Pump Up Your Book Chats with Lian Dolan, author of Helen of Pasadena

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Lian-Dolan Lian Dolan is a novelist, writer, and talk show host. She writes and talks about her adventures in modern motherhood for her website and her weekly podcast, The Chaos Chronicle, which is currently being developed by Nickelodeon into a half-hour sitcom. She is also a weekly relationships columnist at oprah.com. In addition, Lian spent a decade hosting Satellite Sisters, an award-winning talk show that she created with her four real sisters. Previously published books include Satellite Sisters UnCommon Senses published in 2001. She lives in Pasadena, California with her husband and two sons. Her dream is to ride on a Rose Parade float.

@helenofpasadena

http://www.helenofpasadena.com
http://www.chaoschronicles.com

http://www.satellitesisters.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Helen-of-Pasadena/103966149642707#!/pages/Helen-of-Pasadena/103966149642707

Thank you for this interview, Lian. Do you remember writing stories as a child or did the writing bug come later? Do you remember your first published piece?
A: In high school and college, I had a secret dream to be a writer, but I didn’t really have the guts to take a lot of classes in writing and put myself out there. Having a career as a writer sounded too far-fetched to me. But once I was out of college, I started writing as an offshoot of my job as a producer and discovered that I loved it and could actually do it professionally. Eventually, I found my voice and got braver about declaring myself a writer.

My first major published piece was a featured essay in O, the Oprah Magazine. When I got the call that the essay was going to be featured, I burst into tears. It was a tremendous stamp of professional approval and a huge personal milestone for me. After that, I felt like writer.

What do you consider as the most frustrating side of becoming a published author and what has been the most rewarding?
A: Let’s start with the most rewarding. And that is easily the idea that something you have written has actually changed another person’s life. Outside of fiction, I do a lot of personal essays and advice-driven pieces. And when reader contacts me to say that my words have made then change their mind or rethink their life in some way that is immensely rewarding.
Now, I’m starting to hear from women who have already finished Helen of Pasadena that the main character Helen is inspiring to them. She is a woman who loses everything and has to rebuild her life from the ground up. And, even though it’s a comedic novel, readers are finding Helen’s story and spirit contagious. The best for me.
The least rewarding? Definitely watching the fees and respect for professional writers dwindle. It’s very difficult to hang on as a writer when all people want to pay is “exposure.” I don’t get it.

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Are you married or single and how do you combine the writing life with home life? Do you have support?
A: I’m a working mother who owns my own company and I have a family life that includes a husband, two teenaged kids, and a really chaotic schedule. But I have worked in and around my family’s life for so long, I have it down. I am super-disciplined about work, getting it done and sticking to deadlines. I write when the kids are out of the house or I use the early morning quiet on the weekends to work. I don’t get distracted, I don’t do the laundry, I don’t take a lot of lunch meetings that suck up time. When I sit down to write, I write.
I have help a couple days a week that gets me out from under some of the household chores. But also, the kids know that when I am upstairs in my office, I’m not to be disturbed. It works most of the time!

What do you like to do for fun when you’re not writing? Where do you like to vacation? Can you tell us briefly about this?
A: I am the only woman in a house of men, so most of free time is spent doing some kind of physical activity! I would love to sit down and read a book on a Sunday! Or take a family trip to New York for a week of plays. But instead, we ski, hike, swim, canoe, raft. It’s non-stop. We spend a lot of time in Mammoth Lakes in the Sierras in California and in Central Oregon in Bend. Both are beautiful spots with lots of action for my active family.

If you could be anywhere in the world for one hour right now, where would that place be and why?
A: I love walking in Central Park in New York. I find any visit to the city energizing and never miss an opportunity to walk in Central Park. It’s magical.

Who is your biggest fan?
A: My mother, of course. That’s her job. I like when she tells me about all the “promotion” she’s been doing on my behalf. It usually involves cornering the dry cleaner and telling him about my book.

Where’s your favorite place to write at home?
A: I have a desk in my bedroom. I say desk, because “office” would be too strong a word for my corner of the house. It’s alcove, with my desk, some shelves and lamp. Home Sweet Home.

Do you have any pets?
A: I have a lovely German shepherd named Mia who gets younger every year! She has more energy than a puppy.

Tell us a secret no one else knows.
A: I sometimes watch iCarly even when the kids aren’t around.

What’s on your to do list today?
A: Good question. Today is very typical of my life. In addition to fiction writing, I run my own media company that produces two podcasts, two websites and various other entertainment products. So after I finish this, here’s what’s happening: Edit two podcasts that are interviews with authors Lisa Birnbach and Suasn Casey; send files to webmaster in NYC; write corresponding blog posts for satellitesisters.com and write another unrelated post for chaoschronicles.com; record new sponsor interstitial for podcast for holiday promotion; pick up son #1 and son #2; feed them copious amounts of food; go shopping as part of sponsor holiday promotion; rush home to prepare more food for dinner; walk dog; head off to volunteer board meeting; offer expertise on websites to organization; head home; drink a glass of wine; hit the hay.

Now I’ve got a couple of fun questions for you. If Tom Hanks, in the movie Cast Away, unearthed a copy of your book, how would that help him find a way off the island?
A: Helen of Pasadena has a Trojan leitmotif, as you can imagine, and features a sexy archaeologist. So, there is some archaeological information in my book! Tom Hanks may learn how to identify certain historical items that may lead to the discovery of a secret treasure trove that would surely include a Trojan vessel left over from the Bronze Age.

You have a chance to appear on the hit talent show for authors, American Book Idol, with judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Kara Dioguardi and the newest addition, Ellen DeGeneres, to determine whether your book will make it to Hollywood and become a big screenplay where you’d make millions of dollars. What would impress them more – your book cover, an excerpt or your author photo – and why?
A: The excerpt. Because the dialogue does not sound like karaoke—a frequent Simon Cowell complaint—but like the real deal. And I think Ellen would be super-psyched that she is actually referenced in my book and that the story line features a very Portia Di Rossi character.

You just got word that your book has received the 2010 NY Times Bestselling Book Award and you have to attend the ceremony to give an acceptance speech. Anyone who’s anyone will be there and it’s your shot for stardom. What would you say and who would you thank?
A: I could not have written Helen of Pasadena without the help of my writer’s group, the Hell-Raising Heroines! Helen of Pasadena would still be in outline form instead of on shelves in bookstores everywhere. For a year, the HRH stuck with me, offering their competent guidance. They helped me shape every page of Helen of Pasadena and keep me on track. Too many writers try to go it alone or bristle at an honest critique out of some kind of hubris. Opening myself and my book up to other writer for commentary made me a better writer. I welcomed their suggestions, enthusiasm and good humor. Thank you, Hell-raising Heroines.

I understand that you are touring with Pump Up Your Book Promotion in November, 2010 via a virtual book tour with your tour host Rebecca Camarena. Can you tell us all why you chose a virtual book tour to promote your book online?

A: I have been working in the digital space for over a decade, with my website, my blog and my podcast. My people are here online. For me, it was an obvious choice because I know my readers are also people who turn to social networks and blogs as their primary source of information. I also realized that I don’t know everything about the digital world, especially the vast world of book promotion. So having an expert work with me to craft the right pitches and the right approach was key.

Thank you for this interview, Lian. Good luck on your virtual book tour!

A: My pleasure! Onward and upward!

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Question of the Day

How do you make sales happen for you?

A lot of hard work! I sponsor a lot of on line parties, festivals and contests. Book sales don’t magically happen, believe me. An author has to work hard to earn her readers. And then she has to work hard to keep them by giving them something they’ll enjoy reading. I try hard to make my books worth a reader’s time.

-- Sheila Roberts, Author of Winter at the Beach