HLS Alumni in Print - Julie Buxbaum

HLS Aumni in Print - January/February 2008

Q&A with Julie Buxbaum ‘02

author of “The Opposite of Love”

(Dial Press, February 2008)

This month, HLS graduate Julie Buxbaum '02 joins the ranks of lawyers turned author with a first novel, "The Opposite of Love," set in the high-pressure, high-stakes world of a fictional New York law firm, where 29-year-old associate Emily Haxby finds herself at a crossroads after breaking off a seemingly happy relationship with her devoted boyfriend. Acquired by the Dial Press in a contested auction, "The Opposite of Love" has been sold for publication in 18 countries. To learn more about Julie Buxbaum and her book, go to www.juliebuxbaum.com.

Here's what Julie had to say when Verit@s asked her about her new book and how she came to write it:

What is your book about?

JB: THE OPPOSITE OF LOVE is about the complexities of love and loss, how we find personal and professional fulfillment, and what happens when we delay grief. The story is told from the perspective of Emily Haxby, an unhappy large law firm lawyer working on a morally reprehensible toxic tort case for a boss who can't keep his hands to himself. At the same time, Emily is dealing with a romantic crisis and a familial one. She has broken up with her boyfriend, Andrew, just as he's about to propose, and her beloved grandfather is beginning a descent into dementia. The book follows her emotional journey as she finds the courage to take back control of all aspects of her life, and face the fears that have long haunted her.

What prompted you to write this book?

JB: Morbid as it may sound, I have always known that one of the things I needed to do before I died was to write a novel. About two years ago, I was working at a small law firm as a litigator, after leaving a much larger corporate law firm, and I thought I had found a pretty good deal. I had reasonable hours, liked my co-workers, and was doing relatively sophisticated legal work. But the truth is, I was bored out of my mind. When I couldn't bear the thought of another Monday morning at the office, I decided I had to quit and write that theoretical book I had always talked about. To be honest, I would never recommend that anyone do what I did—quit the law cold turkey to write—because looking back now I realize it was a crazy (or maybe the better word is stupid) thing to do. But somehow it turned out to be the best decision I ever made.

You're a graduate of Harvard Law School and also a novelist. Is there a connection?

JB: Absolutely! I think my three years at Harvard taught me to dream big. If I hadn't spent that time surrounded by such inspiring and ambitious people—classmates and professors alike—I am not sure I would have had the courage to embark on a writing career. HLS taught me that there really is no reason to settle for an unsatisfying career.

How did you find a publisher?

JB: All I can say is that I had amazing amounts of luck. I quit my job as a lawyer in January of 2006 to write THE OPPOSITE OF LOVE. After working for about eight months full time on the book, and after generating many, many drafts, I felt it was ready to be sent out. About two weeks later, I landed an agent, and less than a month after that my agent sold the book to Dial Press (my publisher) at auction. I still can't quite believe how everything fell into place so quickly, and I feel extraordinarily blessed considering there are thousands of talented novelists out there who never get to see their work published.

What are you working on now?

JB: I am currently at work on my second novel. I am about halfway through a very rough first draft. So far, my second novel only has one lawyer in it, but that is likely to change.

What advice do you have for other HLS alumni interested in writing a novel or non-fiction book?

JB: My advice is to read everything and anything you can get your hands on. Read widely and constantly and critically. I believe you have to be a skilled reader to become a skilled writer, and it's the best way to subconsciously absorb both the art and the craft of the novel form. Now this is going to sound very dorky and silly, but one thing I kept repeating to myself throughout the writing of THE OPPOSITE OF LOVE, almost like a mantra, is that the act of working on a book length project is a marathon, not a sprint. Thinking in those terms helped me to focus on one small piece at time, and not get too daunted by all the pages I had not yet written.