Thursday, November 17, 2011

Picking up the pace with Alison Pace, plus a book giveaway!

By Amy Bromberg

**Giveaway is now closed**

We are very excited to have Alison Pace with us today, to celebrate the mass market publication of "Pug Hill." In addition to "Pug Hill," Alison has written the following novels: "If Andy Warhol Had a Girlfriend," "Through Thick and Thin," "City Dog" and "A Pug's Tale." She has written essays that have been in several anthologies, including "Howl: A Collection of the Best Contemporary Dog Wit," "Everything I Needed to Know About being a Girl I Learned from Judy Blume" and "It's a Wonderful Lie: 26 Truths About Life in Your Twenties."
Some of Alison's favorite movies include Best in Show, Manhattan and When Harry Met Sally. She also loves "Wuthering Heights," Willie Nelson and the show Will and Grace. She lives in the New York City and teaches creative writing.

Alison is here to share with us what inspired "Pug Hill," as well as some fun information about herself. She also has ONE copy of "Pug Hill" to give away to a lucky reader anywhere in the US and/or Canada.

To learn more about Alison Pace, visit her on Facebook, Twitter and her website.

Where did your love for Pugs come from? Have you always been a dog lover?
I've always been a dog lover, yes. I grew up in a home where we had at least four dogs at any given time, but never a pug. When I first moved to New York City (many years ago) I started seeing pugs everywhere. Someone told me about Pug Hill, a place in Central Park where pugs used to meet up every weekend. I used to go visit Pug Hill every now and then, and quickly fell in love with the breed.

In your wildest dreams, which author would you love to co-author a book with?

Elinor Lipman. She's been a true mentor to me and is a great friend. I'd love to co-author something with her. Love.

Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it?
I do. Sometimes I just let myself go with it and accept the fact that in any creative endeavor there must be a fallow period, in which ideas can percolate. Other times, like those times when I'm on a deadline, I force myself. I won’t let myself get up from my desk until I've written at least 500 words...often that snaps me out of it.

Do you have any advice for other writers?
Oh, yes, lots. Mostly, read all the time. The more you read, the more you'll write and the better that writing will be. Also, always keep your eyes open and always look around for inspiration. You never know when it will hit.

What are your pet peeves? (no pun intended)
Lying. The fact that I say like too often. People who are braggy. Lateness.

If you were deserted on an island, who are three famous people you would want with you?
One of those people who won Survivor to help with the desert island survival aspects. Someone from "Happy Endings," my new favorite TV show. And then...um, someone who's done a lot of good in the world so it wasn't just a TV desert island.

How did you come up with the title for "Pug Hill?"
Titles tend to come to me right away, as soon as I think of an idea for a book. And then, about 50% of the time, my publisher thinks we should change it and then I usually brainstorm with my editor, agent, friends and sometimes facebook in order to find a new fit.


If "Pug Hill" were to be made into a movie,who would you cast in the lead roles?
Oh, wow, this always changes. Right this moment, for Hope, I'd love Bryce Dallas Howard, with her red hair. Elliot would be Topher Grace, I think. But I'm really flexible on casting. :)

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?
In the afternoons, after I've gotten all my errands done and have created the illusion for myself that all my ducks are in row. In this chair in my living room with my feet up on an ottoman. Hands down, where I get my best work done. Sometimes I migrate to the couch, but I rarely sit at my desk for writing.

What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question?Oh, I don't know! Yours were all outstanding. But how about what's next? I have a new book out in December 2012, an essay collection about my life with dogs. I'm really excited about it.

We are thankful to Alison for visiting with us and sharing her book with our readers.

How to win "Pug Hill":

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. Tell us your two biggest pet peeves. (You can also share why, if you wish to.)
2. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
3. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
4. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. Please read our posting guidelines, as well. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)
5. 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 November 22nd at midnight EST.

25 comments:

Kritters Ramblings said...

One of my pet peeves is being excessively noisy, I like a quiet space to work - there is no need for gum smacking or pen clicking

I follow this blog.
i am a fan on facebook.
kdurham2@gmail.com

Dana Morales said...

My biggest pet peeve is not very original--men who leave the toilet seat up! :)

I follow this blog, and I'm a fan on facebook.

lilniblet@gmail.com

Marthalynn said...

Great interview. She has some good insight!

My pet peeves are complaining just to complain and being rude. They both are just a waste of time and so unflattering.

I follow you :)

marthalynn16 (at) gmail (dot) com

Nina said...

If her books are as good as her taste in movies then I definitely have to read them! Haha.
Pet Peeves are something that I feel almost always come up, but I can never think of one on command! Lame, I know. :(
Nina565(at)aol(dot)com

Stephanie said...

My two bigest pet peeves are rude people and people that chew with their mouths open.

I'm a gfc follower.

Skk25@aol.com

Literary Chanteuse said...

Two pet peeves are: People that say oh I'll call or we should get together and make no effort. I know this simply means they are not good friends but I can't help but hope people will make an effort.

People who are on their cell phones when going through the cashier. Unless it is important it is rude! Talk after!

I'm a follower

Margaret
singitm@hotmail.com

Tiffany Drew said...

I really want to read this book, it looks so good and I've been eyeing it for a while :)

My two biggest pet peeves are people who chew with their mouths open- I don't want to see your food!- and people who smoke in their cars while their children are inside. This one really, really makes me angry.

GFC follower Tiffany Drew

Facebook member Tiffany Drew

jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

Carol N Wong said...

Oh gee, I love pugs and reading about them.

1. People clicking pens drive me up a wall.

2. Also the noise from dragging finger nails on a chalk board. One of my cockateil figured out how to make this noise! I worked hard at noticing it and finally he dropped it from his repetoire!

I follow your blog.
I am a fan of yours on Facebook.
I tweeted:

http://t.co/ojlIw8aZ

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

holdenj said...

Thanks for the chance to win! I love the cover of the book!

One of my pet peeves are the family members (who shall remain anonymous) that leave the cupboard doors open in the kitchen.

I'm a GFC follower.

JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

karenk said...

would love to read this novel...thanks for the chance :)

karenk
kmkkua at yahoo dot com

Linda Kish said...

I would love to win a copy of this book.

My two biggest pet peeves are disrespect from young people toward adults and tardiness.

I am a GFC follower

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Na said...

Animals are a lot of fun in books.
Two of my pet peeves are:

1. When people talk or chew with their mouth full.

2. Chronic complainers.

I am a GFC follower.
Cambonified(at)yahoo(dot)com

Constellation Designs said...

Great interview.

My two pet peeves are people who talk very loudly on their cell phones in public and people who say one thing and do another.

Krystal Lynn said...

My main pet peeve is the pet peeves other people have. People getting overly annoyed by little things is far more annoying than what they complain about.

Retweeted on twitter @krystaldorkface

Follow blog

Group member

miss_kris_11@yahoo.com

Kristen said...

Two pet peeves:
1. When you go out of your way to let someone in while driving and they don't give the "thank you" wave.

2. Flaky people that don't show up when they say they will!

I follow on FB!
kly(dot)327(at)gmail

Jeryl M. said...

I would like to read this book.

jeryl.marcus@gmail.com

Jeryl M. said...

Two of my biggest pet peeves are people who think that they are more important than anybody else and people who talk loudly on their phones in public.

I am a Facebook fan.

I am a subscriber.

jeryl.marcus@gmail.com

StereoQueenBee said...

1. Tell us your two biggest pet peeves. (You can also share why, if you wish to.)

People being late.
People lying.

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

Already follow this blog.

3. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.

Facebook - Sabrina-Kate Eryou
Twitter - stereoqueenbee

4. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. Please read our posting guidelines, as well. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)

Am a member.

queenofcrunk at gmail dot com

Kathleen Higgins-Anderson said...

My pet peeves are:

1) People who think they know it all and are rude!
2) Men who leave the toilet seat up ... ugh ...
3) People who smoke and blow their smoke in other people's faces.

I follow this blog, FB and Twitter!

jerseygirlbookreviews@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

denisechavsal@yahoo.com

Thanks.

- Denise

Anonymous said...

My pet peeves are lying and drama queens.

denisechavsal@yahoo.com

- Denise

Jennifer L. said...

Thanks for the giveaway. This sounds like a fun book to read.
Jennifer L.
jentam777 at gmail dot com

Jennifer L. said...

I follow your blog on gfc as Jennifer L.
jentam777 at gmail dot com

mep said...

Awesome cover. Would definitely pop out at me in a bookstore. The fact that Elinor Lipman is Pace's mentor is enough to propel me to buy this book if I don't win it. Have loved Lipman's novels for years. Also, I love to hear writers reinforcing the importance of reading ... makes me feel like all my reading will lead to something someday!

mep AT nottobrag DOT net

mep said...

Pet peeves:

Drivers who try to sneak up the shoulder to avoid a traffic jam, especially when a highway is merging down one less lane.

Parents who complain about their kids getting up at 6:30 -- I WISH my kids would regularly sleep until 6:30.

I follow on Twitter (@nottobrag)

mep AT nottobrag DOT net