Laurie Boris

Here’s the pitch, courtesy of Cody Martin:

“Writing is largely solitary, and sometimes a lonely endeavor. Sure, you talk to friends, experts for research, discuss what works and what doesn’t with your editor, and bounce ideas off of fellow writers. But in the end it’s one person pounding the keyboard or twirling the pencil. But what if it didn’t have to be completely alone? Who would YOU work with if you could work with anyone on your favorite project?

“In this post, that’s what I’m asking. Choose a person for each category and tell why you want to work with them. If you want, feel free to post their picture, a piece of their work, or a link to something about them. The only rule is that the person must still be alive.

“Writers dream. Now it’s time to dream BIG.”

1. You have the opportunity to hire anybody as your cover artist. If you write children’s books or books that are heavily illustrated, who would you get for the interior artwork?

This may give me marital tsuris because my husband is a fantastic illustrator. If he is not available, I want my next cover done by Elwood Smith. He’s a local guy. I met him once, and worked frequently with his partner, Maggie, on some projects. His illustrations are quirky and done with a great sense of humor and style. When he addressed a networking group I used to belong to, someone asked why his little characters often wore hats. He shrugged and said, “I don’t know how to draw hair.” Gotta love a guy who says that.

2. Who would you co-write your next novel with? What genre? Why?

I want to co-write my next novel with Janet Evanovich. Because she’s funny. I need to write some humor right now. Very badly. The universal forces that supply me with novels to write are apparently not complying with my request to lighten up a bit.

3. Your publisher wants to do an audiobook version of your novel and they’re not sparing any expense. Who do you think can narrate your masterpiece?

Sweet. I want Janeane Garafolo to narrate The Joke’s on Me. She has the perfect sarcastic bite without becoming insufferable after a few hours.

4. They’re really going all out! Your novel is getting a full soundtrack. Who should compose it? If your novel uses a lot of songs, list your compilation here.

Yikes, I don’t know. I don’t think much about music when I write. Suggestions, anyone?

5. Congratulations! Your novel is being turned into a major motion picture. As the creator of the original work, you get to pick the director.

Jason Reitman. Because I loved Juno. I think he’d do a good job with Drawing Breath.

6. The director has some ideas on who to cast, but you get to cast one character. What role/character is it and who portrays them?

I’ve always pictured Kathy Bates as Jude, Frankie’s sister, in The Joke’s on Me.

7. You’ve been hired to write a novel based on a preexisting character or franchise from another medium. Which character or franchise is it?

I’m dying to know how things worked out for Harry and Sally. You know that honeymoon has to end sometime. Probably the three hundred and tenth time she asks for her salad dressing on the side.

8. It’s the anniversary of your favorite literary character’s debut. You’ve been hired (yay, work!) to write an anniversary novel. Who is the literary character?

Anna Karenina. But this time, she pushes her husband under the train.

Tag, Ellie Mack. You’re it.