Wendy Wax on OCEAN BEACH, South Beach and Miami...
Wendy,
welcome. It’s nice to have you here
today to talk about your new book. My
first question is about the setting.
OCEAN BEACH takes us to Miami’s South Beach. How did you choose South
Beach?
There are so many reasons—and I know I’ve already forgotten
some of them. I started out compiling a
list of places known for their historic architecture and that have a history of
valuing and rescuing buildings and homes. Then I began focusing on those that
I’d been to at least once. When I started reminiscing about Miami a light bulb
went off. It seemed perfect for Ocean
Beach in so many ways, not just physically—South Beach is famed for its
Art Deco heritage—but because it was a natural when it came to so many of the
plot points I had in mind. (Not to mention that Avery, who I wanted to head up
this renovation, has been in love with all things Art Deco since childhood.) I
headed south and fell for both Miami and a house in South Beach that is a
wonderful example of the Art Deco Streamline Moderne style. I knew the minute I
saw it that Maddie, Avery and Nicole were going to love it, too.
Did
you model the house in the book after the one you saw? Why is it called The Millicent?
I was definitely inspired by
the house I saw, which, coincidentally, was just about to be renovated. But
there are so many terrific examples of Art Deco and the later Streamline style,
and enough buildings and homes designed by architect Henry Hohauser, whose work
I especially admire, that The Millicent ended up being an aggregate of many
design details that appealed to me. The Ocean
Beach Photo Album I’ve posted on Facebook shares some of those—a “porthole”
mirror, a fireplace, some of the damage. Oh, and I’ve credited my fictional
house to Henry Hohauser, who remains my current architect crush.
The Millicent is owned by Max
Golden. He and his late wife Millie
(Millicent) are based upon the many famed comedy teams whose careers spanned
Vaudeville, radio, nightclubs, television and film. They’re a bit à la Burns and Allen—at least I
think of them that way. When they bought
the house in the forties, it was named in honor of the woman Max adored.
You
mentioned reminiscing about Miami. When
were you there?
I visited often as a
child. It’s where I swam in a salt water
pool for the first time. I remember that once we stayed at the Fontainebleau. I
was terribly impressed. We went to
Wolfie’s for breakfast and my dad used to bring bagels home to St. Pete Beach
whenever his travels took him through Miami.
My cousins had a well-known restaurant on Collins Avenue, just south of
Wolfies. Later on my brother got married
at the Diplomat Country Club in Miami.
And I worked on my first feature film there, Night in Heaven.
Did
you take your characters to any of these places?
No, but they did see plenty
of South Beach. Nicole spots megastars
Daniel Deranian (father to single parent Kyra’s baby Dustin) and his wife Tonja
Kay by the pool at The Delano while meeting the client she hopes will
revitalize her high-end matchmaking career. Avery and Chase escape to The
Clevelander Hotel. Nicole and Maddie breakfast at Big Pink. Maddie,
Nicole and Avery crash Daniel Deranian’s party at The Setai Hotel to “rescue”
Kyra, but overdo the champagne instead. Everybody likes Ted’s Hideaway, a small
neighborhood bar next door to Big Pink, as well as the view of the jetty and
Government Cut from the beach where Nicole, Avery, Maddie, Kyra and Deirdre go
to speak frankly, away from the cameras filming their reality show Do Over. The show is supposed to be focused on the
renovation of The Millicent, but last minute instructions from the network has
it intruding into every aspect of their somewhat rocky lives.
Now that I think about it, they really get around.
Maddie,
Nicole and Avery first met in your novel Ten Beach Road. Do you need to have read that novel to enjoy Ocean
Beach?
I don’t think so. I worked hard to make sure Ocean Beach
shared any of the back story pertinent to Do Over and the women’s
friendship and current circumstances, and I tried to do it without being
intrusive. I’m looking forward to hearing
what others think and, fingers-crossed, I’ve accomplished what I set out to
do. At the same time, I’m really excited
about those who have already read Ten Beach Road getting a chance
to return to the characters’ lives in Ocean Beach. So many people got in touch asking for more
of Maddie, Nicole and Avery’s story. So,
here it is—and I hope they enjoy reading it as much as I loved writing it.
Where
can we find out more about Ocean Beach, Ten Beach Road and what
you’re up to?
I’ve posted a lot of information
on my web site, including excerpts of both books. My Facebook page has a
second
excerpt from Ocean Beach, plus photos showing research,
inspiration and a look at Miami’s past.
Both sites list the dates and locations for appearances and signings—and
I’m always happy to meet readers and talk books.
Thanks
for joining us, Wendy.
Thanks for having me. I appreciate the chance to share news and
tidbits about Ocean Beach.
I really look
forward
to hearing from readers who want to get in touch to share their thoughts and
opinions or to simply say hello. Happy summer!
facebook.com/AuthorWendyWax
@Wendy_Wax
OCEAN BEACH by Wendy Wax
Berkley Books/Trade Paperback/Original/Fiction
On Sale June 26, 2012/$15.00 ($16.00 Canada)
0-425-24541-1 ● 978-0-425-24541-5
Includes the Readers Guide
Contact: Joan
Schulhafer, Joan Schulhafer Publishing & Media Consulting, joan@joanschulhafer.com,
973-338-7428
Erin Galloway,
Berkley/NAL, erin.galloway@us.penguingroup.com, 212-366-2153
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