Janet:
It took seven years from starting to write it, gaining an agent, gaining a book contract, losing the agent, gaining another agent and losing the book contract. Because of the support of my book coach, Sam Horn, I kept on going.
Bobbi:
Did you ever think of giving up? Why did you feel it was so important to share “beach chair wisdom” with the world?
Janet:
Writing was a calling. I knew that I had to make a difference in the world with my words. I hope someday to write a book that was meaningful and made a difference in people’s lives.
Bobbi:
Who did you write the book for?
Janet:
I smile as you ask me that. I wrote it for beach lovers like me who love the summer and hate the winter. For people who want to feel and smell the ocean and I hope that's what my book brings to them.
Bobbi:
What do you hope the book will do for your readers?
Janet:
I want my readers to relax and to remember their summertime memories.
Bobbi:
Okay, so what is your definition of a perfect beach chair? How should I go about finding the perfect beach chair?
Janet:
Again, I'm smiling. The perfect Beach Chair is a long, teak, padded lounger, with a little wooden table that pulls out … or a handsome waiter who will bring you food and drinks.
But I usually use the aluminum framed, high back, easy-to-carry beach chair. I've had the wooden framed ones as well as the back pack beach chair. “
Bobbi:
You've got some great chapter titles. Like “boat in a box.” What is a boat in a box anyway?
Janet:
Some people think I make up that story, but sadly it's all true. Yes, I actually bought an inflatable boat, tried to put an engine on it, and it was a disaster. I learned a lot, especially that I'm not a good boat owner.
Bobbi:
And what do you mean by BYOL?
Janet:
Bring Your Own Lobster dinner parties are great, inexpensive and fun. For more details, see my essay.
Bobbi:
Okay, now, you’ve really got me intrigued. Just what is naked ice cream?
Janet:
I was just talking with Steve Herrell about naked ice cream the other day. Steve is famous for being the first to create mix-ins in his ice cream.
I like my ice cream without hot fudge or nuts, just the ice cream, nothing else, just naked ice cream.
Bobbi:
Another chapter is titled riding in a convertible with toilet paper. Are you advising your readers to ride in a convertible with toilet paper or not?
Janet:
Now I'm laughing. For safety, I think it's important to ride in a convertible without toilet paper, but I still laugh about covering that red car entirely with toilet paper.
Bobbi:
Has the Department of Homeland Security put your book on a restricted list since you titled one of your chapters "how to blow up a gas grill?"
Janet:
Oh no, I hope those guys aren't going to show up at my door. Besides, I don't own the grill in question, but luckily, I think my friends still do and as far as I know they haven't blown it up yet.
Bobbi:
Who should I buy this book as a gift for? Where can I get an autographed copy?
Janet:
I've had a lot of people tell me that my book would be great to bring to someone's home this summer as a hostess gift. I plan on starting a Beach Chair Club and will speak to any book group about my book. Best to try and set it up a month in advance, if possible.
I have many beaches to research, but someone has to do the work.
Bobbi:
You can buy a copy of Janet Spurr’s charming Beach Chair Diaries at amazon.com.
More about Janet:
Janet Spurr was born in Cambridge, MA and went to Colby Sawyer College in New London, NH. She lives north of Boston in the small, historical seashore resort town of Marblehead, and has worked in sales, selling women's accessories to stores throughout New England for 24 years. You can contact Janet via email: spurr1@msn.com
Bobbi:
Good news for beach lovers everywhere: Beginning this month, Janet will be writing a monthly Beach Diary column for GivingYouAVoice.com. Got your own funny beach story? Let us know!
