This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Hi Lindsay! Please tell us about your latest book
Envision Lauren Weisberger’s The Devil Wears Prada in the high-drama, estrogen-infused world of cosmetics, and you have What Pretty Girls Are Made Of—a hilarious debut novel from a writer who’s lived it.
In the make-up world, life and love are never cruelty-free…
After living in New York City for four years and reaching a dead end on her acting career, Alison Kraft needs a new role—time for a career change. When she reads about the world-famous Sally Steele Cosmetics studio, Alison quickly swoops in to make a good impression and lands a job as an assistant to the diva herself.
Surrounded by fantastic new hues of blushes, eye shadows, and glosses, Alison loves her new job and the new swag. Even better, she discovers she’s actually really good at it! But in the midst of juggling her love life, crazy family members, and the grueling demands of a jealous, flaky boss who could put Miranda Priestly to shame, Alison starts to question her choices. How long before the pretty face cracks for good?
When you are writing, do you use any famous people or people you know as inspiration?
I think it’s natural to use people (famous or otherwise) as inspiration for when you create characters. But I also love to listen to how others describe people in ordinary conversation. It’s often those unfiltered moments that produce the most raw color for describing people, places or things. The other day, my best friend Meghan Markle (@meghanmarkle) and I were talking about someone who fully admitted to, and was almost proud of being the guy who looks inside people’s medicine cabinets. How much color does that give to his character description? Meet “Jon” – an affable, friendly man with piercing blue eyes and sandy hair a la Matt Damon. Oh, and he will unabashedly share with your whole cocktail party that you have a half-full vile of vicodin sitting in your bathroom cabinet.
What is your favourite Women’s Fiction book of all time and why?
I don’t have a favourite Women’s Fiction book but my favourite writers are: Jojo Moyes, Sophie Kinsella, Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus, Diana Gabaldon (though not Women’s Fiction), Audrey Niffenegger and Emily Giffin.
Can you give us three book recommendations?
The Chosen by Chiam Potok, How to be a Grown-Up by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus, Refuge by N.G. Osborne.
What do you think is the biggest myth about being a novelist?
The biggest myth about being a novelist is that the whole process is about writing! Writing is only a part of putting a book out. The entire publishing process is about the writing, the art, the editing, the layout, the publicity and the sales! Bestselling writer, Nicola Kraus, said to me: “If you can put out, you can give birth in an elevator.” Now that I’m on the other side, I’m ready to give birth in an elevator.
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What Pretty Girls Are Made Of is available to buy here.