Ask the Author: Jeannette Dashiell
Answered Questions (4)
Jeannette Dashiell
My favorite fictional couple is Harry Sanborn (Jack Nicholson) and Erica Barry (Diane Keaton). I love how over time their relationship bloomed from disdain for one another to witty banter and flirtation then eventually to true love.
I believe Nancy Meyers (screenplay writer, producer and director) is one of our lifetimes greatest gifts. Her ability to see the strength, wit, humor, beauty, vulnerability and sexiness of real women is unmatched by anyone else.
I believe Nancy Meyers (screenplay writer, producer and director) is one of our lifetimes greatest gifts. Her ability to see the strength, wit, humor, beauty, vulnerability and sexiness of real women is unmatched by anyone else.
Jeannette Dashiell
I am currently working on the next book in the series,The 50yr Challenge, An Evening at Franc’s:
The series only gets better with each book as the reader gets to learn more about Frances’ big, loud and intrusive Italian family running the kitchen and the depths to which Frances’ mother, Sophia will take to get find her daughter the perfect husband. Meanwhile, Frances Giuliani continues to secretly struggle with her feelings for the general manager, Derek as her strict rule to never get involved with someone she works with is quickly becoming less strict.
In the next book of the series the VIP booth at the center of the restaurant is once again filled with interesting, strong women characters. This group of five diverse women have come together at Franc’s to celebrate what they are calling The 50yr Challenge. These friends have spent the last year to completing a bucket list of experiences and overcoming their fears. The big twist to this pact amongst the women was that all of the ladies had to do these challenges together. Imagine sky diving or “roughing it” in the great outdoors while on a cattle drive with your best girlfriends; some of whom who have never stepped foot outside the city before these adventures! This group’s friendships like in Book Club spans decades; meeting for the first time while dropping their children off for the first day of kindergarten where unforeseen circumstances lead them to a Mexican restaurant at 9:00am downing the first of many margaritas and sparking lifelong friendships.
The series only gets better with each book as the reader gets to learn more about Frances’ big, loud and intrusive Italian family running the kitchen and the depths to which Frances’ mother, Sophia will take to get find her daughter the perfect husband. Meanwhile, Frances Giuliani continues to secretly struggle with her feelings for the general manager, Derek as her strict rule to never get involved with someone she works with is quickly becoming less strict.
In the next book of the series the VIP booth at the center of the restaurant is once again filled with interesting, strong women characters. This group of five diverse women have come together at Franc’s to celebrate what they are calling The 50yr Challenge. These friends have spent the last year to completing a bucket list of experiences and overcoming their fears. The big twist to this pact amongst the women was that all of the ladies had to do these challenges together. Imagine sky diving or “roughing it” in the great outdoors while on a cattle drive with your best girlfriends; some of whom who have never stepped foot outside the city before these adventures! This group’s friendships like in Book Club spans decades; meeting for the first time while dropping their children off for the first day of kindergarten where unforeseen circumstances lead them to a Mexican restaurant at 9:00am downing the first of many margaritas and sparking lifelong friendships.
Jeannette Dashiell
Months after the loss of our seventeen year old daughter, Hannah Dashiell, to a car accident I experienced a dream that changed my life. I believe it was Hannah's way of telling me that there was hope for me to keep living. I called my twin sister, Jen, and told her about the dream and how different it felt to wake feeling happy rather than my typical feelings of anger and depression. I explained that what I experienced wasn’t just a dream; it was more like I was watching a film. I told her every detail of my dream’s storyline as if I was recapping a movie; the location, the women’s friendships their struggles and their triumphs. Jen loved the story and encouraged me to write it down. I’m guessing my sister thought it would be good for me to have a place to focus my energy and do something constructive with my time in hopes of pulling me through my grief. But seriously, what was she thinking? I am a 44yr old mom with no writing experience. Me write a book, she must be crazy, right?
Over the next few weeks I found myself remembering the dream and wishing I could experience the laughter and the close knit friendships of those women again. Maybe my sister was right? Why not take a shot at writing? What was I afraid of? What’s the worst thing that could happen? No one will like it. Big deal, after what I had just gone through I was no longer going to be confined by the small things or fear of others’ disapproval. Remembering how Hannah “Turned Her Can’ts into Cans and Her Dreams into Plans” I began to believe in myself. So, to honor Hannah’s memory I now to try to live my life as she lived hers; ready to say “Yes!” and not let ideas and initiatives fade away unrealized.
With the continued support from my family, friends and the encouraging memories of my daughter I began to write. Two years later I am proud to say what began as a dream has now become the first book in an intended series An Evening at Franc’s. My first novel, Book Club, An Evening at Franc’s, is now available and the second in the series is in the works. I arm myself with humor, sass, and a tall glass of wine to tackle some of the most important milestones in women’s lives: dating, marriage, parenting, divorce, career, illness, tragedy, and the inevitable effects of time and gravity. I hope you enjoy the book. It’s a lot of fun. You’ll laugh out loud.
Over the next few weeks I found myself remembering the dream and wishing I could experience the laughter and the close knit friendships of those women again. Maybe my sister was right? Why not take a shot at writing? What was I afraid of? What’s the worst thing that could happen? No one will like it. Big deal, after what I had just gone through I was no longer going to be confined by the small things or fear of others’ disapproval. Remembering how Hannah “Turned Her Can’ts into Cans and Her Dreams into Plans” I began to believe in myself. So, to honor Hannah’s memory I now to try to live my life as she lived hers; ready to say “Yes!” and not let ideas and initiatives fade away unrealized.
With the continued support from my family, friends and the encouraging memories of my daughter I began to write. Two years later I am proud to say what began as a dream has now become the first book in an intended series An Evening at Franc’s. My first novel, Book Club, An Evening at Franc’s, is now available and the second in the series is in the works. I arm myself with humor, sass, and a tall glass of wine to tackle some of the most important milestones in women’s lives: dating, marriage, parenting, divorce, career, illness, tragedy, and the inevitable effects of time and gravity. I hope you enjoy the book. It’s a lot of fun. You’ll laugh out loud.
Jeannette Dashiell
I found the best way for me to clear my mind of writer's block is to go out into back yard and throw the ball to my two dogs, Molly and Lola.
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