GUEST BLOGGER: Julie Hyzy

Last night my husband and I took a drive up to Chicago ’s Gold Coast to engage in one of my favorite guilty pleasures: looking into the living rooms of the uber-rich families who occupy the old mansions. We take this short detour once every couple of years, usually around the holidays when the tall houses are decorated and bustling with activity. From our vantage point in the car, we don’t see a lot, but we do get an idea of the bright spaciousness of the homes. And with an occasional glimpse of a chandelier, or tuxedoed butler, we get a sense of who lives there.

I think this is why I enjoy writing books about the White House so much. To me, the White House is the ultimate mansion. And it provides an irresistible temptation to peer inside. We all know there are tours of the president’s home, but what we really want to know is what goes on when the tours are over—how the family lives day-to-day. I want to be there as the First Family interacts with the staff. I want to experience the last-minute panic before a State Dinner, and I’d love to watch as such an intricate event is orchestrated. I especially want to know what happens when things go wrong.

Since I can’t actually sneak peeks inside, I create stories to satisfy these cravings. Researching the White House has been more fun than I ever imagined. What I like best is discovering bits of unexpected trivia I can incorporate into Ollie’s adventures. In speaking with Walter Scheib, (former White House Executive Chef), for instance, I found out several nuggets I was able to include in the second book, HAIL TO THE CHEF. Who knew that the basement-mezzanine level was affectionately referred to as “The B.M. Level”? I don’t think you’ll find that in too many other books. I love learning these hidden details. And the best part is the fact that the White House is not only a seat of our nation’s history, it’s a living house, so changes occur every day. Keeping up with the news, and keeping in touch with people in the know, helps me to keep Ollie’s stories fresh.

As of this writing, interest is high regarding the position of executive chef under the Obama administration. Foodies across the nation are speculating as to who will be named to the position. Personally, I hope the Obama family retains the current executive chef, Cristeta Comerford. Appointed by Laura Bush, Cristeta is the first female in history to claim that position. Not only is she talented and well-respected, she’s as close to my character, Ollie, as any White House chef ever has been. Of course, I’ll bet Cristeta doesn’t run around whacking assassins in the head with frying pans. At least not too often….

Which brings me to the next book—Number Three in the series has been turned in. In this book Ollie continues to report to fictional President Campbell and his wife. But in Book Number Four, I think it will be fun to take Ollie through a transition. Will a new administration find her as charming and capable as the Campbells do? I imagine it will be fun to find out what a new president thinks of his adventuresome chef and I can’t wait to peek into their lives to find out.