Paula Froelich leaves the gossip pages behind as the planets align for her Chick Lit debut and tells us all about her Mercury in Retrograde.
Froelich is
the former deputy editor of the New York Post’s Page Six column and is the debut author of one of the hottest chick lit books of summer.
Paula chatted with SheKnows Chick Lit about Mercury in Retrograde, her smart, snappy story of three very different Manhattan women
who move into the same SoHo apartment building when their carefully planned lives begin to crumble.
And Paula knows a few things about change.
Paula’s prose
SheKnows: Congrats on your book that’s been sizzling up the summer! Tell us about it.
Paula Froelich: It’s basically about three women who think they know where they are going in life – they have it all set and figured out – but things fall apart.
It’s about change and how sometimes the road we never suspected was there is the best one to take. Gotta be open to life’s possibilities!
SheKnows: Did you always want to write a book or what inspired you to go from editor of the Page Six celebrity gossip column to Chick Lit author?
Paula Froelich: Oh heck yeah – I’ve been writing since I was a kid! Inspiration: I was bored at my job. I’d done it for 10 years and there was nothing left to do.
SheKnows: Give us some gossip about Page Six – what would readers be surprised to know about your job there?
Paula Froelich: That it was actually dull. While I did get to go out to all the functions — after 10 years, there’s not many premieres/parties/galas you want to cover
anymore. Not to mention, I was forced to sit at a desk for eight to 10 hours a day even though my actual work took only like two hours to complete. So that left hours of babysitting the computer
and trying to not fall asleep because I went out too late the night before. I am the most accidentally well read person you’ll ever meet.
What’s your sign?
SheKnows: Zodiac signs are a big part of the book. What is your sign? And how does your personality fit that sign or not?
Paula Froelich: Scorpio – and it’s pretty spot on. I am very loyal, trustworthy and try not to be too vengeful. I learned at Page Six the best vengeance is always
letting someone do themselves in.
SheKnows: The book
is about three very different women (Penelope, Lipstick and Dana) who move into the same apartment building and face big changes in their lives. How did the book idea spark and develop for you?
Paula Froelich: I was having a difficult year and knew changes had to be made but was scared of them. I think it comes out in the book that if something is not meant to be,
calamitous things will happen to make you change course.
SheKnows: Penelope is the diligent, hard working journalist; Lipstick is the pampered socialite; and Dana is the workaholic lawyer and wife who wants a baby. Which of these three
fabulous women are you most like?
Paula Froelich: I am actually like all three of the women. They are all me.
SheKnows: If you had to pick one word to describe each character, what would you pick?
Paula Froelich: Penelope: optimistic; Lipstick: resilient; Dana: Type A
SheKnows: What is the most asked question you get from your readers?
Paula Froelich: Who are the blind items in the book – ha ha. I’ll never tell!
SheKnows: How long did it take you to write? Your favorite places to write?
Paula Froelich: About a year. I wrote mostly on my couch with my dog Karl (the Dachshund on the cover) curled up around my head on top of the couch. It is the best and only place
to write!
SheKnows: Your top three favorite authors right now?
Paula Froelich: Gigi Levangie Grazer, George Saunders and Jennifer Weiner
SheKnows: Your must-see TV shows?
Paula Froelich:Mad Men, True Blood, Eastbound & Down and Real Chance of Love.
SheKnows: How big of a role does music play in your creative process?
Paula Froelich: I love anything ’80s and am always listening to that crap. My latest: Just bought Monster Ballads 1-4 off the late night TV infomercial.
SheKnows: How do you feel about the label “Chick Lit”?
Paula Froelich: Hey — as long as it gets people to read, I’m good with it.
SheKnows: What is the secret life of Paula Froelich? What would your readers find most surprising about you?
Paula Froelich: Ummm…that when I get nervous I pluck my leg hairs?
SheKnows: If you could cast the movie version of the book, who would you choose for the three women?
Paula Froelich: Anna Faris for Penelope (I loved her in House Bunny!) For Lipstick: Blake Lively. And for Dana: Ginnifer Goodwin. I think she’s a great actress and fits
Dana’s description.
SheKnows: Okay, time for our Lightning Round!
Vampires or werewolves? Vamps definitely! Hirsute men freak me out.
Hardback, paperback or Kindle? Hardback! Unless I’m on a plane and it’s TOTAL romance trash!
Facebook or Twitter? Facebook – Twitter is the ultimate in narcissism (says www.twitter.com/pfro)
iPod or iPhone? iPod! I hate that touch screen thing
Mac or PC? MAC!
Big hair or big handbag? HAIR! I’m from on and below the Mason Dixon
Jennifer or Angelina? Jen Aniston – def!
Brad Pitt or Bradley Cooper? Cooper. Pitt is a dullard.
Project Runwayor American Idol? Project Runway! I stopped watching AI a while ago and now that the hot mess Paula Abdul’s not on, no chance!
Designer jeans or designer gown? Gown! Worth more, lasts longer and some of the best jeans are cheap!
Lipstick Jungleor George of the Jungle? Lipstick Jungle – gotta support Candace!
Jimmy Choos or Jimmy Fallon? Neither. Choos break too easily and Fallon is an insipid bore.
Ashton or CNN? CNN, definitely.
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