Georgie: HA! I love this question; it's like thinking that all interior designers have to be gay or something. Obviously some writers are shut-ins and social sufferers, but in my case; I get a lot of my material from being out there, with the people, living life.

PRSB: Why do you write?

Georgie: I think writing is selfish, in a way. If I were to talk to someone at a party, they may walk away or not be interested in what I have to say. But if I write it down, it becomes more powerful, more interesting. A person has to sit down, dedicate time and read what I have to say. I think there's a real, intimate relationship between reader and writer. When I meet someone who has read one of my books I almost feel like I should hug them; not that I'm grateful that they read the book - though I am! - but I feel like they know me; we have a relationship.

PRSB: Congratulations on the birth of your daughter, is it difficult to get back into a writing rhythm after an extended break?

Georgie: Thanks; I never thought I would have kids so I feel like having a child is a huge accomplishment and bigger than anything I will ever do. It is hard to have the time to write, but I have a wonderful husband who encourages me and takes care of our daughter at night so I can sit upstairs and write all night or at least, until the next feeding. I also think that being super busy forces you to be more organized and make the most use of your time. I can check email, do laundry and write a chapter in 30 minutes or less. I am never sitting, watching tv.

PRSB: Which do you enjoy more, photography or writing?

Georgie: Writing is for me. Photography is for everyone else.

If someone hires me to take pictures, I love giving them the final product - pictures that they cherish and will hand down generation after generation. Pictures are important. No one ever takes pictures during a low point; it's always of happy times, of moments they want to remember so I enjoy capturing those moments for someone. Writing is purely for me; it's what I think and I don't care if anyone likes it of not. Of course, it's always better if they do like it!

PRSB: Will eBooks ever take off?

Georgie: I'm not a fan of eBooks. I'm all about paper, pictures -- going to the bookstore and picking something out. It's like going to the dog pound and adopting a dog that you will love forever. You may not have wanted it, but once you saw that puppy -- or book -- you had to have it and you never want to put it down.

PRSB: Has the internet affected the neighborhood bookstore?

Georgie: I'm all about the neighborhood bookstore; I will never give them up. I'm not saying that I've never bought any book online because I have [I just got the latest David Sedaris from Amazon and can't wait to read it]. I think internet book stores are great for out-of-print or new releases; they have a greater variety than the neighborhood bookstore which typically has limited stock.

PRSB: How do you see the publishing industry in 20 years?

Georgie: I love the new genres that have sprouted up (Chick Lit!) I think we will see more of that; books that refuse to be categorized.

PRSB: Are major publishers relevant when the self publish option has become easier and more prevalent?

Georgie: There's definite power behind big publishers because they have the money to promote it; it's their investment. But I think self-published books have the ability to be just as big; word of mouth is huge, viral marketing through the internet is the new deal. People get record deals by posting their music video or songs on YOU TUBE; anything is possible!

PRSB: Your first book, I Only Smoke on Thursdays, was based on a personal experience, what about Hailey Bailey or your latest work?

Georgie: I like to say that THURSDAYS was derived from personal experience, but I can't claim that it was real life; or at least I don't want to admit that it was real. It is fiction, after all. HAILEY is completely fiction, based off of my hour long commute. I would make up stories about people on the bus, especially those who just seemed to blend into the plastic seats. I'm working on two things right now: a collection of short stories, which are absolutely not about me but about my day dreams. My other book is a non-fiction book based on personal experience as a former bride and a wedding industry professional; I do photography to pay the bills too.

PRSB: Is it easier to write about very personal experiences or to base the storyline and expand in imagination?

Georgie: My first reaction is to say 'imagination.' It's scarier to write about my personal, real experiences because I'm afraid of what people might say; afraid that they will judge me. Before THURSDAYS came out, I tossed it right into the trash. I didn't want my mom reading about my broken heart. I wanted to keep it hidden. But writing is a way of releasing things, so I sent it to the publisher and let go of my inhibitions.

PRSB: Tell me about your two new books, what are they about, when can we expect to see them on shelves?

Georgie: I hope to have both books out by Winter 2008.

The collection of short stories is a mind-stretch, inspired by one of my favorite authors, Haruki Murakami. The non-fiction is about the wedding industry and will help brides have a beautiful wedding, with enough money left over to have a beautiful life.

PRSB: What is the hardest task in selling a self published book?

Georgie: Marketing, definitely. You have to do the leg work yourself. I've schlepped my books to many a-bookstore and asked the buyer to stock me. I've given my books away for free -- literally, to strangers on the street! -- just to get the word out. It takes time, nerve, confidence, money, and as a writer you never seem to have a lot of any of that.

PRSB: How would you classify "I only smoke on Thursdays" is it a romance, horror, introspective?

Georgie: I love that you threw horror in there! Definitely not romance, unless it's a love of who you are, and who you've become. I call it a chick book that's better than any chick book you've read. Take that, DEVIL WEARS PRADA!

PRSB: You seem to use humor a lot to diffuse situations, is that a conscious technique or is it more reflective of your personality.

Georgie: I think it's a deflective technique; it's what I do in real life too, when I don't know what to say or what to do. If I had the choice to laugh or cry I would definitely laugh.

PRSB: Since the '80's we've seen the emergence of strong lead heroine characters, your stories also seem to fit into the trend, where do you think this trend came from and where will it lead?

Georgie: I think that people are tired of male heroes, these "Yippee ki-yay" types. It's a woman's nature to say nothing, to go with the flow and not ruffle any feathers. But now women are saying things and aren't afraid of being judged. Look at SEX AND THE CITY; women have been having conversations like those for years but they don't want to say anything because they're afraid of looking crass or something. I say, say it loud, say it proud!