Interview with Kristin Gore

I don't know about you, but I've always wondered what it would be like growing up in the White House. Think about it. You'd have your own Secret Service agent, not to mention a personal chef, doctor, and maybe even a stylist. Now that's something I could definitely get used to! And how about all of the people you would meet? From heads of state to movie stars, the possibilities would be endless.

This month's Jen's Jewels has done all that and then some. Kristin Gore, daughter of former Vice President Al Gore just in case you haven't made the connection, is no stranger to the publishing world. Her diversified credentials are truly remarkable. Her latest release, SAMMY'S HOUSE, is a delightful continuation of her smash hit SAMMY'S HILL, which is being made into a movie by Columbia Pictures. Don't worry! If you haven't read her first book, you still can follow along. (I'm speaking from personal experience here!) Her lead character, Sammy, is such a dynamic young woman that I know you, too, will be taken in by her charm and quirky wit.

As part of this interview, Hyperion Books has graciously donated five books for my monthly contest, of which I am very grateful! So, why don't you go grab something cool and refreshing to drink and get to know the talented writer, Kristin Gore.

Jen: From what I have read, your love of writing goes all the way back to your college days. Please tell us a little bit about your educational and professional background and how your love of writing evolved.

Kristin: I wanted to be a writer from a very young age, basically from the moment I realized that actual people had written the stories that my parents read to me. Throughout elementary and high school, I kept journals and wrote constantly, but it wasn't until college that I got into comedy writing. My work on the Harvard Lampoon led to jobs writing television comedy after college, for Futurama and Saturday Night Live, among other shows. Though I enjoyed the energy and creative collaboration of TV writing, I was eager to create my own characters and story lines, and to explore narratives in a more in-depth way. Since my dream had always been to write books, I took a break from television in 2003 to write my first novel, SAMMY'S HILL.

Jen: When asked to describe your latest release, I have said that it's a cross between the movie Legally Blonde and the television show The West Wing. Would you agree with this statement? I don't think you can categorize it at as chick-lit, although it does have some elements in it that would appeal to that genre. How would you best describe it?

Kristin: That's an interesting description. I've actually never watched an episode of The West Wing, perhaps because it felt too close to home. I describe this novel as a political satire featuring a young woman navigating personal and professional adventures in a high-stakes world full of crazy curve balls. It's Sammy's story, but it's also the story of a love affair with politics gone wrong. And it's a comedy.

Jen: As writers, we choose to write about what we know best and of course, you have witnessed first-hand what truly goes on the White House albeit as the vice-president's daughter. What was the reaction from your family, especially your parents, when you told them you were putting to print a story loosely based on your experiences? Did they have any advice?

Kristin: Both my parents read early drafts of SAMMY'S HOUSE and luckily loved it. They were extremely enthusiastic fans of SAMMY'S HILL, but they told me that they think this book is even better, which is very nice to hear both as a novelist and as a daughter.

Jen: From conception to completion, about how long did it take for you to write the novel and if you had to choose, what is your favorite scene from the book and why?

Kristin: From conception to completion, this novel took about a year and a half. It's difficult for me to pick a favorite scene, but there are certain characters that I really enjoyed writing. One of these - Alfred Jackman - is first introduced in SAMMY'S HILL as an 83-year-old constituent Sammy hand-picks to testify about traveling to Canada to get more affordable prescription drugs, unaware that along with the Lipitor and Nexium Alfred picks up across the border, he also routinely scores a fair amount of Grade-A Canadian weed. So he shows up for his Senate testimony completely, irreversibly, loopily stoned, and Sammy has to deal with the situation. Alfred Jackman was so much fun to write that I brought him back for a cameo in SAMMY'S HOUSE, where he causes a bit more trouble and helps foreshadow a far more shocking scandal coming down the pike.

Jen: Your first novel, SAMMY'S HILL, is being made into a movie and I have read that you are also writing the screenplay. Congratulations! I can't wait to see it up on the big screen. What has been the biggest challenge in converting the book into a script? Is it a tedious process or have you found it to be another creative outlet that you are enjoying pursuing? Would you ever consider screenwriting as a career?

Kristin: I've really been enjoying the creative challenge of trying to tell the story cinematically, which is a completely different process. The hardest part was letting go of things I love about the book that just can't fit in the tighter structure of a visual medium. Once I got past the pain of that, I found it liberating to approach the adaptation as a completely different project -- to embrace it as an entirely different incarnation of Sammy's adventures. This adaptation has led to other screenwriting opportunities that I'm enjoying tackling, though I still prefer novel-writing overall.

Jen: When it comes to your writing, whose opinion do you value most and why?

Kristin: I have a small posse I really rely on made up of my husband, my parents, and my editor. They're my go-to first readers and I'm continually grateful for their candor and encouragement. Neither my husband nor my father minces words, which I very much appreciate. Responding to their reactions always makes my work better.

Jen: I have to admit that I am a little biased towards your hometown of Nashville. (I'm a Vanderbilt University graduate!) Growing up, did you spend a lot of time there or did you mostly reside in Washington, D.C.? What do you like most about Nashville? Washington, D.C.?

Kristin: It's always a pleasure to meet a fellow Nashville lover! It's a fantastic town. Growing up, I spent about four months of the year on a farm fifty miles east of Nashville, and the rest of the time in Virginia and D.C. Tennessee has always been the place I've felt the most peaceful and creative, so crucial parts of both novels and the screenplay were written there. As for D.C., it's already provided the setting for two novels I never knew I'd write until they came tumbling out. It's a vital town filled with a lot of energy, drama, and comedy, and I've thoroughly enjoyed writing about it.

Jen: In SAMMY'S HOUSE, your lead character, Sammy, is such a lovable character who is self-confident (most of the time) and a real go-getter. Is she modeled after yourself?

Kristin: Sammy is not me, though I do like her a lot. I wanted her character to reflect and celebrate a type of person I came across time and time again growing up: an idealistic, smart, passionate person devoted to a cause larger than herself and determined to change the world, who might also be a little bit of a mess in other areas of her life. I'm thrilled you find her lovable -- I loved her so much I didn't want to stop writing her. Hence, the second book of her adventures!

Jen: Your leading man, Charlie, is an extremely witty character. Why do you think Sammy and him are such a good match?

Kristin: At their cores, they're both optimists. They understand that they're operating in an imperfect world full of unfairness and disappointment, but they refuse to give in to cynicism. They're both intelligent, caring, sensitive people who look for humor in practically every situation.

Jen: What has surprised you the most about the publishing business and why?

Kristin: That no one can really explain how or why certain books succeed more than others. Even the professionals who've been in the industry for decades seem perpetually mystified. I suppose that makes it exciting. And very mysterious.

Jen: As far as your craft is concerned, how have you grown as a writer comparing your work from your college years to today? And what advice would you give to someone contemplating a career as a writer?

Kristin: During my college years, my creative writing was largely restricted to short comedy sketches, but my recent novelistic endeavors have liberated me to explore the world beyond one-liners, with happy results. Quitting my paying TV job to attempt my first novel was incredibly scary, but I'm so happy I took the plunge. I feel like a much better storyteller now. For anyone contemplating a career as a writer, I would urge a thorough exploration of all different genres of writing, because you never know how naturally something might come to you until you try.

Jen: Will there be a sequel and if so, what can you tell us about it?

Kristin: I'm writing a new novel that isn't about Sammy or politics or D.C. I'm happy with where I left Sammy at the end of SAMMY'S HOUSE, and consequently I've been really loving immersing myself in a fresh fictional world.

Jen: Do you have a website? Blog? Mailing list? E-mail notification of new releases? Do you participate in author phone chats and if so, how would my readers go about arranging one?

Kristin: I don't have any of those things except for my page on HyperionBooks.com. I've never participated in an author phone chat, but that sounds fun. If anyone wanted to arrange one, the best person to contact is Allison McGeehon at Hyperion.

Jen: Kristin, it has been such a pleasure interviewing you. I've backtracked and started reading SAMMY'S HILL so that I can get caught up on all of Sammy's adventures and it's absolutely hilarious. Best of luck with the book and I look forward to seeing the movie. Congratulations!

Kristin: Thanks so much! I've really enjoyed this.

I hope you have enjoyed the sneak peek inside Kristin's world and perhaps have learned a thing or two about the publishing business, but more importantly, why not pick up a copy of SAMMY'S HOUSE for your trip to the beach? This book would be the perfect companion for a lazy day in the surf!

Okay....FIVE readers to answer the following question correctly will win a copy of Kristin's latest release. Good luck!!

How would you go about arranging an author phone chat with Kristin?

Later this month, I will be bringing to you an interview with Maeve Binchy, one of my all time favorite authors. You won't want to miss it!

Until next time...Jen