My ideal reader for this book is anyone who’s ever had a love/hate relationship with a job.
Diane Cohen Schneider – 30 August 2022
The Back Flap
Andrea Hoffman is an overeducated, underemployed, and unmotivated recent college graduate—until an unexpected robbery blasts her out of her funk and into a job in the finance world of early-1980s Chicago. At first, it seems like a bad fit. But the world of finance has its own weird charm, and she grows increasingly fascinated by the strange language of trading, the complexity of the stock market, and her colleagues, who navigate it all with a ruthless confidence. Even though she has two strikes against her—Jewish and female—Andrea’s quick wit and strong work ethic propel her into an actual sales job and her career takes off. But this is the Wall Street of the eighties, and along with making a lot more money, Andrea adopts a new, fast life of cocktails, cocaine, and casual sex. Drunk on her achievements, she gradually realizes that at some point, she’s going to have to decide what success really means to her.
About the book
What is the book about?
This book follows a naïve but resourceful young woman as she finds her calling in the wild stock market world of 1980’s Chicago.
When did you start writing the book?
I had the idea to write this book since the late 1980’s but I got serious about it in 2008.
How long did it take you to write it?
I took me about 8 years to get the book written, edited, and rewritten. My background was in finance so I first had to teach myself how to write fiction.
Where did you get the idea from?
I worked as an institutional equity sales professional so this book comes from my personal experience.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
I needed to make the financial parts of the book understandable and interesting without making it seem like a textbook. It was a little like having your characters speak a foreign language. I had to make sure the clues were in the context.
What came easily?
The dialogue came easiest for me. I love making my characters talk.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
This is definitely not a memoir. My characters are based on people I worked with. But they are all mash-ups. The least realistic characters are the protagonist’s less than wonderful family members. My own family is actually terrific!
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
I love authors with a strong voice. When you pick up their books you can immediately identify them- John Cheever, Joan Didion, Truman Capote. And I think Michael Lewis’s ability to make complicated stories understandable and compelling is magical.
Do you have a target reader?
My ideal reader for this book is anyone who’s ever had a love/hate relationship with a job.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
Yes! I think having a writing routine is very important. It signals to my mind that it is time to create. I leave the house and write in the local library. Being surrounded by books is very inspiring. I write at the same time every day for about four hours. I always start with editing the work I did the day before and try to end in the middle of a scene so that I have a place to start up the next day. And having a thermos of coffee is very important!
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
I don’t outline but I do use a color chart. Each of my characters is a color and I chart each chapter so I can quickly see if I’ve forgotten about someone for too long or if someone is hogging all the attention. This works for keeping track of plots and subplots as well.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I edit as I go and sometimes have to remind myself to just move on – that I’m getting all tangled up in my underwear.
Did you hire a professional editor? (May skip if being published by a small press rather than self-publishing)
I like having fellow writers read my work as I’m writing it. I think it’s essential to ensure that what you think you’ve written is what’s actually on the page. Then after I had a completed manuscript, I worked with a fabulous editor. I think having your manuscript be as professional as possible is important no matter what publishing route you are taking.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
I’m easily distracted and don’t listen to music while I’m writing. Sometimes I use a “white noise” app if it’s loud where I am at. Libraries aren’t the quiet places they used to be!
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
I submitted to many, many agents and received a fair number of requests to read the manuscript. The general comment was that THEY really enjoyed my novel but didn’t think they could sell it because people find investing to be intimidating and boring. They suggested I give my protagonist a different career. Ah…no.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
It was a gradual process. I could see the time expanding that it would take to get the book into print through traditional publishing even if I snagged an agent immediately and I lost patience.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
My fabulous book cover was professionally done as part of my deal with my publisher and I highly recommend using a professional for this.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
I have a publicity plan which I have learned is different than marketing and I’m open to marketing ideas but so far…yup, winging it.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
I think the most important thing is to find a community of other writers who can support you. I’ve found Women’s Fiction Writers Association to be very helpful and every genre has a similar group.
About You
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Downers Grove, IL a suburb of Chicago.
Where do you live now?
After raising three kids in Stamford, CT, my husband and I moved last year to Santa Fe, NM. They have a fabulous writing community here.
What would you like readers to know about you?
Getting a book out into the world has brought me a lot of joy. I’m glad I kept at it.
What are you working on now?
I have two unpolished novels and I’m trying to decide which one would be the best follow up to this book. I am definitely leaving the 1980’s behind, though. The world today is so fascinating!
End of Interview:
For more from Diane Cohen Schneider visit her website and follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Get your copy of Andrea Hoffman Goes All In from Amazon US or Amazon UK.
