Author Interview: Lori Culwell + 5 COPIES GIVEAWAY

Hey guys! Today I grace you with another author interview! This time, introducing the awesome Lori Culwell!

Lori wrote the ultra fabulous Hollywood Car Wash! And she graciously agreed to do an interview after I told her I became a new and happy fan on her blog! If you would like to learn more about the novel, check it out here: http://www.hollywoodcarwash.com/. Or communicate with Lori through her blog here: http://www.funnystrange.net/. SCROLL DOWN FOR GOODIES!

You are not a full-time fiction author. Can you please tell us what you do?

In "real life" I am a writer and creative director for websites. Actually, I have another book that also just came out, on that subject: Million Dollar Website (http://www.amazon.com/Million-Dollar-Website-Compete-BusinessBudget/dp/0735204411/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241494281&sr=1-2).

What was it like to take up the project?

It was daunting, just in the amount of work necessary to make the story come together. I had to put myself on a schedule and stick to it!

What was the most difficult part of writing it? And what was the easiest part?

It's always easy to write funny scenes--- just like telling someone a good story at a dinner party. It's the putting them into a compelling story that's hard. So, definitely stringing the elements of the story together. And rewriting! Oh my gosh-- rewriting is really hard. You have to really push yourself.

With so many celebrities and TV references, did those require research or are you just naturally an entertainment addict?

My husband is in the entertainment industry and I grew up near Los Angeles, and we have a lot of friends who are on shows or involved with them. Not only do I read the magazines and go to the websites, but I also hear a lot of real-life crazy stories-- after awhile, these stories started to be so funny and bizarre that I had to put them into a book.

Are you going to continue writing fiction?

Absolutely! I really enjoy creating a story that can make people laugh, keep them company on a sick day, or help pass a plane flight. There's nothing better than getting lost in a book!

Do you have any current projects you are working on at the moment?

I have a Young Adult fiction project in the works, and a couple of other things. :)

Are there any ideas in mind for stories that you hope to become reality?

Well, I have one about a food-phobic newspaper intern that I did for National Novel Writing Month (http://www.nanowrimo.org) -- that's going to need a lot of editing, but there's a good concept in there!

Lastly, give us an interesting fact about yourself that not many people know of!

I carry a notebook with me everywhere I go. Sometimes when I'm driving in my car or out walking my dog, I have to stop and write a bunch of stuff down. Sometimes I feel like there's a river of words in my mind, and I have to catch them!

~~~

Now isn't Lori just fab? I am really eager to find out about her new YA novel! (She is all hush-hush about it). But I'm sure you are all waiting for this: She is donating five SIGNED (lucky ducks!) copies of Hollywood Car Wash and YOU can win one of them! (Yay, my first-ever contest! Be proud of me fellas!). And you can only win one copy! Sorry, gotta be fair!

Please do this all in a separate post (and I trust that you guys will not lie). And leave a link so I see that you are telling the truth for certain entries!:

1+ = comment in this post here
1+ = comment on my review of Hollywood Car Wash
2+ = if you are already a follower either through blog roll, Google Reader, or both (sorry, chances won't double if you do both but you will get lots of love!)
1+ = if you just became a follower either through blog roll, Google Reader, or both (sorry, chances won't double if you do both but you will get lots of love!)
1+ = post this contest on your blog or whatnot (sidebar is fine)

Contest ends on June 1, 2009! (May be extended) And I apologize, US mailing addresses only! International readers: Sorry, I know how ya feel! You will have your chance for other book giveaways soon, I promise!