Monday, June 6, 2011

Interview with Jillian Conley and book giveaway

**Giveaway is now closed**

Today we are joined by Jillian Conley, author of "Maid of Honor" , which is her debut novel. Whether or not you have already seen "Bridesmaids" or "27 Dresses," you won't want to miss this book! (We know we want to get our hands on it soon...) We are excited to welcome Jillian to Chick Lit Central, especially since she is a fellow Chicagoan! We would like to thank Jillian for taking the time to visit us and we hope you will all enjoy!

Jillian has one copy of "Maid of Honor" to share with a lucky reader in the US or Canada.

If you like what you read today, visit her on Facebook and Twitter.

MP: What is your usual writing routine?
JC: I’m old school and I still use a paper journal and pen to scribble down what’s on my mind. It’s full of words, thoughts, and ideas that I scribble down at different times. When I am feeling creative I will sit down on my bed or couch with my laptop and write away.

MP: What do you if you get writer's block?
JC: The main character in Maid of Honor, Josephine, is a painter. I can relate to her well when it comes to the creative process coming and going. If I do get writer’s block, I don’t force it. I’ll go on a walk, doodle in my journal, or call a friend to talk about an idea in my head.

MP: What inspired you to write "Maid of Honor?"
JC: I wanted to write a story about how strong a bond between two women can be. After being in more weddings than I can remember, I realized there is no bigger test on a friendship than being the maid of honor in a friend’s wedding. A maid of honor doesn’t just stand next to the bride at the altar on the wedding day, but she embarks on a journey with the bride for several months. She must be patient and compassionate while being the bride’s right hand man.

MP: If you were not a writer, what job would you like to have?
JC: I’ve always wanted to open a used book store, but my father told me I’m nuts because paper books will be extinct sooner than later.

(CLC: *shuddering at the thought*)


MA: If "Maid of Honor" were made into a movie, who would you cast in the lead roles?
JC: Mila Kunis or Rachel Bilson.

MA: What is your favorite thing about living in Chicago?
JC: The culture. Chicago is such a huge melting pot.

MP: What is your favorite Chicago food or restaurant?
JC: It is very hard to pick just one. Chicago is full of so many amazing places to eat, but I did mention a few of my favorites in Maid of Honor. I am very partial to the best pizza in Chicago though. There is no pizza like Lou Malnati’s pizza.


(CLC: Yay for Lou's! Just so you know, you can have it shipped almost anywhere in the US.)

MA: What is your favorite movie about a wedding?
JC: "The Wedding Singer" or "Father of the Bride."

MA: What is the craziest thing you've ever had to do as a bridesmaid or maid of honor?
JC: Surprisingly, I’ve never had to do something that is too crazy. However, I have been forced to wipe more than a few bride’s after they go to the bathroom. It’s utterly disgusting and wish it wasn’t necessary.

MA: Describe your dream wedding.
MP: Eloping.


Thanks again to Jillian for hanging out with us and offering a copy of her book for our giveaway.

How to win "Maid of Honor":
Please comment below with your e-mail address.
(Please note: Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted. You can use AT and DOT to avoid spam. Or provide a link to your facebook page or blog if you can receive messages there.)

Bonus entries (can be listed all in one post):
1. Please tell us:
For how many weddings have you been a part of the bridal party and what was the worst dress you had to wear? (Or, if you've never stood up in a wedding, what color or style dress would you completely veto once you had the opportunity?)
2. Please tell us: What is your favorite movie about a wedding?
3. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
4. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
5. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)
6. Add a friend to our Facebook group. (Tell us who you added.) Be sure to remind them to edit their settings.

US/Canada only. Giveaway ends June 12th at midnight EST.

43 comments:

Kritters Ramblings said...

I have been in 3 weddings, and the worst one was a easter egg blue with a huge bow on the back.

I love 27 dresses!

I am a gfc follower.

I am a member of the facebook group!

kdurham2@gmail.com

Tiffany Drew said...

I have never been in a wedding. The worst dress I can imagine wearing would be something strapless and short with a large bow. Awful!

My favorite movie about a wedding is The Wedding Planner :)

GFC follower Tiffany Drew

Facebook member

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/enterthedrew/status/77747752326541312

Shared on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=208189249218393&id=1212566230

jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

Nina said...

I guess I'm lucky because I've only been in ONE wedding party, and that was when I was a young teen for my older sister! I haven't been to another one since! Okay, confession, I was supposed to be MOH at my sister's wedding in two weeks but she CALLED OFF THE WEDDING!! But, I did get out of having to wear the dress that means, haha.
And I have to say I love 27 Dresses and Father of the Bride!!
nina565(at)aol(dot)com

Melissa said...

Thanks for the giveaway.

I've been in 1 wedding. My favorite wedding movie is Made of Honor.
GFC Follower Melissa

coffeebooksandlaundry(at)gmail.com

The Giveaway Diva said...

I have not been in a wedding party yet but I think if the dress was orange i would veto it!

I just watched Bridesmaids and loved it! Soooo funny!

nicolemarielum @gmail.com

Snitz said...

I've been in 2 weddings and the worst dress I had was floor length red ballgown. It wasn't that the dress was ugly, it was more so that it was deep red and i got fitted for the dress after having the flu so come time to wear the dress it was so tight I had to starve myself for 2 weeks before the wedding!

snitz76 [at] gmail [dot] com

Snitz said...

Favorite movie about a wedding is Sex & The City - the FIRST one!!

Follower of the blog :)

Already a member of Facebook

snitz76 [at] gmail [dot] com

Anonymous said...

My favorite Wedding movie was 27 Dresses. I have never been a bridesmaid. I have been the guest book person at three weddings.

I am a follower of this blog/fb.

I will share on fb and link to blog

jenceyg@msn.com

Linda Kish said...

I would love to read this book.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I have been in 3 weddings but always as the bride. Those are the only dresses I would say no to.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

My Best Friend's Wedding is my favorite

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Jennifer said...

I have been in two weddings, and the bridesmaid dress for my sisters wedding was the worst. Dodger blue, and so not flattering.
I love Father of the Bride!!
I tweeted the giveaway.
I follow on twitter and Facebook.
Finger crossed for a win!

JMNDOWNING@GMAIL.COM

Kat said...

Love books that involve weddings. :) Hope to win!

ladykathryn@rogers.com

Kat said...

My favourite movie about a wedding... Four Weddings and a Funeral.

ladykathryn@rogers.com

Kat said...

I haven't been a part of a wedding party... I'd veto a dress with a large bow...several colours I'd veto... orange, hot pink (even though I love pink, there's a time and place for everything), lime green.

ladykathryn@rogers.com

Kat said...

I am a follower through GFC.

ladykathryn@rogers.com

Kat said...

Posted on FB.

ladykathryn@rogers.com

RivkaBelle said...

Eek! I can't believe I forgot to come back by here the other day when Blogger was being a pain & wouldn't let me comment! Sooo glad you posted a reminder on the news blurb! :o)

quarterback.girl[at]gmail[dot]com

RivkaBelle said...

I had to wear an orange, one-strap dress in a pumpkin-centered wedding the Saturday after Halloween...the dress ended up being a lot better than I thought when we ordered it, but so much orange/pumpkins/timing was a little weird, haha :o)

quarterback.girl[at]gmail[dot]com

RivkaBelle said...

Favorite wedding movie...I think 27 Dresses, just because it's so "real" feeling, while also being so very fun! Bride Wars is also a good one, hehe

quarterback.girl[at]gmail[dot]com

RivkaBelle said...

GFC follower :o)

quarterback.girl[at]gmail[dot]com

RivkaBelle said...

Member of Chick Lit Central on fb (RebeccaMFleming)

quarterback.girl[at]gmail[dot]com

LBK said...

I'm a follower.

The only wedding I've ever been in was my own and I let the bridesmaids pick their dresses. Though I do remember frilly lavender dresses at a wedding i've been to that were just too frilly.

I love the Wedding Singer!

I'm a member of the facebook group.

Lynda labboo.gc@gmail.com

karenk said...

please count me in...thanks :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

karenk said...

i think that i have been in 4 weddings...and the 'worst' dress was pink w/ ruffles, lots of ruffles.

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

karenk said...

i'm a follower :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

karenk said...

movie about a wedding...does 'the sound of music count?'

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Literary Chanteuse said...

This looks really good!

Have been a ring bearer, a bridesmaid and a maid of honor . Heck even a bride!

The ugliest dress was: a pink, huge lace puffed shoulders (like Princess Diana's)from the 80's

fave movie: The Wedding Date

I am a follower.

Margaret
singitm@hotmail.com

Books Etc. said...

I've been in a total of five weddings - flower girl, junior bridesmaid and three bridesmaid (two in one summer...argh!) The worst was a pink dress that made me look like a pink pear. Unfortunate.

Laugh if you wish, but I love the Wedding Planner...I toyed with the idea of becoming a wedding planner, so maybe that's it!

Last I checked I'm following but blogger's been stupid for me lately!

And I've requested to be part of the facebook group!

books.etc.blogger AT gmail DOT com

Sheena said...

The only wedding I've been in was when I was nine I was a junior bridesmaid. Fav wedding movie? sixteen candles. Follow the blog
sheen311@yahoo.com

Movie Passenger said...

Just last month I was maid of honor in my sister's wedding --she let me pick my dress!

Dolly said...

I've only been in my own weddingS, and stood up in my sisters wedding, and while the dress for her wedding was lovely, I had to have it custom made ($$$$), and never wore it again.

My favorite movie about a wedding is 'My Best Friend's Wedding" - it's pretty sad in spots, but so funny, and turns out for the best.

I follow your blog

I follow Chick Lit Central on Facebook.

Krystal Lynn said...

1. I've been in several weddings. For my aunts when I was a kid, I actually thought my little dresses were adorable. But for my friends quicky wedding , I was Maid of Honor but didn't have a dress that fit right because of the weight I'd lost. I had to borrow one from another friend. It had holes in the midsection that showed off my belly and stuff. I was so uncomfortable the whole time!

2. My favorite wedding movie is actually one of my faves of all time, The Wedding Planner. I love the whole idea of fate and kind of stumbling upon the person you're meant to be with. It's cute and I love the soundtrack. Plus Matthew McConaughey is cuuute. I know every word to that movie!

3. I'm a blog follower!

4. Retweeted contest on twitter (@krystaldorkface)

5. Already a member of Chick Lit Central on Facebook. =)

6. Had my friend Veronica (Rodriguez) join the group on fb!

miss_kris_11 AT yahoo DOT com

Kim W. said...

Bonus entries (can be listed all in one post):
1. Please tell us: For how many weddings have you been a part of the bridal party and what was the worst dress you had to wear? (Or, if you've never stood up in a wedding, what color or style dress would you completely veto once you had the opportunity?)
2. Please tell us: What is your favorite movie about a wedding?
3. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
4. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
5. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)
6. Add a friend to our Facebook group. (Tell us who you added.) Be sure to remind them to edit their settings.

Great contest! I would love to win this book!

kewalker1972@gmail.com

1. Worst dress: I've been in 3 weddings and only one of the dresses were bad. My friend got married about 18 years ago, we were 20 (gak!! I know), and the dresses were pepto-bismal-pink and poofy and "bubbled" at the hem. I had indigestion just from wearing the ugly thing and could have used some pepto the day of the wedding it was so awful!
2. Fave wedding movie: Wedding Singer and also The Runaway Bride
3. I already follow the CLC blog!! Love it!
4. I have posted this contest on FB
5. I am already a member on FB

Again.....email: kewalker1972@gmail.com

Kim W. said...

OOOOPS! Didn't realize I had copy & pasted the instructions for entering the contest :D

Kim W.

Jeryl M. said...

I'd like to read this book.

Jeryl M. said...

I'd like to read this book.

jeryl.marcus@gmail.com

Jeryl M. said...

I was in five wedding including one as a flower girl when I was young. None if the dresses were that hideous but I didn't wear any of them again either.

I don't really have a favorite wedding movie but a couple I like are Betsy's Wedding and My Best Friend's Wedding.

I follow this blog.

I'm a facebook fan.

jeryl.marcus@gmsil.com

faithspage said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
faithspage said...

3 weddings, ugly slate blue dress with puffy sleeves

The Runaway Bride

I follow gfc,
and fb

kyfaithw at aol dot com

StereoQueenBee said...

1. Please tell us: For how many weddings have you been a part of the bridal party and what was the worst dress you had to wear? (Or, if you've never stood up in a wedding, what color or style dress would you completely veto once you had the opportunity?)
I have never and I would veto anything pastel coloured!

2. Please tell us: What is your
favorite movie about a wedding?
Runaway Bride maybe?

3. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
Already follow!

4. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
FB and Twitter (stereoqueenbee)

5. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)
Already a member.

shanaelyse said...

-I think if I were part of a wedding party, I'd veto anything in orange or brown.
-My favorite movie about a wedding is Muriel's Wedding.
-I follow you on GFC.
-I like you on FB.

Shana S.
shanaelyse@gmail.com

ADR said...

1.I've been in two weddings and the worst dress was a maroon brocade monstrosity.

2.I loved 27 Dresses

3. I follow on Facebook

4. I follow on Twitter

5. I follow the blog

adr52775 at aol dot com