T.D. Hassett invited me to participate in The Next Big Thing blog-hop to publicize our new novels. Bob Evenhouse at Part-time Novelist had invited me to participate in the campaign a few months ago but my answers have changed a bit and Overlook is now available.

What is your working title of your book (or story)?

Overlook

Where did the idea come from for the book?

I was standing next to a woman at a PTA function and noticed her eye was twitching. I couldn’t let that twitch go, I had to figure out what could cause a pulled together PTA mom to come unglued.  From there, the book took on a life of its own.

What genre does your book fall under?

Contemporary Women’s fiction

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

I picture Julianne Moore playing Kitty. She could portray the uptight mom with a dark side without being over the top. Kristin Chenowith could play the other main character, Stacia. She can play controlling Southern belle with an edge well.  And, as long as I’m dreaming, I would cast Helen Hunt as Kitty’s wine swilling sister.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Kitty Haskell has everything – a perfect house in a perfect neighborhood, a handsome husband, charming children, and a nasty case of gonorrhea.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

Self-published.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

The first draft took about six months to write. I had the main characters in my head already so the story came together easily around them. It took me another year to get the novel to a final draft.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Joy for Beginners by Erica Bauermeister; Belong To Me by Marisa de los Santos; Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

I was inspired by the women I’ve met through my children. Most of the other moms I know are highly educated, ambitious people who didn’t set out to spend their days baking cupcakes and driving kids to soccer practice. Many of these women are questioning how they got off-track and what to do next with their lives.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Overlook deals with the universal issues of loyalty, betrayal, and the bonds of motherhood.

I recommend you also visit Noelle Granger, & RM Byrd and check out their new books.