perfect telling of
the story of the book, with all it's complicated, difficult,social and
emotional material brought to life up on the screen. I'm also very fond of the
film of "Breakfast at Tiffany's", though it is quite different from
the book. It's very romantic, and madcap and I love the music by Henry Mancini
too.
14. What books
have made it onto your wishlist recently? And why?
My current book wishlist includes: "Cleopatra" by Stacy
Schiff, I love big biographies of fascinating women in history. Also I'd like
to read "The Chaperone" by Laura Moriarity, and "Beautiful
Ruins" by Jess Walter, both I believe are set in the film world, another
interest of mine.
15. What book are
you reading at the moment? And in what format?
Right now I am reading "The Lifeboat" by Charlotte Rogan. I
took it out of the library. I have access to a Kindle (my son has one) but I
don't enjoy reading on it. I prefer a book I can hold, and turn the pages of. I
guess I'm old fashioned in that way.
16. Do you have
any advice for other writers? And what’s the best advice that you have been
given when it comes to writing?
My advice to writers would be to believe in yourself, and never stop
believing in yourself. There are always going to be people who don't understand
your work, who reject it, or tell you what they think you should change. When I
was in acting school, one of my teachers told me that, in the most immediate
sense, you are acting for you, and in fact you have very little control over
what the audience will think of you. I thought that was terrific advice. You
have to listen to yourself, and stay focused on the course. Oh, and never give
up!
17. Do you have
any hobbies that aren’t related to reading & writing?
I go to the gym, hang out with my family, go to the movies. I like to
cook and knit.
18. Where can
your readers follow you?
"Chanel Bonfire" has a Facebook page, my Twitter handle is
WendyLawless2. I am also on Goodreads, and have enjoyed reading the early
reviews of my book, and sometimes hearing from readers through the site, which
has been fun. Gallery Books put up a gorgeous website at www.chanelbonfire.com. It
has an excerpt, a slide show, a Spotify playlist. It's quite something.
Thankyou so much for taking the time to do this interview and allowing us a glimpse into your writing world!
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