Guest Blog & Giveaway - Margo Candela - Goodbye to All That

Describe your book in five words or less.


Working Girl meets Mad Men.
[Note:If I can have 10 words it would be: Working Girl meets Mad Men with a dash of Entourage.]


How did the idea for the Goodbye to All That come to you?


I love office life. I find it beyond interesting, how people behave during their workday which is not how they are on their off hours. I knew I wanted to write a book about a young woman’s commitment to her job and how real life interferes with her career ambitions. It all came together for me on my last draft. The focus shifted to the conflicts facing Raquel, my main character, between her family and her job.


What is the hardest part of writing for you? What's the easiest?


The easy part is coming up with the nut of an idea. I think of a beginning, middle and end and stick with them even though things might change between those three points. What’s hard is determining if the idea is one worth committing to and, once I do, not letting my attention stray.


What's next for you? Are you currently working on or have plans for future projects?


I’ve put together a couple of proposals and am polishing a screenplay. I’m always writing or thinking about what I’m going to write next. But right now, I’m taking care of some housekeeping, meeting with agents, talking with my editor and doing the ground work so I can focus on just writing and not worry about the other stuff.


What's it like hearing that readers are eagerly awaiting your book's release date?


I’m always surprised and flattered because I do the same thing. I’m also an impulse book buyer. I like to go to a bookstore and pull down random titles and see what grabs me. This is why a great cover is so important. I’ve been very lucky with my last two and I can only hope the next one is even better.


What is one question that you've always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question? Is it worth it?


Everyone assumes I’m living my dream and that I’d never consider doing anything else with my life. Okay, it’s true. I do love that I’ve gotten a chance to write novels and see them published. On the other hand, cupcake recipe tester would be a nice job to have, too.


What was your road to publications like?


Considering the horror stories I’ve heard, it was surprisingly easy. Between 2003 and 2005 I finished and polished my manuscript and made looking for an agent my part-time job. By early 2006 I’d signed my first contract and by early 2007 my first novel (Kensington, Jan. ’07) was in bookstores. It was a lot of work and worrying, but I know I got lucky and for that I’m very grateful.


PicCreditAlexBenParks