Author Spotlight: Marilyn Simon Rothstein

Welcome back Marilyn! Can you tell us what you’ve been up to?

Great to be with you again.

I’ve published four books in the past eight years: Lift and Separate, Husbands and Other Sharp Objects, Crazy to Leave You, and my latest, Who Loves You Best. As a writer, my goal is to entertain. I’m happiest when a reader mentions she was laughing while reading my book in bed, her partner complained about the chuckling and left to sleep in another room. Apparently, this happens often.

What’s the story behind Who Loves You Best?

 My new novel, Who Loves You Best, is about Jodi Wexler, a woman in her sixties who has everything she wants, but the opportunity to spend time with her only grandchild. When her daughter Lisa, the owner of a restaurant, asks her to babysit in the Berkshires, Jodi drops everything, including her podiatric practice in Florida and a husband who has just been fired from his job. Problem is the situation is not what Jodi expected. In fact, her daughter’s marriage is in shambles—and there are already two other grandmas on the babysitting job. It’s a mother-daughter relationship story with too many grandmothers!

What feelings does writing light-hearted fiction evoke for you?

I love a good chuckle while I am writing, but I also infuse my manuscript with serious, deep-hearted feelings. In fact, I’m most satisfied with my work when moved to tears. When I was a kid, my mother would say “Marilyn laughs one moment, cries the next.” She had me pegged.

Are any of your light-hearted books and unforgettable cast of characters based on your family?

My sister once told me that she will be upset if she sees herself in my book, but even more upset if she doesn’t see herself. My eldest daughter is a playwright and a screenwriter whose career took off while I was still in the advertising business, so she wrote about our family first. Therefore, she can hardly complain.

It may be hard to choose, but do you have a favorite novel you have written?

My debut novel, Lift and Separate, is about Marcy Hammer, who is married to Harvey the Bra King. He leaves her after thirty years for a 32DDD lingerie model. Will Marcy pick herself up by her own lacy straps?

When did it dawn on your thar you wanted to be a writer?

In the womb.

Tell us what a typical writing routing looks like for you.

What’s a routine?

Who would you cast in a movie of your novel?

I would cast Robert Redford—because he’s my all-time favorite actor. P.S. There’s no actual part for an 89-year-old man.

Who are some of your favorite authors and why?

My favorite authors are the women I have met since my first book was published. For example, I read every new release by the founding members of the on-line book club I helped to start–Blue Sky Book Chat. You can join Blue Sky Book Chat on Facebook. Authors include Barbara Davis, Patricia Sands, Susan Walter, Christine Nolfi, Joy Jordan Lake, Paulette Kennedy and Thelma Adams. As for the menfolk: Two favorite books are American Pastoral by Philip Roth, and Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt

Besides getting lost in your writing, what else do you like to do?

I love family events–being with my children, my grandchildren, my sisters and my friends. And, of course, I read. I always need something to read. Don’t tell anyone but I go to social events with a paperback in my handbag. I wish I could tell you about some exotic hobbies—such as spelunking–but I’d be making that up.

Any advice you’d give to aspiring writers?

Write. Find a community of people who enjoy writing. Never give up. I was sixty-three when I published my first novel—I’m 32 now.