I am Lauren Graham, actress, author, ask me anything.

Lauren,

I grew up watching Gilmore Girls and am now a fan of Parenthood. I really think that it is a testament of your acting that I don't still see you as Lorelei Gilmore while watching you as Sara Braverman. You really grab the role and make it something new.

This is more for my mom, who loves Gilmore Girls. She wants to know if Luke, Scott Patterson, is a good kisser. She was maybe a little too invested in your relationship on the show.

Thanks for making my childhood a little bit better! I'm looking forward to reading your book!

He's an excellent kisser, but all movie kisses are weird, since you're trying to have an intimate moment in front of a hundred people.

Thank you so much for doing this with me. You're all delightful, and having an especially good hair day! Until we meet again....

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If I didn't, I'd look them up. Part of being an actor is research!

Has your family watched you in Bad Santa, or did you urge them to stay away from that one?

My father is still recovering.

Was Melissa McCarthy hilarious to work with in Gilmore Girls? I love that many of the cast of that show went on to have such great acting careers!

Truly hilarious and kind on set, and then I'd go see her in Groundlings and be blown away by the characters she created.

Did you have a good relationship with Alexis, do you still see her? You guys made such a great mother/daughter combination

Love her, we'll always have a special bond. Saw her in NY not too long ago. I had a nice lunch with TV mom Kelly and Amy S.P. as well. We went to Joe Allen, one of my faves.

Do you ever have people walk up to you and try to speak to you at a ridiculously fast pace?

No, but when I was on the show and had an audition for something else, they'd tell my agent to ask me to "speak normally." I think they were afraid I only had the one speed!

What are your feelings on graham crackers?

I'm very proud of them, and the cereal as well.

Hi! Just wondering - how much of the dialogue on Parenthood is improv? It seems you guys are given a lot of freedom during those scenes where the entire family is bantering.

Also you're beautiful.

It's a weird and wonderful mash-up of scripted and improvised. I've never gotten to do that on a show and I love it. Also, YOU'RE beautiful.

Are you addicted to coffee as much as Lorelai was in Gilmore Girls?

Sadly, yes. I drink it all day.

Hi lauren, Big fan of Gilmore girls will there ever be a movie.

I honestly don't know. I appreciate how many have asked. That character was so special - I wonder what happens to her too!

"Bad Santa" is one of those movies I can put on and be laughing within about 30 seconds. Will you be appearing in the sequel?

Also, did you ever think "Fuck Me Santa" was going to be a line you ever uttered in your career as an actress?

Someone even wanted to do a line of greeting cards and mugs with that er, line, and I was like, um, no thank you.

What do you remember most about your appearance on Seinfeld?

I remember Jerry was very appreciative and nice and and laughed at everyone else's jokes.

What do you miss most about Gilmore Girls?

I miss that writing, even though those long speeches could be a challenge.

In all of your roles, who was your favorite male counterpart?

Ha! Impossible to answer. I've had some great ones. Jason Ritter and Ray Romano both delightful.

Will we ever find out what the last 4 words ASP had for the original Gilmore finale? Because I'm still dying to know

If I knew, I'd tell you! I'm going to ask her next time I see her.

What was it like working with Billy Bob?

I adore him. He has that Southern gentleman quality, and is very smart.

Post-GG, in many interviews when you were asked about the experience, you always said that it was a hard show to do, that it was tiring schedule, etc. But you didn't really expand too much on the positives of that experience - was it an overall good experience despite the heavy workload?

It was an amazing experience, and a character I treasure.

I love you and thanks for doing this AMA. My question is who out of the cast on parenthood is the most similar to their character ?

Hard to say. Dax is an extremely funny guy who is also a super dedicated family man - like Crosby. And Peter is obviously perfect, just like Adam. :)

I justttt got the novel, so I have no comments on that (I haven't started, sadly...) BUT.... How often do you say "oy with the poodles?" in your own life? :P

Probably not nearly enough. However, I have incorporated Huzzah! into my repertoire.

Do you still keep in touch with Connie Britton? Would you ever consider being on Nashville?

I'd love to see Connie on Parenthood too!

Connie and I moved to LA together and lived in an empty house, where all I remember us eating were Rice Krispie treats. She's still a friend, but now we both have furniture!

What was the hardest part about writing your book?

As much as I wished it would, the book wouldn't write itself! Sitting down every day and trying not to look at shoes on Zappos was the hardest part.

Alright so there have been a lot of Gilmore Girls/GG movie questions asked, but I think what we all really want to know is - IF they decided to make a movie, however unlikely it may be, just imagine they did for some reason - would you want to do it?

Yes, IF a movie version could be as good as we'd all want it to be, I'd love to play that character again.

What inspired you to write your book? It was really good by the way!

Thanks! I wanted a new challenge and something I could do on my own.

5 things you can't leave home without.

Notebook, pen (le pen is my favorite), book, lip balm, phone (of course).

Lauren, big fan, male fan too, read your book, enjoyed it, how many men have said that?, as I know it's female oriented, big fan, just saying hello!

Yay, Dudes!

I have to ask what it was like getting to work with Edward Herrmann. He just seems like the kind of guy you could kick back and relax with (assuming you had a nice bottle of scotch and a good, debatable historical topic).

You've pretty much nailed it.

Thanks for doing this! You're one of my favorite actresses. What was the most exciting or memorable moment from Gilmore Girls?

Thank you! Hard to pick one moment, but I remember working long hours and getting really punchy. We'd start making up raps and singing "Loving You" by Minnie Ripperton.

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I love doing that show, and there's no way to fake that kind of genuine affection. We just have a weird/fun connection.

Is there one role you wish you'd never agreed to take?

Not really. I probably learned as much or more from the projects that didn't turn out as I hoped.

You are incredibly awesome. What is your #1 tip for other people trying to be as awesome as you?

Be friends with awesome people who tell you you're awesome.

LAUREN!!!

Why did you decide to write a novel, rather than say, a screenplay?

I just started writing, and the story dictated the format. Then I got to write the screenplay based on the book. Both fun, both difficult.

Which cast members do you hang out with the most when you're off set?

I see Mae and Miles a lot. Mae and I have started taking Pilates. Ouch!

Hi Lauren! I've been a big fan since Gilmore Girls and loved Someday, Someday Maybe. So excited you're doing this today!

You said on Ellen last week that the pilot version of your book didn't get picked up by the CW, but that you were hoping to keep trying. I was wondering what the process of writing the script was like - was it very different from writing the novel itself? Do you have certain changes you think you'd make for TV versus the book?

I think the story would make an amazing TV show and I hope it gets made!

Writing the script was very different. They wanted lots of big moments and plot twists. I borrowed from the book, but invented new scenes as well, and beefed up a character in the pilot who we only hear about in the book.

Top 3 things you love to do when you're in NYC!

I love to walk, anywhere really, but especially over the Brooklyn Bridge, shop with my sister, eat at Momofuku.

Hi!

I'm a very amateur writer and I was wondering how you managed to make each character sound individual - when I attempt dialogue everyone sounds the same! Do you think it's years of reading scripts that gave you this ability naturally, or is it something you have to work on? You managed to do it really well - every character has a different voice, and you can imagine them talking.

Thanks in advance for answering my long and rambling question!

I'm sure that all the scripts I've read helped. When I read, I don't just imagine my part, I try to play all the parts and hear what the voices would sound like. Same with writing.

great to see you on here! do you still think belly buttons are cool? or have you moved on?

Obviously, they're still cool.

what's your favourite pizza topping? (really asking the important questions here wow)

I just had an all cheese pizza from Mozza Pizzeria in LA. No red sauce, just the cheese and some sage. So I guess my favorite topping lately is nothing!

What is the Parenthood cast like between takes? When a particularly dramatic, tense scene is over who starts cracking jokes and who stays serious? In general, what do you guy do on a typical shooting day when you're not on camera?

I sit in my trailer and write and try not to watch too much HGTV.

What authors inspired you or have influenced your own writing?

Now that I know what it takes to finish a book, I'm even more inspired by everything I read. Two recent favorites: Still Life With Bread Crumbs by Anna Quindlen, and Helen Fielding's Mad About the Boy.

I just want to start by saying I loved Gilmore Girls and Parenthood is currently one of my favorite shows!!!

What has been your favorite part about working on Parenthood?

I didn't know you had a book releasing! What is it about? What inspired you to write it?

I have been trying to finish my story for years but motivation and inspiration are low, any advice?

Don't stop working just because it isn't perfect. Get to the end of the story before you judge it. You can always rewrite, but only if it exists!

IS IT TRUE YOU'RE WRITING A SEQUEL? Loved the first one :)

I'm writing a sequel! Franny gets a job, and spends a year in LA where she realizes she's too pale to drive a convertible (autobiographical alert!).

How did you decide how much of your real life would be reflected in the book and how much of it would be fictional?

It's less autobiographical than people think. I started with a world I'm familiar with, but most of the details are invented.

If you could pic place to go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

We're choosing where to go on vacation, so this has actually been the topic of discussion in our house for weeks! Japan, maybe?

Hey Lauren! I've been a huge fan since Gilmore Girls and LOVE everything you're doing on Parenthood. Who would you say had the biggest influence on you growing up/who influenced your decision to pursue acting. Again, i love everything that you do and I'm so proud of your book!

Thank you so much. My dad was always supportive of whatever I showed an interest in - from horseback riding to acting. And I had some great teachers along the way too.

Lauren, thanks for doing this!

You've been hitting all sorts of mediums: tv, movies, novels, etc...

Is there a medium you prefer? Does one take preference over the others for any specific reason?

Thanks!

I loved writing the script and I'm working on another one. Also working on book two.

We're so excited about the second book: Do you plan book events in europe?

I'd love to do more events overseas. I'm very grateful to have the book published in other languages.

Will you do a give away of the paperbacks?

I'd love to do a giveaway, but have to figure out a better system. The Twitter giveaways were confusing. Maybe we should all meet at that diner on the corner?

Ehhh how does this even work? Who is your favourite cast member?

I'm still not sure how this works! But Fred, duh.