"A wonderfully heartfelt story about hope, possibilities and the yearning for real connections. Senate's latest will take you on a much needed vacation, while sneaking vital life lessons in when you're not looking." –Caprice Crane
Kinda makes you want to run out and buy it right this very second, doesn't it?! But before you run out to the store, let's have a little chat with Melissa first!
Tell us about your most recent novel in 25 words or less.
A 28-year-old New Yorker discovers she has a half-sister she never knew existed. Off she goes to a small Maine town to find her.
Where do you find inspiration for your work?
I use my own life—but flip everything so that just the nugget of the idea is autobiographical. A serial dater working in publishing in NYC—check. A woman who gets pregnant two months into a new relationship—check. Planning a wedding that isn’t what you expected—check. Half-sibling you’ve never met contacting you out of the blue—check!
How do you fight writer’s block?
Best cure I’ve found is to sleep on it, to let whatever is stuck work itself out deep in my subconscious. I often wake up at the crack of dawn with the answer. Another good trick is to take a long walk alone, no iPOD. Just you, the wind and your thoughts.
What is your favorite part of writing? Least favorite?
My favorite part is when I understand my characters so well that the writing feels effortless (even though it never is). My least favorite is the dreaded first draft, which always makes me doubt myself!
What tips would you offer to aspiring writers?
Believe in yourself! Trust your gut—it knows more than you may think it does.
Thanks so much for stopping by, Melissa! And now for the book giveaway! If you want to be entered to win a signed copy of THE SECRET OF JOY, just leave a comment below! The winner will be announced on December 1st.
In her job, she’s an expert on men…
In her own relationship, she doesn’t have a clue.
Boyfriend behaving badly? Suspect your husband of straying? Jennifer Hunter can supply the ultimate test. She runs a company which specializes in conducting fidelity inspections for those who suspect their loved ones are capable of infidelity.
An expert on men, Jennifer can usually tell if they're single, married or lying... Unfortunately, her new boyfriend, Jamie, is one of the few men that she's never been able to 'read.' Has she finally found the perfect man or is he too good to be true?
Sounds amazing, right? Well, it gets better: It's currently in development as a TV series by the executive producer of Crash!
"With a complicated, sympathetic protagonist, worthy stakes and a clever twist on the standard chick lit narrative, Brody will pull readers in from the first page."
– Publisher’s Weekly
"Those who enjoyed Brody's debut will be eager to catch up with Jennifer, but newcomers will be intrigued, too...an honest, witty portrayal of modern love."
- Booklist
If you ask me, praise like that couldn't be given to a nicer girl! Don't believe me? Let's start our chat with Jessica!
Tell us about your most recent novel in 25 words or less.
LOVE UNDER COVER is the compelling story of a woman who runs a “fidelity inspection” agency, hired by suspicious spouses to test the faithfulness of their loved ones.
When did you first begin writing?
In the second grade we were assigned to write a one-paragraph book report on the book of our choice. I turned in four pages. I remember my teacher showing it to every other teacher in the school saying, “We have a little writer on our hands.” I wouldn’t realize until 20 years and three corporate jobs later that she was right. I truly believe we’d all be a lot of happier if we could choose our careers at age 7. Although we might have an excess number of princesses, ninjas and astronauts on our hands.
What are you working on right now?
I’ve got some really fun stuff in the works. I’ve been revising a manuscript which is going to be the first book in a new young adult series about time travel. I’m really excited about it! Also I just wrapped up my second young adult novel, MY LIFE UNDECIDED, which will be out in Spring of 2011 and I’ve just sold my third YA novel to my publisher so I’ll be starting that in the next few months. I like to keep very busy. Idleness is my worst enemy!
What is your favorite part of writing? Least favorite?
My favorite part? Definitely the first 50 pages. They fly by. They’re brilliant and fresh and exciting and full of promise. I feel like I could do anything. I feel like I write an entire novel in two weeks.
My least favorite part? Everything that comes after that.
What tips would you offer to aspiring writers?
Take criticism. Believe in your work and stand behind it, but don’t be afraid to make changes. Use rejections to evolve yourself as a writer, not just to line your waste basket. When someone rejects your work and offers a reason, don’t just blow it off and claim that they “didn’t get it” or that they clearly didn’t read it closely enough, dissect it and try to figure out if what they’re saying makes sense and if it will inevitably help your work. There’s a fine balance between staying true to your art and being open for suggestions, try to stay somewhere in the middle. If they “didn’t get it,” chances are, readers won’t get it either. And you won’t be there to explain it to them in the middle of Barnes and Noble.
Thanks so much for stopping by, Jessica! It's always so nice to have you!
To enter to win a copy of LOVE UNDER COVER, just leave a comment below. Winners will be announced on On November 26th!
