Just the Cheekiest Author Alive

We’re chatting with Chicago author, Julie James, whose debut novel, Just the Sexiest Man Alive, has been getting tons of buzz in the publishing world from both reviewers and readers alike. Julie is a former trial attorney and practiced law for several years at one of the nation’s largest firms until she began writing screenplays. After Hollywood producers optioned two of her scripts, she decided to hang up her briefcase to write full-time. Her first book was published this past October by Penguin/Berkley and her second book was just released yesterday!

Cheeky: Julie, you were a high-powered lawyer until a few years ago. What made you give up the briefcase and power suit in favor of the creative world of writing?

Julie James: Better hours. No, just kidding. You know, as much as I loved being a trial lawyer, it was just one of those things I had to do. I had been trying to do both for a few years, being a lawyer by day and then writing in my spare time, but that got to be too exhausting and I knew I had to make a choice. After going back-and-forth for about a year, I finally chose the writing. I really do love the creative aspects of it, the idea of telling a story that (hopefully) will make someone laugh. And as much as I loved those power suits, it’s fun to have a job I can do in my pajamas!

Cheeky: How did you come up with the idea for Just the Sexiest Man Alive?

JJ: Just the Sexiest Man Alive was the first script I wrote. I guess being a lawyer from Chicago, I tried to think of the most exciting thing that could happen to…a lawyer from Chicago, so I came up with the idea of a romantic comedy about a female trial attorney who meets the biggest actor in Hollywood. After I finished the script, I signed with a film agent and he got the script optioned with a big Hollywood producer. From there, I went on to write more scripts, and when the option expired on that first one, my agent suggested I turn the screenplay into a book instead. So that script became the novel that is now Just the Sexiest Man Alive.

Cheeky: My favorite thing about the book was the strong heroine, Taylor Donovan. In my opinion, she is a Cheeky Girl through and through! How would you describe her to our readers?

JJ: Taylor is definitely a Cheeky Girl, and then some! She’s a strong heroine, career-driven, smart and savvy, and to the shock of the movie star hero of the book, not at all interested in the Hollywood lifestyle. But she has her vulnerabilities too, as much as she tries to hide them. I would say she’s the type of girl you’d like to have a drink with.

Cheeky: How would you describe JTSMA?

JJ: Just the Sexiest Man Alive is a romantic comedy about a lawyer from Chicago who goes out to Los Angeles for a big sexual harassment trial against the EEOC. While she is out there, her firm asks her to coach Jason Andrews, the movie star and Peoplemagazine’s only three-time Sexiest Man Alive, for an upcoming legal thriller he’s about to start filming. She reluctantly agrees to fit the assignment into her busy schedule – and is none too pleased when Jason blows off their first two appointments for a gambling spree in Las Vegas. When he finally does show up… well, let’s just say that Taylor doesn’t exactly fall for his charm routine, to say the least. Jason, who is used to getting any woman he wants, is intrigued by the fact that Taylor honestly seems to – gasp! – dislike him and decides to pursue her. High jinks ensue.

Cheeky: Was the über hottie male protagonist, Jason Andrews, inspired by someone real?

JJ: Yes and no. Because the book has lots of back and forth dialogue between the male and female leads in the vein of older, black and white romantic comedies, I sort of envisioned Jason as this charming Cary Grant-esque type hero. But, being a celebrity now is very different than it was back then, with the paparazzi and the tabloid magazines and everything, so to capture those elements I needed to make Jason an actor with the star power of someone along the lines of Brad Pitt. And what’s funny is that several people who have read the book think Jason is supposed to be based on George Clooney. So apparently, in Hollywood terms, Cary Grant + Brad Pitt = George Clooney. Certainly works for me.

Cheeky: I can’t wait to read something else- what else can readers look forward to regarding Julie James?

JJ: My second book, Practice Makes Perfect came out yesterday! It’s set in Chicago – the heroine and hero are lawyers who can’t stand each other and have to fight it out for the one partnership spot at their firm. It’s another romantic comedy, a battle-of-the-sexes story about two people who think they’re totally wrong for each other. And currently, I’m working on my third novel.

Cheeky: Where is your favorite spot to write?

JJ: I have an office in my house, and then I also write at a local coffee shop in Lakeview.

Cheeky: What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?

JJ: I try to enjoy this amazing city as much as possible! That can be everything from going to the Lincoln Park Zoo and the museums with my husband and son, to checking out my favorite wine bars and restaurants with friends. I also love going to the movies, and I’ve always got a book on my nightstand – I read a wide variety of genres, although mostly fiction.

Hey Cheeky Readers! You can meet our very own Julie James at the book signing for Practice Makes Perfect. The very Cheeky Julie will be signing copies of the new release on March 14th from 3-5 pm at the Barnes & Noble at Webster Place, 1441 W. Webster Avenue. And don’t forget to check out her website.