#AuthorSpotlight #Interview with #GlynisAstie

Glynis never expected in her wildest dreams to be a writer. After thirteen years in the Human

Resources Industry, she decided to stay at home with her two amazing sons. Ever in search of a

project, she was inspired to write the story of how she met and married her wonderfully romantic

French husband, Sebastien, in six short months. The end result became her first novel, French

Twist.

As this novel is only the beginning the story, Glynis has just released the sequel, French Toast and

has begun writing the final chapter in the trilogy, French Fry. When she is not writing, she is trying

to keep the peace amongst the three men and two cats in her life, finding missing body parts (Lego

pieces are small!), supervising a myriad of homework assignments and keeping a tenuous hold on

her sanity by consuming whatever chocolate is in the vicinity. 

What is your favorite thing about being a writer?

 I really enjoy making people laugh. I don’t have the flair for the dramatic, but I like to think that my sarcasm entertains my readers. I was giddy for an entire day when a reader told me that she was shot several strange looks on the train because she repeatedly laughed out loud while reading my book.

Are you a plotter or a pantser? 

In every other aspect of my life I am a plotter – a meticulous plotter at that. For some reason, when it comes to writing I am most definitely a panster. I make a general outline in my spiffy Darth Vader notebook, but then the ideas just start taking off as I begin to write. I often end up in a different place than I had originally planned.

How long have you been a writer?  

I am brand spanking new! I have been a published writer for less than a year. It has been such a crazy adventure, but so far, an enjoyable one.

How much time did it take from writing your first book to having it published? 

I wrote French Twist in three months and then spent eight months editing it before releasing it in August of 2013. The whole process went rather quickly!

Are any of your characters based on real people or events? 

Yes! All of them! I became a writer as a happy kind of accident. After my second son was born, I decided to stay at home with my sons rather than turn my entire salary over to a daycare center. One night, I dreamt that I wrote a book about how I met and married my husband in six months (true story) and one year later, I published the book! As I couldn’t tell the entire story within the confines of one book, I decided to publish a trilogy. I released the sequel, French Toast, this past April and hope to release the final book, French Fry in early 2015.

How would you describe yourself if you were “speed dating” your readers? 

I am the stay at home mom of two boys, with writing as a part-time gig. I love Star Wars, Harry Potter, Audrey Hepburn, sarcasm and all things chocolate. I like to spend my time reading, baking and hanging out with my two sons and two kitties.

How do you, family and/or friends feel about your book or writing venture in general?

They are thrilled! In fact, they have all taken part in the process. My sister both edited my books and designed the gorgeous covers. My husband manages my website and all technical issues with the book. My brother-in-law has helped with marketing, my sister-in-law has helped with additional editing and my nieces and nephews have started a fan club for me. I am so incredibly lucky to have such a supportive group of people in my life!

How do you come up with the titles? 

My titles are fairly easy to come up with since the first word is always, “French” in reference to my French husband. For the first book title, I chose “Twist” as the second word to denote the unexpected nature of my husband’s presence in my life. Totally did not see that coming. In the second book title, I chose “Toast” as the second word to create a play on words. Will the characters be raising a glass to their marriage or watching it go up in flames? The reason for my choice of “Fry” for the second word of the last book title will have to be a secret until you have read French Toast. J

Please tell us 5 miscellaneous facts about yourself.

I cannot live without chocolate.

When I was a child, I saw Dirty Dancing nine times in the movie theater.

Yoda is my favorite movie character. (Very wise, he is.)

I never get tired of listening to Billy Joel sing.

My family is the most important thing in the world to me.

Please share with us your future projects and upcoming releases.

I am currently writing the last book in my French Twist Series, French Fry. Unfortunately, my life has been temporarily taken over by marketing my first two books, but I hope to spend the summer completing this book. Though I am not sure that the world is ready for Sydney Durand’s next adventure!

Where can readers find you? 

Website: www.glynisastie.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glynisastieauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GlynisAstie

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7271294.Glynis_Astie

French Toast Overview

Sydney Bennett is back! And her pursuit of perfection is alive and well. Naïve to the core, Sydney believed that when she finally married the man of her dreams, the hard part was over. Following a civil ceremony as a means to keep Louis from being deported, Sydney continues to plan the fairytale wedding that she had dreamed of since the age of five. Much to her chagrin, she discovers that her mother-in-law is planning what seems to be a rival wedding in France that SHE has been dreaming about for her only child since before he was born. How will poor Sydney be able to ensure two perfect weddings in the midst of Louis’ fruitless job search? Especially when her mother-in-law’s idea of perfection appears to be having Sydney embarrass herself in front of hundreds of French people that she has never met? As if she didn’t have enough on her mind already, Sydney finds herself faced with the trials and tribulations of being a wife. Sydney had always heard that marriage was hard, but she thought that this was just a ruse that married couples portrayed in a bid to make single girls feel less desperate. But as the bills pile up and emotions run high, she realizes that there may just be some truth to this statement. And as she watches Louis’ perfection fade away before her very eyes, she begins to wonder if she made a rash decision in marrying a man that she had known for a mere six months. With all of the obstacles that Sydney and Louis will encounter, will they be raising their glasses in celebration or watching their impulsive marriage crash and burn? One thing is for certain, Sydney and Louis Durand are headed for one hell of a toast…

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