Here are some more answers to your questions. I still have a lot to get to, but I will try to get to as many as I can! I hope you enjoy asking questions and getting to know me better this way. I think it has been a lot of fun. Thank you for all the great questions! Keep reading for more reader profiles and answers soon... and follow me on twitter if you don't already!
Questions from Terry Wilson from Seattle:
What do you consider to be your proudest accomplishment?
I would have to say my proudest accomplishment in my life so far was getting my book deal with Harper Collins. I sort of fell into writing and created this character that I loved and when other people loved her too, I was very proud. Now, that I have been stuck in re-write hell for so long I have lost some of that excitement and passion for my writing, but I am still proud of the accomplishment. I am also extremely proud to be making this business idea into reality. My friend and partner Mary and I had talked about it for a long time and I just decided to dig deep inside me and find the courage to go for it. Now, that it is coming together, I am really proud of myself. It is scary and at times overwhelming, but I’m going for it and I’m proud of that!
Questions from Mark Connolly:
What was it like growing up in New York City and then moving to Greenwich, CT? (If it isn’t too personal, I would love to hear a little bit about what it was like growing up at your family estate in CT. It sounds like a really cool place with a very rich history.)
I am very lucky and happy that my mother raised us on the East Coast. I love LA, but I think for celebrity children it is so important to grow up and build a foundation outside of Hollywood. We lived in NYC and Europe most of my youth and both are full of culture, which I feel fortunate to have been exposed to. I was able to experience the world at a young age and grow into an independent, strong woman with my own identity separate from being Diana Ross’s daughter. We moved around a lot when I was young, but eventually settled in Connecticut where I finished high school. The town is snooty and exactly what you would think about a gated community in an affluent community, but I was able to find my niche and I still keep in touch with those friends today. All of my greatest family memories are from that CT house, it was a great home to be a kid and perfect for family!
It has a big yard, tennis court, trampoline, pool and yes the rumors are true… a bowling alley in the basement. What was really so great about it though was it was safe and so we were able to have more freedom then we did in NYC and Europe. No security followed me to the movies with friends. I could just be me… and that was so important. I worry about celeb kids today with all the media attention. It’s almost impossible to avoid now and I just am not sure how these kids will be able to just have a normal upbringing when the paporazzi is standing outside their schools and following their every step, trip and fall. I wish they could all be so lucky to have grown up away from it all like me.
Have you ever vacationed on the Jersey Shore?
First of all, I am obsessed with Snookie, The Situation and the gang! The show is so fantastically terrible that I am so excited to watch on MTV every Thursday! Yes, I visited the Jersey Shore once during college, but no it was NOTHING like the show. I wonder if I was in the wrong part, but oh well :) My trip to the Jersey Shore was FABULOUS anyway even if there was no fist pumping or hair poofs!
Questions from Lena:
Do you have any plans to travel around when your books comes out to meet all types of children of this world? I ask this so you can learn the different life stories of these kids so you can write a book that can help them overcome any issue they might be having.
Yes, I do plan on traveling to read and do book signings when my book finally comes out. I think it would be great to be able to share my book with different kids from different areas because I think it will be relatable to kids from all walks of life. Once Books and Cookies is open, I do plan on getting back to focusing on writing, so stay tuned!
Do you have a copy of your aunt Rita's children album she came out with in 2000? If so when you go out to help children in your community have you played any of the songs for them to hear?
I do have a copy of my Aunt Rita’s children’s album and I LOVE it! Growing up, Aunt Rita used to always lead loud, rousing sing along sessions with my sisters, my cousins and I. All of the songs I cherish from my childhood are on that CD. I plan on having one on hand at Books and Cookies. Also Lena, what a great idea to share it with the kids I do charity work with. Those songs bring me great joy and I’m sure it would bring them happiness as well!
6 comments:
Your blog always shares parts of your life which is vastly different from ours yet alike in so many different ways. . I may not have had a tennis court, pool, or bowling alley at home but were able to utilized the facilities in our community center.
I played dress up in my bedroom with the endless supply of beautiful Diana Ross's photos on the wall; her music blasting, and little ole me with bright black eye liner and false lashes out to there singing loudly off key at the top of my voice with your mother while you did the exact thing with my favorite idol of all time......your mom.
Pretty soon you'll be an idol and beautiful inspiration to children everywhere who'll want to read your books, be near you and cherish remarkable learning experiences inside your fascinating book store..
You'll leave a lasting memorable expression of love they'll carry with them forever as they share their stories about you/their favorite book store with their own children someday.
Provide baked home fresh cookies and have cold milk on hand for every colorful setting.... Yummy..
I admire you. It sounds like you have found balance and peace of mind. But Oh I can't believe I'm in touch with one of Diana Ross's children. She is beyond celebrity and has made history. I can only imagine what some of the challenges are being born into such fame and fortune. What I admire most of all are your parents efforts to instill middle class values in their children. This makes you one of us. It takes courage and you got it! My question to you is where would you like to raise your children?
That was me Andrew!
Why do you think you are pleasure seeker?
It was fun to read your questions and I also feel sorry for the celebretie kids and their parents to have papprazzes efter them, they must be tired of it.
Anyway it was nice
Kristin
Dear Chudney,
I want to thank you for taking the time to answer a few of my questions!! I really loved your responses to them!! QF sounds like an incredible place, and it must have been really cool growing up there!! Thanks for sharing a little bit about it with me! It sounds like you had a fabulous childhood, and I can see that it was very balanced and very normal. I can also see that family was your mother's # 1 priority in life. I agree with you about celeb kids today. It is so important for children to "be children" and grow, enjoy life, and develop their values on their own without having the media and paparazzi follow their every move. Children are children are such a short time in their lives, and it so important for these formative years to be special and private without the public following their every move! I am happy that you were able to have that childhood and grow into the wonderful, strong, and independent person that you are today!
I really got such a kick out of your answer to my question regarding the Jersey Shore and your thoughts on Snookie, The Situation, and the gang! That is too funny (I can see that you have a great sense of humor)!! I am happy that you were able to visit our shore once during your college years!! The Jersey Shore is really fabulous, and I spend A LOT of time there (but it is really nothing like the TV show)!!
I am so happy for you regarding your book deal with Harper Collins and the opening of Books and Cookies!! These are all great things to be proud of and they are wonderful accomplishments!! Keep up the great work, and I wish you the best of luck and success with all of these ventures!!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on your Aunt Rita's children album with us, and thanks Lena for asking this great question! Your Aunt Rita seems like a great person and it is so cool that she led your family in all of these "sing along sessions"! That is really a nice album, and I think that it is great that you will share it with other children and have it on hand at Books and Cookies! Many of the songs from my childhood are on that album, and it is really perfect for children to hear!! (It was so nice hearing your Aunt's song to Ross and Evan when they were just kids - again, I can see that wonderful sense of family clearing shining through in the "Ross Family"!!)
I can tell that you put a lot of time and effort into our questions, and I thank you for always sharing so much of your life with us! Thank you for always being so open and honest all of the time.
Thank you again for all of your great work on this blog! I love it, and that is why I keep coming back. (I think you know that already!) If you take the time to write something, I will always take the time to write a comment for you - it is my little way of saying "Thank you".
Have a great week!
Your friend,
Mark :)
P.S. Sorry if you received my comment multiple times. I experienced technical difficulties while sending it.
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