Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve published two books so far:
1) I’m Just Here for the Free Scrutiny — a collection of anecdotes from my time as a model (available in ebook form everywhere online including Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Just-Here-Free-Scrutiny-Wonderful-ebook/dp/B00JJEM8YO/)
2) Chick Lit (And Other Formulas for Life) — my first full-length fiction novel
(paperback available on Amazon, ebook everywhere else: http://www.amazon.com/Chick-Lit-Other-Formulas-Life-ebook/dp/B0157GPMO0/)
As for “written”, I have two more hanging in the shadows: one I hope to release in the near future and one that will probably never see the light of day without a proper gutting/rewriting first.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Chick Lit (And Other Formulas for Life) — and Sandra Bullock inspired it, believe it or not! Once upon a time I read about her landed the lead role in The Proposal, where the main character has to pretend she is engaged to her employee in order to avoid deportation. I remember rolling my eyes and going, “Yeah, I wonder how *that* ends!” This snarky comment set off a chain of events that eventually lead me to writing about a young woman attempting to find purpose in her life while everything else around her starts mimicking every chick lit trope.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Other than I write at seemingly all the inopportune times? I guess the only unusual writing habit I have is that I have no rhyme or reason when it comes to how/when/where I write. I can sit down at a desk and crank out a scene at a scheduled time — and then I can rapidly scribble something down at a red light in my car.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King has been my biggest influence, even though I don’t write horror novels. He is a prolific writer who never gave up, even when the rejection letters poured in. On Writing is one of the best books, well, *on writing*, that you can ever come across.
I’m also hugely influenced by David Sedaris and Anais Nin. The way they can describe what has been going on in their lives is second to none. Whether it is done humorously or poetically, both have a way with words that can make anyone’s experiences come alive.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently editing and preparing my latest manuscript — In the Event the Flower Girl Explodes. My goal is to have this particular novel published in the more traditional, agent-and-publishing-house sense. But since my first book was published through a website (Thought Catalog) and my second book was self-published, I am okay with exploring whatever avenues this book needs to go down.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Whoever will take me and wherever I am heard! I love writing for websites like the Huffington Post or HelloGiggles, where I can simultaneously say what I want to say while promoting the things I want to promote. But I also love Twitter for its connectability and constant interaction. I love Goodreads for the sheer fact that you’re surrounded by fellow book lovers.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be passionate about humanity. Be passionate about what makes people tick, what motivates people, what people turn to when they need something to turn to. Even more so than being passionate about words, be passionate about people.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write with the door closed. Edit with the door open.
What are you reading now?
Henry & June – Anais Nin. It’s one of my absolute favorites and I decided to dive back into it after months of reading and editing my second book (to the absolute detriment of any pleasure reading).
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m slowly but surely getting everything ready for a potential collection of poetry. If I can get it together the way I want it to come together, I’ll be publishing it through Thought Catalog, who has been nothing but wonderful in my writing career, since Day One.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Me Talk Pretty One Day – David Sedaris
Dreamcatchers – Stephen King
Henry & June – Anais Nin
The Unbearable Lightness of Being – Milan Kundera
Author Websites and Profiles
Abby Rosmarin Website
Abby Rosmarin Amazon Profile
Abby Rosmarin’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
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