My Next Big Thing

One of my favorite authors, Leah Griffith, invited me to join this blog hop about books. So while, I don't normally do this type of thing, I couldn't resist Leah's request, she is my mentor after all. And it gives me a chance to plug her brilliant debut novel Cosette's Tribe, while I anxiously await the sequel. I promise you, you will fall in love with this book.  Go out and get it.  And check out her next big thing interview here.


I was asked the following questions about the book I'm currently writing:

1. What is the working title of your book or project?

My book, just like my blog, is called Rock The Kasbah. I think I originally picked it because the Clash's song Rock the Casbah is one of my all time favorite songs. But, when I researched the song it's about the ban on western music and culture in Iran, although some would argue Algeria, but they'd be wrong, because there is no such ban there. So, the song is actually about oppression, which turned out to be a perfect fit even though the song wasn't about Morocco. And come on? It rocks as a title!

2. Where did the idea come from for the book or project?

I started Rock The Kasbah, the blog, when we moved to Morocco as a way to share our experiences and photos with family and friends. I wrote whatever I wanted. Soon, people I'd never met starting reading. About the same time I started to realize I absolutely loved writing and was better at it than talking. It was therapy for the terminally shy girl in me. And now? While I'm still shy, I'm no longer convinced it's terminal.  Ok, that's bullshit.  I'm positive I'm going to die of shyness.  But,  I still do write whatever the hell I want.

3. What genre does it fall under, if any?

Memoir. Adventure. Humor. And a step-by-step-what-not-to-do-if-you're-traveling-guide. Is that a category?

4. If applicable, who would you choose to play your characters in a movie?

If Sarah Silverman, Kristen Wiig and Drew Barrymore had a menage a trois and somehow produced a love child together and she was a girl. Well, I'd pick her.

5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your manuscript or project?

Crazy, Stupid, True.

6. Will your book or story be self-published or represented by an agency?

I would love to have an agency. But, I'm extremely lazy and haven't pursued that yet, so I'm just waiting for a publishing company to come pound down my door. I actually think I'm an indy girl at heart anyway. I stand alone. Kinda like Underdog. But with combat boots and a sword instead of energy pills. They make me jittery.

7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

Four months. I'm currently expounding, tweaking and editing my first draft. It's pretty rough, this may take a while.

8. What other book or stories would you compare this story to within the genre?

This is like a grittier Eat, Pray, Love, 20 years later with 4 kids, living in Morocco. Combine that with the tv shows Dirty Jobs, No Reservations and John and Kate Plus 8 and you kinda get the idea.

9. Who or what inspired you to write this book or story?

I had already invested so much time and energy into writing the blog. I figured the next logical step was to make a book out of it, and so I could record my stupidity for my kids so they wouldn't forget our time in Morocco. Then I could embarrass them in print forever via the book sucked back behind the disheveled stacks in thrift stores.

10. What else about the book or story might pique the reader’s interest?

I discovered a new energy source made from goat shit. Which I detail in the book and it revolutionizes Morocco. Kinda like in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, but with goats, not pigs. Which makes it totally different. Ok, so that's not true. But, I did take a shit at the US Ambassador's house in Rabat. The question is, did I make it to the bathroom in time?


Check out some of my friends' websites who have written or are currently writing books.

My friend Suzanne's book The Potty Boot Camp. Check it out here, especially if you hate potty training like I did.
Christopher will make you sleek and sculpted with Women's Fitness Beyond 40. Trust me,  click here, his kettle bells are effective. And heavy.
Janine's currently working on an e-book go here to find out how she's changing the world, one word at a time.
Mary Lauren is the mom I want to be.  She's beautifully reflective and she's writing a parenting book. I hope it's done soon, I need it! Visit her here .