Thu 29 Apr 2010
Take it from spiritual guru Deepak Chopra—and author Jessica Brody!—karma is alive and kicking. Just reading about the talented Ms. Brody’s steps to publication brings to mind that ole what-comes-around-goes-around adage. A few years ago Jessica took a leap of faith. She quit her job and decided to answer to her inner 5-year-old (the one who always knew writing was her true calling). Jessica’s karmic investment is paying in divine dividends today. She hit the publishing world by storm, releasing two popular adult novels. And this week, she makes her YA debut with THE KARMA CLUB. Here’s the story teaser that’ll leave you wanting more…
About The Karma Club:
When you mess with Karma, Karma messes back…
Madison Kasparkova always thought she understood how Karma works. Do good things and you’ll be rewarded, do something bad and Karma will make sure you get what you deserve. But when Maddy’s boyfriend cheats on her, nothing bad comes his way. That’s why Maddy starts the Karma Club, to clean up the messes that the universe has left behind and get back at the people who have wronged them. Sometimes, though, it isn’t wise to meddle with the universe. It turns out Karma often has plans of its own.
Also be sure to check out the book trailer for THE KARMA CLUB (on the scroll-down), featuring a cameo by Mr. Chopra himself!! But for now, take it away, Jessica…
DR: What’s your favorite stage of your work process: researching, writing or editing? Why?
JB: Definitely writing. I actually hate researching. I don’t have any patience for it. I’m just like, “Let me get in there and I’ll make it up as I go along!” Haha. Editing is probably my second favorite, but usually by the time I’m in the editing stage, I’ve already started writing a new book and I much more excited about that.
DR: How do you get over a major bout of writer’s block?
JB: I never use the term “writer’s block”…well, except right there. I’m a firm believer in the law of attraction. What you resist persists. What you focus on only gets bigger. If I went around saying, “Crap, I have writer’s block,” then yes, I would have writer’s block. If I refuse to even acknowledge the concept, then it doesn’t exist. And guess what? I’ve never had it. Of course, I get stuck from time to time as any writer does. To deal with it, I usually just mediate and tell myself, “the solution already exists; I just have to remember what it is.” By the time I wake up the next morning, the problem is almost always solved. Also…massages help. I do my best problem solving on the massage table!
DR: Think back to your sophomore year in high school. What were you like at age 15?
JB: Not much different than I am now except hopefully now with better skin! Actually my main character Maddy in The Karma Club is VERY similar to how I was in high school…although I never sought revenge on an ex-boyfriend. Not that I wasn’t tempted to several times!
DR: What’s the craziest or coolest thing you’ve done in the name of research?
JB: Well, I haven’t done it yet, but next month I’m scheduled to go “under cover” at a fast food restaurant. In the book I’m writing now (52 Reasons to Hate My Father), a teen heiress is forced to work at a fast food restaurant and since I’ve never worked at one, I need to get to find out what it’s like. My friend owns a Taco John’s restaurant and he’s bringing me as a new employee so that I can be trained like it’s my first day. I told him not to tell any of the other employees what I was doing so I could get the “real experience.” I’ve never been more excited to make tacos! But what I’m really looking forward to is working the drive-thru. I’ve always wanted to wear one of those headsets. “Welcome to Taco Johns, can I take you order?” How did I do?
DR: What’s your favorite spot to cozy up with a book?
JB: The beach! My favorite vacation is one where I can do nothing but read all day with the sound of the waves as a backdrop. Unfortunately my busy schedule limits me from being able to do that too often.
Thanks, Jessica! Keep paying it forward—and my best to Deepak. 
**Jessica’s keeping the book release celebration going with the coolest contest giveaways around. Head over head over to her website and enter to win one of four Cannon Flip Video Cameras!!