GCC Welcomes Jessica Brody

I’m excited to have Jessica here to talk about her new book, 52 Reasons to Hate My Father. Here’s a bit about the book.

Jessica also stopped by to answer some questions.
1) Tell us something fun about your new book, it can be a character detail, something that inspired the story, or a behind the scenes story from the writing process.

I think I’ll share how I came up with the idea for the book. It’s kind of a funny story. I was sitting in my car, watching a meter maid write someone a parking ticket and I thought, “Wouldn’t it be fun to be a meter maid? But only for like a week. Just to see what it was like.” Then I start to brainstorm all these other jobs I’d like to do for one week. And I decided, “Well, I’m too busy writing novels to actually do all these jobs, so I guess I’ll just have to write a book about someone else who does them.” And then I tried to think of the funniest character to put in that kind of situation and the answer was instant: a spoiled heiress who has never had to work a day in her life. And alas, Lexington Larrabee was born. But really the joke’s on me, because in researching the story, I actually did take on some of the jobs that are in the book! My favorite was working the drive-thru at a fast food restaurant. Those head-sets you have to wear are like something out of Star Trek!

2) What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?

When I’m in the middle of a book, there’s not much else I can do when I’m not writing because my brain is always totally preoccupied with my story…even after I’ve finished my daily word count. Really, the only thing I can do is watch TV. It’s nice to focus on other people’s stories for a while. I’m obsessed with the shows: Vampire Diaries, So You Think You Can Dance, True Blood, Dexter, Girls, Modern Family, and my all-time favorite, How I Met Your Mother.

3) If you weren’t an author- what job would you choose?

A blackjack dealer.

4) Rapid fire round!
Currently Reading: The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty.
Sweet or Salty: Both! Yogurt covered pretzels are the best of both worlds!
Morning or Night person: Morning (My college self would NOT believe that answer.)
Coffee or Tea: Coffee when I’m writing. Tea when I’m not.
Favorite Holiday: Thanksgiving. Because of the food! Oh, and my family, I guess.
Favorite TV Show: How I Met Your Mother (I watch all the seasons on a constant loop.)
Favorite Indulgence: Sugar gum. My mother always made me chew sugarless when I was a kid. So now that I’m an adult…it’s all about the juicy fruit, baby! Actually I’m chewing a piece now!

For details on her giveaway check here.

About the book:
Being America’s favorite heiress is a dirty job…but someone’s gotta do it.

Lexington Larrabee has never had to work a day in her life. After all, she’s the heiress to the multi-billion-dollar Larrabee Media empire. And heiresses are not supposed to work. But then again, they’re not supposed to crash brand-new Mercedes convertibles into convenience stores on Sunset Boulevard either.

Which is why, on Lexi’s eighteenth birthday, her ever-absent, tycoon father decides to take a more proactive approach to her wayward life. Every week for the next year, she will have to take on a different low-wage job if she ever wants to receive her beloved trust fund. But if there’s anything worse than working as a maid, a dishwasher, and a fast-food restaurant employee, it’s dealing with Luke, the arrogant, albeit moderately attractive, college intern her father has assigned to keep tabs on her.

In Jessica Brody’s hilarious “comedy of heiress” about family, forgiveness, good intentions, and best of all, second chances, Lexi learns that love can be unconditional, money can be immaterial, and regardless of age, everyone needs a little saving. And although she might have fifty-two reasons to hate her father, she only needs one reason to love him.

July 5th, 2012