An Interview with Aimee Friedman

So, I recently "interviewed" the author of A Novel Idea, Aimee Friedman. You can see my review of A Novel Idea here.

Here is the "interview", and I would like to say Thank You to Aimee Friedman for agreeing to do this.


1. What gave you the idea to do a novel that involves book so much?


I am, and always have been, completely passionate about books. I was born into a home filled floor to ceiling with books--both my parents value literature highly, so it was no surprise that I became a writer and editor. I would have loved to have started a book club in high school, but book clubs have only become wildly popular in more recent years. With A NOVEL IDEA, I wanted to show how books and a book club could be fun and exciting--a way to cause trouble and mischief or even fall in love!



2. Do you plan on writing more Romantic Comedies for Simon Pulse?

I would love to! I think it's a great line with fantastic writers and smart, sassy storylines. Many of my other novels--such as SOUTH BEACH, FRENCH KISS, and HOLLYWOOD HILLS--read as if they could be a part of the Romantic Comedy line, even though they are separate. I am swamped with other projects now, but I often daydream about writing a sequel to A NOVEL IDEA.


3. Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Read, read, read. Read whatever inspires you, what excites you, what hooks you--it doesn't have to be the classics, or even what's hot right now. It can be Shakespeare or it can be a graphic novel. Read what gets your heart pumping. I don't think I could have become a writer if I didn't first have a true appreciation for books, and other novelists. If there is a writer you admire, think about what they do on the page that works. Then, through that, you will find your own voice.


4. Do you have a special place where you do your writing? If so, where?

I love to write in a coffee shop across the street from my apartment. It's a cozy place that smells like pastries and has outlets for laptops and great music playing at all times--not unlike The Book Nook in A NOVEL IDEA (only it's not a bookstore, and there's no Griffin working there!) I'll come in and order a tall iced vanilla latte and muffin, sit down in one of the comfy booths, plug in my laptop, and get to work. If the coffee shop is sometimes too noisy or crowded, I'll go to the main branch of the New York City Public Library--a beautiful building with a hushed, reverential feel--it's almost like a temple to books.


5. When did you first know you wanted to become an author?

I honestly can't remember a time when I didn't want to write. I am ultimately a big daydreamer, and writing is a form of dreaming--it's putting your dream thoughts down on paper. As soon as I could really write--I must have been around five or six-- I wrote my first story, and I've been off and running from there. I wrote all through my childhood and teen years and college, and I have been very, very fortunate to turn what I love into a career.


6. When did you first decide to write for Young Adults?

When I was right out of college, I began working at a children's publishing house. It was around the time that teen fiction was exploding--Meg Cabot, Gossip Girl, and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants were hitting the shelves and getting people excited about young adult fiction. The energy of YA fiction spoke to me, and I knew I wanted to be a part of it, which is how my first novel, SOUTH BEACH, came to be!


7. Which character in "A Novel Idea" can you most relate to?Why?

Definitely Norah. Like Norah, I grew up in New York City, and I am a real city girl at heart. Plus I was--as I've already mentioned!--a voracious reader, devouring everything from Jane Austen to paperback romances. And, also like Norah, I was a bit shy and tongue-tied around boys that I liked... especially smart, bookish boys like James!


8. Did you or do you spend as much time hanging out in bookstore/cafe's as Norah does?

Definitely. In fact, I wish there were more bookstore/cafes in New York City. Though I love Barnes & Noble and Borders, there is something very special about hanging out in a local independent bookstore.


9. Who are some of your favorite authors?

This is a tough question! It changes very often, but right now I'd have to say, in no particular order: Charlotte Bronte, Sophie Kinsella, Kate Brian (I am addicted to the PRIVATE series), Emily Giffin, Michael Chabon, Ian McEwan, Hailey Abbott, Meg Cabot...the list goes on and on!


10. Is there anything that you would like to add/say?

Please check out my website: www.aimeefriedmanbooks.com for a comprehensive list of all my books! And feel free to drop me a line to let me know which of my books you have read, and what sorts of feedback you have.
And finally--happy holidays, and have a wonderful 2009!


So, Thank You to Aimee Friedman for answering my questions!