Saturday, July 24, 2004 posted by Jen at 7/24/2004 06:18:00 PM
Read all about it...
For anyone who was worried that Rose Feller was going to get slimmed down in the Hollywood version -- or played by some airhead in a fat suit -- here's the amazing (and amazingly disciplined) Toni Collette talking about how much weight she gained for the part, and how she took it off.
Wednesday, July 21, 2004 posted by Jen at 7/21/2004 05:42:00 PM
There's somebody else's half-eaten sandwich in my minibar.
Is it just me, or does that sound like a country and western song?
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posted by Jen at 7/21/2004 05:17:00 PM
My friend Joanna came and stayed with me during my sojourn here in New York (or, as I call it to amuse my mother, my vacation from my vacation).
The audio recording went very well. I cried in a few places, but not, you know, uncontrollable sobbing, so I think it's going to be okay. You'll be happy to know that I restrained myself from any references to having a fever, for which the only cure was more cowbell.
I think this was the most star-style treatment I've ever gotten in my life. "Is the temperature in there okay? Do you want anything special to eat or drink? Are you tired? Do you want to take a break?"
Everyone was really nice to me, and, best of all, because I turned out to be kind of a fast reader, I got to add in some scenes that were cut during the abridgment.
The one drawback: I was bummed to learn that I wouldn't get to say the line "Little Earthquakes, by Jennifer Weiner, read by the author."
"We'll have someone say that for you," the very gracious producer explained.
"So I don't get to say 'read by me?'"
"No," she said nicely. "You don't."
Anyhow. We did a little shopping last night, and on the way back to the hotel Joanna announced that she had to go home, because she was out of underwear.
"We can buy underwear!" I said. "We're in New York! They have everything!"
"O-kay," she said. "I guess I could wash them in the sink."
"Why do you have to wash them if they're new?"
Joanna gaped at me. "You don't wash your new underwear before you wear them?"
I gaped right back. "You DO?!?!"
So there we were, shlepping up Fifth Avenue. "I know there's a Lord & Taylor here somewhere," I said.
"Somewhere," said Joanna.
"Hey, Joanna," I said. "You know, sometimes, not only do I NOT wash the underwear that come packed in plastic, I buy underwear RIGHT OFF THE TABLE where strangers have been pawing through them, and I don't wash them, either!"
(Not actually true, but I so enjoyed the look on her face at the thought of it).
We walked a few more blocks. No Lord & Taylor in sight. But we did see....a Duane Reade.
"I bet Duane Reade has underwear," I said.
"Duane Reade," said Joanna, "does not have underwear."
"Maybe they do! Maybe we should check!"
So into the Duane Reade we went, and, sure enough. Underwear. I got a three-pack, just to keep her company, and I tried to talk her into buying an eyepatch and then wearing it and talking like a pirate all night, but she shot me down.
We walked out of Duane Reade with our underwear, and got in a cab, and as soon as we turned the corner...
"Oh, look!" said Joanna. "Victoria's Secret!"
Damn.
So now I'm hanging out in my hotel room with Joe Weiner, waiting for my mother, who's stuck in traffic, to deliver La Lu to my door.
Sunday, July 18, 2004 posted by Jen at 7/18/2004 06:13:00 PM
Well, I've left the Cape for the rough streets and unrelenting humidity of New York City. I'll be here recording the audio version of LITTLE EARTHQUAKES for the next few days. I am already resisting the temptation to give a mid-recording shout of "I need more COWBELL!," in case the producers aren't quite as enamored of Christopher Walken on "Saturday Night Live" as I am.
I've gotten a few emails lately from people wanting book recommendations for the summer. Here's what I've read and loved lately: John Searles' STRANGE BUT TRUE (gulped it down in one feverish pitch, ignored baby in its favor); Walter Moseley's THE MAN IN MY BASEMENT (okay, so I'm late. It was still terrific); Mary McGarry Morris' A HOLE IN THE UNIVERSE, which had a truly horrific cover but was a great, gripping read and Michael Cunningham's A HOME AT THE END OF THE WORLD (late on that one, too, but it's so good).
So that's what's up: I'm here for a few days, then back to Philly for a few days, then -- whoo-hoo! -- back to the beach.
Welcome to A Moment of Jen, author Jennifer Weiner's constantly-updated take on books, baby, and news of the world. Email me at jen (a) jenniferweiner.com.
