Interview with...

Margo Candela!

(Cue shrill whistles and confetti.)

Wait—who is Margo? you wonder. Margo is my friend. That should be enough reason to go out and buy her latest novel, GOODBYE TO ALL THAT. But I know some of you (cough—Bradley) and you're going to need more than that. So I asked Margo to stop by and do a little Q&A session.

Raquel Azorian has learned to play the Hollywood game while keeping her skirt length to her knees and her pantyhose run free. All she needs is for her boss to sign her promotion memo. Instead of putting pen to paper, he suffers a very public meltdown that puts not only his future in Hollywood, but also Raquel’s on the line.

It’s not just Raquel’s professional life that’s a mess, her whole family is in turmoil. Raquel is forced to become the intermediary—all while trying to figure out how to save her job and not derail her office romance with the man of her dreams.

When the chaos of juggling so many lives reaches a breaking point, Raquel realizes she’s going to have to choose—success at work or happiness at home. Whatever choice she makes, Raquel knows it going to cost her, but part of her is still pulling for her very own Hollywood ending.

I have to admit I haven't read GOODBYE TO ALL THAT yet—it just came out last week. But I have read Margo's other books and I loved them. I imagine GOODBYE TO ALL THAT will be even better. The reviews are certainly great. Here's what Publisher's Weekly said:

"Margo Candela combines a cunning wit with a deep understanding of the office politics specific to the entertainment industry to create a frantic atmosphere and a near breathless momentum as the story barrels toward an ending that's anything but your focus grouped happy fade-out."

So without further ado...

Oh—in case you're having a low IQ day, the questions are from me, the responses are from Margo.

Now without further ado...

Who were you in your past lives?

I’d have to assume I was some lowly scullery maid who lived in a feudal castle in either the 14th or 15th century. It’s the only way I can explain my sincere dislike for housework and antiques. Compared to that, the life I have now is fabulous. This, of course, means my next life will suck big time. 

If you could eat one food all the time, what would it be?

Bread, but only really, really good bread. And instead of making me chubby and sluggish, bread would give me ab definition and a bubble butt. Honestly, there’s nothing better than good bread. I’ve gone out to dinner and have ended up eating mostly bread. I’m always game to end a meal with bread pudding, too. My lust for bread is the main reason I won’t let myself learn how to bake it. That would be a very bad idea. I’d never leave my house except to buy flour.

If you could write about anything, what would it be?

What I really want to do is write a novel from a first person male perspective. I keep bugging my editor about it, but she always tells me “Not yet.” My main goal in life is to turn that “Not yet” into “How soon can you get that novel to me?” I’m slowly wearing her down and I expect that eventually she’ll give in just to shut me up.

Is it true that you rent a storage unit to house all your ballet flats? 

My ballet flat addiction is (barely) under control. As of last week, I still have enough room in my closet for all of them. Maybe I’ll line them all up and take a picture and, just maybe, that’ll help me see that I truly have a problem. Doubt it! I’d probably end up framing the picture and hanging it in my office. I really love my ballet flats. As far as I’m concerned, they’re the perfect shoe for just about any occasion.

Pancakes or French toast, and what time of day do you most love to eat them?

Both! But with contingencies. I’ll only have French toast, no powdered sugar, if it’s on a brunch menu at a restaurant. And pancakes can only be eaten for dinner and at home. I make very good buttermilk pancakes, but I’ve recently branched out to waffles with limited successes. Waffles are the redheaded step child to French toast and pancakes in my life.  Good thing I have a sincere affection for redheads.

What superpower do you have/want to have?

What I want is the gold watch from that movie, The Girl, The Gold Watch & Everything. I saw it as a kid and I thought it was the coolest thing ever, the movie and the watch. It would be my ideal super power situation since I physically wouldn’t have to change myself or be on call all the time with superpowers that just wouldn’t quit. When needed, I’d just whip out that watch and stop time. Mostly I’d use it for good and the rest of the time to beat red light camera tickets.