Author Interview: Carol Snow w/ Giveaway (Just Like Me, Only Better)

Ever since Veronica's husband found the love of his life-not her-she's been a walking zombie with runny mascara. It doesn't help that she keeps getting mistaken for Haley Rush-the Hollywood starlet whose dazzling life is plastered on every magazine.

When Haley's manager offers Veronica a job as a celebrity double, it only takes a moment before she says yes. Veronica gets to drive Haley's car, wear her phenomenal clothes-and have fun with her hot celebrity boyfriend, Brady Ellis. Too bad the job's only part-time, and at the end of the day she has to return to her life as a cash-strapped substitute teacher and cub scout mom.

But when real sparks fly with Brady, is it a fantasy come true or a disaster in disguise? 

If your looking for a great chicklit and/or  women's fiction with a spin of humor and  romance, pick up Just Like Me, Only Better!

Hi Carol! Thank you for taking time to answer some questions we would love the answers to!! Thanks for having me.

Can you tell us what inspired you to write Just Like Me, Only Better?
Like many people, I find the Hollywood celebrity culture both fascinating and appalling. A few years ago, I dressed as Britney Spears for Halloween. I went online for research and was astonished at how much web space is devoted to her every outfit, utterance, and (especially) meltdown. I wondered: “What is it like to live with that kind of scrutiny?” I live in a very normal suburban town. I’m only about an hour from L.A., but sometimes it feels like a different planet. So, to highlight the differences between the two worlds, I created a struggling single mother and substitute teacher named Veronica Czaplickli who lives in my town (Fullerton, California) and bears a striking resemblance to a successful but unstable actress and singer named Haley Rush. When Veronica gets hired to be Haley’s double for photo ops, she gets to find out if the grass is really greener (golder?) on the other side.

When did you write the book and how much research went into it?
I wrote the book in late 2008/early 2009. I live outside of L.A. and have had a fair amount of interaction with people in film and television industry. Plus, I read People and Us magazines every time I go to the hairdresser, so I figured I knew what I was talking about. As I got deeper into the story, however, I realized I didn’t know nearly enough. Fortunately, I have a good friend who has lived in West Hollywood for years and understands the ins and outs of the entertainment business. He answered my emergency phone calls and took me on a couple of “location scouting” drives. We ate lunch at Fred Segal, dinner at the Ivy, drove by Britney Spears’s former Beverly Hills housing development, and chose a neighborhood for the book’s resident boy toy. As I usually do, I took a million notes, typed everything up, and then used what I needed.

Which writers have influenced you the most? Elinor Lipman, Susan Isaacs, Cathleen Schine, Sarah Bird, Sue Grafton . . . smart, funny writers who understand that good writing is good writing no matter how “light” a storyline might be.

What book is currently on your nightstand?

Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann

Is there anything about Veronica that only you know? (That isn’t discussed in Just Like Me, Only Better?)
Veronica has a weakness for schmaltzy boy bands. Her favorite song is “Truly, Madly, Deeply” by Savage Garden.

Is there anything else you'd like your readers to know?

Um, that I really hope they’ll read my book?

Are you currently working on another novel?

Yes, I’m writing about three women dealing with parenting issues. And I know that sounds really boring, but it’s not. I swear.

Thank you so much for visiting today! I have to say the cover for Just Like Me, Only Better is so eye-catching!!!

It is, isn’t it? The designers at Berkley are so talented. The unifying theme for my book covers seems to be “girls with things on their heads.”

 

Giveaway!

2 Copies - USA/Canada Only

Leave a comment w/ valid email for one entry

Leave a question and/or comment for Ms. Snow for an extra entry.

Winners announced on April 15th.

THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED