I have nothing against women’s fiction or contemporary fiction, but it doesn’t cross my path that often, so I don’t read a lot of it. However, a while ago, I read Julie’s book The Opposite of Love and immediately fell in love with her writing. When I saw she had another book out, I snapped it up. It’s called After You and I adored it just as much. She writes beautifully, tenderly, and her words grab you. I was so excited when she agreed to do this interview. And thanks to the internet, I didn’t have to travel to London where she lives (although, I wouldn’t have minded!).
- What do you read in the bathroom?
I am a big believer in bathroom reading. Old New Yorkers have a way of accumulating on the back of my toilet, as do essay collections, and, occasionally short stories. For me, bathroom reading is reserved for those things you can pick up and savor in small pieces. And I tend to like to learn while “I’m on the bog” as my British husband would say. That way, I feel like I’m multi-tasking.
- Do you eat right, get plenty of exercise, and sleep eight hours, or do you sit in front of your computer writing all the time?
Hah! Neither, unfortunately. I am not nearly as disciplined as I should be, so some days I do eat right, exercise, sleep my allotted eight hours, but most of the time, I scramble to hit just one of the three. Nor do I find myself in front of my computer writing all the time either. I am a terrible time waster—I spend too much time on the internet, too much time watching television, too much time chatting on the phone. Not enough doing what makes me function best—eating well, sleeping, exercising, and yes, writing too.
- What’s the riskiest thing you ever did and how did it work out for you?
I guess the riskiest thing I’ve ever done is quitting my job as a lawyer to try my hand at being a novelist, when I had absolutely no experience writing at all, and all logic said that I was crazy to give up a stable career with health insurance. Turned out to be the best decision I ever made.
- Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Funny I was just thinking about this a few weeks ago. My husband and I just celebrated nine years together, and it got me thinking that when we first met, I never would have imagined I’d be living the life I am living now, nine years later. So, I can’t even venture to guess what the next decade will bring. With AFTER YOU, I was really interested in exploring what happens when we meet our adult selves and they don’t necessarily match our expectations, which is something everyone goes through at some point. But I guess that’s what makes life exciting. I’m not sure I would want to know where I’ll be in ten years.
- I gave you twenty questions and asked you to answer seven. Were you tempted to answer all twenty? Why?
I read and thought about all twenty, and yeah, I was definitely tempted to answer all of them, particularly because they are fun and interesting questions. But sadly my laziness won out. It often does.
- What’s the most embarrassing thing that happened to you in high school?
Ahh, I blush just thinking about high school. Too many embarrassing moments to share here. Let’s just say I’m glad I finally outgrew both the perm and the acne.
- What are you reading now?
Zadie Smith’s new collection of essays, “Changing My Mind.” I have a huge writer crush on her, and I’m really enjoying the opportunity to take a peek inside her brain. The collection makes me feel like we are having a chat over coffee; so far, the pieces are funny, insightful, and perfectly precise, much like her fiction. The book is only increasing my admiration.
- What author or book have you recently discovered that you want the world to know about?
I recently read Marilynne Robinson’s Gilead, and was blown away. She’s a literary genius, and everyone should take the time to savor her work. It’s a bit slow going, but that’s exactly the point. It’s like eating a delicious bit of artisan chocolate—you are supposed to go slow, and enjoy each nibble. I’m also a big fan of Richard Powers, who has this bizarre background in both literature and physics, which makes his work a particularly interesting right brain-left brain experience. He always challenges me and makes me think, and I’m not sure you can ask for much more than that.
- Do you know how to cook? What’s your specialty?
Nope. I am terrible cook, but a fabulous eater. It’s really a tragic combination.
- What’s the coolest writing-thing that’s happened to you since you sold your first book?
The film rights to THE OPPOSITE OF LOVE were bought by Twentieth Century Fox, and Anne Hathaway has signed on to star in the leading role. I still haven’t quite gotten over the thrill and the shock of it all. It’s so exciting to imagine my novel being turned into a movie, and I couldn’t have picked a better or more appropriate actress for the character of Emily. It’s literally a dream come true.
- Go on, give us some writing advice. You know you want to!
Read, read, read. Seriously, read everything and anything you can get your hands on, and read widely and critically. I think there is no better way to learn how to write than to put in the time with a book in your hands. In the bathroom or otherwise.
Joelle here – Wow! Someone who tells you to read if you want to write. Where have I heard that before? Oh, yes, Julie, you’re preaching to the choir as my Southern husband would say. Read a bit about AFTER YOU here. I bet you’ll want to read the whole book.
P.S. For those of you who I told there would be another giveaway this week, I got my dates mixed up. But there will be one next week!
