What with my PhD studies and reading the millions of books I've bought over the years and crammed into my shelves, I haven't been able to take on any books from authors sending requests my way. I feel pretty bad about that, because while I have definitely come across some less-than-great books this way, I've also discovered some great small or self published books which I'd never have found otherwise. So when an author contacts me and offers to write a guest post I am more than happy to comply, maybe I won't be getting a chance to read the book, but at least everyone else can find out a little something about the author and their writing.
So on that note, here is a guest post by author Addison Westlake. Addison contacted me about her new book Facebook Jeanie, and offered to write a guest post about her 10 favourite funny females in romantic comedies as she is both a lover of rom-coms and a writer of rom-coms. Before we get to her list, here's a bit of a introduction to Addison. Stay tuned at the end of her post for more details about her novel and her social media and website contacts.
Addison's first romantic comedy, “Christmas in Wine Country,” spent six weeks on the bestseller list in contemporary romance, women’s fiction, humorous fiction and humor. And it’s only $0.99, y’all.
She would like to thank MCM cover design, mcm@1889.ca, for the awesome “Facebook Jeanie” cover. And for the unfailing patience with questions such as “should she have an earring” and “do her pinks clash?”
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
TOP 10 FUNNIEST WOMEN IN ROM COMS
I’ve always loved to laugh. One of my earliest memories is of watching Ernie—as in Ernie and Bert on Sesame Street—clean his room. I remember nearly losing it as he threw his toys all over his room while Bert sputtered with frustration.
Now, as a romantic comedy writer, I’m pretty much the same. I love a good laugh, and I love both reading books and watching movies that crack me up. In a tribute to the women who’ve made me laugh in this genre, I’ve put together a top 10 list of the funniest women in romantic comedies. Give my list a read and see if you agree. And shout out if you have any to add!
10. Renee Zellweger in Bridget Jones’ Diary. OK, she might be more neurotic than funny but Renee Zellweger made me laugh in several scenes. Showing up in a bunny costume to a party that’s no longer costume (nod to Legally Blonde, #3). Really messing up an introduction at a book launch, introducing as it as one of the top 30 books, at least. Practicing how to say Chechnya and sound concerned while vacuuming in her undies. It works.
9. Cameron Diaz in Something About Mary. Yes, I’m talking about the hair gel scene. It’s a gross and stupid gag, but you have to admit it works. Cameron Diaz’s peppy, enthusiastic and happy delivery gets it right. Even though it’s so wrong.
8. Jennifer Coolidge in American Pie (Stiffler’s Mom), A Cinderella Story (the step-mom) and Legally Blonde (Paulette). She’s just totally unafraid, I think that’s what makes her so funny. Mastering the Bend and Snap. She puts it all out there. Literally.
7. Kate Hudson in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. She’s funny, busting in on the guy’s night with a tiny dog and lots of decorations and making them all put out their stogies. She calls out their cards and makes her guy blow his nose into a tissue. And then there’s the scene when she’s used photoshop to create a huge family album featuring her and her boyfriend’s imagined kids. It’s so crazy you’ve got to love it.
6. Anna Faris in The House Bunny. Standing over a steam vent trying to be like Marilyn Monroe but it’s too hot. Saying people’s names in a scary Exorcist voice as a trick to remember them. Starting to read a letter “Dear Shelly,” stopping to look up, “Oh my god, that’s me! Wait, there’s more!” She’s excellent at being breathlessly lost and confused and clueless.
5. Isla Fisher in Wedding Crashers. She’s really wonderful as a psycho hyper nymphomaniac, jumping all over Vince Vaughn like a tiny poodle. The way she delivers the lines “Don’t you ever leave me. Because I’d find you,” with a singsongy little girlishness, then a huge cackle. She gets extra points for creepiness.
4. Nia Vardalos in My Big Fat Greek Wedding. I love that she actually looks dumpy in the opening scenes; those glasses are really unattractive. She makes really wonderful, warm and witty observations about family and culture throughout the movie. And, of course, she wrote it and stared in the movie so hats off to Nia Vardalos!
3. Reese Witherspoon in Legally Blonde. Her Harvard application tape is truly a work of art. It’s hard to imagine anyone being that much of an LA airhead and being so likable, but she actually pulls it off.
2. Both Jane Lynch and Leslie Mann in 40 Year Old Virgin. Obviously Lynch found her real calling in Glee, but for a bit part she makes the most of it, propositioning Andy and telling him about her chilling first time. And Leslie Mann drunk in that sparkling cap. I’ll never be able to say “french toast” again without thinking of her.
And number 1 goes to: Kristen Wiig, Rebel Wilson and Melissa McCarthy in Bridesmaids. I love all of them. How can Rebel Wilson make her short scenes the most memorable? The free tattoo? Describing how she mistook Kristen Wiig’s diary as a very sad handwritten book? And then Melissa McCarthy on the airplane with the man she’s convinced is an air marshal (she’s right). And Kristin Wiig throughout. Whether she’s ripping apart a chocolate fountain, crying on her mom’s couch watching Wilson the volleyball, or driving topless to get her crush’s attention, I love her.
Writing comedy, I’m going to channel these women. They’ll be my muses.
Now tell me, who did I miss???
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Now that you've gotten to know Addison Westlake a bit better, here's the blurb about her brand-spankin' new book Facebook Jeanie.
31-year-old Clara is in a steady relationship—with Facebook. Every night after her depressing bureaucratic job (so much for saving the world), Clara comes home to her empty apartment (yes, she was dumped) and settles down with a pint of ice cream for some good, old-fashioned Facebook stalking. It's her college boyfriend, The One Who Got Away. With the bod of a God and a net worth of umpteen bamillion, he now has the perfect life—everything she could have had if she hadn't been so, so stupid.But, wait. Jeanie from Facebook shows up at Clara's job. There's a new app they're beta-testing and Clara's perfect for it. That night she clicks on it and... nothing happens. But the next morning when Clara wakes up at noon, hung over, listening to her roommate blow-drying her hair and singing "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It", she realizes she's back in college. With the chance to do it all over again.
Back in the world of frat parties, BFFs, and long-suffering, overlooked lab partners, join Clara as she discovers what it really means to hit the reset button on life. What could possibly go wrong? And, this time, can she get it right?
Be sure to check out Addison Westlake's new book Facebook Jeanie or look her up to say hello at:
Author website: http://addisonwestlake.blogspot.com
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6584540.Addison_Westlake
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AddisonWestlake
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/addison.westlake
Google Plus: gplus.to/addisonwestlake
