Why can't we be Allie Larkin?!? Plus, a book giveaway...

***Giveaway is now closed***

Introduction and interview by Melissa Amster

I always have a fondness for Allie Larkin. After all she was my first interview ever at CLC. Then we got to chat again for International Chick Lit Month last year, when she talked about the music behind her previous novel, Stay. Today, she's here to celebrate the publication of her second novel (of what I hope will be many, many more), Why Can't I Be You (reviewed here).

Aside from being a wonderful writer, she's also an Eco-Geek. Naturally (or nature-ally, in this case), she loves hiking, camping, and all things outdoors. She lives in Rochester, New York, with her husband, a German Shepherd named Stella (sadly, Argo passed away in December), and a three-legged cat.

Sit down with a cup of Joe (since Joe is the name of the dog in Stay, that works even better here) and find out some background behind her latest novel, what's on her playlist, and the movie she'd choose for the best picture Oscar. Then enter to win Why Can't I Be You, as Penguin has FIVE copies to share with some lucky readers in the US and/or Canada!

You can find Allie at her website, blog, Facebook and Twitter. Come on by....don't be shy!

How was your experience writing Why Can't I Be You different from writing Stay?
Stay was a book I wrote in moments stolen from the rest of my life. There was no deadline. Outside of a few close friends and my writing group no one even knew the book existed until I was finally ready to start the submission process. WCIBY was my life while I was writing it. I had a deadline and I had to dive in. There are benefits to both. I have some nostalgic feelings over the idea of writing without pressure or expectations, but the pressure and the deadlines surrounding WCIBY forced me to be brave with my writing in a new way. I didn’t have time to be anything other than brave.

If Jenny (from WCIBY) and Van (from Stay) were to ever meet, do you think they'd become friends?
That’s an interesting thought. Jenny and Van have some similar struggles. They’re both trying to figure out how they fit in the world. I don’t think they’d dislike each other, but they exist so separately in my head. Even though they have the Rochester connection, I can’t picture them knowing each other. It hurts my brain when I try.

Who is your favorite of Jessie's friends and why?
I hit a wall with this book a few months into the process. I was so stuck that I actually considered giving up. And just when I’d made peace with the idea of not writing this story, a scene with Robbie and Jenny popped into my head, fully formed. I feel like Robbie almost wrote himself. I could see him clearly when everyone else was still a bit fuzzy, and his character made me fall in love with the other characters. Robbie brought so much joy to the process of writing this book.

I know I asked you to cast Stay in the past, but now I'd love to hear your casting choices for Why Can't I Be You, as it would be a great movie!
Thank you! I always try to avoid revealing my casting choices. Maybe you’ll picture yourself in Jenny’s shoes, and maybe Heather reminds you of the girl who sat in front of you in homeroom. That’s one of the best parts of reading, and this early in the life of the book I don’t want to squelch that process. Your vision of Myra is just as important as my vision of Myra.

You live in Rochester like Jenny does, but you sent her to Seattle. What meaning does Seattle have in your life?
One of my dearest friends lives in Seattle, and I visit whenever I have the chance. Her love of the city is so inspiring. She takes me on great hikes and knows all the best little shops. When I toured for STAY, I did an event at Third Place Books. My husband came along and we tacked on a little extra time to go exploring. We went kayaking on Lake Union, walked the beach at Carkeek Park, hiked in Snoqualmie Pass, and even spent a few nights at Salish Lodge at Snoqualmie Falls. I love the landscape and the spirit of the area, and it felt like the right fit for the story. I’m going back to Third Place for an event in March, and I’m so excited about it.

Did you agree with the choices for Best Picture Oscar nominees this year? If not, which movie do you think should have been nominated instead? (And which one(s) shouldn't have been nominated at all?).
I am a huge fan of Matthew Quick, so, of course, I think Silver Linings Playbook should win all the awards.

In Why Can't I Be You, music is focused on a lot. What is the latest must-have song on your playlist?
Right now I can’t get "Landlocked" by Chris Pureka out of my head, and I’m not complaining in the least. It’s a beautiful, layered song.

Since your novel is about friendship, tell us your top three favorite things about your BFF.
She’s truly a good person who always strives to do the right thing, even when it’s not the easiest thing. She’s fiercely smart and gives excellent advice. She’s the funniest person I know, and her perspective makes my life brighter.

Thanks to Allie for chatting with us and to Penguin for sharing her book with our readers.

How to win Why Can't I Be You:
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: Have you ever been mistaken for someone else OR mistaken someone for a person you know?
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. Follow us on Twitter and/or Pinterest.
6. Add a friend to our Facebook group. (Tell us who you added.) Be sure to remind them to edit their settings.

US/Canada only. Giveaway ends March 3rd at midnight EST.

Chick Lit is Not Dead is also doing a giveaway for this book. (US/Canada only. Ends Sunday.)