Okay, now for the interview:
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I’m a recovering perfectionist, a closet stand-up comedian, and an obsessive writer. I’ve scorched several pots of brown rice because I snuck away to my computer to write just a little bit more of the story. Once, even the smoke alarm and a horrid burning smell couldn’t penetrate my writing bubble. Finally, my mother bought me a rice cooker so I wouldn’t burn my house down.
Love, redemption, family, baseball, tomatoes… you know, the usual stuff. Seriously, The Joke’s on Me is about Frankie Goldberg, a thirty-seven-year-old former stand-up comic and actress who has been in Hollywood struggling for success (and ignoring her family) for the last fifteen years. When a mudslide drops her bungalow into the Pacific, Frankie books it for home: her mother’s bed and breakfast in Woodstock, New York. But the joke’s on Frankie–there’s little TLC here, only the family she left behind. Her mother is now in a nursing home, and her older sister has taken over the business. Frankie needs to decide what role she wants to play in this new iteration of Goldbergs, if at all. When her childhood crush shows up, it makes her decision that much harder. And life a lot more interesting.
When did you decide to become a writer?
I always loved writing, and kept a journal (there have to be at least five dozen black marble composition books full of scribbled words in my closet, dating back from junior high), but I went to school for advertising and became a graphic designer. It wasn’t until I was in my mid-twenties and between jobs that I decided to become a writer. It just felt like the right time. Plus, it gave me something to do between interviews and freelance gigs. I wrote a lot of really bad short stories at first, and eventually got better.
What do you do when you’re not writing?
More writing! By day I’m a freelance writer. I ghostwrite, blog, write educational materials for kids, whatever people will pay me to do. When I’m not staring at my computer or burning pots of brown rice, I love to read, cook, and watch baseball.
There are a lot of food references in The Joke’s on Me. Does this stem from your love of cooking?
Yes, and my love of eating! Among the older generations in my family, like in Frankie’s, food was love, food was warmth, a kind of social currency. My grandmothers and great aunts literally ran around offering people food, selling us on second helpings like they would jump out a window if we didn’t eat. They were my inspiration for Frankie’s stand-up routine.
Can you tell us about your challenges getting your first book published?
The first book I tried to get
21 Comments on An Interview with Author Laurie Boris, last added: 7/23/2011
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Laurie, I want to thank you for being a guest today. Your book sounds and looks wonderful. I wish you the best with it!
Karen
Fabulous interview! The book looks wonderful! I'm going to add it to my long wish list!
Blessings
Michelle V
What an entertaining interview! Thanks for hosting, Karen. Enjoyed getting to know Laurie a little bit. And I'm glad to hear I'm not the only person who burns things on the stove while engrossed in writing - LOL!
All the best with your book!
I'm thankful for microwaves: The food may grow cold again but won't burn.
The Joke's on Me is an enjoyable novel, and, no, I really don't say that about all of our books ... well, maybe I do because we only accept the ones that are. But Laurie's characters are quirky but so true to life. The plot grabs the reader. Yes, I like it.
Vivian
Karen, thank YOU, for having me. This is a nice place to hang out.
Thank you, Michelle, Beth and Vivian! Not only was I burning things on the stove, I was burning them in the microwave! There's a very long story about a microwave heat pack, a metal twist-tie and having to buy a new microwave, but I try not to write while operating anything in my kitchen.
I soooo hope that Frankie Goldberg has even HALF of your personality Laurie. I will love her instantly if she does.
Something I love to do after reading a book is to reflect on the Book Title's significance. For me, the experience is enriched when the Title takes on a new meaning once the book has been absorbed. (Like 'Still Alice' for instance.)
I'm now looking forward to not only doing this for The Joke's On Me, but also - to wonder what the book's title(s) might have been.
I hope to read this one son, myself. And I love the cover. Quirky.
Looking forward to reading Laurie's book, and I'm sure it will be one that I will be sad to leave the characters once I've finished the book. I usually do that when it's a book that I really enjoyed and couldn't put down.
Great interview.
Michelle V, Thanks for stopping by. It's on my 'to get' list also.
Beth, I think every writer can relate to Laurie's burnt food story.
Vivian, 4RV does have good books! :)
Sally G, nice point about the titles of books.
Aidana, I agree the cover is fun.
Peabea, Thanks for stopping by!
Sounds like a great set-up for a story. And the cover is awesome!
Thanks, Kate! We had fun with the tomatoes.
I enjoyed this interview, Laurie sounds like a terrific writer, I can tell by her anecdotes and remembrances.
The title is very good, I think because it spurs the readers interest. Of no significance, but it would alternitively make a great song title. CM.
Kate, Thanks for stopping by!
Tony, it really would make a great song title, if it's not one already!
I think it already is a song title, and also the title of an album. That's okay. I'll share.
Wow! Love it, love it love it. Great cover, fantastic interview. Can't wait to read the book.
Vanessa, It does sound like a very good book. And, I think the cover is great also!
Laurie, I think it's so neat that you got to exercise your standup routine and come out of the closet.
Barbars, it is neat when we can use one means or another to fulfill our dreams!
Probably the closest I'll get to being in front of a brick wall holding a microphone, Barbara!