We’re back this week to interview our guest blogger of the month, Marilyn Brant. Welcome back, Marilyn!
Since this is Marilyn’s first visit to The Dungeon & her very first book release, we tried to take it easy on her, but…well, Mistress Heidi is only capable of so much gentleness. 
Let’s see how it went…
What is your favorite color? Light burgundy. (I checked my color wheel just to be sure!)
Favorite song? You have got to be kidding me! ONE song?! Um, no. That’s not gonna happen. I love too, too many. Stuff from the 1970s, the 1980s, many musical soundtracks, a smattering of Beatles, Elvis, Buddy Holly and Four Seasons songs, and a range of groups and singers popular today, especially Matchbox 20 (with sometimes solo singer Rob Thomas), whom I’ve seen in concert twice now with my awesome brother. *muttering to self* “ONE song?!”
Favorite movie? Hmm, I love movies, so this is tough, too. I’ll say When Harry Met Sally… just because I keep going back to it as one of the standards for great dialogue, fabulous characterization and a plot arc with a relationship growth I find fascinating. In spite of some over-the-top comedic moments, the emotions they touch upon in the film are pretty realistic overall.
And of course, favorite book? You realize it has to be Austen’s Pride & Prejudice!
What are you currently reading, & how are you enjoying it? It’s been very, very tough for me to make time to read for pleasure over the past several months. I miss it! But a lovely friend gave me a copy of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society over the summer and, whenever I’ve had a chance, I read some of it and just wish I had two whole days to do nothing but lay on the sofa and finish. It’s fabulous!
Name three books on your TBR pile that you can’t wait to read. Therese Walsh’s The Last Will of Moira Leahy, Two Guys Read Jane Austen by Chandler and Hill and Settling Back by Lainey Bancroft.
What was the first book in your chosen genre that you remember reading, or that made you want to write the same? It was Sue Miller’s women’s fiction story While I Was Gone (one of the few Oprah picks that I fully endorsed). I loved the themes she explored in this novel but I wanted to merge those themes with a slightly more whimsical element and a bit more humor, so I also really appreciated the fun romances of Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Jennifer Crusie.
What do you think of Heidi? She’s great, right? Nope…she’s REALLY great! (Note from Heidi: Why, thank you, thankyouverymuch.
)
How did you get started writing? Tell us a little bit about your first sale. Aside from being on the newspaper and yearbook staff in high school and publishing some academic work in college, I didn’t take writing seriously until I was about 30. I was a stay-at-home mom with a baby and desperately in need of a creative outlet, so I began writing poems again, essays on being a parent and educational articles for family magazines. I wrote my first book having never taken a creative-writing class or even having read a book on the craft of fiction. (The lack of craft is very evident when I reread chapters from that first book, by the way! I don’t recommend this shocking degree of ignorance…) I got some feedback though—mostly negative—from a prominent literary agency, which led me to study fiction formally, delve into craft books and, eventually, go to my first writing conference. It was there that I heard about RWA. I joined, wrote three more unpublished manuscripts, and then came up with the idea for ACCORDING TO JANE. My agent signed me on this book and submitted it to editors, but it needed to be significantly restructured before it sold. Nine months after it won the Golden Heart and was revised (again), it finally did sell—to John Scognamiglio at Kensington—on a sunny and surrealistic day in April 2008.
Fill in the blank—If you like [blank], you’ll love Marilyn Brant! If you like 80s music, offbeat characters, and Jane Austen, you’ll (probably) love Marilyn Brant! (At least for this book.)
As embarrassing as it is for me to admit, I have never read a Jane Austen book, nor watched a movie based on one. (Yeah, yeah, begin the pelting of rottenous fruit now. 
) So for the two of us out here in the world who are complete & total neophytes, give us a quick lesson in Jane Austen 101. Why should we love Austen? What is the appeal? And what are we missing? You haven’t even watched one of the MOVIES??!! Ohhhh, I’m kidnapping you at the next RWA conference and forcing some Firth on you—LOL! More seriously, the biggest thing about Austen, for me, is her perception. She had an uncanny, genius-level ability to see human behavior clearly. This really comes through in her character development. She doesn’t have to tell readers that a character is greedy or self-centered or arrogant, she conveys it so perfectly through their dialogue and behavior that you actually recognize the modern incarnations of these people when they show up in your own life. I LOVE that!
Tell us about ACCORDING TO JANE and why we’ll love every word.
ACCORDING TO JANE is the story of a modern woman named Ellie who gets dating advice from the ghost of Jane Austen. It begins one day in her high-school English class, just as Ellie’s teacher is assigning Pride & Prejudice. From nowhere, she hears a quiet “tsk” of disapproval aimed at the antics of the cute bad boy who has been teasing her. The author’s ghost takes it upon herself to stay in Ellie’s mind, offering up her own brand of Regency-era wisdom in regards to romance. Years and boyfriends come and go, but Ellie has a lot to learn about love. And, possibly, even Jane may benefit from a new insight or two.
If your plane crashed in the Andes, would you convince the other survivors to eat Heidi first or last? Heidi—and I say this with a great deal of affection—I believe this is the single strangest thing anyone has asked me at any time on this book tour. (And possibly EVER!) I don’t have an answer to your odd cannibalism question, but I can tell you, I’d award you a very large chocolate statuette just for coming up with something that stumped me like this!! (Further intrusive note from Heidi: Here in The Dungeon, we pride ourselves on keeping people on their toes. You have been warned. 
Oh, & I’ll take the giant chocolate statuette, thank you…one roughly my own size & weight, please. It’s been one of those months. 
)
If you could write anything—whether in the same genre/sub-genre as you’re writing now or another—what would it be? Oh, this is my genre. It’s what I’ve wanted to write from the beginning—light contemporary women’s fiction—sometimes with a paranormal twist, sometimes without, but always with romantic elements and some comedy. I would wage war against anyone who tried to make me do anything else right now. That may change someday, but I don’t anticipate it happening soon. As far as what specific storyline I’d want to write next—all I’ll say is that I’m working on it!
What are you currently working on? The proposal for my third novel and the final revisions on my second one. Book two is finished, except for a few scene tweakings, and we finally have a title: FRIDAYS AT NINE. It’s a modern fairy tale about three suburban moms who have to rethink the state of their marriages and their lives when one of the friends asks the others a surprising question. It’ll be out next October!
Since it’s October & Halloween is right around the corner, I have to ask—have you had a chance to read Pride & Prejudice & Zombies? And if so, what did you think? I have it, and I’ve read it (mostly). I’ll admit to doing some heavy skimming in spots. My initial reaction was that it was a clever idea (if you’re into zombies) (Intrusive note from Heidi & Mistress Heidi: We are. We sooooo are!) but I got bored with the premise fairly quickly. For me, the book’s gimmick took away from the aspects of Austen’s story that I most loved—her subtlety in displaying conflict, her insightfulness in revealing character, etc. Also, eating brains has never been of high appeal to me, so I’m pretty clearly not the target audience for that book! (Further intrusive note from the Heidis: Oh, you only say that because you’ve never tried them. Don’t worry, they taste just like chicken. 
)
Thanks so much for having me visit, Heidi! Looking forward to being back again next week.
Thank you, Marilyn! Great interview. We’re thrilled to have you back with us this week! I’m not promising to let you drag me off at RWA & brainwash me with all things Austen, but you’ve at least piqued my interest. 
Don’t forget, my Darlings, that Marilyn will be giving away a gift set made up of an ACCORDING TO JANE t-shirt, a Victoria’s Secret Big Caramapple lip gloss, & a four-pack (20 flavors) of Tea Treasures tea packets at the end of her visit. Only one winner (U.S. residents only, please), but every comment left during her visit—all three weeks—will be counted as entries, which gives you many chances to win. 
Remember, too, that you can learn more about Marilyn & her books by visiting MarilynBrant.com.
I love Heidi’s questions! LOL And you are a good sport Marilyn to actually contemplate an order of cannibalism question!
Heidi, you’ve never seen Clueless? That’s just a modern re-working of Jane Austen.
Awesome interview clueless cracked me up cant believe youve neverseen lol even did a tv show about it
I love the answer to the “just one song” question. That is so me…I can never pick just one. As for movies, my favorite is usually the one I’ve just seen.
Great questions and answers!
I hadn’t realized that is what Clueless was based on. I did like that movie.
All I need now is to be told that Legally Blonde is a reworking of some classic and my best friend would gloat. I always feel like I lost brain cells after watching it though.
Clueless is one of my favorite all-time movies and really did not know it was a re-working of Jane. I guess that’s what I get from being a Austen virgin. (But not for much longer–I picked up two Jane Austen books last week. P&P and Northanger Abby).
I have read Marilyn’s book (yep–picked it up last week) and I can happily give it 2 thumbs up (ooooh–just like this
) Very neat and as I’m reading the parts where Jane is speaking I could hear Emma Thompson as the voice of Jane. (weird, but true)
Oh and Marilyn–please feel free to force some Firth on me.
Good job answering Mistress Heidi’s nutty questions… I have to ask how do you write 2 or 3 stories at a time and keep them all straight in your head?? Thats for both of you to answer as I am sure most writers have a couple going at a time…Thanks for visiting us again Marilyn. We love guests in the Dungeon!!!!!!!!!!
Very Funny stuff…I love the question about the plane crash in the Andes. I must say that if you watch any Jane Austin movies, start with the BBC movie with Collin Firth. It’s about six hours or so but, it’s perfect for sick days. I haven’t read Marilyn’s According to Jane, but it’s on my favorites list. I am a Jane Austin junkie too. I think I will be passing on the Zombie and SeaMonster spin offs though. Great Interview.
Don’t worry Heidi–I’ve never finished P&P and Marilyn loves me anyway. (However, I have seen both the BBC and the Kiera Knightly movie versions.)
(Psst–Marilyn! I’ll help you with the kidnapping in July. I’ll lay a trail of peanut butter filled chocolate covered pretzels and a few photos of Dwayne Johnson and we’ll trap her good!)
Ahem, anyway! Fabulous interview, Heidi (as always) and Marilyn, fabulous answers! I was wondering how you were going to answer that favorite song one. Tee hee! And I strongly suggest to the dungeon dwellers if you haven’t picked up this book, run to your local bookstore and get it now. It will be on your keeper shelf.
Good morning, all! Welcome back, Marilyn! Welcome to all the new faces we’ve been seeing in The Dungeon lately (Beverly & Jennifer, this means you
). And congrats on grabbing the Golden Halo. It’s nice to know you’re going to be a good, good girl today. 
I love Clueless…but was totally clueless (*snork*) it was an Austen spin-off. Cool.
And Pam knows me so well…I could totally be led into a dark alley by Dips & Dwayne.
Clueless and the movie Emma, which starred Gwyneth Paltrow, are the exact same movie, only the names and time periods have changed. Much like Shakepeare, Jane Austen is timeless because the STORY is the thing, and human nature doesn’t change regardless of nation or era.
Hi Everyone!!
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Sorry to be late to the party…we got sidetracked by plumbing issue this morning–ack! The plumber should be here any minute, though. But if I jump offline and then jump back in, you’ll know why
Grace~thank you
. Heidi made me laugh in delight at some of her questions–that one in particular! And YES to Clueless being a great movie!! I love what you said about human nature not changing and that’s part of what makes Austen’s work so timeless. I very much agree. And “Cher”/A.Silverstone as Emma was just so funny in that film.
Beverly~hi!! Another Clueless fan–yay!
Dee~LOL!! Exactly…there was no way I could name just one song. So, should I ask about movies? You said your favorite is usually the one you’ve just seen…I’m open to recommendations!!
Laura~thank you so much!!! Wow, I’m excited to get 2 thumbs up from you! BTW, a friend of mine said something similar about hearing Emma Thompson’s voice as Jane. This is a friend who’s already casting characters for the movie (that has in no way even been optioned yet–but I love her optimistic attitude! :-) As for forcing Firth on you, mwaaahhhaaahaa!!! (rubbing hands together) With pleasure, my dear!
Barb~visiting here is a pure delight. Heidi has some absolutely awesome friends! Re: keeping multiple stories straight–excellent question! In my case, the storylines are tied so closely to the characters’ personalities, that they feel like very different “worlds” to me, even if they’re all taking place in the Midwest or they have other external similarities. It’s a bit like watching a double (or triple) feature at the movie theater. You may be sitting in the same building, looking at the same screen, but the people ON that screen are so different, the cast is so varied and the plots–even if they share a similar theme (i.e., romantic comedy)–are totally separate stories. When I’m typing–and, so, looking at my computer screen instead of a movie screen!–it really feels the same way. I enter a different story world with each book. (To help me keep physical details straight, though, I write down every characters’ age, hair/eye color, names of family members, etc. on a sheet that I can refer to. I can remember their STORY, but I can’t always remember their mother-in-law’s name!!)
Oooh–doorbell!!
I’ll be back very soon…
(Life-saving plumber is hard at work rescuing our bathroom. I feel much adoration toward him!!)
Jennifer~thank you for adding my book to your list
. Reading your comments about that film, I am SO up for a Austen Movie Marathon right now…6 hours of Colin, 2 hours of Matthew, Lost in Austen…several bags of popcorn…and all of you joining me!
Pamela~(psst–I got the plan memorized. Heidi will NEVER know what we’re up to! Good thinkin’ on those Dwayne Johnson photos…
Can I just say again how lucky I am to have you as my friend? Thank you for the oodles of support you’ve given me and this book, despite not even being an Austen fanatic (!!)–you’re wonderful. *hug*
Heidi~again, I’m loving my visit to The Dungeon. Being here makes me want to dance the goofy chick! Thank you…
I’m glad you’re having such a good time, Marilyn—it’s great to have you here! (Anything to take your mind off your plumbing problems, right?
) We pride ourselves on being warm & welcoming, even if Mistress Heidi is more into the leather & lace than bonnets & empire gowns. 
And, hey, I’m not opposed to having some Firth forced upon me.
(Try saying that 5xs fast.. Firth forced, Firth forced, Firth forced… 
)
I haven’t read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Do you read a lot of paranormals? Who are your favorite authors in that genre?
Dead on, Marilyn. I remember once somebody told me they hated Shakespeare and that the stories had no bearing on anything remotely modern and were totally irrelevant.
I asked this person if they actually read any Shakespeare and they told me no. I asked if they had ever seen Westside Story and they went into rhapsodies about how marvelous that was. I said something along the lines of “Um…..it’s Romeo and Juliet, but with dancing.”
It’s like the equivalent of hiding vegetables in food for kids. LOL
Well, the last movie I’ve seen in theaters is Star Trek with Chris Pine. Beam me his way any day! I saw that on a trip to see family back in June. It’s very hard to drool over Chris Pine when your mom is handing you a candy bar, and your brother asks you to name 3 actors in the movie besides Chris Pine [I passed, thank you very much! I may have my fangirl moments but I know my stuff!]
And yes, my mom brings the Sophia Petrillo purse to sneak in candy, bottled water, etc.
LOL, Heidi! I’d very much like to see Mistress Heidi in an empire gown and a bonnet.
Jane, I’ve read a fair number of paranormals, all over the map as far as type. I enjoy time-travels and characters with special powers and the occasional enchanted object… Bid Time Return was a very good novel, IMO (it’s what the movie “Somewhere in Time” was based on) and I also really enjoy the work of Jack Finney. I have a list of paranormal author faves in next week’s post, too!!
Oooh, Grace, GREAT analogy!! (And you’re reminding me I need to grate some carrots and zucchini and mix it into my son’s lasagna!)
Dee~I haven’t seen this “Star Trek”–but it was good, eh?! Okay, I’ll add that to my list! And I’m definitely going to want some Raisinettes. Think your mom will have room in her purse for those?!
yes, she will have the room or it will be in my purse.
Since my brother didn’t warn me and he KNOWS what a sap I am, you might need tissues about 5-10 minutes into the movie.
And yes, I may sneak stuff in but the best trick ever was tha lady at the Yankee game I was at years ago who hid a foot long sub in her cleavage. Sheesh!
OMG……Somewhere In Time! I can only begin to guess how many GALLONS of tears I have wept watching that movie a million times. It always leaves me a big, snotty, sobbing, blubbering, snuffly, blotchy, whimpering pathetic MESS.
Dee…..that lady must have had some impressive rack to hide a sub in the cleavage!
Eep. Have to admit, I haven’t watched Somewhere in Time, either. Can’t stand Jane Seymour & never cared for Christopher Reeves, so I avoid it at all cost. LOL
You guys are going to stone me soon, aren’t you?
I love Somewhere in Time…awesome movie.
Nope, no stoning. I never wanted to see Titanic and I know what I’ve been missing.
All I remember was she had on a tank top and my friend said…I so don’t want that sandwich!
Titanic…barf. Give me a good ol’ Hellboy, The Mummy, or Dawn of the Dead over that garbage any day. I just do not get it.
I’ll watch most movies, but not gory horror flicks. Give me a psychological, won’t eat an apple for 3 weeks scary movie.
The Mummy. *sigh* Now there’s a movie!
And, if by some chance, I get the devil horns tonight, I’m using them to help Marilyn kidnap Heidi at Nationals!
In Nashville? I’ll help…
I don’t care for gory movies but I don’t mind having the bejeezus scared out of me. I’d rather be frightened than disgusted which is where 99% of the horror genre tends to go.
Anybody else ever see the George C. Scott movie “The Changeling”? To this day claw footed bath tubs freak me out.
I never saw it…was it good?
Well you know I already have your book. Now I am just following you around the blogsphere and enjoying your posts. Congratulations on a book WELL DONE.
Here’s to you Marilyn.
I LOVE JANE !!!!!
Dee~I’m going to rethink eating footlong subs now–LOL!! I can’t imagine doing what that woman did…wow…
Heidi~Dawn of the Dead??!! I’m not sure even 6 hours of Colin Firth will cure you of these, um, ‘interesting’ film preferences
. Then again, you ARE a zombie girl!
Pamela and Dee~one of us needs to get those horns tonight…
Grace~the closest I got to anything even kind of horror-like or scary is the show “Supernatural”–I thought Season One was brilliant, despite every episode freaking me out with demons, urban legends, bloodiness, etc. The relationship between the brothers was just SO good, I forced myself to just deal with the scary stuff, and I’ve watched every season since. I have not seen The Changeling, though, and the very mention of frightening claw-footed bathtubs is enough to keep me away–LOL!
Oh, Tina, I *heart* you!!! Thank you for visiting me here and for sharing a dancing chicken moment with me!!! xoxo
I’m all for saving a few bucks at the concession stands, but I’m not that creative.
Boy, Dee grabbed the horns again! Congrats, Dee! You sure are giving the other Darlings—esp. the formerly reigning Laura J.—a run for their money.
Tina~ Welcome, & thank you so much for dropping in to join us while Marilyn is here! We have been keeping her quite on her toes, but I think she can take it.
Marilyn~ Thank you so much for chatting with us again this week, I’m already looking forward to next Tuesday already!
And yes, sad but true, I am into the gore. Scary stuff is okay…The Grudge, The Others; very freaky. But I loves me some zombies & deranged hillbilly killers. He he he.
Heidi I LOVE Gore and horror and all of that but clueless is just classic makes me laugh even now if i watch it
Oh, yay! At least I’m not the only one any longer.
And Jane…Jane likes the gory stuff, I think. At the very least, she likes some of the RomSusp other Darlings are too chicken to try. 
Put together the book you believe needs to be put together. ,
no your not i loveeee gory movies
Marilyn i just signe dup for your news letter sorry im so slow with chekcing out sites lol its my fav time of year so i tend to do more horror watching then net time lol
Just saw this!! Thank you Beverly!!!
yw yw its easier for me to join news letters then i cna relaly keep up then to remember every site lol