This week Lisa Marie Latino joins us for the weekly Q&A! Lisa is the author of new novel
Ten Years Later, in which a young woman receives an invite to her ten-year high school reunion and is encouraged to make some life decisions.
Ten Years Later is released on October 4th.
Tell us about your latest novel in 15 words or less.
Full of humor and surprising twists,
Ten Years Later is the story of a daring young woman who decides to risk it all in pursuit of her dreams.
What inspired you to write Ten Years Later?
The year before my own ten year high school reunion, I was was hit with my own bouts of self-doubt. However, as I opened up to others about my frustrations I realized that nearly everyone, no matter their age/sex/race/circumstance, was dealing with visions of what their life SHOULD be versus reality. That theme really inspired me, and since I've always wanted to write a book anyway, I channeled that angst into TYL. It was cool because as Carla was learning along the way, so was I, and I think everyone who reads it will learn something too!
Where do you do most of your writing?
When I journal, I can do it just about anywhere- my bedroom, office, even in the "Notes" section of my phone. However, writing a book is an entirely different animal. I had to close myself off from the world and immerse myself in my fictional world with no distractions-- very hard to do in today's world! So what I did was tell everyone (family, friends, business associates) that I was going away on business (which wasn't entirely a lie!) and got a hotel room, like, around the corner from my house. For four or five days, all I would do literally do was write. I did this five times over the course of a year and a half until the manuscript was done.
What is your favourite book?
There are way too many to name. I love so much in the "chick lit" genre, but I also love autobiographies, especially in the sports world.
Which part of Ten Years Later did you enjoy writing the most?
I had the time of my life writing Ten Years Later, so I truly love every part. My favorite "scene" has to be the New Year's Eve party. Against a glitzy New York City backdrop, Carla was forced to confront a couple of her foes and, in the process, came into her own. It was a major turning point for the character as well as the book. It reads as a mini-movie and I smile every time I go back to read it.
Who is your favourite literary heroine?
Carrie Bradshaw (but isn't she everyone's?) Charlize "Charlie" Edwards from
A Total Waste of Makeup is a cool chick too.
Do you have any tips for readers who are looking to become published writers?
Just do it! If you have an idea that you are crazy passionate about, carve out some time and put pen to paper (or fingers to keys, whatever your preference!)
Are you working on anything else at the moment and if so, can you tell us?
Between the promotion of my debut novel,
Ten Years Later, my
production company and the online show we produce,
Hip New Jersey, I am plenty busy. After the dust settles down with TYL I definitely want to write another one but maybe in a "darker" voice. Stay tuned!
Thanks, Lisa!
Ten Years Later by Lisa Marie Latino
When New Jersey-based sports radio producer Carla D'Agostino receives a save-the-date for her ten-year high school reunion, she is thrown into a tailspin. She is miserably single, living at home with her old-school Italian-American family, and miles away from her dream job as a sports talk radio host. She voices her discontent to her closest friends, the stunning Andrea, cheerful Katie, and playboy Dante, and they encourage Carla to stand up and fight for the life she wants. Inspired by their words, Carla sets her plans in motion. She enlists the help of a personal trainer, tapes a sports commentary demo with Dante for her unconventional WSPS boss Dan, and gets back into the dating game for the first time since her heart was broken by her first love. But the universe has different ideas for Carla than she has for herself, and she suffers setback after setback: Dan gives the afternoon host position to a Los Angeles import, and, worse yet, offers Dante a gig, which he accepts, much to Carla's hurt and dismay. More determined than ever, Carla continues to throw herself at life with gusto, and a series of surprises, both good and bad, lead her straight into the arms of a love that never really left.
