Our interview today is with bestselling author Bonnie Trachtenberg (Wedlocked) as she discusses her newest novel Neurotically Yours which has been enjoyed by readers as indicated by the 5.0 stars rating on 12 reviews.
Interview with Bonnie Trachtenberg
You are the bestselling author of Wedlocked: A Novel and have recently released a new romantic comedy called Neurotically Yours: A Novel. Can you tell us a bit about your new book?
I’d love to. Neurotically Yours is the story of Dara Harrison, an unmarried, tell-it-like-is advice columnist inLos Angeles. Dara decides to open up a very unusual new dating service geared for romantically challenged singles who want to figure out what they’ve been doing wrong. At MateSearch, clients are encouraged to divulge everything about themselves, warts and all, in hopes of attracting true love. They are also asked to post reviews of their dates, which of course gets Dara into all sorts of trouble!
What specific themes did you emphasize throughout the novel?
The search for love, the fear of abandonment, and learning to open your heart, are all prominent themes in this book.
What inspired you to write this book?
Except for a brief marital disaster in 1999 (see details in Wedlocked!) I was single until I was forty, which is when I met my current husband. All those years struggling to find Mr. Right, and weathering the misery, the heartache, and the lunacy are what inspired Neurotically Yours. Transforming all those feelings and experiences into an entertaining romantic comedy was very cathartic!
Writing can be mentally and emotionally exhausting. What do you do to unwind and relax?
Curl up with a book and a few cats. Veg-out with an old movie. Take a walk at dusk. Meditate.
How do you deal with rejection letters?
I push them aside and move on. There are so many positive things to focus on and it’s a waste of time to feel down about them. You can’t take it personally as we all know that art is subjective. You can never please everyone!
What are some of the best tools available today for writers, especially those just starting out?
Starting a blog is very helpful as it presents a platform for your ideas and your work. All the different modes of social marketing, particularly Twitter and Facebook, are great tools for writers. I highly recommend the World Literary Café (www.WorldLiteraryCafe.com). It’s a wonderful site that offers a wealth of different modes for authors to promote themselves and their books. Using the internet you can find countless new ways to get the word out about your book or other project, and reach so many more people than ever before. However, you have to be dedicated and willing to put in many hours a day at your computer!
What contributes to making a writer successful?
Talent, platform, persistence, networking, innovation, and right place-right time.
What dreams have been realized as a result of your writing?
The dream of having so many people I don’t even know get a peek inside the alternate universes that exist in my imagination—and enjoy themselves there.
If you could leave your readers with one bit of wisdom, what would you want it to be?
Keep reading and opening your mind to new authors and new subjects. It’s important to always grow and learn no matter how old you are.
Visit her website: http://www.bonnietrachtenberg.com/
Follow on Twitter: @writebrainedny
Find her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BonnieTrachtenberg
Buy Neurotically Yours at Amazon:
Buy at Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/IcWr0M
