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The L.A. Commandments

Gillian Duffy

June 4, 2012 1 Comment

Tell us about yourself. Who is Gillian Duffy?   Hi Everyone.  I’m Gillian, I’m from Dublin, I’m the author of The LA Commandments, and I’m studying English and History in St. Patrick’s College, Dublin.  Reading, writing, film, and music pretty much sum me up.

Did you always know you wanted to be a writer?   No, not always, but I’ve always loved stories.  When I was younger my mam brought me to the cinema almost every weekend and bought me lots of books (George’s Marvellous Medicine was my favourite), so storytelling has always been a big part of my life.  I wrote some poetry when I was a teenager (that’s probably best kept at the bottom of the drawer forever), but I didn’t begin writing seriously until the end of 2008 following a trip to Los Angeles.

How long did it take you to write your first book?   I finished the first draft of The LA Commandments really quickly (once I started I didn’t stop), but with rewrites and edits it probably took about eight months in total, spread over a couple of years.  When I finished the first draft I moved on to my next novel almost straight away, so I didn’t begin rewriting The LA Commandments until late 2010 and it was published in August 2011.

How did you celebrate when it was published?   After the launch I went for a meal with my family and friends. I couldn’t believe that my book had been published (I still can’t sometimes).  It takes a while to sink in.

What inspired “The LA Commandments?”   In 2008 I went on a family holiday to California, and my time in Los Angeles inspired the novel.  We stayed in Hermosa Beach and Santa Monica during our stay, two of the main locations in the book, and I enjoyed it so much that it motivated me to begin writing again.  It’s one of my favourite places and I hope to revisit next year.

What was the writing process like for you?   Plot and character development are my favourite parts of the process, but editing can sometimes be tough. You become so attached to your work that it can be difficult to be objective. Thankfully we have editors for that impartial view.

If this were turned into a movie, who would you want to play the main characters?   A movie – wouldn’t that be brilliant.  How about Kristin Stewart for Jo, Zac Efron for Marc, Emma Stone for Suzie, and Eddie Redmayne for Paul.  They would have to be able to deliver a convincing Irish accent or some re-writing would be on the cards.

Will there be a sequel?  I have no plans for one at the moment, but who knows?

Which authors inspire you?  I’ve just finished my second year in college, so I’ve been reading writers like Joyce, Conrad, Wilde, Plath, and Moore.  Joe Dunthorne, Claire Keegan, and Sean O’Reilly are some contemporary writers that I really admire.

The Gift by Danielle Steel is one of my favourite books from the women’s fiction genre.  I remember reading it when I was about eighteen on a beach in Cyprus, and the characters and plot stayed with me for a long time after I’d finished.  That’s my sign of a good book.

Do you have any stories about how people react when you tell them you’re an author?   Not really, I’m afraid.  Irish people are generally laid back, so there hasn’t been any overzealous kissing, hugging, or screaming.  All my family and friends are very supportive, though (in a passive kind of way).

What is the best advice that you’ve been given?   Just be yourself and write what comes naturally.

Are you working on anything now? If so, can you share a little bit with us?   I’m working on my second novel at the moment, which should be published in September.  It’s a suspense/thriller also set in California.  Let’s hope that you’ll like it.

**Contact Gillian:

Facebook

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**Buy “The L.A. Commandments” on Amazon!

**Click HERE to read my 5-start review of “The L.A. Commandments!”

Filed Under: Gillian Duffy, Guests Authors Tagged With: Book Reviews, Books, Chick-Lit, Gillian Duffy, Guest Author, Images, Link, Romance Books, The L.A. Commandments, Writing

I’ve Missed Y’all!

April 23, 2012 Leave a Comment

Hey!  It’s been a week since I’ve written anything, but last week was insane — in a very good way!

Here’s just a small part of what I’ve been working on, and what’s coming up this week on Chick Lit Goddess!

Monday: Guest Post by Nancy Scrofano

Tuesday: Read my book review of Nancy’s book ,”True Love Way”

Wednesday: Read my book review of Gillian Duffy’s book, “The L.A. Commandments” (A guest interview will be coming soon on a TBD date).

Thursday: A blog post will be up about why I think Chick Lit is more popular in the U.K.

Friday: A “Fun Friday” post will be up about a new necklace I just bought!  (It’s so pretty!)

Filed Under: Isabella Tagged With: Blogs, Book Reviews, Books, Chick-Lit, Gillian Dufft, Guest Author, Isabella, Link, Nancy Scrofano, Posts, Random, The L.A. Commandments, True Love Way, Writing

The L.A. Commandments

April 23, 2012 2 Comments

Book review of “The L.A. Commandments”

“The L.A. Commandments,” by Gillian Duffy

Desperate to get away from recession in Dublin and their complex families, Joanne and Suzie head to Los Angles, California to start a new life.  They plan on spending days shopping, soaking up the sun on the beach, enjoying the nightlife, and meeting new people.  They set rules for themselves, the most important being “thou shall not fall in love,” but not everything goes according to plan.

Joanne “Jo” and Marc = Not complicated!  There’s little drama (except for at the end), and they seem to be in sync with one another.  At first there isn’t attraction on Jo’s part, but it’s because Marc (who’s part of a band) is shy, doesn’t talk much, and is a fool.  They get over this hump and realize they have more in common than they thought.  They spend countless days and evenings together, sometimes not even leaving the bedroom.  When Marc goes back home to take care of his mom, they stay together through texts, phone calls, and emails, patiently waiting for the day he returns back to L.A.  When he does, it’s like he never left.  Soon after, Marc tells Jo that he has to leave again to go on tour, and asks her to come with him.  Jo is beyond excited to be traveling around with her man.  While at the beginning of the tour, something happens so tragically that Jo goes back home to Dublin.  While Jo’s in Dublin, everything changes.  When she sees a picture of Marc and another woman together, she is shocked, and demands answers!  Who’s to blame for this, and will these two stay together?  I think I’m spoiling it, so you’ll have to read the book!

Suzie and Chris = Complicated! When Suzie meets Chris for the first time, it’s love at first sight – but only on her end.  She often sits at the bar watching (starting at) him while he works.  Most of the time, she’s unable to say a word to him, because she gets tongue-tied.  While Chris notices her, he’s definitely not a one-woman man!  Most everyone tells Suzie he’s not good for her, but she doesn’t listen.  Jo warns her to be careful, but there’s only so much she can do.  On the other hand, there’s Paul, sweet Paul.  He worships the ground Suzie walks on and would like to be with her, but he knows that she only has eyes for Chris.  When Suzie finds something out about Chris, she then sees the light.  But when Suzie realizes she still has some ties to him, she’s devastated and scared, (I wish I could say what happens, but that would spoil it).  After time has passed, Suzie is back in the swing of things and acting like her old self, but could it be to all the time she’s been spending with her “friend” Paul?  Do these two ever become more than friends?

I loved this book!  I loved the characters, and thought they were really well written.  When each chapter ended, I wanted to keep reading because of twists and turns!  And what’s not to love about hot men who speak with accents!  The friendship between Jo and Suzie is so close, that it seems that they could be sisters.  While I don’t have a sister, I have someone like a sister, so I definitely related to this book.  During happy, sad, and devastating times, these girls are there for one another, and that means something to me – it’s one of my favorite parts of why Chick Lit is what it is!

Gillian Duffy has written a very memorable book, one that I loved from start to finish, (I even cried at the end)!

If you’re looking for a book to give to your sister or a girlfriend who is like one, this is the book for you!  It would also make a perfect summer read!

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!

**Click HERE to read my interview with the author, Gillian Duffy!

Filed Under: Book Review, Gillian Duffy, Guests Authors, The L.A. Commandments Tagged With: Book Reviews, Book tours, Books, Chick Lit books, Chick-Lit, Gillian Duffy, Guest Author, Isabella, Link, Random, Romance Books, The L.A. Commandments, Writing

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