I was lucky enough to receive a review copy of Laurie Perry‘s latest book, Home is Where the Wine Is. I sat down and read it immediately and am happy to report that it is just as wonderful as her first book. Laurie has such an exquisite sense of humor and a knack for documenting the crazy that is every day life.
A few days ago we sat down (well, we did it online — I was sitting, Laurie may have been in some complex yoga position) for a chat.
Me: Have you always been a writer? Were you writing little stories as a child,
or did your career as an author stem from your blogging?
Laurie: My dad worked at a newspaper and he would bring me to work with him when I
was little and I would sit at the typewriter and clack away for hours. We
lived out int he country and I used to carry around a notebook and write
down my little thoughts and stories (“The cow licked the salt block. It
was salty.”) I wrote all the time, I can’t remember not writing. Later I
went on to be a mediocre reporter, but writing for magazines and
eventually online content was a much better fit for me.
Me: Your writing seems so natural, I picture you sitting down and just putting
words to virtual paper as fast as you can key them in. But I’m guessing
this is not the case (if you are anything like me).
Laurie: I do tend to sit down and just blurt it all out with the keyboard. I don’t
get hung up on my many comma splices or my terrible typos, I just type
(and loudly — I am so hard on the keyboard!) I benefit a lot from an
editor, I tend to be too wordy. This method of pouring it all out in a
stream has worked well for nonfiction but right now I’m trying to write my
first fiction novel and it’s frustrating because you can’t just sit down
and write a fiction book in an hour or two. I get going and I feel like I
can’t type fast enough or keep up with the plot. I’m working at it, but
it’s not coming naturally.
Me: How do you balance your career as an author with your day job, or as I
like to think of it, your Superman persona with your day-to-day Clark Kent
persona. Do your colleagues know much about your life as a celebrity?
Laurie: I try to keep real life and writer life very separate. I don’t talk about
my books or website at work and even though most folks in my office know
about it, they don’t bring it up in conversation usually. I like the
normalcy and routine of my job, it keeps me balanced. Eventually I want to
be able to write full-time but I worry I would become a total recluse and
never leave my house! It’s sometimes hard to balance both jobs when I’m on
deadline but at least with a day job I do have to see other humans and be
presentable and get out of my head.
Me: Will you be touring for this new book? Come to Washington, DC!
Laurie: No tour, thank goodness. I thought a book tour would be glamorous and fun
and then I went on one. I’m pretty sure people in the airport bar in
Nashville still tell tales of the crazy woman who had a nervous breakdown
in the booth by the window.
Me: And that reminds me – I’ve got a great idea for a future Crazy Aunt
Purl project: travel to different cities and write about each place’s
own special brand of crazy. You could start with Washington – I’d be
happy to give you the tour. What do you think? 
Laurie: Now that sounds fun! Much more enticing than a book tour. I’m all up for a
crazy tour! You know I have never been to Washington, D.C.? I’d love to
go. I’m a big museum geek, I think I’d love Washington.
Me: It’s a date! hey, the knitting projects in your new book are so fun! What are you knitting
right now?
Laurie: Right now I am still trying to finish some baby booties to match a baby
sweater I planned to send to a friend two months ago. I think the baby has
long outgrown them, sadly.
Me: Oh, and Lucy wants to know – would Bob consider an online relationship?
Laurie: Bob is already sitting on the keyboard. He is awaiting her email.
Lucy sez:
“Meow!”
——-
And here is a bonus: Laurie’s publisher has generously offered to give away 5 copies of her new book to my readers — to those in the U.S. and Canada only, please. If you’d like to win a copy of Home is Where the Wine Is, leave a comment to this blog entry by midnight (eastern time) on Monday, February 15 and the great and mighty Random Number Generator will choose five lucky recipients.
Ooh! I would love to get a copy of her book, and I would love to get e-mails from my home town, too, even if they were just telling me to stay home. BTW, Monday’s my birthday.
.-= ellen´s last blog ..Back From Atlanta =-.
Sign me up please, I’d love a copy!
That was a really fun interview to read!
LOVE Laurie’s website, and would LOVE to read her book!
Oh, I would love to read Laurie’s book! Please put my name in for the draw. Great interview and thanks for the giveaway.
.-= Kai´s last blog ..Astanga =-.
Oh! I loved the first book! I’m glad there’s a second one!
oh – another give away. I saw a picture of blue skies in DC today. Hopefully life will return to “normal” soon.
Looks like a fun book!
I love contests! and I’d love Laurie’s new book!
.-= Julie´s last blog ..sick =-.
would love a copy of the book thanks
sounds like a fun read.
.-= Judy´s last blog ..for Pete’s Sake =-.
Thank you for the fun interview and a chance to win this funny book.
Oh boy another give away,.,.,. Hmm I am #113 could that be a lucky #, I sure hope so,.
That was a great interview Wendy
ohh lala Lucy and Bob
I never win draws, but here’s hoping this is the first time!
oh pick me!!! Pick me!!! LOVE Crazy Aunt Purl!!! She rocks my world!!!
.-= lesleyd´s last blog ..Something a friend sent me.. Thought I’d share =-.
How fun! I’d love a copy of her book. Bob and Lucy would make a cute kitty couple!
I am a beginner knitter and would love to read her book. Love your site AND Crazy Aunt Purl’s too!
.-= Michele´s last blog ..Birthday Flowers From My Little Girl =-.
Oh, Pulleeeeze choose me! I love Crazy Aunt Purl and would love to receive a copy of her new book!
It sounds like a great book. I’ve added it to my TBR list & would a free copy!
Please enter me in the drawing! I would love to read this one – I loved the first one.
I would love her book
Want! Pleasepleaseplease pick me!
.-= kmkat´s last blog ..Show us your wallpaper (redux)! =-.
OOH, me, me. Please pick me random number generator!
Very amusing. I would love to hear about your Crazy Tour date.
Oh I loved loved her first book. It caused quite a stir while I was on line at the book store. It got the notice of the crazy guy behind me who wouldn’t leave me alone. =)
Hope you dig out quickly! and be careful out there!
.-= qutecowgirl´s last blog ..Holy Blizzard Batman!!! =-.
I pre-ordered Laurie’s book from Amazon and LOVED it… but I would also LOVE to get a free one so that I can gift it to one of my many knitting girlfriends.
thank you for the interview and the give-away.
yours in knitting,
Christine
ooh ooh ooh! Pick me, O Mighty Random Number Generator!
Wendy,
Thank you for the opportunity to win this book. Please count me in.
Rosane.
the book sounds great
Wendy and Laurie in one place (virtually) – what a treat! Thanks!
.-= Carol U.´s last blog ..Can’t…stop…casting…on… =-.
Laurie sounds like a fun gal – I’d love a copy of her book!
Well why not, there’s always a chance. I’ll be staying tuned for the Lucy/Bob romance updates.
.-= Rebekah´s last blog ..Look! I’m Knilting =-.
Wheee, my two favorite knitting bloggers in one spot!
I think you need to do the Crazy Tour with her – I’d love to hang out with CAP/you and explore the Seattle craziness! Hee.
.-= camelama´s last blog ..Seven Days of Specialness – Day 5 =-.
Laurie’s humor is infectious — I’d love to read her new book!
I think Laurie should come for a visit to DC now! Our snow would give her plenty of craziness to write about AND it’s weather related, even if we don’t have dear Dallas and flying palm trees. But then again, I like her too much to wish traveling through this blizzardiness on her.
Thanks for the great interview! Sounds like another awesome Aunt Purl book!
Well, I loved the first one, love both of your blogs, so I am sure I would love the new one as well.
I read both of your blogs! so a copy of the book would be sweet
Awesome, Wendy and Aunt Purl together! I love both of your sites!
Love you blog. Love Aunt Purl. Really love Lucy.
I love Laurie too… I’d love to get her new book!
Are you still enjoying your snow days? I usually get cabin fever after 2 or 3 days, but then, I don’t live walking or even snow-shoeing distance to anything.
I would love a copy!
Oh wow! Great questions, Wendy! I hope you do get Aunt Purl to this coast–I’d love to meet her.
In the meantime, I’d love one of her books, please.
Me, please???? Me, ME, me!!!
Hey Wendy…think you’ll go to work on Friday???
I’d love to read her new book!! Awesome post as usual.
Love Crazy Aunt Purl! Thanks for the interview
Pick me, pick me please O Random Number Generator!
I would love the copy of her book. I really enjoy reading her and your blogs!!!! Great inspirations!
I’d love to win it!
Nice interview. I love Crazy Aunt Purl and would like to win a book. Thanks for both!
I loved the first book, I love cats, I love knitting, and I would love to read the next book.
“It was salty.”
Great interview!
I’d love a copy of the new book! I really enjoyed the last one, and it’s what got me knitting!
I would love a copy of CAP’s latest book. The last one is almost read out!
I have only just discovered Crazy Aunt Purl, and I’m finding her blog to be a really fun read. I would love to own and read her book! Pick me! Pick me!
I’m up for getting out of my head and into someone elses right now!
A book by one of my favorite bloggers, courtesy of another favorite. May the Random Number Generator smile on me!!
Karen
Bob and Lucy would be awesome together! Such sweet kitties. I’d love to be in the contest for one of Laurie’s books. Thank you, Wendy.
I read her first book and would love the second one! (And your interview was great!)
.-= Sheri at The Loopy Ewe´s last blog ..A Dusting =-.
I would so love a copy of Laurie’s new book! I’ve looked at it several times, but have not gotten around to actually ordering it (I do all my shopping online).
Nothing to see here. Just me begging for books, as usual. Carry on.
Sign me up! I loved her first book and I’m looking forward to the second!!!
I’d love a copy! I just spent this month’s book-buying budget on your book, but have to admit that I was torn between the two of them. Nice timing!
.-= Meghan´s last blog ..Tuesday: Winter Storm Edition =-.
I’d love a copy of her new book! I just realized yesterday that she had another one out. Thanks for the fun interview.
I would love a copy of Laurie’s new book! Thanks for the giveaway!
I loved Laurie’s first book – can’t wait to read the second! Winning it would be fun, but I’ll get it no matter how! I’m glad to know she’s coming out with a second one. Sandy
ooh, looks like fun!
Thanks for the chance! I’d love a free copy of Laurie’s book!
Count me in!
Great interview, by the way. So warm and friendly.
.-= Claudia´s last blog ..Finished =-.
Sounds like just the book for me — I’d love to win a free copy!
I think Lucy and Bob both have motley toes. Thanks for the interview, ladies! (random number generator…PICK ME!!)
Lucy and Bob would make a cute couple.
Hello from CA – I have just come in from gardening!!! Right now I would love to sit down with this book and a glass :>) I am posting this with some sunshine for you and Lucy!
loved the first book! would love to get a copy of this one!
I’d love to have a copy of the book, sounds like great reading!
Oh, I hope the random number generator likes me! Great interview, it sounds like you two had fun. Good luck to Lucy!
I would love to win a book!
Would love to have a copy! Thanks for sharing.
I’d love a copy; thanks for the chance.
I would love a copy of this book. I just finished reading her first one. It was great. Some parts greatly mirrored my life which was kind of scary.
Wonderful interview.. I read her blog & would love to win the book..
.-= PlainJane´s last blog ..There’s A Hole In Our Home & Our Hearts =-.
I really enjoyed the first book and just added the second one to my amazon cart for a future purchase…unless I win!
Oh please please enter me!!!!
.-= Valerie´s last blog ..I’m in love…. =-.
Lady Jane and I would like to enter to win the book!
Hi Wendy, please put my name in the hat, too!
Terrific Interview! I’ve been following Laurie’s blog for…well, I don’t want to count the years.
I love her style!
I really enjoy Laurie’s blog, and her first book was a lot of fun! Thanks for the interview, and the contest!
.-= Emily´s last blog ..Cocoa Swap 3: Questionnaire =-.
I have been divorced for about 5 years and since this summer I’ve been trying to read through all of Crazy Aunt Purl’s old blog entries. What a great writer! I think winning a copy of her book would be awesome!
Thanks for the contest and the interview. The two of you would have a good time in the cold and snowy Nation’s Capitol. She would love the Smithsonian, don’t you think?
I’ve been meaning to ask you if Lucy is named after St. Lucia, or Lucille Ball. Hope I win the book!!!
Ah, I’ve found another wonderful knitting blog, thanks to Crazy Aunt Purl’s link to your interview with her. Thanks!
would love to have a new book to read, especially one with knitting!
Awesome interview. It was a fun read for a blah Thursday.
.-= Crystal´s last blog ..What do I have to prove =-.
Fun interview, thanks for the chance at winning the book!!
The book sounds great! I’d love to win one.
.-= Kim´s last blog ..FO: Birth Hat for Susan’s baby =-.
I would love a copy of Laurie’s new book. Thanks!
.-= Lynn Z´s last blog ..Tis the Season =-.
i love crazy aunt purl! i can totally relate!
Can’t wait to read Laurie’s new book, loved her first one! Enjoyed your interview, maybe next time Laurie could interview you?
Thanks for a wonderful interview and a fun giveaway! I’d love to have a copy of the new book.
.-= Ina´s last blog ..A Ravelympics Triple Cast On =-.
I would love a chance to win Laurie’s book!
.-= Grace´s last blog ..Blogging from my phone =-.
Oh, I enjoyed her 1st book SO much! I would really love reading the 2nd one. Thank you in advance!