The Jaunty Quills’s would like to welcome one of our favorite authors–Jacquie D’Alessandro. 

 

Jacquie writes Regency-era historical romances and contemporary romantic comedies–two very different types of books, but both contain her favorite elements of love, romance, and laughter.

 

And we’re very excited to announce that Jacquie has come bearing gifts!  She’s going to draw TWO winners from those who comment on her blog.  Each winner will get signed copies of her first two Mayhem in Mayfair books–Sleepless at Midnight and Confessions at Midnight!!

 

Last week I was having what I call a Bad Snow White Day.  I felt Frumpy, Lumpy, Dumpy, Bumpy, Schlumpy, Clumpy, and Grumpy.  The writing wasn’t going well (a lot of staring at a blank screen with characters who refuse to talk to me), it was a hair day from hell (horrifying bed head combined static cling), and even my rattiest sweat pants felt tight.  I needed a cure—and quick.  There was only one way to climb out of the deep hole I was standing in.  Call a Girlfriend.

 

 

When I did, I found out her day was going considerably better than mine—she only felt Frumpy and little Lumpy (too much chocolate the night before—I could relate).  We chatted for about ten minutes, laughed, commiserated, and at the end of the call we both felt better.  I still looked like hell (sadly, phone calls cannot cure static bed head), but I no longer felt Grumpy.  She saved the day.  As girlfriends just seem to do.

 

 

I’m in a small book club with some girlfriends—there are only five of us—and I greatly look forward to our monthly meetings.  We normally only spend a few minutes discussing the book, then the rest of the time we drink wine, eat desserts, and catch up on each others’ lives.  I always leave our meetings smiling and feeling rejuvenated and renewed.  I have other girlfriends who, due to geography, I rarely see, but we keep up a steady stream of e-mails and phone calls.  People often ask me if my stories are based on my real life experiences and I have to admit parts of my life have become fodder for scenes.  But I realized that my girlfriends have had a huge impact on my writing.  Not because I’m writing about them (usually J), but because they inspire me.

 

 

A couple of years ago I went on a book tour with 14 other writers.  We had a blast, and I ended up girl bonding with two of the other authors.  I’d been acquainted with them in the past, but we hadn’t had the opportunity to get to know each other well.  Our friendship bloomed into a collaboration and after asking a fourth author to join us, we published an anthology together (It Happened One Night, Avon, October 2008).  When the book hit the New York Times list, the four of us celebrated with cyber champagne (because we live in Atlanta, Australia, Canada, and Minnesota!).

 

 

Girlfriends also inspired my Regency-era historical Mayhem in Mayfair series which revolves around four young women who form a book club.  They call themselves the Ladies Literary Society of London, but they aren’t reading the classics (those naughty girls!) which leads to all sorts of adventures and romance.  So my girlfriends play an important role not only in my personal life, but my writing life as well.  We lend each other moral support, make each other laugh, and are just good for each others’ soul.  And that’s the way it should be.  Because girls not only want to have fun, we deserve to have fun! And hey—next time you’re having a Bad Snow White Day, know you’re not alone.  I’m still on deadline and therefore looking like something the Big Bad Wolf hacked up (different fairy tale, but you get the picture J).

 

So, tell me about your BFF—how long have you known each other and what do you enjoy doing together?  How have you inspired each other?  What interests do you share?  And if you haven’t gotten in touch with her yet today, take a minute to do so and tell her you love her.