In today’s Complicated Conversation we are joined by Annabel Monaghan, author of Nora Goes Off Script, this summer’s endearing, heart-warming rom com novel!* We talk to a lot of lawyers turned authors, but Annabel was an investment banker who took the long road to realizing her childhood dream of becoming a writer. Carinn and Annabel really relate about following their joy! (01:31)* Listen to hear how Annabel had to write almost 100 pages before she really got to know her protagonist, Nora, and what that has to do with the Hallmark channel! (05:50)* We love how Annabel created a character in Nora that finds love and success at the same time. As she falls deeper in love, her writing gets better. Sooo good! (08:09)* This is a realistic love story where Annabel manages to capture both the idea of falling in love and being in love. Turns out true partnership and doing life together can be extremely romantic. (10:56)* Annabel was surprised to find out that you can still get your heartbroken as an adult, especially when you put your full heart into something. We could not agree more! (13:33)* Hollywood plays a big role in this novel and Annabel shares how growing up in LA and google research helped her get this aspect right. (16:07)* We talk about writing from your wounds and how this novel gave us major Something’s Gotta Give and Erica Barry vibes. Let’s just say the writer’s subconscious is super powerful. (18:07)* We discuss genre and what Annabel set out to write vs the finished product. Turns out she was just trying to have fun and didn’t think that hard. (21:57)* Book two is in the works and we’re so excited to get the tea on what’s next. (25:50)* We talk astrology and you have to hear what Andy Rooney, LL Cool J, and Jason Bateman have to do with her birthday. (28:37)* Annabel shares what she is obsessing over right now. (31:15)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.