The Next Best Thing

Thanks to Stephen A. North for tagging me in this writer-blog meme, The Next Best Thing. I’m going to New York this week to participate in the New York Pitch Conference, so who knows, maybe the next best thing is me!

What is the working title of your book?

Keeping Score

Where did the idea come from for the book?

My son played travel baseball from the ages of 8-14, so I got a lot of material from that!

What genre does your book fall under?

The chick lit subgenre of momlit.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

This would be a wonderful break into showbiz for a 9-year-old boy! For the adults, Amy Adams as my protagonist, and Mark Ruffalo as her love interest.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

When her 9-year-old son wanted to play summer travel baseball, Shannon Stevens had no idea the most brutal competition was off the field….

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

I am still working that out, but I imagine I’ll be self-publishing. I’d like to have it out by Opening Day 2013

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

Once I got really serious about it – making myself write every weekday – probably about 5 months.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I think it’s similar to Jane Porter’s “Odd Mom Out,” which is also about how parents in upscale communities compete through their kids. Her story centers around a mother and daughter, though, so the nature of the competition is very different.

Who or What inspired you to write this book?

My son!

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest

If your child competes in any arena, or if you’ve ever wondered how parents get to the point where they’re beating up umpires in parking lots, this book is for you!