Writing Kennedys

When I came up with the idea to write a novel about the Kennedys--Jackie in particular--I had to figure out: How do you 'write' Kennedys? My main goal was to portray the family as literary characters, but present them as close to their public personas as possible. Of course, some creative liberties are taken when writing about real people that you don't know personally. But one of the qualities that makes O! Jackie work is that readers don't know which parts were based on real events, and which parts were fabricated (well, some scenes are obvious....). And what helps makes those fictional episodes seamless are the people / character themselves. You read about Jackie, JFK, Bobby, etc. talking / acting / behaving in ways you believe were or could be true. And isn't that the point? If you're interested in reading a behind the scenes tale about the Kennedy lifestyle and their scandals, you want to be as submerged in that era and in those people as possible. What also works is that the book isn't salacious just for the sake of being salacious. There's no useless / meaningless sex or nudity--but there is just the right mixture of both throughout the book. But don't take my word for it. Read it for yourself and share your own opinion about O! Jackie.....

Why We Love Marilyn, pt.5

Her Sex Appeal.

How many women have been completely sexy, vulnerable, tragic, honest, and so comfortable in their skin? And we're not talking your average 'model' who may be willing to flash her boobs for a paycheck. We're talking Marilyn, a woman who, fifty+ years after her death, continues to sell books, shirts and items of every kind with her story / likeness.  Her playfulness and blond wit are almost as legendary as her nude photos. She was captivating on screen, even in small roles, and through the years, devotion to the star hasn't declined. To find out more about Marilyn, and to discover a new take on her affair with JFK, get your copy of O! Jackie.

Why We Love Marilyn, pt. 4

Her Vulnerability.



She exposed it all: her talents, her body, her triumphs, her tragedies. If there's a lesson to be learned from the life and times of Marilyn Monroe, surely it's the fact that eye-popping beauty and worldwide fame don't mean happiness. Perhaps some of the blame can go to her escalating habit of pill dependency and drinking, coupled with a difficult history of family mental illness. Relationships failed her, and her ultimate desire to be a mother never came true. She put up a brave front, most of the time. We've heard the rumors about how Hollywood used her, passed her around, and in true underdog fashion, we all wish Marilyn could've had the last word, could've come out on top: healthy, with a lengthy, admirable career...and a loving family at her side.

Find out just how vulnerable Marilyn could be, and discover a fictional 'what-if' scenario about her death in O! Jackie.

Why We Love Marilyn, pt.3

Her Personality.

It might sound like the kiss of death, since women today may not like being described as someone with a 'great personality', but let's face it: Marilyn wasn't above making fun of herself. She was whimsical and witty, and the fact that men drooled and forgot themselves over her killer figure wasn't lost on her. She also understood that Hollywood wanted her to play the 'dumb blonde' and that many of her movies only cared about capitalizing on her boobs and flashing as much of her as they could in skimpy clothes (and remember, we're talking the 50s here). Marilyn also knew the camera loved every angle of her. There were also times when Marilyn was a caricature of herself. I mean, why in the world did she ever bother wearing that wig? What was the point? And you have to wonder how difficult it probably became for her, Norma Jeane, to play and be 'Marilyn' all the time. Even so, she was quick to play it up, take risks, and bare it all.

 

Why We Love Marilyn, pt.2

Her Figure.



In one of the most famous shots of Marilyn, here she is, wearing the iconic 'flesh and beads' dress as she sang 'Happy Birthday' to JFK. For many, her curves were perfection. (Wasn't Tinkerbell modeled after Marilyn?) This dress hugs and exposes just about every feature that she was known for. And photos like this make Marilyn hard to forget. How many women before or since Ms. Monroe could make eyes boggle by simply walking into a room? Sure, there are plenty of beautiful women out there, and Victoria Secret models that come and go, but how many of them do you know by name? How many have left an impression on pop culture? How many have become legends?

Read more about Marilyn and her affair with JFK in O! Jackie.

Why We Love Marilyn, pt.1

In the store the other day and what do I come across? Marilyn Monroe memorabilia--tote bags, lidded tumblers, t-shirts, etc. Her own little section of items relevant, usable for today's fan. But why? After all these years, why do we still love and worship Marilyn Monroe?

Easy....Her Beauty


In a room full of ladies, this was destined to stand out, draw your attention, capture your eye.
Read and experience O! Jackie for a side of Marilyn you didn't know.

Cover Girl

Few first ladies have captivated the nation with not only her good looks, but also her "interesting" personal life. Jackie fills the bill on both accounts. The camera loved Jackie from every angle, and despite the decade or fashion accessory she was wearing, Jackie nailed it every time. Most likely, she appeared on the cover of every viable magazine (at one time or another), and, needless to say, was "beloved" by the tabloids. But here are a few of the covers from LIFE magazine, which featured Jackie eleven times.

   
To read more about Jackie, and to explore what she was like behind those famous images, get your copy of O! Jackie.