In keeping with all things British and with the recent royal wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, we have an interview with Jerramy Fine, who is the author of Someday My Prince Will Come for our May book spotlight.
You can read our Q&A with Jerramy Fine by clicking the "Read more" button below, and you can read our review of her book here.
You can pick up your copy of Someday My Prince Will Come at Amazon.com
Yes. I TRULY BELIEVED in my heart that I was as meant to be in England. That unwavering belief is pretty much what the entire book is about. Scared? Not in the slightest. I was the opposite of scared – when it came to following my dream, I was incredibly fearless.
2 - How did you carry on convincing yourself that you were on the right path, even when you were so down on your luck? Such as the times that you were reduced to tears in the parks and when you were before Buckingham Palace?
That’s the thing about dreams. They are pretty resilient. It doesn’t matter what you throw at them –disapproving families, eye-rolling peers, huge student debts, unbearable loneliness, romantic betrayal, miserable living situations— the more you throw at dreams, the stronger they become. I didn’t have to do any convincing. My heart did quite enough talking for both of us.
3 - Were you ever scared for your life with your crazy roommate, Rebecca? I mean, seriously Single White Female... Surely you toned down the creepier experiences with her in your novel?
To be fair to nutty Rebecca, I was entirely truthful about her in those chapters. I didn’t exaggerate her craziness but nor did I underplay it.
4 - How long did it take you to write your novel, and what made you decide to do so? How did your parents and family receive your book? Did they find the depictions of them to be amusing?
I've always enjoyed writing and I knew that my story was a unique and funny one - with a theme that lots of girls could relate to. (Still, becoming a writer was never one of my major goals. I was going to be a princess, remember?) It took me about 9 months to write the book and flowed pretty effortlessly – when you’re telling your own life story, writers block is never issue!
My ever-supportive and always open-minded parents loved the book. Still, my mom said I used the word 'hippie' so many times it sounded like I had a poor vocabulary; she suggested I use 'Aquarian' or 'naturalist' instead. Meanwhile, my dad told me he was happy that his cannabis ministry was finally getting some PR.
5 - How often do you visit America, and conversely, are you able to visit with your friends and family from back home, now that you currently live in England?
I go back to America at least 3-4 times a year to visit my parents, my brother and my friends – all of which live in multiple cities across the country. Plus, I’m getting to the age where all my friends are getting married so I go back for weddings all the time.
6 - Do you consider yourself an ex-patriot? Have you ever encountered any snobbery within the British aristocracy for being American?
I’m an unabashed expat. And yes – I encounter snobbery from Brits all the time. (More on this in the chapters where I go to Oxford). But it’s really just a veiled form of jealousy. Secretly, all Brits wish they’d gone to an American high school, as well as had our easy emotional confidence and our complete oblivion when it comes to issues of class.
7 - And this is for all girls and young women out there but also on a personal note as well, what are some of the most valuable pieces of advice that you can dispense in regards to going about moving to England? It is so very difficult to obtain a work visa and so easy to get booted out of the country, especially in this current worldly climate, that if you were to do it all over again, how would you go about it all if you could not afford to be a student and go over to the UK firstly on a student visa?
I’m actually writing a new book about this very thing – The Regal Rules: How to find love, a life (and maybe even a lord) in London, including how to make tea, greet the Queen and date her grandson. Coming to a bookstore near you later this year!
My #1 one piece of advice is this: the things that come most quickly into your life are the things you believe in the most. If you believe that coming to England is too expensive or difficult then it will be both of those things. If you BELIEVE that it is your destiny, then everything will fall into place.
8 - Bringing the topic towards Princess Prep, which is an absolutely ingenious idea (and why was this not invented when I was young enough to attend?!), how difficult was it to launch this project off the ground?
Not that difficult. At the time, I couldn’t think of another book to write so I dreamed up Princess Prep – it sounded like a nice, small business idea that I might be able to handle. I built my website all myself and sent a few press releases out. Then the royal engagement was announced and all hell broke loose. The global media were clamouring to cover it – a bit overwhelming, but great. (And FYI: I’m thing of starting one for grown up women!)
What hours of work do you put into it on a daily basis? Would you consider creating a branch in America? You must be so excited to start the season, but are you also very nervous and possibly pulling your hair out at all to make sure that everything is taken care of, all of the little details and such, and that all of the girls will be properly looked after and have a tremendous experience? Which are the top activities in the 7-Day itinerary that are your personal favourites?
It is A LOT of work and responsibility. But I feel strong about the program and its underlying message. You can read more about here: http://princess-prep.com/
9 - If you had to pick between Prince Carl Phillip of Sweden and Prince Harry, which one would you rather be with and why? Was there ever another royal after your heart, or was it always Peter Phillips?
Have you or have you not read my book? It was always Peter Phillips!!
Still, I wouldn’t turn down Harry or Carl! They’re both pretty hot. Still, even though Carl is technically cuter, I’d have to go for Harry. English is his first language and I always love a guy with a naughty sense of humour.
Speaking of eligible princes, I have another book coming out in September called Bright Young Royals – a must-have guide to all the eligible royals in Europe!
10 - What are your thoughts and feelings on the marriage between Prince William and Catherine?
Kate is wonderful – she is poised, confident, educated, and extremely family-oriented. Not only will she be the first British Queen with a university degree but she has shown that no matter what your background may be, as long as you conduct yourself with the grace and dignity of princess, you have every right to move in royal circles. Many say she is lucky to be marrying Prince William, but personally, I think Prince William is lucky to be marrying her.
11 - Which of the foreign royal families did you think was the most fashionably attired at the wedding of Prince William and Catherine?
I thought Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden looked the best by far, closely followed by (never thought I’d say it!) Camilla. On the flip side, I think Victoria Beckam and the York sisters need to hire personal stylists.
12 - And lastly, what are some pearls of wisdom that you would like to give to little girls out there who want to follow in your footsteps by listening to their hearts and following it, wherever it may lead them?
That once you make a decision about something, the entire universe will conspire to help you achieve it. That each of us has the power within us to move beyond our circumstances to something greater. That fairytales are real. That anything is possible if we believe it. And that your childhood dream is the most honest dream you'll ever have - you should honour it, do your best to indulge it and never let anyone make fun of it.
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