Meet the JFK of chick lit and enter to win her book!

**Giveaway is now closed**

This time, JFK is for J.F. Kristin! (She'll also let you call her Jennifer.) When not writing novels, JFK writes about both writing and ecommerce, and she previously spent a number of years as a freelance promotional writer and web designer for musicians. In the early days of the Web, she ran the Society for Preventing Parents from Naming Their Children Jennifer (SPPNTCJ), a tongue-in-cheek web site that received coverage from print, broadcast, and online media, was included in an academic textbook, and was studied on a college course. "Rock Star's Girl" is her debut novel and she is currently working on a second book.

JFK is here today to tell us what makes her tick. She also has TWO copies of "Rock Star's Girl" to send worldwide in the format of the winners' choosing! However, if you don't win and still want to check it out, it is currently 99 cents for Kindle!

You can find her at her website and blog, as well as on Facebook and Twitter.

Author photo by Jeff Ryan Photography

MP: What do you do when you get writer’s block?
JFK: Urban legend. It doesn't exist. And I'm completely kidding. I'd say that writer's block can mainly be caused by trying to edit as you write, or from waiting for hours of uninterrupted time and that perfect inspired moment to write. I'm not saying that uninterrupted time and perfect moments don't exist, but I'm pretty sure that when either one happens, it involves cosmic alignments that would leave even the most seasoned astrologer breathless and spellbound. To work past blocks, I just start typing, even if it's unrelated to what I'm working on. The act of getting words onto a screen helps to clear the cobwebs. I also leave editing for later so I don't get caught up with that.


MA: In one sentence, what was road to publishing like?
JFK: It had many starts and stops and was winding like a canyon road, and there were definitely a few forks along the way, but it was also a very fun adventure.


MA: What did you do to celebrate when first published?
JFK: I wish I could recount some fabulous tale involving champagne, sushi, and all-night celebrating somewhere in Hollywood, but the first thing I really did was have a nap. The days leading up to publishing were incredibly busy, and sleep felt like the best thing ever at that moment. Total interview answer letdown, right? If this helps, I went out with friends in West Hollywood the following weekend and did some celebrating then.


MP: What was most challenging thing about writing "Rock Star's Girl?"
JFK: Aside from the first time I cut chapters and scenes and rewrote them, it was deciding on the ending. If you read Rock Star's Girl, I think you'll get a sense of why.


MP: Do you base characters on yourself?
JFK: This changes depending on what I'm writing. For the novel I'm writing right now, for example, none of the characters are based on me. For "Rock Star's Girl," there are some experiences that Emily and I share. Like Emily, I've also briefly dated someone who was in a Top 40 band, as well as a couple of other musicians. And I have a number of friends who are in bands, or who are part of the music industry in some way. I also once had a web site that received millions of visitors and was studied on a college course, back in the early days of the Web when I was still in high school. Having said that, though, Emily and I are different in a number of ways. Her reactions to some things and how she handles some situations are different to how I would react, and unlike her, my personal life has never become public news.


MA: If "Rock Star's Girl" were made into a movie, who would you cast in the lead roles?
JFK: After peeling myself off the ceiling – which is where I'd end up from the sheer thrill of "Rock Star's Girl" being made into a movie – I'd cast Kristen Bell as Emily, and Russell Brand as Jesse. You can probably tell that I loved Get Him to the Greek and Forgetting Sarah Marshall. For Cory, I'd cast Ryan Gosling. I was at a Tonight Show taping recently when he was on the show, and he seemed to have that same laid-back yet charming vibe that you need for Cory.


MP: What is your favorite way to escape?
JFK: Hiking Runyon Canyon, which is mentioned in Rock Star's Girl. Whether it's a clear day with a spectacular view of L.A., or in light rain feeling the raindrops against my skin, it's one of those places that has great energy and always puts me in a great mood. It's also one of the coolest things I've ever seen, to have this amazing place to hike right in the middle of the city.


MA: What are you most thankful for this year?
JFK: First, that my musician friends have had a great sense of humor about the subject and plot of "Rock Star's Girl," because that had some definite disaster potential. No, I'm kidding. This year and always, I'm thankful for my family, friends, colleagues, and readers, and the love and support that I'm truly fortunate and blessed to receive from them and from the Universe as a whole. I'm really lucky to have such amazing people in my life.

MA: Which songs/music groups give off a chick lit feel for you?
JFK: This is going back years, but Martina Sorbara, The Cure for Bad Deeds album, and make that the indie version of the album, if you can find it. This is especially true of the songs "Casanova," "Claudia," and "Eggs Over Easy." I still listen to this album once in a while, because it's really good to evoke a writing mood. And "All For A Woman" by The Airborne Toxic Event paints this beautiful, angst-ridden story that although told from the male perspective, puts you right there in the turmoil of a relationship. So while a lot of people wouldn't describe that as a traditional chick lit feel, from the point of view of writing scenes involving relationships with layers of emotion and conflict, this song nails it.


MP: What is your favorite autumn food?
JFK: Sweet potato casserole, and anything with apples, whether it's sliced apples with cinnamon heated up in the oven or microwave, apple crisp, caramel apple cider, pancakes with apples, apple butter – I could eat apples all day.

We are thankful to J.F. Kristin for her thoughtful answers to our questions and for sharing her book with our readers!

How to win "Rock Star's Girl":
Please comment below with your e-mail address.
(Please note: Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted. You can use AT and DOT to avoid spam. Or provide a link to your facebook page or blog if you can receive messages there.)

Bonus entries (can be listed all in one post):
1. Please tell us: If you could be a rock star's girl (or guy), which rock star would you choose?
2. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
3. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
4. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. Please read our posting guidelines, as well. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)
5. Add a friend to our Facebook group. (Tell us who you added.) Be sure to remind them to edit their settings.

Giveaway ends November 13th at midnight EST.