Author Interview: Hilary Grossman, Author of ‘Plan Cee’

Although contemporary fiction isn’t usually my preferred cup of tea, I was pleasantly surprised by Hilary Grossman’s previous book, Plan Bea. Very cunningly, she managed to draw me into the story despite my efforts to the contrary, and before long, I was crying and laughing along with the characters! Generally, I’m one of those stuck-up reviewers who are never completely satisfied with a book, but Plan Bea got a full 5-stars from me!

So, I thought it might be interesting to dig around in Hilary’s mind to see where all the fun stuff comes from…Read on!

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By day, Hilary Grossman works in the booze biz. By night she hangs out with her “characters.” She has an unhealthy addiction to denim and high heel shoes. She’s been known to walk into walls and fall up stairs. She only eats spicy foods and is obsessed with her cat, Lucy. She loves to find humor in everyday life. She likens life to a game of dodge ball – she tries to keep many balls in the air before they smack her in the face. She lives on the beach in Long Island.

Meet Hilary- Blog | Author Central | Goodreads | Facebook Page

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1. Can you describe your latest book- Plan Cee– in a single sentence?
   Happily married Cecelia Reynolds must decide if she should abandon her present for a second chance at her past when the love of her life returns after twenty years.
2. Was there any particular incident that sparked off the idea behind it?
   Actually, no. I never planned on writing a series. But as I neared the end of Plan Bea I wasn’t ready to let the characters go… And as I wrote the final few chapters the characters took over and the idea for Plan Cee was born.

3. You have a very unique blog- ‘Feeling Beachie’. Where did the idea behind it come from?
   I always wanted to be an author, and while I constantly wrote I never finished anything. I read Bitter is the New Black by Jen Lancaster about 6 years ago and learned about her blog. It motivated me to start Feeling Beachie as a way to practice writing. About a year after I started writing I began working on Dangled Carat. I used to live on the beach in New York which is how I came up with the name.
4. You have openly admitted that your very first book, Dangled Carat, is based on you and your husband, Marc. What was his initial reaction when you told him that you were going to write a book about your relationship?
   He was all for it! He was actually excited I shared our story and fulfilled my lifelong dream of being an author. He is my biggest cheerleader. He is not a reader, and Dangled Carat was the first book he’d read in all the years I knew him….
5. I bet it’s not easy balancing a full-time job and writing- how do you manage to handle them both?
   It’s not. I have a very high pressure day job that requires a lot of time. Writing helps relax me… I usually don’t write during the weekdays.
6. Do you have any weird writing habits?
   Not really – but I do get my best ideas in the shower.
7. Many people believe that the genre Chick Lit is being wrongly interpreted nowadays. What are your comments on that?
   This belief bothers me. Books are like food – we all can’t have the same tastes. Just because we like different thing doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with the other options.
8. When you were in high school, what did you think you’d grow up to become?
   I thought I would own a business – never figured out what I would own though…
9. Do you have any advice for newbie writers?
   Don’t give up and don’t lose faith in your talents and accomplishments. You will be rejected and people will find fault your work. But remember – you are doing something most people dream of doing but never actually do.
10. Tell us one thing about yourself that your readers will be very surprised to find out!
    I love super spicy food and can’t sit still – ever!

Thanks very much for dropping by, Hilary! I had a very enjoyable time, and hope to see you on here again!

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BUY PLAN CEE here!