Los Gatos novel
You know how I like to draw heavily from real life so the novel I’m just finishing is set right here in the Silicon Valley outback. I’m calling it The Incompatibles— a whacky black comedy about infertility—possibly the world’s first. There’s an aggressive sperm recruiter on the loose, coming between a Los Gatos couple, who get themselves into a darkly comic pretzel, working at cross-purposes to get a baby. I had originally set the novel in L.A., where I’ve spent some time, and even though the details were technically correct, I didn’t think it had the gritty feel of reading about a place by a writer who’s lived what she’s talking about. I think it’s a lot more convincing if you write what you know, a cliché that’s actually true. And more importantly, it’s more fun to write. You get to make a lot more mischief. Los Gatos, with its natural beauty and genius recluses—mountain lions in your yard and bioengineers splicing genes in their mountain garages— tends to be a party town. People who’ve lived here a long time say that the turning point was when the Brazilian soccer team stayed here during the 1994 World Cup. Footage of those parties looks straight out of the rum-guzzling, panty-flinging Mardi Gras events. The lingerie shops and the sports bars remain. Los Gatos
is its own memorable character.
I can’t wait to read your latest!!
Thanks, Amy!
Hi Heather. I haven’t been on your site lately. After False Alarm, I forget to come back, I forget how much I enjoy anything you have to say, even just little stories about your life. So I had some catching up to do.
That story about the girls with guns… My stepdaughter (6’4) and the beau of her life (5’6) go shooting. She loves it! I may even have a pic somewhere to share, I will look. She can’t wear high heels though, for obvious reasons!
I have started writing for a newsletter. I am better with fitness and healthy foods than I am with fiction. But when I do write, I think of you, so I wanted to share with you. I started carrying around a notebook so I can jot things down when they come to me, cuz I know I will not be able to find them in the filing cabinet I call a brain when I get to the computer.
I have always wanted to share my knowledge with others, but I wasn’t sure how to do it without walking around saying, “you look like you could lose a few pounds, would you like me to help?”
So this way no one’s feelings are hurt, and my face is still in one piece!
I am very excited about your new novel. Tell me when and where I can get it.
have a great day, thanks for inspiring me!
Jonni
Hi Jonni,
Great hearing from you! I’m so touched that you’re carrying around the notebook. Lately I’ve taken to writing quick notes on my phone if I don’t have the notebook with me. Your newsletter sounds great–you’re so funny. Please send the photo of your stepdaughter and I’ll add to Girls with Guns. It’s hysterical about the heels! Thanks for your comments and talk to you soon.
Heather