How we love Caprice Crane here at Trashionista (haven't you noticed?). As I was reading Forget About It I was wondering how come we hadn't interviewed her and then, lo and behold, Diane had sorted one out (what will I do without her?!).
Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:
Forget About It is a novel about a woman who fakes amnesia to reinvent herself.
Where do you like to write your books (in bed, a coffee shop, an office)?
In bed? That would be nice? Can someone feed me grapes too? And fan me? No, I write mostly in my office in NYC. But I'm prone to distraction so sometimes I take my laptop and go to a Starbucks (there are three that I frequent). When I'm in LA my office is a Coffee Bean on Sunset. And my drink of choice is this Green Tea Blended Deliciousness. It's like Green Tea ice cream through a straw. Divine.
Your favourite chick-lit book?
High Fidelity by Nick Hornby. Not traditional "chick-lit" but it's certainly one of this chick's favorite pieces of lit. [We agree!] And honestly, it's about the thing that chicks want most: insight into the mind of the opponent.
Your favourite female heroine (if different from above!), and why?
If we're talking chick lit, I have to go back to the beginning and say Bridget Jones. She was forceful and determined but maintained that girlish wonder. She said what was on her mind and she struggled in a relatable way. Plus she coined the term "f*ckwit" or at least brought it to my attention. Can I say "f*ckwit"? [Um, no.]
What tips would you give to any of our readers who want to become writers?
Write! Don't listen to anyone who tries to stifle you. Write. Don't get discouraged by rejection (because there will be plenty). Write. Develop a circle of people who you trust that you can let read your work and give you constructive criticism. Write. Create characters that you'd want to read about and stories you'd want to watch unfold. Don't hold yourself back, don't let anyone else hold you back. And don't give up five minutes before the miracle!
What are you reading at the moment?
The manual for my Samsung television set. Yes, I'm calling you out by name, Samsung. Because after one short year - exactly three days after my precious warranty expired, the "lamp" in my television set imploded and left my television set barren. (The horror!) So, fine. I ordered the $150 lamp, paid for Fedex and begged someone to install the new one. And now, not even three weeks later...it's making the sound. The same sound it made just before it died the last time. Seriously, Samsung? Three weeks?
What are you working on now? (If you can give us a hint!)
Several ideas. A couple for film and a couple as novels and my biggest problem is deciding which one to really commit to. (Sounds like some guys l know.) I know I will get to them all but it's hard to pick the one I want to do now. (Sadly, also sounds like some guys I know.) I think I know which one it will be. It's a comedy about attachment to family. In this case, a family that doesn't technically belong to the character. Which makes things complicated.
What question have you never been asked in an interview, but think you should have been? (Tell us the question and answer it too, if you like!)
"How much money do you make?" Nobody asks and I think they assume it's
a lot. The answer: precious little! But it's not about the money.
It's about doing something you love. And with fiction...you better
*really* love it. ;)
Thanks, Caprice!
