THE SALACIOUS MARNY OTTWILER BY BRIDGET STRAUB

After several years of living life in the fast lane, bestselling novelist Marny Ottwiler vows to take control of the chaos that has invaded her everyday existence. This proves to be easier said than done. Over the next year she rides a roller coaster of experiences that are chronicled in hilarious detail. Follow along as she navigates through fame, family, friendships, and the writing of her next blockbuster series of books. Oh yeah, and the choice she has to make between two loves.

TOUR GIVEAWAY!

One copy of the book and a $5 Amazon Gift Card to one randomly drawn commenter at the end of the tour.

INTERVIEW WITH BRIDGET STRAUB 

Caroline: Where did you grow up?

Bridget:  I grew up in the Berkeley side of Oakland Calif., the 4th of 5 kids born in 6 years! Although I was never a super jock, I was a bit of a tomboy, trying to keep up with my brother who was only a year older. He was the only boy and stuck right in the middle of all us girls.

Caroline: Who are your favorite authors and favorite genres?

Bridget: This is strange for a writer, but I am not an avid reader. I was, and still am of course, dyslexic and letters have a tendency to move around when I read. It takes extraordinary concentration, so a book really has to interest me to keep me reading. That said, I really enjoyed “Mr. Maybe” by Jane Green and have read several of her other books. I also really enjoyed Ann Rice’s “The Witching Hour”, but more often than not I read autobiographies.

Caroline: Everyone in my husband’s family, including our daughters, has dyslexia. I guess they’ve learned to compensate, because they read avidly. My husband’s uncles didn’t read much, though.  What’s your favorite way to relax and recharge?

Bridget: The best is snuggling with my girls, watching a sitcom. I also like to draw, but really when I think about it, just getting to write something as fun as Marny Ottwiler is incredibly recharging.

Caroline: Do you have a favorite quote that sums up how you feel about life?

Bridget: The one that always comes to mind is, “Isn’t fun the best thing to have?” as said by Dudley Moore in the original Arthur movie.

Caroline: My youngest daughter and I frequently quote the “Oh, you’re only a hedge” when we trip or bump into something. Loved the movie. How long have you been writing?

Bridget: My earliest real memory is of being eight years old and writing antiwar poems. While my mom was concerned that I was depressed, I was just thrilled that I had gotten across a feeling of despair.

Caroline: Where do you prefer to write? Do you need quiet, music, solitude? PC or laptop?

Bridget: I’m usually sitting on my bed, pecking away on my laptop. I love music and have it playing almost all of the time, but I am not one of those people who can ignore conversations, so I could never write in a coffee shop etc.

Caroline: Me, either. I’d be listening in case a choice piece of dialogue or character study was nearby. Are you a plotter or a panzer?

Bridget: Total panzer and I love it. I never know what is going to happen next but I can’t wait to find out.

Caroline: Do you use real events or persons in your stories or as an inspiration for stories?

Bridget: Not usually, but in a future release, “IF BY CHANCE”, the opening scene is based on a Christmas spent with my sister and her husband, so they became the inspiration for the aunt and uncle in the book.

Caroline: Do you set daily writing goals? Word count? Number of chapters? Do you get a chance to write every day?

Bridget: I get really cranky if I don’t get to write every day. It doesn’t have to be a set number of words, but unless I am in a serious crisis I will be writing.

Caroline: Life just doesn’t feel quite right unless we can write, does it? What do you hope your writing brings to readers?

Bridget: Entertainment, an occasional laugh (or many more with this book) and characters that are real and relatable.

Caroline: What long-term plans do you have for your career?

Bridget: I have tons of plans! I have written a musical with the very talented Laura Hall (best known for her piano skills on “Whose Line Is It, Anyway?”), and I want to see it produced and enjoyed by the masses. I have several more novels both completed and in the works and I would love to see my books turned into films. Lastly, I have several ideas for TV series.

Caroline: A musical? I’m impressed. Would you like to tell us what you’re working on now?

Bridget: All of the above!

Caroline: What advice would you give to unpublished authors?

Bridget: If you have a book that you know is good and ready to be published, then just go for it. Traditional publishing takes years, and for some people that’s fine, but I don’t have the patience for it.

Caroline: My sentiments exactly. What’s a fun fact readers wouldn’t know about you?

Bridget: I’m left-handed and proud of it!

Caroline: Oh, my, left-handed and dyslexic. What’s something about you that would surprise or shock readers?

Bridget: I don’t drive. It goes back to that whole dyslexia thing.

Caroline: In Texas where everything is spread out and public transportation is iffy, one has to drive or stay home. So, I drive hundreds of miles a month. Is your book a series? Family saga, other?

Bridget: All of my books have a strong emphasis on family. The only series I have is IF BY CHANCE. I have completed the first book, am almost done with the second and I’m certain there will be a third.

Caroline: Tell us something you learned researching your book that surprised/interested you.

Bridget: This will confuse you until you read the book but I learned where the saying “have a field day” came from. It’ dates all the way back to the 1700s.

Caroline: Is there anything else you’d like readers to know about you?

Bridget: Only that I hope they enjoy Marny as much as I do!

AN EXCERPT

“Salacious novelist Marny Ottwiler has checked herself into the spectacular Meadow House Retreat, best known for its celebrity clientele and exclusive acreage in the mountains above the City of Angels, Los Angeles, California. Sources close to the beautiful, yet flighty Ms. Ottwiler insist she is simply researching her next book and does not suffer the chemical dependency that has been rumored, nor has she had a breakdown due to her recent affair with up-and-comer Kyle MacDonald, which appears to have ended her short-lived marriage to the ruggedly good looking action hero, Andrew Morris. As you may recall, she has also been linked to numerous other heartthrobs, most notably British rock star Malcolm. No word yet as to when we can expect her next bestseller, but it promises to be a doozy!”

Malcolm put down the paper and looked at me, raising his brow while trying to conceal his amusement. He was dressed in torn jeans and a t-shirt he must have outgrown by the time he was twelve. His hair was its usual carefully disheveled mess, falling dangerously close to his eyes and over his collar. He was tan from his recent vacation on his private island in the Caribbean, and his green eyes were piercingly clear.

 I shrugged. “I have a good publicist.”

“Who, not that hideous little gnat of a Nazi, Karla with a “K?”

“Exactly,” I smiled.

He moved closer, dropping the paper next to me on the unmade bed, where I was sitting in little more than a tissue thin t-shirt and my most comfortable, although admittedly disgusting, sweats. It wasn’t just that they were old and spaghetti stained, but also I had been wearing them every day for the past three weeks. My normally honey-colored and highlighted hair hung limply around my face, roots exposed, and I had been crying before his arrival, so no doubt my lids were rimmed in puffy redness. Still, as he sat next to me and put his arm around my shoulder, he had the courtesy to tell me I looked beautiful as always.

“You are such a liar,” I smiled.

“Well, yes, clearly. In all honesty you look perfectly wretched, but one can only handle so much truth when in as delicate a state as you are.”

“Thanks for sheltering me.”

“My pleasure.”

“Is it?”

“Who wouldn’t want to spend their day comforting a damsel in distress, housed in some luxury mental institution for the wealthy and spoiled? Especially when the aforementioned damsel is as lovely as you. Would it be out of the question that you might one day soon burn this ensemble?” he asked, motioning towards my clothes.

“I’m trying to blend in with the other depressed, drug addicted, self -mutilating, over indulged inhabitants. It’s all a part of my research.”

“One does have to admire your dedication,” he smirked.

It was at that moment that my roommate, Deany, entered the room, and upon seeing Malcolm, immediately began hyperventilating.

“You’ve met before?” I teased, getting up to close the door before she alerted the powers-that-be to the fact that I had a boy in my room, as that was a big ‘no-no’ here.

“I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure,” Malcolm smiled, offering his hand.

Deany waved her hands and let out a little shriek as I handed her a brown paper bag, and suggested she breathe into it. She did so, never taking her eyes off the rock star in the room. The rock star who returned his attention to me, asking how long I’d be here “researching”.

“I’m hopeful that I can finish up quickly,” I told him.

“Do you need anything while you’re here?” he asked.

“Some vodka would be nice.”

“Ahh, yes, I remember you have a fondness for that, don’t you?”

I wanted to ask him why he was here, but I knew he wouldn’t be capable of giving an honest answer. A common thread I was coming to learn, among all of the men in my life. Instead, he stood up and said he should be going. He walked over to the window, pushed it open, blew me a kiss, and then jumped down to the grass below. Deany passed out.

In an effort to give full disclosure, I must admit that it is not entirely out of the realm of possibility that I may have developed a slight dependency to certain inebriants. A breakdown over the likes of either Kyle McDonald, or one Andrew Morris however, is sheer madness, and grounds for a lawsuit. Kyle is a nineteen year old pretty boy, who couldn’t act his way out of a bag, and Andrew, well, the jury is still out. Suffice to say, I never would have spent more than ten minutes with Kyle, had Andrew not been so gaga over his leading lady in “Rescue at Midnight”.

My thought process at the moment is like this. All of that is in the past, and what I must deal with now is a book that is long overdue. Tabitha, my editor, is calling me hourly requesting new pages. Pages I have led her to believe I have, but which, in fact, are all blank. Merely a white lie, right? I have the paper. Here’s the thing, though, the book is half - finished, and yet I’ve somehow managed to delete it. Now of course Tabitha has the first eight chapters, but do I want to admit that not only have I lost it, but I can’t remember any of it because I was less than sober when I wrote it? No, I do not. Do I wish to start the whole thing over again? No, I do not. Do I have a clue as to what I am going to do next? I’m thinking about a nap. “When in doubt, run away”. That has become my new motto. I learned it from Malcolm. You might recall he’s just jumped out a window. Not the first time, nor will it be the last time that he does so.


THE SALACIOUS MARNY OTTWILER is available in Print and E-book here:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Bridget-Straub/e/B006KEG0KE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Author Bridget Straub

Bridget Straub is an author, artist and mom who has been writing for as long as she can remember. When she’s not blogging at http://bridgetstraub.com she is painting or spending time with her family.THE SALACIOUS MARNY OTTWILER is Ms. Straub’s third novel. Also available, ON A HOT AUGUST AFTERNOON and SEARCHING FOR MY WAND.

Find out more about Bridget Straub here:

Website Link:  http://bridgetstraub.com  

Twitter: @bridgetstraub

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bridget.straub?ref=ts&fref=ts 

TOUR STOPS

Nov 19 - Black Lion Tour Blog/Introduction
Nov 21 - Books, Books, the Magical Fruit/interview
Nov 23 - Laurie''s Non-Paranormal Thoughts and Reviews/Interview
Nov 26 - Melissa's Midnight Musings/Guest Post
Nov 29 - MK McClintock Blog/Guest Post
Nov 30 - Caroline Clemmons Blog/Interview
Dec 5 - Romance Meets Life/ Top Ten List
Dec 9  - A Novel Idea Live/Live Interview Airs 1:00 PM MST
Dec 10 - A Novel Idea Live/Guest Post
Dec 11 - The Bunny's Review/Top Ten List
Dec 13 - My Devotional Thoughts/Guest Post and Review
Dec 14 - Black Lion Tour Blog/Wrap Up