Miriam's Ramblings: June 2013

It's time for another lovely author to visit Miriam's Ramblings! In fact this is long overdue, but with holidays and life in general, blogging has been swept aside in recent weeks.

Welcome Bonnie, from across the pond - I am really delighted to have you here in Appley Green land!

Bonnie Trachtenberg is the multi-award-winning, bestselling author of Wedlocked: A Novel and Neurotically Yours: A Novel. She writes a monthly relationship and advice column for LoveaHappyEnding.com. Bonnie was senior writer and copy chief at Book-of-the-Month Club and has written seven children’s book adaptations. She has also written for three newspapers and penned countless magazine articles. She lives in New York with her husband, four cats, and a dog.

Bonnie explains her journey to writing her award-winning novels.

'I’ve always been a sucker for a good romantic comedy, whether through the books of Jennifer Weiner, Janet Evanovich, Marian Keyes and others, or at the movies watching “When Harry Met Sally,” “Something’s Got to Give,” or “Pretty Woman”. Let’s face it, real life can be sad, frustrating, and maddening at times, so I never seek out depressing or gut-wrenching stories no matter how good they are. I’m sure I’ve missed out on some great books and movies, but somehow I know I’m better off. Smiling is a priority for me. If I want misery I’ll turn on the news!

When I decided to pen my first novel, I realized I’d be spending many long days and nights holed up in the “alternate universe” I was creating. I also knew that if I was going to find my stay there a pleasurable experience, it had better be a romantic comedy! Luckily, since I was writing a story based on my first brief, disastrous marriage (Wedlocked), I had the perfect material. I never even gave the genre selection a second thought. Romantic comedy wasn’t just the right decision; in actuality, it really wasn’t a decision at all. It was completely organic. And as I developed my characters and wrote witty dialogue, I found myself giggling, swooning, and truly enjoying myself. Nothing is more entertaining to me than a good romance with lots of laughs, so for me, romantic comedy was a natural fit!'

We certainly do all need cheering up after following the news these days; although I don't write 'rom-coms' myself, I agree with Bonnie. Even in a reality novel, humour is vital to give the reader a lift and maybe provide an escape to a better place.

Thanks again!

Learn much more about Bonnie at her website: http://www.BonnieTrachtenberg.com