Interview with Saralee Rosenberg

Buying a house can be a very nerve-racking experience. First of all, it’s probably the most expensive purchase you’ll ever make. That, in itself, is quite overwhelming. Not to mention, the mere sight of all those zeros can send you over the edge. Then after it’s all said and done, you almost always wind up second-guessing yourself…Is it the right neighborhood? Do we really need a three car garage? Did we pay too much? But, once that moving truck pulls away, you realize that it was worth it. Yes, you made the right decision. Your dream house is finally all yours! Life is perfect…or is it?

There’s one little detail that seems to get overlooked time and time again. Sure, the house is beautiful, the lot is spacious, and the view is second to none. But, how about those neighbors? Whether you realize it or not, included in the price of the house that you just bought were those people next door. From this point forward, they have become part of your life. For better or for worse. In sickness and in health. You’re stuck. And, there’s no way you’re getting rid of them.

This month’s Jen’s Jewels, Saralee Rosenberg, takes us on a hilarious ride through a suburban neighborhood filled with crazy yet lovable people that you’ll never forget. From the drama that enfolds between these neighbors comes a story that will lighten your heart as well as tickle your tummy. Truly, this is the funniest book I have read this year.

As part of this interview, Avon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, has donated five copies of DEAR NEIGHBOR, DROP DEAD for you, my readers, to win! So, don’t forget to look for the trivia question at the end. Good luck! Please grab something cold to drink and get to know the very talented, Saralee Rosenberg.

Jen: Please tell us a little bit about your educational and professional background that led to you becoming a writer.

Saralee:: I’m one of those writers who emerged from a cocoon of desire rather than one who had any formal training or education. I just wanted to be a writer, knew I had a great sense of humor and always heard growing up that my perspective on life was hilarious. After I had my three children, suddenly there was a lot more to laugh at and about. For the record, I’m a graduate of Indiana University with a degree in broadcasting. For many years I worked in marketing and sales at ABC, Lifetime and at several media trade associations.

Jen: Not only have you written works of fiction, but you also co- wrote several non-fiction books with your husband. First of all, what was it like working with your spouse?

Saralee:: Working with my husband was great because we had a simple understanding. I would write the books, he would read them. Worked out perfectly because he got to keep his paying job and I didn’t have to argue with anyone about which chapter went where.

Jen: Would you recommend it to other couples?

Saralee: Only if they had the same sort of arrangement as us. Honestly, it’s hard to enough trying to agree on what to bring in for dinner let alone figuring out how to wrap your arms around a 400-page manuscript and still be talking by the weekend.

Jen: And, what was the best part about collaborating on theses titles?

Saralee: Hands down, the ultimate reward was getting to appear on Oprah together. That was like hitting a grand slam. We were treated so well and as luck would have it, it was such a good hair day. Also, our book flew off the shelves. Nobody sells a book like Oprah.

Jen: Your debut novel, A LITTLE HELP FROM ABOVE, was released back in 2003. At that time, what surprised you most about the publishing business and why?

Saralee:: I had some previous experience in publishing having written several non-fiction books, but that was nothing compared to joining the Avon family, which is a division of HarperCollins. I was stunned by how many people were involved in shaping my novel, from sales and marketing and promotion to publicity and editorial. At first I was so nervous- oh no, they’re going to ruin my book. But I quickly learned that they come in like carpet cleaners- a whole team of professionals who knows how get the job done. I was so impressed by their creativity and efficiency and how much they improved the manuscript. Everything was first rate- the packaging, the promotion, the distribution. I was in great hands.

Jen: DEAR NEIGHBOR, DROP DEAD is by far the most hysterical book I have read in a very, long time! Honestly, I was laughing so hard that tears ran down my face. How did you arrive at the premise?

Saralee:: Thank you. Hearing those kinds of comments makes my day. But if you think you had a blast reading it, writing it was a joy. Sometimes I’d be laughing so hard, I’d have to run to the bathroom. Then I’d be mad at myself because I might not remember a line I wanted to use.... The premise for the book came from, believe it or not, my first novel, which never got published. It was called All in the Cards, and it was the story of two warring next door neighbors named Mindy and Beth who made each other miserable. Bette Midler optioned the book to make into a movie and the plan was that after the film was made, we’d make a deal to sell the book rights. It never happened because it’s Hollywood and deals fall apart as often as women get Botox. The manuscript sat in a box in my basement for ten years until my editor at Avon agreed to let me revive it. I thought all I would have to do is put cell phones and laptops in my characters hands and voilà, we’d have a new and improved book. But that’s not how it played out. After a month of trying to update and refurbish, I basically chucked it and started over. It’s still about Mindy and Beth but their journey is much funnier, richer and more satisfying.

Jen: Please take us through you writing process. Plot first? Outline? What is the most challenging part of the story to write and why? Which is the most enjoyable and why?

Saralee:: I was one of the lucky writers who learned early on to trust my voice. I may have thought I knew how the story was going to unfold because I’d written out, not an outline necessarily, but certainly copious notes. Then I’d be writing and a character would say something, or a new one would appear and rather than shushing them up or shooing them away I’d let them speak and jump in, and always, always it was the right thing to do. Now I don’t bother with an outline per se. I start with a premise, a theme, characters and I let them drive the car. Where the story goes, the story goes, as long as it takes me where I want to end up. As for the most enjoyable parts, I love to create the beginning of a novel. Like a new relationship, it’s all undefined and exciting and there is so much to explore. I also love to write the ending because I’m very emotional and what is more emotional than saying good-bye? All of my endings make me cry- even now and I know them word for word.

Jen: Your two main characters, Mindy and Beth, are so believable because we all know someone like them. Both women have unexpected obstacles to overcome and wind up relying on one another for support. Who is the stronger character and why? Which character can you more closely relate to and why?

Saralee:: My kids will tell you with 100% certainty that I am Mindy. I’m funny and I struggle with my weight and I’m always offering to help the neighbors. But the truth is, I am also Beth. I can be self-centered and bite your head off. I think most women are combo-plates. Just depends on the day and what else is going on in our lives. As for who was the stronger character, no question it was Mindy. While Beth was hiding behind the curtain of material wealth, Mindy was out front on stage trying to keep the show going. She had to be resilient, resourceful and accepting that her life wasn’t perfect, but at least it was whole.

Jen: Mindy’s husband Artie is such a likeable character despite his many faults. His family is a bunch of screwballs; however, you can’t help but love them, too. How is Mindy able to keep it together despite all the drama going on in her personal life? If you had to choose, what are her greatest and weakest assets?

Saralee:: Mindy is the master juggler. She has trained herself to keep all the balls in the air- her kids, her husband, their extended family, her job, her friends and her hobbies, not by taking the perfectionist route like Beth, but by just hoping that none of the balls fall on her head. If she could get by without aggravation, it was a good day. Mindy’s greatest strengths were her loving heart and her ability to laugh. Her greatest weakness was her bad attitude. She assumed that by virtue of how much they struggled that there would never be daylight. What she came to learn was that a more positive outlook could do wonders for finding that happy ending.

Jen: Beth is the snarky neighbor-next-door that we all love to hate. Quite obviously, there are dents in her armor that she tries to shield from others. Why do her insecurities cause her to lead such a phony existence that ultimately causes such destruction in her life? With the materialistic society in which we live, do you feel that there are more “Beths” out there today?

Saralee:: Have you heard the expression, denial ain’t the only river in Egypt? Beth did not want to come to terms with her failing marriage or the fact that her children resented her for her overbearing ways, so she built a wall to protect herself from having to deal with them. Actually, it was four walls and a door, aka a closet. And she filled that closet up with expensive clothes, shoes and pocketbooks to make up for the emptiness in her heart. It is a very common problem today because we have such high expectations that our lives are supposed to go a certain way, or that we’re entitled to happiness. But when these expectations are unmet, when our spouses or children disappoint us in some way, we feel gypped and rationalize some fairly outrageous behavior.

Jen: No matter what path in life we choose to walk, our actions directly affect our children forever. Mindy’s step-son, Aaron, has to overcome many life- altering situations that quite frankly no child should ever have to experience. Why does he choose to connect with Mindy more so than his father Artie? In his eyes, what makes her such an instrumental part of his “new life”?

Saralee:: The beauty of the connection that Aaron felt with Mindy was that she was the warm, nurturing, and problem-solving mother he never had, and much as he protested that he didn’t need a mother because he was almost 18, he fell in line as one of her kids faster than he imagined and in the end, felt very blessed.

Jen: Secondary characters are crucial to the overall fluidity to the plot. I especially liked the storyline between Artie’s parents. Was the turmoil in their son=s life the catapult that sent them running in opposite directions? Often when there are marital issues within the family, it subconsciously affects others by causing them to evaluate their own situations. Do you agree or disagree with this observation?

Saralee:: I totally agree. You can’t grow up in a house and not be affected by the dysfunction, even if it’s not directed towards you. Parents who fight with each other create untold chaos for everyone. Their anger and hurtful words not only make the children feel vulnerable, but full of despair. It does not matter that those children may now be adults with children of their own. Watching your parents fight and threaten to break up is bad news at any age.

Jen: Is this the end of Mindy’s and Beth’s story? Will there be a sequel? If not, are you currently at work on your next novel? And if so, what can you tell us about it?

Saralee:: I am often asked about sequels for my novels and I understand because when I finish a novel I love, I don’t want to lose my connection to those characters. And too, as a writer, I miss my characters and wonder about revisiting them. That being said, the trouble with sequels is that it is near impossible to recreate the same intense and unique circumstances that shaped the original story. Of course I could develop totally new challenges for them, but the risk would be that they would never compare to those that cropped up when readers were first introduced. Then everyone would say the first one was better. It’s like pizza. You may be hungry for a second piece, but nothing compares to that delicious first bite... As for my next novel, I am working on a very different type of story that still has great humor, but goes much deeper into the psyche. It is about a twice divorced mother who fears separation from her only child the year before he leaves for college. In anticipation of being alone, she goes a little wild and crazy on the college tour circuit, trying to rediscover the girl she left behind when she was a student. I’m calling it EARLY DECISION. I don't have a publication date as of yet, but it is shaping up to be my most intriguing and enlightening novel yet.

Jen: Please tell us a little bit about your appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show? How did it meet or exceed your preconceived expectations?

Saralee:: Meeting Oprah is a rush. Being on her show is like being queen for the day. It was exciting and wonderful. I was so trying to take it all in, I forgot to be nervous. I just went on and talked to her... I recently watched the video and was so pleased. I made her laugh several times.... would give anything to do that again.

Jen: Please take us on a tour of your website. Do you have e-mail notification of upcoming releases? Do you participate in a blog? Do you do author phone chats? And if so, how would my readers go about arranging one? Do you have a Reading Group Guide available for DEAR NEIGHBOR, DROP DEAD? If so, where can it be found?

Saralee:: My website is in the process of being revamped, but yes absolutely I will have all of the above- email notification, a blog, and interactive events for readers. I did not create a reading group guide for Dear Neighbor because after having done three of them for my previous books, I learned that while I was always asked if my books had one, I never actually heard of any book clubs referring to them. Seems they like to do their own thing, which is fine.

Jen: Thank you so much for being a part of Jen’s Jewels. I can’t wait for your next book to come out! Your hilarious spin on life is what we all can use right about now. Who needs therapy when we have you! You make us laugh and forget about all the other stuff going on in our lives. Bravo! It was a pleasure meeting you.

Saralee:: Thank you so much and thank you for the opportunity to share with your readers. I love what I do and when I get such positive feedback, it totally inspires me to keep going.

I hope you have enjoyed my interview with Saralee Rosenberg. Please pick up a copy of DEAR NEIGHBOR, DROP DEAD at your local library or bookstore today.

Would you like to win a copy instead? Answer the trivia question and you could win! Good luck!

What is the working title of Saralee’s next book?

Next time, I will be bringing to you my interview with screenwriter David Fuller. His debut novel, SWEETSMOKE, is a beautifully written story that takes place on a Virginia plantation during the Civil War. You won’t want to miss it.

Until next time...Jen

When a twist of fate landed Jennifer at the "Reading with Ripa" roundtable discussion with Kelly Ripa and Meg Cabot, she knew that her career as a French teacher would essentially be over. Instead, she figured out a clever way to combine her love for reading and writing and "voilà" She became a book reviewer and columnist with www.freshfiction.com. On the sidelines, her parents secretly hoped that her French degree from Vanderbilt would one day come in handy and Jennifer is happy to report that the phrases ‘Je ne sais pas' and ‘C'est incroyable!' have been quite useful when reviewing certain selections! As is typical in her whirlwind life, one thing led to another and soon she found herself facilitating a popular moms' book club and writing a column she cleverly named Jen's Jewels. (Jewelry is one of her many addictions, as is the color pink and Lilly Pulitzer, which when you think about it, would probably make for a good story! Hint! Hint! ) To keep herself away from her favorite retailer, Ann Taylor, she serves on the Board of Trustees of the Harford County Public Library in Maryland. As a national trainer for The Arthritis Foundation's Aquatic and Land Exercise Classes, she is an advocate for those like herself who suffer from arthritis, the nation's #1 cause of disability. When asked how she manages to do all of these things and actually get some sleep at night, she simply replied, "It's just Par for the Course." Hmm! Now where have we heard that before?