Tuesday, June 5, 2012

At the movies with Claire Cook, plus a book giveaway

Introduction by Kathryn Hamilton

**Giveaway is now closed**

Claire Cook joins us today to celebrate the release of her ninth novel, “Wallflower in Bloom” (due out June 5th and which I have the pleasure of reviewing in the near future!), just in time for beach season. Ms. Cook has proven that it’s never too late to start doing what you love, as she wrote her first novel at the age of 45 and has enjoyed nothing but success since. Perhaps her best known novel is “Must Love Dogs” which was adapted into a major motion picture featuring John Cusack and Diane Lane. Ms. Cook is a wonderfully charming woman and one of the most down-to-earth, approachable and accessible authors. She is on Facebook, Twitter, and of course has her own website, which includes book club questions (and she is willing to meet with your book club or Skype with your group) as well as tidbits of information that she has learned about writing throughout the years and shares with fans. Ms. Cook is known for her humour and quirky characters that come to life in relatable stories. It’s no wonder she is a fan favourite and no doubt will continue to please chick lit audiences for years to come!

Thanks to Simon & Schuster we have THREE copies of "Wallflower in Bloom" to give away to some lucky readers anywhere in the US.

Favorite movie:
Must Love Dogs, of course! It was such a fun experience, and every time the movie plays on TV, which is a lot, it's like a stroll down memory lane for me. I've had several other novels optioned for movies, but it's so rare when one of them makes it all the way. I have high hopes for "Wallflower in Bloom" though!!

Where do you find inspiration for your novels? Was there something in particular that inspired "Wallflower in Bloom?"
Every novel is different! "Wallflower in Bloom" began in kind of a crazy way: GalleyCat asked its Facebook readers which author they’d most like to see on Dancing With the Stars. Amazingly, I was one of the authors nominated, along with David Sedaris and Jodi Picoult!

I have the best readers ever, and they got all excited and started voting like crazy – and I won the vote! GalleyCat sent the petition off the DWTS producers. Everyone started asking me if I’d really do it. “Of course, I would,” I said, my knees shaking. “Not just for me, but for midlife women everywhere.”

I totally would have done it, shaky knees and all, if Dancing With the Stars had ever called, which they haven’t - yet! But I have to admit it was a lot less stressful to turn the experience into the jumping off point for "Wallflower in Bloom."

What was intriguing to me was the thought of a non-celebrity suddenly dropped into a celebrity world. And then I started thinking what if the heroine was the personal assistant to her famous brother, who was the family star. And what if she somehow used his connections to find her own fifteen minutes of fame?

Favorite movie director:
Gary David Goldberg, who directed Must Love Dogs! (He’s my hero and has earned my lifelong loyalty!) He created Spin City, Family Ties and Lou Grant. I think my comic timing has gotten better just by hanging around with him!

What's your favorite movie theater snack:
Movie theater popcorn. And if I’m home, Trader Joe’s Organic Popcorn with Olive Oil. Seriously delicious.

Favorite movie musical:
I love them all, but because "Wallflower in Bloom" has me in dance mode, I’m going to say what I really love are all the old Busby Burkeley dance numbers in so many of the old musicals. The choreography is fabulous!

What do you do when you experience writer's block?
It took me until I was 45 to write my first novel, so I don’t have time for writer’s block. I just refuse to believe in its existence, and I sit down at the computer every day and stay there as long as it takes to get my pages done.

What's your favorite movie based on a chicklit book?
I bet you don’t even need to ask! Must Love Dogs!

What's on deck for you?
"Wallflower in Bloom" comes out today – so check the events page at ClaireCook.com to see if I’ll be in your neck of the woods! And make sure you’re following me on Facebook and Twitter – there's lots of fun stuff planned. I’ll also be calling and Skyping with book clubs this summer. You can find out about scheduling a visit for your book club at ClaireCook.com too.

Special thanks to Claire for chatting with us, and we hope to see some of her other books on the big screen soon. Thanks also to Simon and Schuster for sharing "Wallflower in Bloom" with our readers.

How to win "Wallflower in Bloom":
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: What is your favorite movie musical?
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 only. Giveaway ends June 10th at midnight EST.

52 comments:

Marthalynn said...

I'm not sure if it's considered a musical, but I loved My Best Friend's Wedding and all of the songs from it!

Must Love Dogs was such a brilliant movie!!

I'm a follower

marthalynn16 at gmail

EFC Chrissy said...

This book sounds great! Thanks for the giveaway! everyfreechance@gmail.com

I am a follower of this blog...LOVE IT!

One of my favorite movie musicals is "Meet Me In St. Louis"....I also love "Fiddler on the Roof" and "Chicago".

Kerry Ann @Vinobaby's Voice said...

*I have to admit: I'm a late bloomer. I only discovered Claire Cook a few months ago, and had I been missing out. She writes such fun and charming books.
kskm07(at)gmail(dot)com

*Favorite classic musicals: Sound of Music & Gigi. Modern: Mama Mia

*I am a blog follower

*I am a member of the FB group

*I am tweeting about the contest & fab author

Cheers!

BRN2SHOP9 said...

My favorite musical is Rocky Horror Picture Show, followed by Grease

I follow via gfc, twitter and facebook.

brn2shop9 at gmail dot com

Janice said...

Janice from JaniceinNJ@aol.com
I love your blog Claire, and loved "Must Love Dogs." All your books are just wonderful. I can't wait to read the latests!

My favorite musical movie used to be as I was growing up, "The Sound of Music", then morphed to "Bye Bye Birdie" and has now morphed to "Mama Mia" which I thought was truly fabulous. But I am a HUGE fan of "My Best Friends Wedding" and all the songs there. I am forever listening to the soundtrack!

Cyndee said...

I loved"Must Love Dogs". I hope to read Claire Cook's book after the review.I am a Blog follower. My favorite movie musicals: Grease, South Pacific, Fame and Dream Girls.
Cyndee(dot)thomas0(at)gmail(dot)com

The Book Chick said...

This book looks really great and I'm sad that it is only available to US entrants and not us Canadian gals. Boo :( Claire Cook always writes great books!

Wanda Z said...

I've read a couple of Claire's other novels and thoroughly enjoyed them. I look forward to reading Wallflower in Bloom!

One of my favorite musicals has always been The Sound of Music. And, oh yes, I follow this blog. I love reading about authors and new books coming out!

wjzerangue AT cox DOT net

Anonymous said...

Grease is my favorite!

I follow on email and FB.

kly(dot)327(at)gmail.com

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

can't wait to read this book!

my favorite movie musical is Grease!

i follow blog

i have already joined chik lit central!

sparkle40175(at) hotmail (dot) come

Anonymous said...

Looking forward to the new CC!

I love Singing in the Rain, Meet Me in St. Louis

I'm a follower and member of FB Chick Lit Central

patebooks at yahoo.com

Stephanie said...

My favorite movie musical is West Side Story.

gfc follower

Skk25@aol.com

sneakerdoodle said...

My favorite movie musical was Grease 2. I've loved it since I was in elementary school and I still listen to the soundtrack. :)

gfc follower

mrspaulafranco@gmail.com

Felicia said...

My favorite movie musical is Grease! I saw it 8 times in the theater when I was a kid and at least once a year since it came out on tv/vhs/dvd.

I'm a follower of this blog. Also follower via facebook and twitter.

felicialso @gmail. com

gigi said...

Old Musical favorite has got to be The King and I. Newer musical is Mamma Mia.
I bought the movie, the cd and ABBA greatest hits after seeing the movie.
I am looking forward to Rock Of Ages that comes out soon.
I am new to this blog. I just found it last moth. I follow the blog through email and facebook.

gigihicks(at) windstream (dot) net

karenk said...

my favourite musical is 'the sound of music.'

thanks for the chance to read this fabulous novel.

i'm a follower & email subscriber, too :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Cher B said...

My favorite movie musical is hard to pinpoint- I am a sucker for a musical! Classic: Singin' in the Rain and contemporary: Moulin Rouge.

-CLC follower
-FB fan

Thanks for the chance to win!

cherbasonATgmailDOTcom

Susan @ The Book Bag said...

It would have to be Sound of Music - I have that on every year when I put up the Christmas tree - not sure why, it's just tradition now.

I follow this blog and 'like' om FB. Thanks for another great giveaway!

Jilleen said...

Great question! I love Mama Mia, Grease, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Cats, Rent & Chorus Line.

I am a blog follower via email

I am a member on FB/Fan Paage (Chick Lit Central)

Follo you on Twitter (SeasideBookNook)

This is a great giveaway! Thanks

Seasidebooknook at yahoo dot com

Lilian said...

1. Please tell us: What is your favorite movie musical?
Grease!

2. I'm already a GFC follower~

3. Tweeted: https://twitter.com/lilboxism/status/210207427830886403

4. Joined Chick Lit Central on Facebook.

lilianxchengATgmail.com

bn100 said...

Mamma Mia

I follow the blog.

bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

Brenda G. Spalding said...

I love the cover of this book along with the title. I will add you to my post about Chick Lit Blogs on my blog.
http://www.curlingupwithagoodbook.com

I am hosting a reading challenge this year on Goodreads and on my blog. This month is Chick-Lit month!
bichonlady21@comcastdotnet
I am going to become a follower!

jpetroroy said...

My favorite is The Sound of Music.

A blog follower (Jen)

jpetroroy at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I would love to win a copy of this book.

Favorite movie musical...Grease

I am a GFC follower

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Erica said...

Chicago and Oklahoma ... hmmmm .... I see a theme here.

I am a twitter follower and a blog follower.

wordywon@gmail.com

Bridget O'Neill said...

I love Sound of Music and Moulin Rouge!

I follow the blog

I'm a member on facebook

bjoneill@hotmail.com

Tiffany Drew said...

My favorite musical is The Sound of Music. I loved watching it as a kid. When I was sick, I'd spend the school day at my grandparents house and we would always watch it and eat toast. I've loved it ever since.

GFC follower Tiffany Drew

Facebook Member Tiffany Drew

Tweet: https://twitter.com/enterthedrew/status/210846803581612034

jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

gsandoval said...

ginaboyce at yahoo.com

gsandoval said...

fav musical grease!

gsandoval said...

I like chicklit on fb

gsandoval said...

im a follower now too

gsandoval said...

i tweeted giveaway too GinaBSandoval on twitter

Maureen said...

Grease is my favorite movie musical. I follow on GFC
Tweet: https://twitter.com/MaureenCE/status/210891982816550913
mce1011 AT aol DOT com

Eline said...

1. My all-time favorite movie musical is definitely "Grease (2)", followed by "Hairspray" LOVE THEM

2. I'm already a follower :)

3. I have posted this on my twitter account :)

4. I'm a member (an big lover) of Chick Lit Central on Facebook!

5. I've added Lynne Baes as a friend to the group on facebook :)

elinetackAThotmailDOTcom

Kritters Ramblings said...

My favorite movie musical is sad to admit, but I used to study in college to From Justin to Kelly!

kdurham2@gmail.com
I am a fan on facebook
i follow via gfc

susieqlaw said...

Sound of Music

I follow CLC on Facebook, twitter, and the CLC blog.

sendsusanmail AT gmail DOT com

faithspage said...

Love the cover
I follow on fb and twitter

kyfaithw at aol dot com

Jeryl M. said...

I would like to read this book.

jeryl.marcus@gmail.com

Jeryl M. said...

My favorite movie musical and my favorite movie is The Sound of Music.

I am a subscriber.

I am a Facebook fan.

jeryl.marcus@gmail.com

Dolly said...

I can't wait to read this, I just adore Clair's books! I'm reading 'Best Staged Plans' right now - so funny!

I can't possibly name a favorite musical movie, I love most all of them (I had to have been a gay man in a former life!!) - when channel surfing, I can NOT pass by "All That Jazz", "The King and I", "Fiddler on the Roof" - and I just saw a screening of "Rock of Ages" at the theater - hubba hubba Tom Cruise!

jcsites2002 at hotmail dot com

Bethany Marcello said...

My favorite musical is "GiGi," the I'll warrant the prostitution theme is a little hard to get over...

Jane said...

My favorite musical is The Sound of Music. Love Julie Andrews!

sk8ersmom57@yahoo.com

Jane

Claire Cook said...

Thank you so much for all your comments, everybody, and thanks to Chick Lit Central for the interview and giveaway! Good luck! And you can read an excerpt of WALLFLOWER IN BLOOM and my other 8 novels at ClaireCook.com!

WriterGirl said...

Thanks for the giveaway! I do love "Must Love Dogs" now that I have my own puppy Gibbs!

My fave musical is Seven Brides for Seven Brothers followed by Oklahoma. Love them!! I can watch them over and over!

I am a blog follower
I tweeted this posting. Thanks!

writergirl213@aol.com

Nancye said...

My favorite musical is The Sound of Music

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

GFC Follower

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Facebook Post
FB ID: Nancye Epperson Davis


https://www.facebook.com/nancyecdavis/posts/3813016735839

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I Tweeted
@NancyeDavis

https://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/211981157175275520

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I joined Chick Lit Central on Facebook

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

mep said...

Okay, I can't decide between Sound of Music and Grease. Have seen both so many times and can never change the channel!

Enjoyed Must Love Dogs, and I'd love to win Wallflower in Bloom and, for the record, would love to be on DWTS if they decided to change it to DWTNP (NP = Normal People).

I follow on Twitter (I'm @nottobrag)

mep AT nottobrag DOT net

rhonds said...

I follow on fb and will tweet at rhondsreads.. the king and I.Lomazowr@gmail.con