So today I’m guest-blogging over at The Book Binge on “The Writing Life.”  Those girls over there rock!  (And I’m not just saying that because Holly also just so happened to post her review of Just the Sexiest Man Alive.)

They’ve got all sorts of Julie James-related stuff going on over there (seriously, they must be so sick of me by now…).  And I’m giving away signed copies of my new release, Practice Makes Perfect, to three people who comment on my Book Binge guest-blog.  So head on over and check it out!

Edited to add:  Oh– and I noticed that Holly just posted her review of Practice Makes Perfect as well:  “Once again James has written a fun, fast-paced, sexy read. She really excels at writing excellent dialogue and interesting characters. Highly recommend.”  (And she’s also giving away three extra copies of the book as part of her review.)

Yeah!  Now that’s a great way to start the weekend!!  Thanks Book Binge!

I can admit it:  I’m a huge Jane Austen fangirl.

Because of that, I was so pleased to learn that The Jane Austen Society of North America-Greater Chicago Region included Just the Sexiest Man Alive in their Winter 2009 newsletter.  Here’s what they had to say:

“Chicago author Julie James’ first novel was reviewed in the Chicago Sun-Times. In Just the Sexiest Man Alive a female employment lawyer crosses paths with a big-time movie star. “Their relationship turns unto a tug-of war of will-they-or-won’t-they get together. . . Witty banter and amazing chemistry. . .bring this delightful story to life.” James’ next novel Practice Makes Perfect is due for a spring release. Austen is her favorite author, and “she admits her first two books have a few Pride and Prejudice themes.”

I wasn’t familiar with the JASNA-GRC prior to seeing the newsletter, but I’m tickled pink just to be mentioned by an organization whose “readers [] enjoy Jane Austen’s fiction.”  Pride and Prejudice is at the top of my list of favorite books– if not my actual favorite– and is the one book I re-read every year.  And of course I own both the six-hour BBC mini-series (pause for a dreamy sigh for Colin Firth) and the 2005 film version that strangely seems to find its way into my DVD player every time my husband goes out of town…

As I mentioned in the interview with the Sun-Times, in many ways Austen’s novels inspire my own writing.  Just the Sexiest Man Alive was written as a modern, romantic comedy homage to P&P:   the story of a smart, witty heroine who vows to resist the affection of an arrogant, sought-after man who, in turn, learns to become a better person in order to win her over.  And in Practice Makes Perfect, I kick the Austen-love up another notch.  The book opens with a quote from Pride and Prejudice, and Austen’s novel is mentioned at several points, including a discussion by one of the characters about “The Darcy Complex”– modern-day woman’s fascination with Austen’s unforgettable hero.

Speaking of books influenced by Jane Austen… I recently read Shannon Hale’s Austenland, a novel I enjoyed quite a bit, and I just picked up Sharon Lathan’s Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy, (along with Linda Howard’s Mr. Perfect, which was recommended to me by a couple people via this blog).  

So if you know of a great Austen-like read, or just a great read in general (you know, that book you tell everyone you know that they simply must read), drop me a line– I’m always looking for new suggestions!

So today I received word that Romance Reviews Today gave Practice Makes Perfect their prestigious Perfect 10 award!  

Wow!  

The review hasn’t been posted yet, but here’s a snippet of what they said:

“What a fun story!…  The dialogue is excellent, funny, and realistic.  Their bantering and insults will make you smile and laugh out loud.  PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT is a Perfect 10, a light, thoroughly satisfying romance that readers are sure to enjoy.”

What a way to start off the weekend– thank you, Romance Reviews Today!

I thought I’d share the Q&A that will be going out with the press release to Chicago media, where I talk about my soon-to-be-released book, Practice Makes Perfect, Chicago, writing sex scenes, and a little bit about the book I’m currently writing…   

 

Q: What was your inspiration to write Practice Makes Perfect?

JJ: I guess it’s like they say—write what you know.  I practiced law at a large firm in Chicago for six years and I loved being a trial lawyer.  Because that was such a big part of my “adult” life, I thought it would be fun to write a light-hearted romantic comedy about associates at a large firm.  Practice Makes Perfect is a he said/she said, battle-of-the-sexes story about two lawyers who are total opposites and who have to fight it out for the one partnership spot at their firm.

 

Q: How was it writing a book based in your hometown?

JJ:  I loved writing a story that takes place in Chicago!  So much so that I decided to set my third book here as well.  It’s great for a lot of reasons:  first of all—it saves me time having to do location research.  Second, and more important, I love being able to showcase Chicago because it’s such an amazing city.  I use a lot of actual locations and landmarks in the book— bars, restaurants, Wrigley Field, the federal courthouse— and hopefully those scenes capture the essence of the city.

 

Q: How much of Practice Makes Perfect is based on your former career working for a large firm?

JJ:  Okay, so this is where the lawyer part of me would like to emphasize that Practice Makes Perfect is a work of fiction.  Names, characters and incidents are products of the author’s imagination and any resemblance… well, you know the drill.  That being said, of course as a former associate at a large firm I drew on my own experiences and ambitions.  And Payton, the heroine, practices the type of law I practiced—employment discrimination defense.  I’d like to think that my own experience helps make the two main characters and the law firm setting seem more real.

 

Q: Did anything in Practice Makes Perfect take you out of your writing comfort zone?

JJ:  As an author, it’s my job to stay true to my characters and to go where they want to go.   And, well…. if that means my characters want to have sex, then that’s what I need to write— and that probably took me out of my comfort zone a little.  My writing background is with screenplays, and with scripts you just write the general feel of the scene and let the director and actors take over.  With a book, since there obviously isn’t a director or actors, everything that I want to convey with a scene has to be on the page.  So what I did was try to keep those scenes consistent with the overall tone of the book— light-hearted and comedic, yet still romantic.  And it also helped to drink a lot of wine when writing them.

 

Q: Practice Makes Perfect keeps you wanting more— do you think a sequel is in the future? 

JJ:  I don’t have a sequel planned for the immediate future, but all that means is that I haven’t thought past the book I’m currently writing.  I certainly never say never!

 

Q: What can we look forward to seeing from you next?

JJ:  I’m writing a third book for Berkley/Penguin, currently titled Partners in Crime.  It’s about a female Assistant U.S. Attorney who by happenstance witnesses a high-profile murder involving a U.S. Senator.  The FBI agent assigned to the investigation is a man from her past that she doesn’t get along with.  The proverbial sparks fly as she and the FBI agent work together on the case, and even more so when it turns out that the killer might be after her.  It’s another romantic comedy set in Chicago, although I do sneak in a thrill or two with this one.

 

 

Today I stopped by Jennifer’s Random Musings, where she was discussing Just the Sexiest Man Alive as her January Book of the Month.  One of Jennifer’s comments was that the book reminded her of some of her favorite romantic comedy films, which was interesting because Just the Sexiest Man Alive was originally written as a screenplay.  (Although, back then, it was called “The Andrews Project.”)  As I mentioned on Jennifer’s Blog, although the screenplay was optioned by a big Hollywood producer, the film ultimately wasn’t made.  After that, my film agent suggested I turn the script into a book, saying that he thought the story wasn’t over, that it should have a “home” somewhere, even if that home wasn’t on the big screen.  I’m so grateful he made that suggestion, and that Taylor and Jason’s story has been so warmly received as a contemporary romance.

But Jennifer’s blog got me thinking… as much as I love romantic comedy films (that’s what drove me to write two rom/com screenplays) I often find myself somewhat… disappointed with them.  And my main complaint seems to be that there’s no “chemistry” between the female and male leads.  Which leads me to wonder:

What is “chemistry”?

For me, there has to be that initial spark.  And  I’ll admit it, I love it when, for whatever reason, the hero and heroine refuse to accept the depth of that initial spark.   I’m also a sucker for banter.  Why do I love a back and forth between the heroine and hero?  Because to me, it signifies that they “get” each other.  And that they see each other as equals.   More important than what’s being said, often, is what’s being said between the lines.  Plus, let’s be honest: banter is foreplay.  And the more heated banter, the hotter I think the couple is going to be in bed.

So that’s my two cents.  What’s yours?  What do you think chemistry is?