About Mary Jo Eustace
Born and raised in Toronto, Mary Jo Eustace, author of Divorce
Sucks: What to do when irreconcilable differences, lawyer fees, and
your ex's Hollywood wife make you miserable, is an author,
actress, singer, chef, and mother to Jack and Lola. Mary Jo was married
to Dean McDermott for thirteen years before Dean met Tori Spelling on
the set of the Lifetime made-for-TV movie Mind Over Murder.
After her highly publicized divorce, Mary Jo returned to her native
Canada with her son and newly adopted daughter to film her cooking
show, He Said, She Said with Ken and Mary Jo for Canada's W
Network. Mary Jo is the author of the bestselling cookbook By My
Side. She has also written for the bestselling anthology The
Other Woman and has been featured on Entertainment Tonight,
Access Hollywood, and The Today Show.
For more information, view Mary Jo Eustace's Web site.
1. What was your biggest childhood ambition?
To be Woody Allen - before the scandal.
2. What is your fondest memory?
My fondest memory is my first Thanksgiving with my son Jack. He was only a week old but I had waited so long for him - I just remember walking him around the block again and again in his little stroller on the most glorious Fall day ever. Then I had turkey and stuffing while holding my son in my arms - the best!
3. What did you do for fun as a child?
I loved performing in my room singing along to Better Midler and Barbara Streisand records. I was obsessed - also loved track and field and trained to be a figure skater for 8 years. Sports and Music.
4. What was your worst job?
Working in a show store. I left for lunch and never came back. I was concerned for my mental health and catching Athlete's Foot.
5. If you had another occupation than the one you are in now, what
would it be?
I would live in Washington and be involved in politics or an editor of a fabulous magazine.
6. What inspired you to write?
Lots of things but mostly the need to 'get it all out' and share with others. I also actually enjoy writing for the most part. I would write everyday for 4 or 5 hours overlooking my garden while my dog Oliver slept at my feet. It is actually tiring though - I always felt like I needed a good lie down after!
7. What was your biggest challenge when writing this book?
The biggest challenge was sticking to my intent - to help and inform people. It was a fine balance between sharing my personal stories and not making things gratuitous - but trust me!! There were lots of times when I had to hit the delete button!
8. What do you dislike about writing?
Edits!
9. What book are you reading now?
I am reading the Outliers and just finished Born to Run by Christopher McDougall which I loved. I want to be inspired now by people who 'get it' and have integrity and intelligence in their lives. There does seem to be such a backlash now to being 'thoughtful' and 'global.' Bill Maher talks about this all the time - that being 'smart' is viewed as almost being 'unpatriotic.' I like 'big thinkers.'
10. Where is your favorite place to write?
In my oversized chair looking out to the garden. And sometimes - I have to admit curled up in bed!
11. If your best friend was a celebrity, living or dead, who would
it
be?
Gore Vidal.
Copyright © 2009 Mary Jo Eustace, co-author of Divorce Sucks: What to do when irreconcilable differences, lawyer fees, and your ex's Hollywood wife make you miserable