Thursday, July 23, 2009

Author Interview and Book Giveaway: Allison Winn Scotch

Today we have got a real treat! New York Times bestselling author Allison Winn Scotch is here to chat! The paperback release of her NYT bestselling novel, TIME OF MY LIFE, comes out on August 4th, and she's offering readers a chance to win a signed copy!


Now, you may know Allison from her amazing blog, Ask Allison, or perhaps you remember her from my Publisher's Weekly Soapbox column about how important it is for authors to think high concept. Or you might have even seen her on the New York Times bestseller list for her second novel, TIME OF MY LIFE. (And no, we just can't say the New York Times bestseller thing enough. If I were Allison, I'd seriously consider getting a tattoo about it....)

Yes, well. Allison is busying writing bestselling novels, hitting the NYT Bestseller list and writing an influential blog, and yet she STILL has time to visit us and answer some questions!

AND give away a signed copy of the paperback release of TIME OF MY LIFE to boot! How great is that?! So, without further ado, let's hear from Allison:


Tell us about your most recent novel in 25 words or less.

Unhappy stay-at-home mom is haunted by her “what-ifs” and is granted the chance to go back in time and change the future. (If she wants to.) (Sorry, that’s 28 words!)

What are you working on right now?

Toiling on my next book, which is still untitled, or else I’d let you know the fancy name. It sort of flips Time of My Life on its head: a very happy, very fulfilled small-time guidance counselor is granted the unwelcome ability to see into the future and discovers that what she envisions to be the perfect life is actually anything but.

What are you reading right now?

I’m about to dive into Elin Hilderbrand’s newest book, The Castaways. She made a fan out of me with Barefoot, which is one of my all-time favorites, so I always buy her books the first week they come out. I also have Julie Klam’s Please Excuse My Daughter on my nightstand. She’s a friend (and an amazing Twitter-er – go follow her!), and I just know I’m going to love it.

How do you fight writer’s block?

Oh boy, I generally find about 100000000 other things to do rather than write. My ability to procrastinate is legendary. Honestly, I can waste an entire day on the internet doing nothing at all. That said, when I’m in the thick of writing, the only way that I can get around that dreaded blank brain space is...to write. I force myself to sit down and write, period, no matter how painful it is. Often times, once I get going, I discover that I DO have something to say, I just didn’t realize it. On a more technical front, whenever I find my characters up against a wall, I throw some action at them: screw up their lives in some way. The only way to propel a plot forward is to create conflict, so if things are stagnating (both in my imagination and in the book), this is the surest way to amp things back up again.

If your book were to become a movie, who would you cast?

Well, the good news is that Time of My Life actually is being made into a movie! :) The producers have been wonderful in soliciting my opinion and keeping me in the loop, and we’ve discussed probably about seven or so lead actresses. On our short list include Keri Russell, Reese Witherspoon, Jen Garner, Anne Hathaway and a few other wonderful actresses. I think, frankly, that there are a lot of actresses who would be incredible in the role, so I’m always hesitant to play favorites. As far as the guys, I think it depends a lot on who is cast as Jillian, but my personal call for Henry might be Michael Vartan, though again, Patrick Wilson, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Affleck...there’s a long list I could choose from. And for Jackson, you just need one of those hot late-20-something/early 30-something guys: Chris Pine, Bradley Cooper, Scott Speedman, Taylor Kitsch...hmmm, I could go on all day. :)



So could we, Allison. So could we! Thanks so much for stopping by today! We shall now all mentally debate Michael Vartan v. Patrick Wilson and Bradley Cooper v. Chris Pine for the rest of the day....

To enter to win a signed copy of TIME OF MY LIFE, just leave a comment at the bottom of this post. To get another entry, blog about it! OR, to get yet another entry, email five of your friends about this contest (and cc me on the email so that I can account for your extra entry- brenda[at]brendajanowitz[dot]com).

The lucky winners will be announced on August 4th.


59 comments:

Dee said...

Time of your life sounds like a wonderful book. I often times wish the same thing, but then I look at my son and the wish goes away. Can't wait for the release and the movie sounds fab!

Margay Leah Justice said...

I agree with Dee - this sounds like a fabulous book. I blogged about the contest here:

http://margayleahjustice.com/?p=310

Margay

holdenj said...

I love the cover and don't we all wonder "what if" at times? Would love to win! Thanks for a nice interview!

JHolden955 (at) gmail (dot) com

Anonymous said...

Please sign me up. :)

lovestoread0708(at)yahoo.com

Carolyn Goldhush said...

Major congrats to Allison for hitting the NYTimes Bestseller List AND getting a movie deal!!

Cari said...

Me, me! I love Allison's blog. carolyn dot dubiel at gmail dot com.

KR said...

This sounds great. So does the one she's working on. I'm not sure I'd like the ability to see the future tho.

mj.coward[at]gmail.com

Linda said...

The plot sounds a bit different from my normal reading range, but sounds like something I'd like to try. Thanks.

Sue said...

I'd love to read this. The cover picture had me intrigued right away. Thanks for the giveaway~

s.mickelson at gmail dot com

wheresmyrain said...

I love when authors just admit to procrastination. Looks like a great author and book. Please enter me.
wheresmyrain at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

Her new book now has a title - The One That I Want. Oh, and I'd love a signed copy! :)

Anonymous said...

Please sign me up. I follow Allison on twitter...looking forward to reading the book!
jdwilliams0111 (at) aol.com.

Hilda said...

This has been on my Amazon wish-list for awhile, so I'd love to win a paperback copy. The cover art is just gorgeous! And I always like to read something *before* the movie comes out...

Sharon M. Smith said...

I follow both of you on Twitter and it is fun to see what you are up to. Very interested in your book, please sign me up! (PS rooting for Mark Ruffalo for the part. Love his acting!

sharonlois13(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

This book sounds wonderful, and I plan on reading it soon. Thanks for the great interview!

Unknown said...

Who cannot sometimes think of themselves as Jillian. Thank you for giving readers the opportunity to see what might happen if our "what ifs" came true. I wish you continued success with your writings.

dkbentryinfo( at )gmail( dot )com

Marianne said...

I'm peversely comforted by the knowledge that Allison procrastinates as I do - but then again, she has the books to prove that she can get stuck in and write which is what I should go and do now. I look forward to reading Time of My Life.

DarcyO said...

Thanks for the great interview and giveaway. I'd love to read this one.

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

Unknown said...

One of my all-time great procrastination destinations is Allison's blog, and following her and the people she's #FFed of Twitter! Hearing that she's distractible gives me hope. Thanks for the interview!

Morgan Mandel said...

An author's dream - getting a movie made of your book. Congratulations!

Great advice about tackling writer's block.

Morgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com

Morgan Mandel said...

forgot to leave my email
morgan@morganmandel.com

Amanda said...

Oh,I have been wanting to read this ever since I saw it on Jen Lancaster's Blog. And free to boot, sign me up/

jpetroroy said...

I can't wait to read this--have loved her other books.
jpetroroy@gmail.com

Allison Winn Scotch said...

Hey Brenda,
Thank you for having me! And thanks to you guys for your wonderful comments. Oh, if ONLY you knew the various ways I procrastinated... :)
Good luck to the winner - I'll mail you a signed copy, and those of you who don't win...pretty please pick up the book next week! LOL
Thanks again!
Allison
PS - Brenda, you don't have to enter me into the contest. :)

Valorie said...

I read The Castaways, too, and I loved it.

Blogged: http://www.morbid-romantic.net/2009/07/21/book-giveaways-07-20-07-26/

Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com

Llehn said...

Count me in please! Thanks.

lesly7ch(at)yahoo(dot)com

throuthehaze said...

count me in please!
throuthehaze at gmail dot com

Marjorie/cenya2 said...

Sounds like a good book, count me in, I am a follower.

October Woman said...

Sounds like a good one, and how exciting about NYT and the upcoming movie version! I'm glad the movie producers are keeping you in the loop. I'll have to look for you on Twitter -- I'm always looking for authors to follow there. Brenda, you're on Twitter now? Last time I looked for you there I didn't find you. Will have to look again today!

Emma said...

TIME OF MY LIFE sounds wonderful.Please enter me in the giveaway.augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.Thank you.

Linna said...

I would love to read this book. Also, it's nice to know that it's about to be on the big screen. Those actresses she nominates are super. I'll look forward to it. :D
linna.hsu(at)gmail(dot)com

mrsshukra said...

Please count me in! Enjoyed reading the interview!

delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

Debbie F said...

Oh this sounds like a great book!
Please include me
Debbie F
dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Sheila DeChantal said...

Great interview and how exciting that the book will be a movie! That has to be so incredibly over the top fun! :)

I am going to post this giveaway to my giveaway page and I will be back with the link.

Sheila DeChantal said...

Here is a link to my giveaway page where I added this giveaway. I am also Tweeting about it now. :)

Unknown said...

I love Allison's blog and I'm thrilled she's giving away a signed copy of her book which is on my TBR list! Great interview too!

Amy
Aimala127@gmail.com

CatsAreNotWeapons said...

This sounds like a great book and I will definitely add it to my "to read" list! Thanks for the interview!

Esme said...

Love the cover-the book sounds interesting too.

thanks

chocolateandcroissants at yahoo dot com

Wanda said...

I enjoyed reading Allison's mini interview and would love to read her book. Please enter my name in your draw. Thanks.
wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com

Aimee said...

Loved the interview as I adore Allison's blog and can't wait to read this book. Thanks for the contest!

Victoria said...

I'd love to read this!

Thank you!
victoriah40@yahoo.com

Renee G said...

This sounds great. I would love to read it.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(dot)com

Mitzy said...

this looks cute! I love the cover

just1linmichele@aol.com

nfmgirl said...

I totally get what Allison says about finding a million other things to do other than writing. I am the queen of procrastination!

Please count me in. Thank you!

I blogged it:
http://cerebralgirl.blogspot.com/2009/08/book-giveaways-in-blogworld-080109.html

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

Deb K said...

Please enter me~Sounds like a really great Book :)

catss99 said...

Please enter me!
thanks
amanda
catss99@yahoo.com

Aimee said...

Sounds like a great read. Please count me in.

Teresa said...

Sounds like a wonderful book! Count me in on it.

teralynne93 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Anonymous said...

I would love to read this book.

efagunde@gmail.com

Kelly Long said...

I like the interview. Sounds like a great book. Looking forward to reading it.

grafettekj(at)hotmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I would love to read this book! Allison Winn Scotch is AMAZING!!!!

amandacollyer@gmail.com

MobileFwVn said...

I intend to begin my business on next two months. And it can be time ò my life. I like to read it because it can be useful for me. Thank you.

Colleen Turner said...

This sounds like a great book! Please enter me to win.
Thanks,
candc320@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I would love to win 'Time of your life". whoever did the cover did a great job too! thanks for the giveaway!

Margie said...

Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the chance.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Maggie M.- maggiebugjuice@aol.com said...

Sounds like a great book would love to win!
Thanks for the chance!
Maggie M.

Megan said...

Time of Your Life sounds like the perfect book for me to read. It kind of sounds like my life in a way. :) Its awesome that it is going to be made into a movie as well. megan.thibault@yahoo.com

Megan said...

Sounds like a story of my life. Hope I can win a signed copy. That would be amazing. Either way can't way to read the book and watch the movie. Thanks for the entry

Sandra said...

Very nice interview and I just read her book "The One That I Want" recently and enjoyed it!

madeintexas@mail.com