289: The Hitchcock Hotel with Stephanie Wrobel
Three times a week, My Simplified Life brings you conversations with authors and changemakers who inspire, challenge, and spark curiosity. Each episode is packed with life lessons, powerful storytelling, and insights that help us see the world—and ourselves—a little differently. Starting next week, I’ll be going down to two weekly emails!
Film noir is a Saturday ritual for Ted and me. Eddie Muller doesn’t know it, but he’s our unofficial third wheel… IYKYK. Our love for Hitchcock runs deep, and living in the Bay Area means we practically stumble onto iconic film locations without even trying.
Fun fact: We got engaged at Fort Mason, right under the Golden Gate Bridge—the very spot where Kim Novak’s character takes that haunting dive into the Bay in Vertigo. Last month, D and I took a field trip (one of many) to Mission San Juan Bautista, another Vertigo filming location. We’ve also stood outside the eerie schoolhouse in Bodega Bay from The Birds—and let’s just say, I’m very tempted to “accidentally” drive by Hitchcock’s former home in Scotts Valley on the way to Santa Cruz.
So yes, I’m a Hitchcock fanatic, which is why I had to read The Hitchcock Hotel by Stephanie Wrobel the moment I saw Steph bake a pie inspired by it. Naturally, that led to an interview with both Stephanies—because how could I resist?
The Hitchcock Hotel brought together many Hitchcock movies while also create a completely new story!
As a Hitchcock fan, I was very excited to dive into this book. A weekend reunion of college classmates at a hotel in which one of them has renovated it and made it to replicate a combination of Hitchcock movies, but of course it must have not only the look, but the actual feel of one of his movies. We hear from each character and learn about their current lives and are brought back to their college days together, but the ultimate twist is the end and so very Hitchcock like! I wanted to go re-watch every Hitchcock movie I've ever seen!
What We're Talking About
The Hitchcock Hotel is a thrilling homage to Hitchcock's films.
Wrobel's journey into Hitchcock's filmography was a deep dive.
The book explores the duality of Hitchcock's legacy.
Artistic admiration can be complicated by an artist's personal flaws.
Unlikable characters are essential in psychological thrillers.
Wrobel's writing journey began with an MFA program.
The future of her writing may include speculative fiction.
Reading widely influences a writer's craft.
The balance between reading and writing is crucial for authors.
Understanding human motivations is a central theme in Wrobel's work.
Links Mentioned