Today's guest is the fabulous Aimee Brown, whose debut novel Little Gray Dress
is published today by Crooked Cat Books. I had the pleasure of working with Aimee as editor of this book - and believe me, it is an amazing story.
Welcome, Aimee!
What prompted you to first start writing?
What was the first thing you wrote?
I decided to do NaNoWriMo in November of 2016. That really pushed me
forward. I got the idea for a bad bridesmaid dress in my head one night
and sat down to start writing. I promised myself I’d write 2500-5000 words a
day and somehow, I did!
Can you summarise
your latest work in just a few words?
Weddings, Engagements, and Mean Girls (… oh my!)
What was the inspiration for this book?
I have always been obsessed with weddings which are what inspired all the weddings. But I also am a huge fan of
quick moving romantic comedies. It’s just what comes out when I sit to write so
it was pretty expected when that was the direction the story went.
Did you do any research for the book?
I did! Most of the research was done on areas of Portland that I needed
quick reminders of as I wrote. I did some research on a few of the ‘Romanian’
aspects of the story. I did research weddings, bridesmaids dresses, and similar things. Mostly, though, I
wrote what I already knew, the things in life that are familiar to me.
What does a typical writing day involve for
you?
No day is the same for me. I have 3 teenagers, 3 dogs, 3 cats, a tank
full of fish, a husband, house, small business and SO much to do that I really
just sit and write whenever I find the time or when the mood strikes. Sometimes
that’s first thing in the morning and sometimes it’s the middle of the night
when insomnia strikes.
How do you decide on the names for your
characters?
I love doing name searches and I seem to always fall in love with the
older names. The ones you don’t hear every day.
Esmeralda is a name that I’ve always actually liked but knew it was a tad too
long to use throughout the book so, Emi was born (although in hindsight I kind
of wish I’d spelled it as Esme). I also have always loved the name, Jack. It seems modern yet is so old
school. And had I thought of it when I had my last son that would probably be
his name. It’s funny that I didn’t even
put two and two together that I have a paternal grandfather named Jack (short
for Jackie) because I always just called him ‘Grandpa’! Sadly, he passed
recently so now it’s kind of become a tribute to him. Besides those two, I just
went with a name and created a character based on what that name portrayed
personality wise in my head.
Do you plot your novels in advance, or allow
them to develop as you write?
There is definitely no plotting going on in advance. I’m a total panster. I try to come up with a good opening
and from there the characters seem to write the story for me. Which is good and
bad as they often don’t go in the direction I think they may go. LOL
Which writers have influenced your own
writing?
So many, especially the chick-lit legends! Sophie Kinsella, Meg Cabot,
Janet Evanovich, Emily Giffin, Candace Bushnell, and so many indie authors that
I’d hate to list them out and forget someone!
What has been the best part of the writing
process…and the worst?
The best is definitely getting to know my characters while creating
their story. It’s like I’ve created my own group of friends and now that I
don’t spend every day with them, I miss
them! To me, Emi, Lily, Jack, Liam, Evan, Hannah, Amelia and even Greta are a
part of my everyday life. I constantly wonder what they’re up to, before
realizing they can be ‘up to’ whatever I want!
Now the book is published and ‘out there’ how
do you feel?
It’s a little nervewracking! LOL,
As much as I love all the amazing feedback from readers it’s still so odd to me
that they’re talking about MY book! I mean, I knew I loved it, but I
wasn’t prepared to have others love it as much as I do. I’m kind of looking
forward to that first terrible review to feel as though I’ve really ‘made it’. (if
I keep telling myself that maybe that’s how I’ll actually feel! LOL) I truly
want everyone to love it though as I think being my first book it will always
be really close to my heart.
Is there a message for the reader?
Nobody is perfect. We all have body issues and self-esteem issues. We aren’t all a perfect size 2 who always says
the right thing. We all overthink things and have major life-altering misunderstandings in life. We are stubborn and very
rarely do the right thing at the right time. I really don’t have a ‘lesson’ for
readers besides to bring them realistically flawed, loveable characters and a
story that hopefully will leave them with that ‘I’ll miss these guys’ kind of
feeling after they’ve closed the book.
Do you have any advice for new writers?
UGH! So
many! Even though I’m a brand new author I feel like I’ve learned SO much
throughout this process. It’s taken me 10 years to get a complete story
finished. The one thing that really sticks out to me though is to just write.
Who cares if the first draft is total shit. Mine was! (even my second, if I'm completely honest, had a lot of
flaws – as you know, you were my editor!) It’s much easier to ‘fix’ a story
that has issues than to create a new story while trying to be perfect from the
starting gate.
What can we expect from you in the future?
I am working on a couple of things right now- both I hope to be released in 2018.
One is an equally funny, fast moving, romantic comedy novel, that may
or may not include a character from Little Gray Dress. It’s being written as a stand alone so the
main character is brand new and I think you’ll LOVE her! I know she keeps me in
giggles most of the time I’m writing her scenes.
The second is a chick-lit/cozy mystery that takes place in a vintage
Tiki Bar. It’s fun, romantic and has a mystery that even Nancy Drew would love.
Little Gray Dress
Emi Harrison has avoided her ex-fiancé, Jack Cabot, for nearly two years. Her twin brother Evan's wedding is about to end that streak.
From bad bridesmaids' dresses, a hyperactive sister-in-law, a mean girl with even meaner secrets, and too much to drink, nothing seems to go right for Emi, except when she's wearing her little gray dress.
When she speed-walks into Liam Jaxon's bar, things get more complicated. He's gorgeous, southern, and has no past with Emi. He may be exactly what she needs to prove for the last time that she doesn't need or want Jack!
Her favorite little gray dress has made an appearance at nearly every major event in Emi's adult life. Will it make another grand appearance when she least expects it?
Buy the Book:
Barnes & Noble: print $9.99
Ingram: print
Baker & Taylor: print $9.99
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Aimee Brown is a writer and an avid reader. Little Gray Dress is her first published novel. Her second novel is in the works now. She's currently studying for her Bachelor's degree in English Writing. She spends much of her time writing, doing homework, raising three teenagers, binge-watchng shows on Netflix, and obsessively cleaning and redecorating her house. She's fluent in sarcasm and has been known to utter profanities like she's competing for a medal.
Aimee grew up in Oregon but is now a transplant living in cold Montana with her husband of twenty years, three teenage children, and far too many pets.
She would love to hear your thoughts on Little Gray Dress! If you'd like to chat with her she's very active on social media. You can find her at any of the networks below. Stop by and say hello!
Find her here:
What reviewers are saying:
"A sparkling debut from an author to be watched." - USA Today Bestselling author S.E.Babin
"Delightful debut novel! This book has all the earmarks of a fabulous rom-com! I'm looking forward to much more from this author.! - Whitney Dineen, Bestselling author of The Reinvention of Mimi Finnegan
"Wow! It's Dynasty for the Chick Lit set. It's Mean Girls in a little gray dress. It's just so fun!" - Geralyn Corcillo, Bestselling chick lit author
"Little Gray Dress by Aimee Brown is simply a fun read to escape with while spending a day at the beach or cozying up on the couch on a rainy afternoon." - Effie Kammenou, women's fiction author & food blogger
"Little Gray Dress is a must read for any lover of Chick Lit! Clear your schedule, put the kids to bed and pour yourself a nice glass of wine..." - Nikki LeClair, author of The Haunting Me series
"Witty & full of heart... a total gem!" - Camilla Isley, chick lit author
"Blogger turned author Aimee Brown debuts with a read that puts the romance into romantic comedy. A cleverly told tale with a few surprising twists that make Little Gray Dress a standout winner." - KJ Farnham, author of the Click Date Repeat series
"Little Gray Dress is a fabulous romantic comedy debut by Aimee Brown. She'll have you laughing & enjoying every moment of this book." - Tracy Krimmer, author of Dating For Decades and Lipstick & Lattes
"We've all been there: bridesmaid hell. Aimee Brown perfectly captures the ups, downs, and drama of weddings, exes, rivalries and dating in her witting debut novel. Little Gray Dress is one of this summer's must-reads!" - Holly Tierney-Bedord, author of Bellamy's Redemption and Right Under Your Nose
"A wonderful debut novel! The author is a master of conflict, both small and big, and I'm a big fan of that. The characters were likeable, except for when we were supposed to hate them (Greta!)." - Meredith Schorr, author of Blogger Girl Series
