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January 6, 2006
Inside the Actor's Author's Studio
Because inquiring minds want to know...
She’s bold. She's beautiful. She writes 38 books a year (approximately.)
She’s Alesia Holliday, and as a former trial lawyer, she’s not afraid to take on the tough questions. Which is good, because I’m totally about to ask her some.
You may know her only as the uber-cool, bestselling, double RITA finalist, but she’s so much more than that! Beneath that flashy exterior lies a sensitive soul--a soul that craves sunsets, softly falling rain, quiet strolls on the beach…and swarthy Navy SEALs. My kind of woman.
Which one of your book/novella heroes would you most like to date?
This is impossible to answer with only one name, because I fall madly in lust/love with each of them as I write their stories. I was crazy for Sam in American Idle (and Carlos, who was “only” a secondary character, but try telling HIM that), nuts about both Jamie and Banning in Nice Girls Finish First, definitely hot for Luke in A Publicist and a Pear Tree, and oh, hallelujah and somebody call the hot tinglies patrol, but the hunky Navy SEAL turned PI Jake Brody in my upcoming December Vaughn mystery series is a Bad Boy who makes me shiver. (Let’s not even get started on the dark, tortured Atlantaens in my upcoming paranormal series – those are preternatural tinglies!!)
Which one TV show will you never get over being cancelled?
Firefly. It was brilliantly written and deserved so much more of a chance. I’m a Joss Whedon geek – what can I say?
Think back to your earliest childhood crush. Who was he, what’d you like about him, and what do you think he’s like as an adult?
There were two adorable teen hotties – Mike Brooks and Seth Bland, in eighth grade (I was a slow starter!) and I modeled the two lead guys in my teen series after them. (If you’re out there, Mike and Seth, see the impression you made!) We lived in Izmir, Turkey, and attended the American school there. Mike was a swimming champ, and Seth and I were the math geeks – we would actually compete over geometry theorems. (This says a lot about my sad, sad high school experience as “the brain,” unfortunately.) I imagine that today they are both wildly successful and probably married to supermodels.
If you had to pick a book setting to live in (yours or any other author’s), which would it be and why?
Ooooh, I’d like to “try out” a dozen or more!! But right now, since it’s on my mind, probably my setting for Atlantis Risen. It’s just like our reality today, except demons and shapeshifters are taking over the world, and the long-secret Warriors of Poseidon have finally returned to fulfill their vow to protect mankind. I can totally see myself as a rebel freedom fighter kicking some demon butt!!
What is your secret irrational fear?
Well, if I told, it wouldn’t be secret. Plus, it’s wildly irrational, which would frighten people and make them question my sanity, and I’m trying to cut down on that sort of thing for 2006. But my not-so-secret irrational fear is that meteorites will hit my house.
Rumor has it that 2006’s going to be a real barn-burner for you, publishing-wise. Give us a few hints about what’s in the works.
I’m so excited about this year!! In addition to my next chick lit novel, Seven Ways to Lose Your Lover, due out in July, my mystery series I mentioned above is launching in March with Blondes Have More Felons. Attorney December Vaughn has moved from big-city corporate law to small-town solo practice in Florida, and she finds herself the target of fiendish plots and inept criminals. Not to mention the giant reptiles!! I had a blast writing Blondes and am looking forward to finishing the second mystery, which will be released in October.
Finally, the Atlantis series launches in early 2007, so the work on those books is in progress. I’m writing those under the pen name Alyssa Day, which is very freeing, because I can blame “her” for everything. “Oh, really? You think that love scene was really hot and sexy? Oh, that Alyssa is such a wild one!!” hee hee.
Oh, and how could I forget to mention the best part? The new Literary Chicks is going to be so much fun with you and Eileen and Whitney joining in!! Thanks for the interview and I can’t WAIT to dive into Fashionably Late!
Posted by Beth at 9:28 PM | Comments (12)
Comments
A meteorite wouldn't dare hit you! You are simply too fantastic for that. And what were you doing in Turkey?
Posted by: Eileen at January 7, 2006 11:04 AM
Bold AND beautiful?? Beth, you're my new best friend. :)
hugs,
Alesia
Posted by: Alesia Holliday ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.literarychicks.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at January 7, 2006 11:46 AM
Hey! I said you were fantastic! Do I get to be your next best friend? :-)
Posted by: Eileen at January 7, 2006 5:25 PM
Eileen, you always will be my darling! :)
Alesia
Posted by: Alesia Holliday at January 7, 2006 5:53 PM
See? This is what happens when I go out for a day. Now the titles of New Best Friend *and* Darling are already taken! And before any of you started in on all this bold, beautiful and fantastic stuff *I* called her hilarious *and* pretty. Where's my title? Huh? Huh? ;)
Posted by: Lani at January 7, 2006 7:25 PM
Hee hee. You are all making a very sick writer feel all warm and fuzzy. Or that might be the Nyquil. But definitely warm and fuzzy. Oh, and I lived in Turkey for 2 years, the Philippines for 2 years, and in about a dozen different states growing up. (Air Force brat). Get me drunk at a conference and I'll tell you the camel story.
Or sing the national anthem of the Philippines. In Tagalog.
Seriously.
Alesia
Posted by: Alesia Holliday at January 7, 2006 7:36 PM
Alesia,
My mom was a Navy brat. She met my dad (and conceived me!) in the Philippines when Dad and Grandpa were both stationed there. I've always wanted to get a tattoo on my butt that says, "Made in the Philippines."
Welcome Whitney, Eileen, and Beth. I've read all of you guys since your guest posts here before the holidays. I LOVE this place. Michelle, Alesia, and Lani rock! Can I be a cool chick when I grow up? (Not planning on that happening any time soon, but a girl can dream, right?)
Posted by: Teble at January 7, 2006 8:41 PM
Lani,
Nyeah, nyeah, nyeah. I get to be darling! You'll have to find your own title.
Posted by: Eileen at January 8, 2006 12:01 AM
Umm... I have a feeling Alesia's probably capable of coming up with one or two names for me... ;)
Posted by: Lani at January 8, 2006 10:36 AM
Teble, that's too funny! My brother was born there. Although, in terms of tattoos, Philippines is a loooooong word (ouch!).
And if you *do* grow up, you'd be too mature for us, I'm thinking . . .
hugs,
Alesia
Posted by: Alesia Holliday at January 8, 2006 10:43 AM
Teble,
How sweet! I'm apparently pretty slow in the growin' up thing myself. I don't think it's prerequisite for hanging out here. :-)
P.S. Ditto what Alesia said about Philippines being a looonnng word.
Posted by: Eileen at January 8, 2006 2:14 PM
Alesia, Ouch. Good point. I'll just have to settle for my second choice tattoo... Bite Me. See, I'm not too mature for this place! Teble
Posted by: Teble at January 8, 2006 8:10 PM
