Dating can be a drag. Not only the dates themselves, but the day to day drag of just trying to find and meet someone! So, it stands to reason that, in the technologically advanced world that we live in, nearly everyone knows someone who has turned to online dating to at least meet someone for the dates. This is the idea behind Lisa Becker’s novel, Click: An Online Love Story. And Lisa has been kind enough to drop in today to answer a few questions about her and her book.
First off, tell me a little about yourself!
I’m a full time mom and wife to the best family ever; part time public relations professional for an international PR firm; and I’ve just brought to market a children’s education product that I’ve invented (www.theautolearner.com). Somehow in between all of that, I managed to write a novel. Needless to say, there’s never a dull moment around here.
Wow! I hope you manage to fit sleep in somewhere! Where did you first get your inspiration for Click: An Online Love Story?
My husband and I met online on a popular dating website. After we married, I was recalling some of the hilarious experiences that I had with both traditional and online dating. I decided to capture some of them in writing and from there, a novel emerged.
Renee’s experiences with online dating and bad dates in general seemed so authentically awful in places! Was anything drawn from your own experiences with bad dates?
Click is loosely based on my real-life dating experiences, as well as stories friends have shared with me. In some cases, things are written as they actually occurred. Other scenarios are exaggerated for entertainment value or comedic affect. And some scenarios are completely fictionalized. I really did go out on a date with someone I met online who started every story (no joke!) with “My buddies and I were out drinking last night.” The ultimate goal was to create a fun read for anyone who has ever had a bad date, been in love, been dumped, or is searching for “the one.” But, the happy ending is real. Steve and I have been happily married for eight years and have two amazing daughters – ages 6 and 4.
Oh, I love a happy ending! But back to the bad dates, what is the worst date you have ever been on?
I went out on Valentine’s Day with a boyfriend who was planning to break up with me, but didn’t have the heart to do it that day. So, it was an awkward, tense and uncomfortable evening. Thankfully, he put me out of my misery soon thereafter.
Ouch. The best, though?
I’m a pretty simple girl. So for me, the best dates are the ones with good company, good food and even better conversation.
Silly question at this point, but what do you think, overall, of online dating?
Clearly, I’m a fan of online dating. My husband and I lived more than a half hour away from each other and wouldn’t have likely met otherwise. I find it to be a useful tool for young professionals who are busy working and finding it difficult to make the right connection at the gym, bar, coffee shop, or grocery aisle. People today are “married” to their cell phones and laptops, so I say why not use that technology to really get married, right?
Myself, I’m happily engaged to my Kindle, but I see your point! The format of ‘Click’ is comprised of a series of e-mails, which, considering the content of the story, befits the novel. Was there ever a time or an earlier draft when you considered another format?
Years ago, I read a book called e by Matthew Beaumont which tells the story of a fictitious ad agency vying for a big account, with the story all told in emails. I thought that narrative style would work really well for the story I wanted to tell about the online dating world. It was a modern way of storytelling that fit the topic and the times. So, I was pretty much married to the format from the get-go.
I suppose it’s difficult to say, considering said format, but I always like to ask this: If you could choose one scene from your novel to see filmed, what would it be and why?
I’d love to see the Valentine’s Day “Blue Party” brought to life. I think it would be hilarious to see (spoiler alert!) Shelley and Mark’s hook-up and the reaction of everyone else around them looking on in horror. Fun stuff!
Thanks for the interview Lisa! Click has a Facebook Fan Page that you can like here. When the book reaches 200 ‘likes,’ Lisa will begin releasing information about the planned sequel “Double Click.”
And now it’s your chance to win a e-book of Click for yourself! Simply fill out the form below! (Giveaway open internationally)
This giveaway will end Wednesday, September 28 at 11:59 PM. Good luck!
