Interview with Annabelle R Charbit

Happy Friday, everyone. Let's start the weekend early by indulging in an interview with a fun author. Let's welcome Annabelle R Charbit.

Hi, Annabelle.Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am a research scientist and a writer. I got my PhD in Neuroscience from University College London, then moved to San Francisco to work at UCSF, and now I live in New York.

How long have you been writing?

Since 2006, when my comedy play, Sound Advice, was performed by CP Theatre Productions in London, UK.

How cool! Tell us about A LIFE LIVED RIDICULOUSLY. What's the story about?

In a nutshell, this is a comedy thriller about a girl with obsessive compulsive disorder, and what happens when she falls in love with a sociopath.

Sounds awesome. How did the idea of the story come to you?

I have a little OCD myself and when I was growing up it was such a dirty secret. So writing about it makes it less embarrassing. Plus I hope that by putting it out there, it will make people laugh and also feel less embarrassed and isolated about their OCD. Why she falls for a sociopath? Well I’ve always been fascinated by this concept of people with no conscience, and am certain that we all have a few such characters in our lives.

Do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?

I hired an amazing editor, Susan Malone of Malone Editorial Services. http://www.maloneeditorial.com/
She is exceptionally talented and diligent. Her editing has been worth every penny.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

Not getting fat! Every time I get stuck, I reach for the chocolate. I have put on nearly twenty pounds from start to finish of A Life Lived Ridiculously.

Ouch, yeah, I tend to reach for food as well. Maybe I better watch it. Let’s get to know you on a deeper level. What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

Three glasses of water and some British chocolate (Cadbury’s Dairy Milk mainly).

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

Intelligence. Like the people in the movie Limitless.

I love that movie! Quick writing test. Use the following words in a sentence: upload, coconut, and suspicious.

The woman was suspicious when the man at the Apple Store offered to upload her app in exchange for a peek at her coconuts.

Everyone around me just gave me a look because I busted out laughing. That was great! Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you.

My editor Susan Malone for believing in the story, and my publisher Diane Dorcé for taking a chance on me. My cover designer, Duncan Long for his amazing book cover design. My best friend and better judgment, Letitia Bow for always finding everything funny and showing me that life is better when laughed at. My family for supporting all my crazy ideas throughout life. My husband for believing in me and never allowing me to stop believing in myself. My daughter, who makes each day worth living.

Let's hear your shout outs.

Susan Malone, Diane Dorcé, Duncan Long, Letitia Bow, Jason Bergenfeld, Cadbury Dairy Milk, Nutella on warm toast.

And finally, where can people find you and your book online?

A Life Lived Ridiculously will be on sale in April 2012, and will be available in print and ebook version on Amazon, among others.

Right now you can read the first three chapters on the website at http://www.ridiculouslife.net/

Thanks so much for chatting with us, Annabelle. And I wish you much success with your book!