We recently posted the news of a fab new spy novel called Bulletproof Mascara, and were delighted to interview author Bethany Maines. Here Bethany talks about stunts, sequels and Princess Leia!
If you'd like to find out more about Bulletproof Mascara, check out Bethany's website.
Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer.
An unemployed girl becomes a spy for an all female agency.
What inspired you to write Bulletproof Mascara?
I accidentally stumbled into a recruiting meeting for Mary Kay and the speaker seemed a tad on the militant side, which reminded me of Frau Farbissina "founder of the militant wing of the Salvation Army." Which made me think "What if Mary Kay had a militant wing?" From there the idea sort of snowballed in on itself. I told my friends about it at the next girls night and they laughed, but were highly enthusiastic. They helped me invent a giant a make-up company named Carrie Mae and even made up a Carrie Mae salute.
Where do you write your books?
I write on a laptop, so I tend to move from room to room as I get bored with the scenery. But hardly ever at a desk; that feels too much like working. Coffee shops are pretty good for writing as long as they have wifi. The problem is that I usually finish my drink before I'm done writing and for whatever reason my feet get cold in coffee shops. I also like writing outside if it's sunny. Although, being in Washington State, the odds on sunny aren't exactly good.
What is your favourite chick-lit book?
I really enjoyed Size 12 is Not Fat, and the Stephanie Plum books are usually fun, but my favorite recent discovery was Souless by Gail Carriger. Not sure if it was chick-lit exactly, but it was a great read.
Who is your favourite heroine, and why?
Of all time? Tough one... Because I mean, Eowyn, slayer of the Nazgul King, sort of has to rank up there on the favorite of all time list. And who didn't want to be Princess Leia? But I think the one that resonates from childhood is probably Trixie Belden, a tomboy girl detective who wasn't rich (unlike Nancy Drew) and who was in love with her red-headed neighbor.
What part of Bulletproof Mascara was the most fun to write?
The dialogue. I love the old Cary Grant movies where the dialogue flies fast and furious. If I could write something half as witty and slick as those movies I think I'd be doing pretty good. I also had a good time with the action sequences. I really love action movies, and this was my chance to write stunts they way I wanted to see them done.
Do you have any tips for readers who would like to become published authors?
Be willing to re-write your book, but don't be a push over - keep what's important to you. Be persistent, but flexible. And most of all - write. Writing anything is an absolute impossibility if you don't write something.
What are you currently reading?
I'm currently reading this fabulous book called The Manual of Detection by Jedediah Berry. It's a slightly surreal, quirky mystery about a clerk who gets promoted unexpectedly to the level of a detective. It's a bit like reading an Edward Hopper painting.
Are you working on anything else at the moment, and if so, can you tell us?
I'm working on the sequel to Bulletproof Mascara (out next March, very excited about it!) and also a noir take on my hometown with fairy tale elements that is pretty much for my own amusement. I tend to take the mob marriage approach to writing: when one story becomes trying, I can run off and cheat on it with the other story.
Thanks, Bethany!
