by Marta Acosta (aka Grace Coopersmith), guest blogger and author of Nancy's Theory of Style.
I was reading a list of recommended summer books that included my upcoming release, Nancy’s Theory of Style, and dismissed it as “fun, but shallow.”
I always want to learn from my mistakes – which is kind of a full-time job since all I do is make mistakes – so I studied the other beach read recommendations. They covered those happy summer topics of terminal disease; horrible divorce, death of a child, sibling, parent, or beloved pet; violent abuse; mental illness, etc. The wounded heroine usually goes off to a solitary, yet idyllic small town where she learns to make a perfect piecrust. A hunky, down-to-earth guy, usually a shipbuilder, helps the heroine recover from her “spiral of grief.” Perfectly tender piecrusts and perfectly tender lovin’ ensues, along with spiritual renewal and critical praise.
So naturally, I’ve been going around the house shouting, “Spiral of grief! Spiral of grief!” My hunky, down-to-earth husband, who cruelly refuses to take up shipbuilding, ignores my own spiral of grief at the realization that my romantic comedy is hopelessly fun and lighthearted. I should have been looking to Theodore Dreiser for literary guidance instead of recklessly following the teachings of Cyndi “Girls Just Want To Have Fun
I should have paid attention to literary critics’ contempt for books featuring stylish young women on the lookout for love. A publishing professional had hissed in my ear, “Readers love chick lit and romantic comedy, but you can’t call them that. It’s the kiss of death!” Yes, loving funny books about funny women by women writers for women readers is the love of books that dare not speak its name.
If I were a better person, I would be reading novels that fill me with despair. If I had any decency whatsoever, I would be writing stories that make others depressed and hopeless.
I dream of being that kind of writer someday, because I know that spending a balmy afternoon reading a delightful story is evidence of my own mental deficiency and spiritual emptiness. However, like a gambling addict driving toward a casino’s garish neon lights, I can’t keep away from bright, amusing book covers. I want to laugh at heroine’s hilarious schemes to win her true love. I want to smile at her wacky antics, nutty logic, and crazy obsessions. I want to empathize as she struggles with a faltering career, financial problems, and embarrassing social mishaps.
I want to feel admiration when everything in her life goes haywire, yet she picks herself up and faces her challenges with courage, humor, and an open heart. I want to believe in decency, love, kindness, and happiness. I want to experience that deep satisfaction when she finds true love with a worthwhile man – even if he’s not a shipbuilder – and begins to discover her place in the world.
The eccentric, privileged heroine of my novel, Nancy Carrington-Chambers, has married a man she now finds intolerably tacky. She escapes to her bachelorette apartment in posh Pacific Heights, ostensibly to work on her event planning business. She hires a hunky, gay British assistant, Derek, and begins putting together one of San Francisco’s most exclusive fundraisers. Then her irresponsible cousin abandons a four-year-old in Nancy’s care.
Naturally, mayhem ensues. Nancy’s “lovely, lovely” life is not as perfect as it seems. Her world and all her illusions come crashing down. Like all the heroines I adore, she’s willing to risk everything to protect those she loves.
And, if I get a book deal for a sequel, I may even have Nancy learn to make a perfect piecrust.
About the Author:
Grace Coopersmith is the pen name for Marta Acosta, author of the award winning Casa Dracula series. You can learn more about Nancy’s Theory of Style at www.gracecoopersmith.com and http://books.simonandschuster.com/Nancy%27s-Theory-of-Style/Grace-Coopersmith/9781416598862. Email her at grace AT gracecoopersmith DOT com.
Her paranormal/urban fantasy blog is Vampire Wire, www.vampirewire.blogspot.com.
Take a Look at These Fun Posts - Review: Nancy’s Theory of Style by Grace Coopersmith
- Best of May 2010
- How Many Authors Can You Name?
- Why I Joined Author Yahoo Groups
- Regency: Affairs of the Heart
Potentially Related Websites - The Downhill Lie By Carl Hiassen
- You are invited to become a guest blogger?
- Father's Day Edition of Weekly Roundup
- I Love Love For Women. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 Ounces
- Night Dwellers
- Storybook Nancy Ann By Brand, Company, Character Dolls Dolls & Bears
- Tokens: Love Exonumia Coins & Paper Money
- Pump Style Sprayers & Nozzles Watering Equipment Gardening & Plants Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living
- Muffie Nancy Ann By Brand, Company, Character Dolls Dolls & Bears
- Diatomaceous Earth Used For Insect & Grub Control Pest & Weed Control Gardening & Plants Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living
Categories:
A-C, Chick-Lit, Guest Blogger
Tags:
4 comments ↓
Stayed up to 3AM finishing NToS last night. So good! This is the type of summer reading I want!
Hi, Keira, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! When I wrote the book, I also wanted to feature my favorite city, San Francisco, because so many romantic comedies take place in New York, Boston, or LA. San Francisco’s a lovely city and so small that it’s easy to run into people you know. I knew those girls who were lucky enough to have an apartment in Pacific Heights, and I was utterly envious!
I read a review of this, can’t remember what it said, but based on that, I did order it for my library! It does sound fun, I’ll be sure to check it out when it arrives.
It’s very cute, I liked it a lot.
Leave a Comment