The plot of Rachel Lynn Solomon’s new novel, “Business or Pleasure,” was sparked by a couple of ideas.
“I had the ghostwriter-falls-for-her-author premise in my head for a while before I started writing it — sort of a workplace rom-com minus the concrete workplace,” remarked the best-selling author.
“I wanted the author to be an actor but not a household-name famous (actor), who needs to hire a ghostwriter to help him write his memoir. I’ve always been fascinated by Comic-Con culture, and I ed going to a Buffy at Emerald City Comic-Con years ago, watching some of the actors sign autographs. I realized this thing they did two decades ago still resonated so deeply with fans. That career path seemed like it would be interesting to explore.
“When I’m brainstorming a book, I usually pick a profession I’m familiar with or something I’m eager to learn more about. For ‘Business or Pleasure,’ it was the latter! Plus, there’s often a unique kind of closeness between ghostwriters — so much natural tension and forced proximity that seemed perfect for a romance novel.”
“Business or Pleasure” follows ghostwriter Chandler Cohen when she meets her new client, a one-night stand from the previous evening — and he’s one of the stars of a cult classic TV series still beloved by fans.
Solomon is the author of “The Ex Talk,” “Weather Girl” and other romantic comedies for teens and adults. Originally from Seattle, she’s living in Amsterdam with her husband.
Q: Who are your two main characters, Finnegan Walsh and Chandler Cohen?
A: Finn Walsh is an actor known for his role in a werewolf TV show a decade ago and not much else. Chandler Cohen, my ghostwriter, is an early 30s millennial unsure if she’s navigating adulthood properly, which tends to be a theme in my books. Her friends are more solidified in their jobs than she is, and she feels a bit like she’s being left behind.
Q: Finn’s TV character, Oliver Huxley, and Hollywood are important to the plot. Are they secondary characters?
A: Finn’s career is in Hollywood, and even though he’s not an A-lister, he feels stable and mostly content. I’d consider Hollywood a secondary character because it’s something nearly every reader can conceptualize, and it does impact the plot. While Finn has plenty in common with his sweetly nerdy TV alter-ego, Oliver Huxley feels very static to me — he’s incapable of the same kind of growth as Finn.
Q: What’s a highlight you had while writing this book?
A: I loved crafting Finn’s Hollywood backstory, making up Hallmark-esque movies and low-budget romantic comedies that he starred in. There are script snippets sprinkled throughout the book!
Q: What are your main themes in this book and why?
A: Sex positivity and communication between partners are definitely at the top of the list — they go hand in hand for me. I wanted to show a healthy intimate relationship between two people whose first encounter is quite terrible, and how learning to make it better for each other can still be incredibly sexy — maybe even sexier than if they’d had mind-blowing sex the first time.
Mental health also plays a huge role in my books. I always want it to simply be part of my characters’ identities without it being their singular defining trait, which means that I don’t treat it as a plot point. Finn’s obsessive-compulsive disorder is crucial to who he is, and much of it is borrowed from my own experiences.
Q: Is there a sequel?
A: My next adult book will be completely different! It’ll be a romantic comedy set in Amsterdam — I’ve been saving up anecdotes since my plane touched down two years ago and can’t wait to show readers around the city I now call home.
Q: What will your event at Meet Cute Romance Bookshop with Suzanne Park be like on Saturday?
A: Suzanne and I both write Young Adult and adult romantic comedies, so I think it’ll be a very fun conversation. I’ve been eager to visit Meet Cute since they opened last year — the space looks lovely, the perfect place to connect with romance readers.
Q: What’s a challenge and a reward about living as an expatriate in Amsterdam?
A: A challenge — embarrassingly, my lack of confidence on a bike! The biggest reward has been how easy it is to travel throughout Europe. I didn’t travel much growing up or in my 20s, and I feel wildly lucky to live here and have those opportunities now in my 30s.
“Business or Pleasure” (Rachel Lynn Solomon, Berkley, 384 pages)
‘Business or Pleasure’ Party with Rachel Lynn Solomon
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Meet Cute Romance Bookshop, 4048 30th St., San Diego
Tickets: Purchase of a book is required to attend; $17. plus tax.
b (619) 228 9548
Online: meetcutebookshop.com
Davidson is a freelance writer.
