Getting
Rooted in New Zealandbook description:Craving
change and lacking logic, at 26, Jamie, a cute and quirky
Californian, impulsively moves to New Zealand to avoid dating after
reading that the country's population has 100,000 fewer men. In her
journal, she captures a hysterically honest look at herself, her past
and her new wonderfully weird world filled with curious characters
and slapstick situations in unbelievably bizarre jobs. It takes a
zany jaunt to the end of the Earth and a serendipitous meeting with a
fellow traveler before Jamie learns what it really means to get
rooted.
About
the author
Jamie Baywood:
Jamie
Baywood grew up in Petaluma, California. In 2010, she made the most
impulsive decision of her life by moving to New Zealand. Getting
Rooted in New Zealand is her first book about her experiences living
there. Jamie is now married and living happily ever after in the
United Kingdom. She is working on her second book.
Interview with Jamie
1. Can you tell us a little bit about
yourself?
It was always my dream to live abroad when I
was growing up in California. I had bad dating experiences in
California and read in a New Zealand tour book that the country’s
population at 100,000 fewer men than women. I wanted to have
some me time and an adventure. New Zealand seemed like a good place
to do so. Although I intended to have a solo adventure I ended up
meeting my husband in New Zealand.
2. Where do you get your ideas?
My book is a true story. My life has been so
strange it sounds like fiction, but it is really too weird to be made
up. Some of the names of the
characters and organizations, but not all have been changed to
preserve privacy.
3. When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?
I consider myself an
accidental author. I didn’t go to New Zealand with the intentions
of writing a book about my experiences there. I had funny experiences
that I had trouble believing were true. I wrote the stories down to
stay sane. I wrote situations down that were happening around me and
shared them with friends. The stories made people laugh so I decided
to organize the stories into a book and publish in the hopes to make
others laugh too.
Most of the book was
written as the events happened; it just took me a few years to work
up the nerve to publish. To write my book Getting Rooted In New
Zealand, I relied upon my personal journals, e-mails, and memories.
In February 2013, I organized my stories into a cohesive narrative.
It went through several rounds of editing and then I published in
April.
4. How did you choose the genre you write in?As an individual I’ve never fit in easily. I’ve always felt like a bit of a foreigner especially at home in California. It makes sense that my book is a “varied genre.” The best way I can describe it is a funny travel memoir or an accidental true love story within a comedy of errors. The most difficult thing about being a varied genre is most book reviewers only review specific genres like romance, YA, or refuse to read non-fiction. The only thing I can do is be myself, tell my story and hope that readers enjoy reading my book. For the most part I’ve been getting positive feedback.
5. Is there any particular author or book
that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?
Traveling alone and
being celibate for a year was how Elizabeth Gilbert found her husband
in Eat, Pray, Love. I probably took it too literally like
an instructions manual, but it worked for me. I
also enjoyed reading Area Code 212 by
Tama Janowitz, The Buddha, Geoff and
Me by Edward Canfor-Dumas, and Even
Cowgirls Get the Blues by Tom
Robbins.
6. Can you tell us about your challenges in
getting your first book published?
I
wrote, self-published, designed and have been marketing my own book.
The hardest part has been trying to promote the book while
simultaneously attempting to stay anonymous. My life is literally an
open book, but Jamie Baywood is a pen name. I haven’t told my
family that I’ve written or published a book. They think I’m just
living in the UK working on a MA
in Design studying book covers.
I
am rather enjoying leading a double life. I am living in a different
country from my family and my husband’s family so that aids
the author secret.
I have a few relatives on both sides of the family having babies this
year, so both sets of families are mostly talking about the imminent
arrivals and not questioning what I am doing.
7. What do you do when you are not
writing?
I like yoga, pilates and running. I recently ran 10K in York, England raising money for a friend with MS.
I like yoga, pilates and running. I recently ran 10K in York, England raising money for a friend with MS.
8. What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?
“Just like
“biscuits,” the word “rooting” has a completely different
meaning in New Zealand than it does in California.” (Page 55)
I had a lot of culture shock moments, learning the Kiwi slang definition of rooting inspired the title of my book. One night I was brushing my teeth with my flatmate Liam and I said, 'I'm really excited to live in this house because I have been traveling a lot and I just need to settle down, stop travelling and get rooted.'
He started choking on his toothbrush and asked me if I was hitting on him.
I had a lot of culture shock moments, learning the Kiwi slang definition of rooting inspired the title of my book. One night I was brushing my teeth with my flatmate Liam and I said, 'I'm really excited to live in this house because I have been traveling a lot and I just need to settle down, stop travelling and get rooted.'
He started choking on his toothbrush and asked me if I was hitting on him.
9.What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?
I feel very grateful
that most readers understand my sense of humor. I’m always relieved
and grateful when I receive a positive review. I love hearing from
readers that my book is making people laugh out loud. I
am very appreciative for all of the positive reviews of my book. I
have also been getting kind and encouraging emails from readers.
The hardest part has
been when people don’t understand my humor. The main criticism I
get is that my book isn’t a representation of the entire country of
New Zealand. It’s my dairy,
not a travel guide. I have been in a lot of situations where
I had two choices: laugh or cry. I’ve chosen to laugh. I write my
experiences from a purely personal standpoint. Compared to other
travelers who worked abroad in NZ my experiences have been very
unusual. I would highly recommend everyone goes to New Zealand to
experience their own adventure.
10. Can you tell us about your upcoming book?
My
next book will be about traveling on the South Island, Australia,
California and attempting to settle down in Scotland.
Reviews from other readers
“Getting
Rooted In New Zealand is a diary of a California girl's introduction
to a completely different life experience in a new country and never
has the phrase `stranger in a strange land' been more relevant than
in reading her intriguing and often insightful diary entries! Her
observations about both culture and language are a wonderful mix of
observation about one person's reaction to the differences that make
up the wonderful human race and the minutiae of daily living. I'll be
looking forward to seeing if Jamie produces another book about her
experiences of coming to live in the UK.” (4
out of 5 stars) Linda Parkinson-Hardman (Amazon
Customer Reviews)
"I've
got this book and finished read it all so quickly, because I couldn't
stop reading it. it's just so hilarious!! I can't wait to read her
next book. I highly recommend to read this book for everybody. I
absolutely loved it!!" (5 out of 5 stars) S Halls (Amazon
Customer Reviews)
“This
book is perfect for travel-reading! It's light, in small sections (as
a diary), totally hilarious and also quite amazing. So many crazy
experiences Jamie Baywood had in one year, some wonderful and some
truly horrific, all taken together adds up to fruitful reading
indeed. This book is like a rough diamond - I look forward to reading
future novels as Jamie becomes more and more polished through life's
experiences” (5 out of 5 stars) Anna H(Amazon
Customer Reviews)
“Giggle
Worthy... It is difficult to write so openly about your life as you
have and I found myself keenly reading to see what happened next. All
your adventures with those crazy people sounded so dreadful, but
provided such amusement in the way you have represented them. You
make no real judgment on any person and I can tell that while you
respect them as humans, you don't put up with bad behaviour, so
that's an inspiration in itself” (4 out of 5 stars.) O.
Dale (Amazon Customer Reviews)
“As
a New Zealander, I really enjoyed this book. It was funny, and a lot
of the things about NZ are definitely true.... I live overseas, so I
can understand that no one outside of New Zealand really gets our
slang and sometimes our accent, so that part really spoke to me!
However, at the same time it doesn't paint a true picture of New
Zealand, given that the author worked in terrible jobs, had visa
restrictions, didn't have a lot of money, and stayed in run-down
housing. Auckland, while being the largest city, isn't necessarily
representative of NZ. Overall, I'd recommend this book” (4
out of 5 stars.) Mark
(Amazon Customer Reviews)
“Honest
Humour... A great read! Honestly and effortlessly humorous. I giggled
lots and really felt for Jamie at her times of struggle. Thank You
for sharing so openly your experiences, obstacles and breakthroughs”
(5
out of 5 stars.) Sparkles
(Amazon Customer Reviews)
“Really
enjoyed this book, I have to say. It was funny, quirky, even weird in
places, but always entertaining. Having lived in New Zealand myself,
I can definitely relate to some of Jamie's experiences as a
foreigner. Love NZ and love this book - highly recommended!” (5
out of 5 stars.) Polak
(Amazon Customer Reviews)
“Fantastic,
hilarious & Inspiring, I absolutely loved it. It is funny &
absolutely honest. Very inspiring as it really draws reader's
attention to read more and more. I can't wait now for her 2nd novel
to come out. A movie should be made on "Getting Rooted in New
Zealand". Definitely will be a super hit “(5
out of 5 stars.) A-dreamer
(Amazon Customer Reviews)
“Must
Read Book - Hilarious! A real page turner - like reading a very funny
/ interesting friend's secret diary.Also a fascinating insight into
life in New Zealand as seen through the eyes of a traveller. Jamie
Baywood is the thinking man's Bridget Jones—with an edge. Would
make a hilarious movie - but until that comes out the book is a must”
(5
out of 5 stars.) J.
Hamilton (Amazon Customer Reviews)
“Getting
Rooted in New Zealand is wonderful chain of events unfolding in the
most unusual way leading to the most perfect new beginning... Loved
it” (5
out of 5 stars.) Ruchi
Vasisht (Amazon Customer Reviews)
"Just
finished your book Jamie, superb read!!!! Had me laughing on every
page!!! Looking forward to the next one!" Natalie
"Just
finished reading the book. I loved all the hilarious characters in
the office. Now I know where all the money goes that we pay Auckland
Council. Ahhh !!! So many funny stories and lots of laughs, and most
importantly it has warmth and humanity as you write from a Buddhist
perspective. Look forward to reading book number two !" Greggo x
I am new to NZ
from the states and I am loving the book - I'm also a mum, so it's
the perfect light read after a long day with my toddler. Many good
laughs and feeling the sisterhood as the real NZ (versus my fantasy
NZ) manifests itself...! Almost finished. Thank you for writing
this...it's so unassuming and funny and real. I will look for your
second book. (Marika Pickett)
Jamie Baywood Stalker links
Facebook.com/jamiebaywood
Twitter.com/jamiebaywood
Pinterest.com/jamiebaywoodhttp://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7069448.Jamie_Baywood
amazon.com/author/jamiebaywood
Twitter.com/jamiebaywood
Pinterest.com/jamiebaywoodhttp://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7069448.Jamie_Baywood
amazon.com/author/jamiebaywood
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