Monday, February 11, 2013

Interview with Jessica Gordon


Welcome to my blog! Today I'm interviewing Jessica Gordon, author of Becoming Mrs. Walsh. I'll also be unveiling my review of the book. Please help me make Ms. Gordon feel welcome! Leave a comment, let us know you stopped by. I hope you enjoy today's feature.

Hi Jessica! Welcome to Storm Goddess Book Reviews & More! I'm glad to have you with us today.




Tell me about yourself, and your writing.
I love to write. My writing tends to be light-hearted, fast-paced women's fiction. In particular, I like to write in the chick lit genre. I think it is important to write books that are fun and easy to relate to. Life can be hectic. When people look to novels as an escape, I feel it is the author's job to provide a great story that is told well.


How long have you been writing? How many published books do you have, and what genres?
In a way, my whole life. It started when I was younger, I loved writing in my journal. I was really good about it, wrote every night! And then in school I entered in a few writing contests and won which was really encouraging. From there, I decided that I wanted to write as much as possible. I was accepted into the Writing Seminars program at Johns Hopkins, which meant I was able to write all of the time. It is a creative writing program that focuses on all aspects of writing fiction, poetry, screenplays. Becoming Mrs. Walsh is my only published book so far and it is in the chick lit genre.

Do you write in multiple genres or just one? If just one, do you ever consider straying outside your genre?
I tend to write women's fiction/chick lit, but I would definitely consider tackling another genre. I think writing a heavier book can probably take a real toll on an author. It is a very personal experience to write something vulnerable. Books that center on serious or depressing topics can be sad or even scary to read, so I'm not sure what it would be like to author a book like that. But maybe I would try mystery or historical fiction.

Are you a plotter or do you write from the seat of your pants?
I am an overall plotter in that I have a loose idea of a story. The characters always come to me first and are sharply developed and then as they speak to each other and move forward in the story that tends to be a seat of my pants type of thing.

What is a typical writing day like for you?
It depends on the day. Some days I have ideas pouring out of me and I have to sit and write immediately. Other times I can write myself into a corner or need to step away from the story to clear my head. I can't say that each day consists of a full eight-hour writing day. I certainly have times where only one sentence was written during the day, but then in the evening I can end up writing well into the night.

Who do you love to read? Favorite authors, favorite books?
I love a lot of chick lit, some chick lit favorites like Sophie Kinsella come to mind. I also enjoy reading Gemma Townley, Sophie Kinsella's sister. There is something about the British chick-lit writers and how they capture scenes. I think they are excellent at creating comical scenes and characters. As far as favorite books, I recently ready On the Island by Tracey Garvis-Graves, I thought it was excellent. I also enjoyed Kathryn Stockett's The Help.

What is something you'd like to accomplish in your writing career next year?
I would love to write a sequel to Becoming Mrs. Walsh. It is certainly a challenge to write a sequel because you want it to be on par with your first book. A lot of feedback I received includes people asking for a sequel. I don't want to disappoint!

If you could have one paranormal ability, what would it be?
I would love to be 'a fly on the wall' in certain situations. Do you ever come away from a party or an interaction wondering what another person or couple's take on a situation may have been. I guess that's the beauty of writing. You can make up what people say behind closed doors, you get to have everyone's perspective.

If you could keep a mythical/ paranormal creature as a pet, what would you have?
This pet is not necessarily mythical/paranormal, but I would love to have Curious George around! He is so adorable and he is always getting into different adventures. As a writer curiosity and exploration is really important.

Tell us a little about your latest release.
Becoming Mrs. Walsh centers on Shoshana Thompson's journey joining the Walsh family. This family is one of the wealthiest, most well-known families in Washington, D.C. Shoshana is engaged to Andrew, the last single Walsh brother. As she learns the opulent lifestyle of the Walshes and is tutored by her socialite sisters-in-law in how to survive, this world introduces her to someone who may shake up her perfect wedding plans. She knows things are about to get a lot more complicated because this charming man, this person she may have real feelings for, is the one person who is absolutely off-limits.

What is something that you absolutely can't live without? (Other than family members)
Pen and paper. It is something so simple, but I use it all of the time. I always have random lists or pieces of paper with ideas for new stories in my purse or on my night table. Even though I have an iPhone and probably can be more modern about it, I tend to write on paper. Even when I am writing. Becoming Mrs. Walsh had a lot of scenes that were originally written on paper first before they made it onto the computer screen.

Could you ever co author a book with someone? If so, who would you choose, and what would you write?
Probably not. I think writing is an independent, creative experience. It can be frustrating at times and having another person may be nice to split the burden with, especially when you hit plot walls. But, when the ideas are flowing and you are really into your story and characters, it is hard to think of having another person involved.

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?
Gloria Steinem. I just recently came across the quote: "Writing is the only thing that when I do it, I don't feel I should be doing something else."
The quote really captures how I feel about writing. Whenever I am writing I feel very focused and involved with my characters and scenes. Sometimes it is really hard to tear myself away! I think it would be fascinating to hear her take on writing, know about her writing process, and her typical writing day.

What are some of your other hobbies outside of writing?
I love being outside on a beautiful day and walking. I enjoy reading and watching movies, spending time with family and friends.

If you were on the staff to have a book adapted to movie, what would you pick?
I think On The Island by Tracey Garvis-Graves would be a great movie. The island sounds beautiful and watching these two characters survive would be fascinating. It really makes you think about what you would do in that situation.

What is a talent you wish you had, but don't?
I would love to have a good voice. It would be fun to sing along with the radio and belt out the words in perfect pitch.

Favorite color?
Purple

Weather: Hot or cold?
I love both for different reasons. Overall, I have to go with hot. I love being in the sun, and a warm, breezy day. But sometimes a winter night can be beautiful and warm by the fire.

Favorite place to read?
On the couch with a snack or two. :)

Favorite meal
I love Italian food; there is a great restaurant in D.C. that makes amazing pasta dishes. Any meal with pasta is probably one I would enjoy.

Favorite non-alcoholic drink.
Virgin Pina Colada, I love that drink! I honestly drink it virgin usually. There are other daquiries and icy drinks that are good with alcohol, but a pure pina colada is really creamy and delicious.

If you could travel anywhere and do anything, no limits or money holding you back, where would you go?
Italy. For sure. I studied abroad in Florence and fell in love with the city. I had seen pictures of Florence and knew on some level it was beautiful, but being there looked exactly like the pictures. The colors of the city and the food are so unbelievable. I still can picture every aspect of my experience there. I think very fondly of the city and would love to live in a villa and hang out with family and friends feasting on delicious food.




Blurb: Shoshana Thompson is 26 years old, miles from home, and engaged to be married into one of Washington D.C.'s wealthiest families. Andrew Walsh, her fiancĂ©, is Shoshana's vision of the perfect man. Throughout their engagement, she becomes enamored with his privileged lifestyle.

While Shoshana navigates the tricky world of in-laws and societal wedding planning, she desperately tries to ignore her growing feelings for another man. She knows that exploring this love will threaten her existence as a Walsh. But, when she discovers the feelings may not be one-sided, she knows things are about to get a lot more complicated, especially because this man is absolutely off-limits.

Becoming Mrs. Walsh is a story of relationships and the richly layered complexity of family, in-laws, and love.


Rating: 4 LIGHTNING BOLTS

Review:  Sometimes, you just have to push it to fit into your new life. Take it from Shoshana. She's upgraded her life when she is engaged to Andrew Walsh. her soon-to-be hubby's lifestyle is nothing like what she's used to. Now, to play the new role, Sho has to figure out just what she wants, while life decides to throw a few curve balls at her.

This book really has quite a bit going for it. First, the authors voice and writing style really grabbed me. i found the characters very well defined, there are some you love, there are some you don't, depending on their role in the story. I was swept away with how well the lead character, Shoshana, was. I found myself relating to her in so many levels.  She encounters things that will make her do some hard choosing.

Becoming Mrs. Walsh is a great fiction novel filled with emotion, secrets, and a story that  will stick in your mind. I'm glad I had the chance to read it.



Jessica Gordon is a Johns Hopkins University alumna for both her undergraduate and graduate degrees. She received her bachelor's degree in liberal arts from the Writing Seminars program and her master's degree in communications.

After working in the corporate world for several years, Jessica decided to return to her first love: creative writing. Jessica takes her readers to the prominent Washington, D.C. area where her characters navigate through the complex world of family, in-laws, and love.

Jessica lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband. This is her first novel.

For more information on the book, check out www.jessica-gordon.com. Jessica can be reached at any time:jessica@jessica-gordon.com.






   Barnes & Noble

3 comments:

  1. Thanks for the review - this sounds good!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks so much for having me, Nikki! I loved being here today and reading your review of the book!

    :) Jessica

    ReplyDelete