The Girlfriends' Cyber Circuit

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Renee Rosen with the Girlfriend’s Cyber Circuit is here today to tell us about her new book, Every Crooked Pot, which I’m very interested in because we’ve dealt with the same issue that Renee explores, life with a hemangioma. Read on, you’ll find out what it is, if you don’t know.

The Cover:

 

About the Book:

Nina Goldman is the youngest of three growing up in Akron, Ohio in the 1970s.  She and her siblings must cope with their eccentric, larger-than-life father Artie, a dreamer and schemer who commands constant attention with his outrageous antics and mortifying behavior.

As if growing up with Artie as a father isn’t difficult enough, Nina also faces another issue.  Born with a hemangioma, a disfiguring birthmark covering her right eye, Nina constantly tries to look “normal,” and spends hours experimenting with makeup and Veronica Lake hairstyles designed to hide her bad eye.  When none of those things do the trick, Nina finds herself riding in laundry dryers, appearing on TV, and navigating a host of other hilarious escapades, all in the name of fitting in.

Nina’s spirit never falters in this endearing story about a captivating misfit, her peculiar family, and the lengths to which a girl will go to feel loved by her family, friends, and ultimately herself. 

About the Author:

Renée Rosen worked in Chicago as an advertising copywriter and freelance writer and consultant. She has studied with Susan Minot, Carol Anshaw, and the Pulitzer Prize winning novelist, Michael Cunningham. She has contributed to many magazines and newspapers, including the Chicago Tribune, Complete Woman, DAME Magazine, Publishers Weekly, and Chicago Magazine. Renee grew up in Akron, Ohio and now lives in Chicago where she is hard at work on a new novel.

Renee’s Take on the RosettWrites Q & A:

Dream vacation destination?

Definitely someplace where I can be horizontal on a white sandy beach with crystal clear water all around me. Also required are plenty of liquid refreshments and a pile of books. If a massage or two were made available to me, that would be nice, too.

You’ve just won the lottery. What’s the first thing you do/buy?

I'd pack up all my best buddies and loved ones and take them to that dream vacation destination!

Favorite mystery/thriller movie?

Does Carlito's Way count? I'm a huge Al Pacino fan!

Favorite junk food?

Potato chips! Something salty and crunchy always works for me.

What’s one food you absolutely can’t stand?

Tongue--not only is it hard to look at in its unsliced state, but I think it tastes the way horses smell. Not that I mind the smell of horses--but I just don't want my food to taste like them.

Paper or plastic?

Paper whenever possible.  I could always use it to write on if an inspiration strikes me--And try that with plastic!

What’s one talent you wish you had?

I wish I could play guitar.  I have one--it a real beauty, too, but my playing is just beyond awful.

M&Ms or Godiva?

Now that M&Ms are available in dark chocolate it's a slightly tougher call, but I'm going to have to go with Godiva.

Favorite time of Day?

Late at night. Quiet and mystical. 

Tell us a little about your book. Did an event or idea inspire the book?

Every Crooked Pot is somewhat autobiographical about what it was like growing up with a strawberry birthmark over my eye. I never thought to write about my childhood until I took a writing workshop and was given an exercise about childhood memories. That was what sparked the idea for the book. But then Nina and the other characters took over and I ended up with a story about a bunch of quirky characters struggling to come to terms with themselves and each other. 

What’s your writing style? Outline or no outline?

If only I could outline my writing life would be much easier--in fact my entire life would be much easier.  But I'm afraid I just dive in without a clue as to where I'm going.  I just have to be patient and let my characters lead me.

What do you wish you’d known about either the craft of writing or the business of publishing when you first started writing?

I wish I'd known the difference between being a writer and being an author. They're very different roles and in order to be successful, I think we have to wear both hats. 

What’s up next for you? What are you working on now?

I have a new novel in the works that's keeping me up nights, so that's good. I'd tell you all about it if only I knew what it's going to be when it grows up! 

Thanks for dropping in, Renee!