Interview with Carla Caruso

Welcome to my stop on the Mommy Blogger Tour. Today, I'm interviewing the author, Carla Caruso.

Welcome to the blog, Carla, and thanks for taking the time to answer my questions!

First off, tell me about yourself, and your writing

. Hello, I’m an Australian author called Carla Caruso. I’m behind the new eBook, Mommy Blogger (Eternal Press, www.carlacaruso.com.au). I’ve had a varied career as a newspaper and magazine journalist, government PR, fashion stylist – and now author. Hobbies include watching trashy TV shows, fashion, astrology and running :) 

How long have you been writing? How many published books do you have, and what genres?

I began seriously writing fiction three years ago when I went freelance full-time. (I’m a journalist by trade!) My genre is romantic comedy. I have two books out including another just-released novel, Cityglitter, out through Penguin’s new digital-first imprint, Destiny Romance. It’s about a gorgeous fairy living a glam life in the big city, who does the one thing she promised herself she’d never do: fall in love with a human!

Do you write in multiple genres or just one? If just one, do you ever consider straying outside your genre? 

So far I’ve stuck to romantic comedy, but I don’t mind playing around with it, from including fantasy elements (Cityglitter with the fairies) to a manuscript I’ve just finished working on, which featured time travel Hot Tub Time Machine-style. I want to include a ghost somewhere in the mix next! Anything to keep it interesting for myself – and the readers hopefully.

Are you a plotter or do you write from the seat of your pants?

Total plotter! I usually have most of the story already written in my head before I even hover my fingertips over the keyboard. Although, the characters can have a way of changing things along the way.

What is a typical writing day like for you? 

I would love to say it’s totally uninterrupted, that I’m undistracted throughout, and that I’m looking onto a gleaming pool while reclining at my desk in a floaty kaftan, but that would be a lie! I usually write in fits and bursts in between my work as an at-home freelance writer – often in my track-pants, sadly.

Who do you love to read? Favorite authors, favorite books?

Favourite authors are Sophie Kinsella (love the Shopaholic Series!), Maggie Alderson and Zoe Foster. I have also just discovered Lisa Walker, who has recently written a very funny book called Liar Bird. My kind of brand of humor!

What is something you’d like to accomplish in your writing career next year?

It would be nice to see a longer story of mine in hard copy in future – fingers crossed!

If you could have one paranormal ability, what would it be?

Invisibility! Wouldn’t it be great to be able to be a fly on the wall and listen in on other people’s conversations? Kind of like Big Brother! You could also disappear if you saw someone annoying heading your way…

If you could keep a mythical/paranormal creature as a pet, what would you have? 

Can I say a little fairy in my pocket, because my book, Cityglitter, is about fairies? I’d make her do spells for me like making my bank account quadruple in size and fixing up the scrape on my husband’s car which I just did parking it in the carport… oops!

Tell us a little about your latest release.

Protagonist Stella Anastasi lands a great job as a mommy blogger. The catch is she’s never had children. Plunged into a world of insanity every mother faces, she must learn to cope as her lies build upon one another. A sexy ex comes into the picture, forcing her to choose between him or the job and a handsome ‘keeper’ of a co-worker. It can’t last forever!

What is something that you absolutely can't live without? (Other than family members)

Green tea! How sad is that? I find sipping on it calming. I recently took a stash of it while travelling in Europe, then realised they don’t have kettles in hotel rooms like in Australia. Disappointing! It made me discover mango tea, though, when looking for a herbal fix. Mmmm…

Could you ever co-author a book with someone? If so, who would you choose, and what would you write? 

I think I’d find it hard, unless we were writing from the point-of-view of totally different characters – it would be hard to keep the voice the same! However, my sister, Daniella, is an up-and-coming fashion illustrator (http://daniella-caruso.blogspot.com.au/) and it would be great to do something book-wise with her one day. That way, I could be in charge of the words, and her, the pictures – easy! There’d be no arguments…

If you could spend a day with anyone from history, dead or alive, who would it be, and what would you do? What would you ask them?

Marilyn Monroe. She’s so fascinating. I’d like to just let her speak and see what she’s really like behind the myth!

What are some of your other hobbies outside of writing? 

I love watching a good rom-com (especially if current crush Channing Tatum’s in the mix!). I’m also in a book club with my gal pals, which I’m heading off to tonight. We’ve been reading The Shoemaker’s Wife by Adriana Trigiani. Well, those who got around to it at least!

If you were on the staff to have a book adapted to movie, what would you pick?

Can I say my own fantasy romance, Cityglitter, featuring gorgeous fairies who look like Victoria’s Secret Angels, but with actual wings? What a dream come true that would be!

What is a talent you wish you had, but don’t?

Singing. I’m passable, but wouldn’t it be great to rip out a show-stopping ballad on karaoke? (Instead, I just like watching the other wannabe singers attempt it…)

Favorite color? White. (I know it’s a kind of non-color. Hope it suffices!)

Weather: Hot or cold? Definitely hot!

Favorite place to read? On the sun lounge in the backyard.

Favorite meal? Anything with eggplants! And lemon and chili. It’s the Calabrese Italian in me.

Favorite non-alcoholic drink? Water! I drink it by the gallon.

If you could travel anywhere and do anything, no limits or money holding you back, where would you go? 

Monaco. I’ve been there once and loved it. So glam!

BLURB: 

One baby, one lie–and a whole new career. Stella lands a great job as a mommy blogger. The catch is she’s never had children. Plunged into a world of insanity every mother faces, she must learn to cope as her lies build upon one another. A sexy ex comes into the picture, forcing her to choose between him or the job and a handsome ‘keeper’ of a coworker. It can’t last forever.