If if isn’t personal what the heck is it?

Author Interviews That Rock

 

Kimberley Griffiths Little

WHEN
THE BUTTERFLIES CAME

Here’s to Kimberley’s brand new, beautiful, bayou book! Keep on rocking, girl!

Click the pics for awesome Kimberley links!

Okay, Kimberley, tell the readers a little bit about  your book.

 My darling editor wrote this for the jacket flap, Goodreads and Amazon, and I think it’s terrific:

“Everybody thinks Tara Doucet has the perfect life. But Tara’s life is anything but perfect: Her dear Grammy Claire has just passed away, her mom is depressed and distant, and she and her sister, Riley, can’t agree on anything. But when mysterious and dazzling butterflies begin to follow her around after Grammy Claire’s funeral, Tara knows in her heart that her grandmother has left her one final mystery to solve. Tara finds a stack of keys and detailed letters from Grammy Claire. Note by note, Tara learns unexpected truths about her grandmother’s life. As the letters grow more ominous and the clues harder to decipher, Tara realizes that the secrets she must uncover could lead to grave danger. And when Tara and Riley are swept away to the beautiful islands of Chuuk to hear their grandmother’s will, Tara discovers the most shocking truth of all, one that will change her life forever.

Just to get us started, how old are you?

You can’t trick me into revealing secret, coded information! *wagging my finger* Let’s just say that I’m a few years older than most people think I am . . . which is niiice. I credit Mary Kay skin care products all the way.

What inspired you to write WHEN THE BUTTERFLIES CAME?

I/We have a cultural fascination with butterflies. I think that’s because butterflies are beautiful and extraordinary creatures. Butterflies have this magical ability to “sleep/die” when a caterpillar becomes a chrysalis and then “resurrect” into a flying flower. I also wanted to know more about my character Tara Doucet from my book Circle of Secrets. She’s a modern day Scarlett O’Hara whose family still lives in their crumbling Doucet Mansion in the South along the bayou—and who hasn’t dreamed of being Scarlett! But she’s Scarlett with a touch of OCD and a bratty older sister—and a grandmother who’s a research scientist on an island in Micronesia.

 

 

Do you have a special affinity for the bayou and its rich culture?

I’ve been visiting the bayous of Louisiana for nearly 15 years. I love the people there as well as venturing into the wild and otherworldly swamp with the local fisherman. The people have such a fascinating history, too. Combine my love of history and the setting which spoke to me so powerfully from the very first visit, I’m now an adopted daughter of Miss Olive and Mister Elward Stephens, the most darling elderly couple outside of Morgan City. It was during my very first boat trip in the swamps, that I instantly began picturing Livie Mouton, a girl who grew up there with her own pirogue and baby alligator. I worked on that book for 8 years, a labor of love, until it finally sold to Scholastic in a huge MG deal. And even then, I never dreamed I’d end up writing three more novels about the swamps. It all happened quite accidently by my Muse.

How did you get into Cajun magic?

There was a tiny mention of traiteurs (French Cajun healers) in a history of Louisiana written by a professor at the University of Louisiana. It wasn’t more than a couple of sentences about healers who used herbal medicine back in the 1600-1700s—along with prayer to heal folks. As a person of strong faith, it fascinated me. I spent months/years digging and digging to find out more. Turns out it’s not a lost art confined to that time period when there weren’t doctors and hospitals out in the wilds, but still a living breathing skill used by many trained traiteurs today. I got to meet several of them in their homes as well as meet dozens of people who have been healed by them—people I’d talk to at hotels or museums or gas stations. It seemed that everybody knew a traiteur in the local neighborhood, or was related to one.

You often write about the love between mothers and daughters, why is that topic close to your heart?

Mother, daughter relationships are difficult to explain, difficult to quantify and they are usually complicated. But full of unconditional love, too. We want our mothers to know us and love us and understand us, but we also don’t want them reading our locked and hidden diary!

What about the theme of childhood guilt and its consequences calls to you?

All good books and stories are about change of some kind for the characters. Guilt can be a powerful motivator for ill—or good. It can also be a great catalyst for change in our lives. We all feel guilty about the mistakes or trespasses we’ve made, whether we’re children or adults, and yet we also desperately need to know that we’re still valued and that we’re loved. I believe it’s a universal theme for every age and every person. Forgiveness of one’s self and forgiveness of others is crucial for self-worth and peace and good relationships, and often is the hardest thing we ever have to do.

Do you have a favorite butterfly item, token, belonging?

Oh, my, I have lots. Butterfly blouses, necklaces, candles, charms . . . Here’s a picture!

 

 

How do you get into your characters heads?

I spend a LOT of time thinking about them. I try to get to know them from many different angles; their personality quirks, habits, their relationships with friends and family, their secrets, their motivations, and their problems, big and small. Many writers find it helpful to write diary entries or letters in their character’s voice—I’ve done that, too!—which helps the author get to know them better. It takes time to create a fully rounded character that feels like a real person. For me, it’s THE hardest writing skill and one I’ve spend years learning and honing.

What is most special about your protagonist in WHEN THE BUTTERFLIES CAME?

Tara Doucet’s life is falling apart in so many ways, a life her mother has carefully crafted so nobody knows the family’s “dirty laundry”. And yet, Tara (a modern day Scarlett O’Hara) is stronger than she realizes. Her Grammy Claire is also a strong force in Tara’s life. Grammy Claire loves Tara unconditionally, she’s a smart research scientist, and she has a great sense of humor and vivacity for life. These characteristics have a great impact on Tara and she learns that she is stronger and tougher than she ever knew she could be as a pampered Southern plantation girl.

What made you want to write in the first place?

Great books were a powerful influence on me as a child. They often substituted as my “best friends” and instilled the dream from an early age.

What keeps you writing?

I have good writing days and bad ones and some days I don’t write at all because I’m lazy and the work can be daunting and hard, especially revision. Usually, it’s my characters clamoring for my attention, pushing me to write and bring them to life that keeps me going.

What is the best piece of writing advice you wish you were given?

Writing a LOT (thousands of pages) is the best factor in becoming a better writer. That 10,000 hour rule? Um, it really seems to be the main factor in seeing success. Some writers cram their 10,000 hours into 3-4 years while other writers take 10 years or more. I fall into the latter category, endlessly revising the same manuscripts at the beginning of my writing (self-taught education) – long before I knew other writers or the internet existed. I just wish I’d heard this advice or realized this fact twenty years ago! It would have saved me lots of frustration and head-banging sessions. 

How do you discipline yourself to keep at the writing?

Deadlines are strong motivators, ha! It’s true, but most of the time the disciplines come because I’m eager to see my imagined world and characters come to life on the page.

When did you decide, this is what I really want to do? I want to be a writer! Was there a particular ah-ha moment?

When I was a child. Books were so magical and powerful to me, I wanted to try to create that same magic one day. I also wanted to see my name in the card catalog at the library!

What is the most important thing for a writer to remember?

We’re all born with talent and ability to write, but spend time learning the craft of a publishable novel. There’s so many elements that need to come together to make it work. Don’t be in a rush to get published, it can only make you frustrated. Find a mentor to help you, go to conferences, take classes—and write a LOT. Write a book, do your best work, then write the next book, and then the next. I would say 95% of published novelists out there did not sell their first book, but their 3rd or their 4th. It’s like going to medical school. It takes time to learn to write a publishable book. Never stop learning and trying to improve. And, I guess, the *most* important thing is to enjoy the journey.

If you were to mentor other writers what wisdom would you find most helpful.

I think I may have answered this above. Writers today are very blessed with such a terrific online community of writers and agents and editors who are so accessible to help you along the way. Go find them (Google is your BF) and make friends and have fun. And be flexible. Many writers have to reinvent themselves at various times in their careers—even the bestselling writers! This “dirty little secret” is not talked about much and when I went through a terrible 7 year slump when I couldn’t seem to sell any of my novels (even though I was selling short stories to Cricket magazine) I was so alone and discouraged. Then I discovered other writers in various writing groups that had gone through the exact same *famine*. Every career has lots of ups and downs. Keep going despite all that, if you really want to write.

Do you belong to any cool writerly groups on or off line?

I used to belong to an online critique group and I’ve had live critique groups. Most come and go, depending on the other writer’s in the group commitment, but my one constant writer friend Carolee Dean and I have been critiquing and mentoring each other and giving each other encouragement for more than 10 years now—through many ups and downs. Barbara O’Connor, an extraordinary MG writer from Boston, is also a LONG time “pen- pal”. We’ve been corresponding regularly for 15 years and have never actually met in person. I helped launch the huge MG website “From the Mixed-Up Files . . . of Middle-Grade Authors” and I co-founded SPELLBINDERS, a weekly email newsletter geared to teachers/librarians/parents/homeschoolers. I also hang out a lot on Facebook!

Just for kicks… What are some of your favorite TV shows, movies?

I confess I have a guilty pleasure for HART OF DIXIE. It’s the only TV show I’ve watched in years. But my daughter has been dragging me onto the couch to watch ONCE UPON A TIME the last couple of months. Fun stuff!

If you could be a character from a book who would you be?

Maria Merryweather from Little White Horse because I *covet* her very cool bedroom. (Another favorite from childhood.) or Elizabeth Bennet from Pride &Prejudice because I think I’m just as in love with the Pemberly Estate as I am Mr. Darcy. I definitely have a *thing* for mansion houses, ever since I was very small.

As a child what was your favorite book?

HARRIET THE SPY – and it’s a true fact that my BFF Starr and I got notebooks and ran around spying on people and writing things down. I’m not sure we fooled anybody though.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A writer or a librarian. I NEEDED to be near books 24/7.

If your protagonist could give one piece of advice to your readers, what would it be?

Follow the butterflies . . . and your heart.

Is there a special Cajun spell you’d like to share with us?

Those are well-guarded secrets, actually. Information about the prayers (in old French, mind you) and herbal remedies are passed from one traiteur to another. So, since we don’t have that, I suggest using some essential oils, say a prayer or meditate, and you’ll feel a whole lot better – whatever ails you!

 

Other than writing, what do you like to do for fun? Hobbies?

I adore baking all kinds of goodies. Brownies, cookies, cinnamon rolls, pies, cakes. And I can eat them all day long. Used to be able to get away with it in my 20s – not anymore! I’m also a pianist and a belly-dancer. I love research trips and recently returned from Jordan and Israel, research for my upcoming YA trilogy which will debut from Harpercollins Fall of 2014, a delicious story about belly dance, the goddess Temple of Ashtoreth and tribal warfare in the ancient Middle East. (No firm title yet).

Any closing words of wisdom for other author-wannabees out there?

Read what you love. Write what you love. Share the love. And treasure your supportive writing friends.

Leave a comment on butterflies, Cajun magic, the bayou, or anything Kimberley to win a signed copy of WHEN THE BUTTERFLIES CAME!

And there you have it! Personal and Real with Kimberley Griffiths Little!

“Thank you so much for this terrific interview, Pam, and to Ink & Angst for having me!” Any time Kimberley

If if isn’t personal what the heck is it?

Author Interviews That Rock

Julie Cross

TEMPEST
& VORTEX

Click the pics for awesome Julie links!

Okay Julie, tell the readers a little bit about  your books.

Tempest is the first book in a young adult trilogy that follows my main character, 19 year old Jackson Meyer, as he jumps through time (literally), to learn about his past and to try and save the his girlfriend, Holly. Vortex is the sequel to Tempest and it releases in the US on January 15, 2013.

Just to get us started, how old are you?

I’m 32.5 years old

What inspired you to write TEMPEST & VORTEX?

The concept for Tempest came in layers as I worked with my now editor, Brendan Deneen. My idea started with a sort of time travel story that was also about aliens and gymnastics. His idea was to acquire a teen version of The Time Traveler’s Wife. Tempest is a story that emerged from both our creative brains.

Why time travel?

The type of time travel is Tempest appealed to me as writer because I love the idea of having a character revisit moments of his or her own past. The scenes where Jackson visits years that his twin sister, who died of cancer at 14, was still alive were so emotionally powerful to write. That’s probably what made me fall in love with writing time travel.

What made you want to write in the first place?

I started writing in May of 2009. I think I was mostly looking for an escape from everyday life. The kind of escape you get from an amazing book. I read a lot and there were moments when I wanted to change the course of a book. It dawned on me that I could write my own story.

What keeps you writing?

I wish I knew the answer to that question. Once I started, I just could stop. In fact, I waited to get bored with it, to quit, but so far that hasn’t happened. It’s challenging and stimulating in a way that I hadn’t experienced before and I feel like there’s always something more to learn. It’s amazing to discover your passion, even at 29 years old. Truly amazing.

What is the best piece of writing advice you were ever given?

My first instinct is to say, Read a lot. But that’s the piece of advice I often give to writers who ask me this question, but I already read a lot so I didn’t need to hear that particular advice myself. I’d have to say reading Stephen King’s book, On Writing and the part (don’t quote me or anything) where he says something along the lines of, most importantly, you have to write a good story. It just meant that I didn’t need to feel intimidated by the idea of finding big words and creating mind-blowing symbolism and metaphors. Or even understand contracts and the publishing industry before beginning a novel. I just needed to write a good story. 

How do you discipline yourself to keep at the writing?

I only have to discipline myself to up with other aspects of my life…laundry, exercise, grocery shopping, cleaning, my kids’ homework and activities. The writing part so far doesn’t require discipline. 

When did you decide, this is what I really want to do? I want to be a writer! Was there a particutlar ah-ha moment?

When I was offered a three book deal with St. Martin’s Press/Thomas Dunne Books, all I had were questions and confusion and many of them my editor couldn’t answer right away as I searched for an agent, but he sent me an email that said basically, “Just keep in mind, from this day on YOU. ARE. GOING. TO. BE. A. PUBLISHED. AUTHOR” and he wrote it just like that and it hit me that no matter what, whether I wrote forever or not, I’d be known as a published author. That was truly my aha moment.

What is the most important thing for a writer to remember?

There is almost never one clear answer, one clear path, one right way to do anything, to tell any story, and to interpret any story. Open your mind to the realm of possibilities and don’t dwell on the impossibilities and improbabilities and all things that begin with a negative.

Do you belong to any cool writerly groups on or off line?

I’ve recently been emailing with some YA authors that I’ve met at events and doing some beta reading and critique.

If you were to mentor other writers what wisdom would you find most helpful.

I like honest critique, even brutally honest. I’m one who can handle it just fine. But I realize others need to work in phases. I think the idea of being able to pitch a story in a sentence is so helpful to new writers. Even if you figure everything out in your story and it doesn’t quite fit into a one-line mold, chances are you’ve worked out some issues while trying to get it narrowed a bit. It took me such a long time to figure out what it meant to be able to summarize a story in a short statement. Whenever I couldn’t do this, there was always something wrong with my plot. If you can address this even before you begin writing, it could be a huge factor in getting a finished product that can actually be sold.

Just for kicks… What are some of your favorite TV shows, movies?

My current favorite shows are GLEE, Dance Moms, The Voice, Parks and Rec, 30 Rock, Falling Skies. My movie favorites are very all over the place, I almost never go to the theater (just for the big ones like Harry Potter, Hunger Games, Twilight, ect…). I love comedies and I’ll watch any cheesy romantic comedy, even the DCOM and ABC Family ones. I typically write/read edgy, emotionally heavy and sometimes intense thrillerish stuff so that must be why I choose the lighter movie/TV options.

If you could be a character from a book who would you be?

Katniss Everdeen. Hands down. I need her survival skills. I’m assuming while taking over her body, I’d also be allowed to acquire the knowledge stored up in her brain?

Last movie you saw at the theater?

Hunger Games

What is your favorite board game?

Monopoly.

How do you get into your characters heads?

Good question. I’m not sure, but I’m sure that I do get in their heads and become them. I leave myself and my views and opinions completely in the dust.  

What is most special about your protagonist?

For Jackson, it’s his potential to be great, however sometimes I’d have to say that comes in second to watching him fail in the process of reaching his potential. It took me a while to realize how much I wanted him to experience the struggle to be great just as much as I wanted to see him get there.

Do you listen to music while you write? If so what gets you motivated?

I usually don’t listen to music, but I could if I wanted to. I’m pretty relaxed about my writing place and time. I can shut out the world around me even if it’s quite hectic.

Other than writing, what do you like to do for fun? Hobbies?

Reading. I also love running. I’m really great at it but it brings a different challenge and a lot of clarity within the creative part of my brain.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A teacher. Always a teacher. But the type of teacher changed constantly.

If your protagonist could give one piece of advice to your readers what would it be?

Always prepare for the worst. Write everything important down in notebook that you always have on you.

What would your villain/villains have to say about that?

Well…I suppose they would support this advice fully. They are very intelligent and capable people. Unfortunately.

Any closing words of wisdom for other author-wannabees out there?

Enjoy the freedom of writing just for you even if publication is your end goal. If you enjoy reading books in your genre and you create a story that you enjoy reading there’s a good chance other people will like it, too.

And there you have it! Personal and Real with Julie Cross!

Check out Tempest & Vortex on Goodreads-http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13364300-vortex

“Surround yourself with people who know more than you and soak up knowledge like a sponge!” P.K. Witte

 

Love is in the air…

Sweet kisses, soft caresses, sighs upon angst-filled teenage sighs. Writing romance is natural, easy, simple, or is it? Gate Crashers everywhere want to know how YA and MG writers get their heads in the game. That first kiss, second base, under the shirt-over the bra, or going for the home run… How do you write it when just thinking about it makes you blush and go all sweaty palms?

It’s easy, super simple. Just do what I do. Grab your best romance writerly hat, your giant pencil and your paper…

What? Not feeling it? Me either.

Writing romance can be tricky. Luckily for Gate Crashers everywhere a group of amazingly talented writers were happy to share their feelings about writing the ROMANTIC STUFF with us!

Come on in, have a look around, have fun, learn something that just might help you with your own sloppy teen kiss scenes. Remember, keep it real. Be honest and true to your readers and they’ll love you forever.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Click the pics for these author’s writerly links!

  

Chelsea Pitcher

THE S-WORD

1. What is the most challenging romantic situation you’ve had to face with your characters? I’ve always really enjoyed writing complicated romantic situations: faeries of the Dark Court falling in love with humans; mortals becoming entangled with gods. It’s not so difficult to bring these characters together. After all, they know their love is real. It’s the rest of the world that doesn’t get it. But when it comes to two emotionally damaged humans who are masters at sabotaging their own happiness, the task becomes a bit more difficult. (Or nearly impossible!)

2. How did you get your head in the game? In “The S-Word” I found myself facing my most difficult romantic/emotional situation yet. How do I get a girl who’s closed herself off from the world to open up, even a little bit? I wasn’t looking for her to have a full-blown love affair; I just wanted her to remember that love exists. But to do this, I had to introduce her to the right kind of person. I couldn’t push her toward someone confident and invulnerable. That was exactly the type of person who’d hurt her before. I needed someone with his own deep-seated problems, someone who wanted friendship and nothing more. That way, Angie didn’t have to fear being used or manipulated. She could feel safe. And, just like that, a deeper connection was formed.

3. What is your favorite romantic book/scene from a book?There is a scene in “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe” that is just perfection (though I’m not going to say when, or with who, for spoilery reasons). The kiss! Perfection. There is so much more than just physical chemistry at play (although that can be a lot of fun too!) There is sweetness, and desire. There is longing bleeding into necessity. No matter how many fabulous love scenes I read, this will always be one of my favorites.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mindy Raf

THE SYMPTOMS OF MY INSANITY

1. What is the most challenging romantic situation you’ve had to face with your characters?

Without giving too much away, there’s one scene that could be romantic, but ends up being really awkward and a little skeevy psychically and emotionally. It was a challenge to keep it funny and squirm- inducing. Also maintaining likability with a character when the action goes from swoon-worthy to a little shady is always a challenge.

Sarah Skilton

BRUISED

1. What is your favorite romantic book/scene from a book?

I adore the scene in Jane Austen’s Persuasion when Captain Wentworth presents Anne with a love letter he’s written, prompted by a conversation he overheard in which Anne spoke about women’s ability of “loving longest even when all hope is gone.” It’s the culmination of 8 years of longing on both their parts, and the scene never ceases to make me sigh and/or tear up.

K.A. (Kelly) Barson

45 POUNDS (MORE OR LESS)

1. What is the most challenging romantic situation you’ve had to face with your characters? Overall, romantic scenes–both in real life and in stories–make giggle awkwardly. (Yes, deep down I’m still twelve.) So pretty much every romantic scene I write is challenging.

2. How did you get your head in the game? I think about what could possibly go wrong. I add catastrophe to the scene to add real humor and to diffuse my inappropriate giggling.

3. What is your favorite romantic book/scene from a book? Since I relate more to awkward romance, probably LOOKING FOR ALASKA by John Green or STONER AND SPAZ by Ron Koertge. Is it a coincidence that neither of these ended “happily ever after”? No. I’m weird, I guess. 

Elle Cosimano

NEARLY GONE

1. What is the most challenging romantic situation you’ve had to face with your characters? In one of my stories, the love interests can’t touch. Trying to capture the sense of intimacy between them without falling back on physical connectedness meant getting deep in their heads and hearts. It was exhausting, but a fantastic exercise in interiority.

2. How did you get your head in the game? Music helps me set the mood. Also, a good babysitter.

3. What is your favorite romantic book/scene from a book? No contest. Sarah Rees-Brennan wrote the hottest kiss scene I’ve ever read, hands down! The rooftop kiss in the rain in The Demon’s Covenant will forever set the bar as far as I’m concerned.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chelsey Flood

INFINITE SKY

1. What is the most challenging romantic situation you’ve had to face with your characters? I think the most challenging romantic situation I’ve had to face with my characters is when Iris and Trick begin opening up to each other. I wanted to make their relationship about friendship as well as first love, and so I was always trying to keep the balance between confiding and intimacy and romance. I wanted them to be good friends before they ventured into the territory of kissing. I hope I got it right.

2. How did you get your head in the game? I got my head in the game very easily – perhaps worryingly so! Because my protagonist, Iris, is a sort of idealized version of teen me, I find it very easy to get into her head space. I simply remembered my teen crushes, and then wrote the scenes that I would have loved to have played out with them – if only I’d have dared initiate a conversation with them in the first place! That’s what’s so lovely about Trick – he actually moves into Iris’s garden – he really couldn’t make it any easier for her at all. Or so it seems…

 3.What is your favorite romantic book/scene from a book? It’s a bit obvious, but I’m struggling to remember any that I love more, so therefore, my favorite romantic book is Pride and Prejudice. The way that Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett misjudge each other, and hurt each other’s feelings before finally coming to understand each other (enough to get married at least!) is quite, quite satisfactory.

 

 

 

Kit Grindstaff

THE FLAME IN THE MIST

1. How did you get your head in the game? The Flame in the Mist’s main character, thirteen-year-old Jemma, has a budding romance with her loyal pal, Digby. Though it’s years since I was her age (though not quite as far back as the book’s medieval-ish setting), getting into her emotions wasn’t hard; a quick trip down memory lane to a specific day, a specific boy, a specific moment…I’d be there in a heartbeat. Keeping in mind the prescriptions for Middle Grade—no steam, nothing that pushes the boundaries of adolescence—once I started molding my experiences into Jemma’s, words made memory even sharper: a gasp-worthy glance, tentative hand-holding, the anticipation of a first kiss…Describing those things made them fresh all over again—hopefully as much for the reader as for me. So to get into the game? Close eyes, drift away, remember the sweetness, then paddle ashore and seal it—maybe with a kiss—onto the page.

2. What is your favorite romantic book/scene from a book? Before I Die by Jenny Downham… With only a few months of life left, sixteen-year-old Tessa…(has) made a list… —ten things she wants to do before she dies. Number one is sex. Starting tonight. The blurb of Jenny Downham’s Before I Die almost put me off, since the “starting tonight” makes it so obviously a marketing hook. Sex sells. But the book delves far deeper than its blurb implies. Beautifully written and moving on every page, the development of Tessa and Adam’s relationship is just part of the emotional ride, weaving sweetness into a painful story. To go into detail would be spoiler-ish, but more tender, loving and extraordinary scenes would be hard to imagine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                     Janci Patterson

CHASINIG THE SKIP

1. What is the most challenging romantic situation you’ve had to face with your characters? For me, all romance is hard to write. It’s not easy to write attraction that feels real, without falling back on clichés or being overdramatic. Romance is drama, but it has to feel compelling and fresh to the reader, so that they’ll fall in love right along with the characters. It’s always a careful balancing act.

2. How did you get your head in the game? In CHASING THE SKIP, the most challenging part of the romantic tension was for me to write Ricki’s immediate attraction to Ian–and have the reader take her seriously. The first time I wrote the scene where Ricki first meets Ian, it was terrible. I ran it through my writing group, and they pointed out all the places where I was telling the reader how Ricki felt instead of showing it with visceral detail, and all the places where the phrases I used were tired or unimaginative. So I went back through and tried to replace the overdramatic with the dramatic, the cliché with the sensory, and the tired with the fresh. It took several passes for me to get it right, but when I was finished with the final draft of the scene, I was pleased with it. I suppose that’s always how I get my head in the game: I fail in the first draft and then rework and rework until it shines.

Polly Holyoke

THE NEPTUNE PROJECT

1. What is the most challenging romantic situation you’ve had to face with your characters? In THE NEPTUNE PROJECT my heroine Nere finally gets to kiss Cam, the boy who has always been her best friend. I wanted to explore that moment when friendship can turn into something deeper, when HE finally admits he really cares about her, and SHE finally wakes up and realizes that she might truly love him. But just when Nere gets into kissing Cam, government soldiers charge down a hillside, and moments later they cut Cam down. Poor Nere doesn’t even know if Cam is going to survive as she has to leave the beach and enter the ocean forever.

2. How did you get your head in the game? I tried thinking back to my first kiss (ninth grade while off stage during a musical) but it was WAY too wet and clumsy to be an inspiration for a great first kiss. So, I fell back on my imagination and wrote the kind of kiss I wish I’d experienced that first time around.

3. What is your favorite romantic book/scene from a book? I love OUTLANDER by Diana Gabaldon, and that book is so full of romantic scenes, it’s hard to choose just one. I probably like the scene when the time traveling heroine tries to return to the present, but she can’t leave Jamie, the young highlander she’s fallen in love with in the past. When she returns to him, prepared to stay with him forever, he’s fallen asleep in an abandoned croft, and it’s clear he fell asleep crying. That sweet scene makes me tear up just thinking about it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liz Fichera

HOOKED

1. What is the most challenging romantic situation you’ve had to face with your characters? Every romantic situation is a challenge unless you understand what’s in the head of your characters. I think the biggest challenge is the detail, and the best romantic scenes are the ones of subtleties. They’re the ones with a lot of lead-up, conflict and tension before the couple shares that special first kiss, that special first anything. As a reader (and writer), I don’t want the mechanics. I know how it’s done, for crying out loud. I want to understand the emotion and angst behind the build-up because that’s where the intrigue, the compelling reason to keep turning the pages, reside. In other words, I don’t want to read how they kiss or roll in the hay; I want to understand and be shown why they want more than anything in the world to be together.

2. How did you get your head in the game?Music is key. I love New Country for their love songs. Every song tells a little story, and I love that.

3. What is your favorite romantic book/scene from a book? I adore and respect any author that gets me emotionally invested in his/her characters and writes great angsty build-up while still leaving a little for my own imagination. Yes, please.

Hilary Weisman Graham

REUNITED

What is the most challenging romantic situation you’ve had to face with your characters?

Well, I’m about to face it in the new MS I’m writing. It’s a light sci-fi that features a romance between two teens of different races, both of whom have pressure from their families and/or communities to “stick to their own kind.” The romance part will be fun when I get to it, it’s writing the racism in their backgrounds that’s agonizing.

How did you get your head in the game?

When I’m writing a romantic scene, I find myself getting totally get wrapped up in the romantic tension. I think all authors vicariously experience their characters’ emotions, but as an old married lady, it’s especially nice to feel all swoony and starry-eyed again.

What is your favorite romantic book/scene from a book?

There are so many great romances in books, but I have to say that I’m partial to the ones that end tragically, like in John Green’s THE FAULT IN OUR STARS or LITTLE CHILDREN by Tom Perotta. Though I’m not quite sure what this says about me psychologically.

There you have it! Thoughtful words of wisdom on the craft of writing romance for the youth reader. Is it simple, easy? Not exactly. But it is possible and fun and really makes you get your head in the game. Try it. Keep it real. Be true to your readers. Just do it.

Spread the love of reading and writing!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

If if isn’t personal what the heck is it?

Author Interviews That Rock

 

Liz Fichera

HOOKED

HOOKED releases from HarlequinTEEN on January 29, 2013

Click the pics for awesome Liz links!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liz Fichera is an American author originally from Chicago who now lives in the American Southwest.  HOOKED is her debut young adult novel.  It’s the story of a Native American girl golfer with a killer golf swing who takes on the boy on her team with the killer smile.

It’s Perfect Chemistry meets Catching Jordan with a dash of West Side Story.

Check out the  HOOKED trailer!
Click Liz’s banner…

Now let’s hear from Liz Fichera!

Just to get us started, how old are you?

Old enough to remember having a crush on David Cassidy from The Partridge Family. (Me too )

What inspired you to write HOOKED?

Living in Phoenix, Arizona, I’m continually inspired by the Native American cultures and desert landscapes that surround my home.  I got the idea for HOOKED as I was driving down a long stretch of desert called Pecos Road about 4 years ago.  I actually did a whole inspiration video (set to music!).  It’s on my YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFP9bNCTW4E

Do you have a special affinity for the American Southwest?

Absolutely.  I love the desert. I find much beauty in its simplicity and starkness.  That said, having grown up outside of Chicago, I never in a million years thought that I’d one day call the desert home.

What made you want to write in the first place?

I’ve loved writing stories ever since the fifth grade when a teacher told me she loved a story that I wrote about my dog.  My parents were always very encouraging too.  My mother, in particular, loved it when I’d read my stories to her.  Those are some of my fondest memories.

What keeps you writing?

It helps to make a few sales. But I write because I love to write.  There’s always a story bubbling inside my brain that wants to come out. (Me too. Kind of a blessing and a curse! )

What is the best piece of writing advice you were ever given?

Keep writing.  Even as you query, watch your rejections stack up, or start to investigate all of your publishing options, keep writing.  You should always be writing your next book, even as you try to sell or market your current one.

How do you discipline yourself to keep at the writing?

I’m fortunate that I’m able to write full-time.  It hasn’t always been that way.  So, I treat my writing like it’s a job.  I’m in my office, butt in the chair, writing, at least 5-6 hours a day.  The rest of the time is devoted to other things like promotion and social media. (Atta girl!)

When did you decide, this is what I really want to do? I want to be a writer! Was there a particular ah-ha moment?

I’ve known that I wanted to be a full-time writer since I was ten years old.  However, life kind of got in the way and there were other obligations that surfaced—you know, life’s curve balls.  But I never stopped working towards my goal.  I was able to write full-time 7 years ago.

Do you belong to any cool writerly groups on or off line?

I belong to The Class of 2K13, a group of debut YA and MG authors, along with The Lucky Thirteeners.

Just for kicks… What are some of your favorite TV shows, movies?

I am currently head-over-heels over two shows: HELL ON WHEELS and LONGMIRE.  I love angsty gritty shows set in the The Wild West.  TEEN WOLF is also a guilty pleasure.

As a kid what was your favorite book?

I loved THE BOXCAR children and all of the Laura Ingalls books.  Re-read each a million times.

What is your favorite board game?

Chess and Scrabble. (Yeah for Scrabble!)

What is most special about your protagonist?

Fred Oday is the main character in HOOKED.  She’s a Native American girl (Gila).  She dreams big dreams and doesn’t let anything get in her way, including being the only girl on an all boys’ team.  I wish that there were more Native American characters in mainstream YA. (Ditto)

Other than writing, what do you like to do for fun? Hobbies?

I read every day. I usually have at least 2 books going at once.  I also love to hike and run in the desert around my home.  I post a lot of my hiking pictures on my Facebook page. (I love hiking too. Check out my Facebook page. )

If your protagonist could give one piece of advice to your readers what would it be?

Dream big. Nothing is impossible. When you can’t achieve what you want, figure out another way.  There’s always a way. (Amen)

Any closing words of wisdom for other author-wannabees out there?

Write, write, read, and then write some more.  If you don’t love what you’re doing, do something else.

And there you have it! Personal and Real with Liz Fichera!

To check out Liz’s awesome Blog Tour with HarlequinTEEN with daily giveaways and gobs of free stuff Click the beautiful HOOKED banner!

HOOKED’S most recent reviews will rock your socks! Check them out…

 

Come on in.

By now you know the gate is open, welcoming

everyone into the realm of children’s literature!

It’s not magic.

Everyone can…

Crash The Gate!

Click the pics for awesome writerly links!

Okay, so sometimes you feel like the Grim Reaper is sitting beside you, silently insinuating that your WIP should just RIP and the sooner the better.

And you bang your head against your keyboard and the resulting gibberish seems better than everything you spent your day writing. You think you’re never going to get it right, but your WRONG and the LUCKY 13ers are proof!

Sure, it seems crazy, but it’s true. Publishing a book is not impossible. You know you can do it. Just like the Lucky 13er’s who’ve paved the way, you too can pull a sword from a stone! (Get it? The impossible can really be done! Seriously if Arthur and Link can do it…) You need some tools, for sure! Confidence, Persistence, Dedication and A Little Bit Of Luck!

Ignore that Grim Reaper, take heart, and learn what the

Lucky 13ers already know…

 

 

 

 

 

Brandy Colbert

A POINT SO DELICATE

 

 1. When did you realize the story in your head was meant to be a book?

 

I realized my story was meant to be a book when I couldn’t stop thinking about the characters and imagining all the ways I would tackle the “what-if.” That’s usually what drives me to write a story, the what-if. I don’t outline on paper, so I’ve found it’s the best way to plan out the story in my head before I start writing. The abduction plot came first, then the ballet. I have a not-so-secret fascination with dance books and abduction books, so I guess it only makes sense that I finally combined the two themes to write the type of novel I’d want to read.

2. Advice to aspiring writers.

Don’t quit. Seriously, don’t. You’re going to have some really bad days and face multiple rejections. We all do. Even after the agent and after the book deal. But you never know who will be intrigued by your pitch or pluck your query out of the slush pile. Keep reading, keep writing, keep getting better.

3. The hardest thing about your journey to publication?

Besides the rejections and the waiting? (Oh, the waiting – it never stops.) I think sharing my work with other people was one of the most difficult things I had to do. I’ve been writing since childhood, but even then, I would only show my stories to one close friend. I finally realized that I couldn’t improve if I didn’t show my writing to other people. And I wanted to make my books as good as they could possibly be. So I sucked it up and found critique partners. My CPs have changed over the years, but they remain one of the most invaluable parts of the process.

 4. The most fun thing?

The most fun part for me has been meeting so many new people, from connecting with an agent and editor (both of whom I absolutely adore) to becoming friends with other writers in various stages of their journey. I feel quite fortunate to know so many people who feel the way I do about books, reading, and writing, and none of this would be nearly as fun without them.

 

Kristin Halbrook

 NOBODY BUT US

 1. When did you realize the story in your head was meant to be a book?

I knew it was meant to be a story when these fictional characters, this fictional journey, this fictional story . . . set against a backdrop of the real world, of real struggles, broke my heart. And I had only jotted down a blurb for the story at that point.

Usually, for me, it’s that passionate emotional response to some or all parts of a potential story that keep me invested in it, that keep me needing to write to see what happens.

 2. Advice to aspiring writers.

First, determine if you want to write because you love to write or if you want to write because you want to be published. The journeys for either option are quite different.

If publishing is your goal, begin writing with knowing that writing, like all crafts, demands an apprenticeship. There is a learning curve, different for everyone, and climbing that mountain, combined with talent garnered through both nature and nuture, is what will help you succeed in publishing. Paying your dues should be rewarding, as you develop your style and voice, grow your vocabulary, read more in your genre, rather than frustrating. You’re doing good work here!

 3. The hardest thing about your journey to publication?

Learning how much time I need to take away from my manuscripts before I’m ready to revise. Ultimately, it’s a gut feeling to know how much time, but almost always it’s more time than my brain thinks it “should” be.

 4. The most fun thing?

The most fun things about this journey are building friendships with those in the community, celebrating their successes and my own, starting new projects and the feeling of satisfaction that comes with having met several life goals.

 

Chelsey Flood

INFINITE SKY

1. When did you realize the story in your head was meant to be a book?

Good question. ‘Infinite Sky’ started off as a sort of memoir really, I was just writing episodes from my childhood, trying to make them funny or sad, but in the voice of a character I’d had for a while: Iris. The story came worryingly late to the party, after about 50,000 words, I think… And I discovered it at the time I wrote it. I didn’t have a story worthy of a book for aaaages. Oh, how I worried.

 2. Advice to aspiring writers.

My advice is don’t worry if you can’t write sometimes. Go and do something else: walk, read, run, get drunk, have fun, dance, catch up with friends and family. Pay attention while you’re doing these things too so you can refill the mysterious pit of creation. Most important: don’t let writing ruin your life!

3. The hardest thing about your journey to publication?

Hardest were all those years where I felt foolish/delusional calling myself a writer, when I’d just had a couple of stories published and was working full time as a waitress. All my friends seemed to be getting somewhere in their careers and I didn’t even have one. I used to really dread being asked what I did. I even stopped asking other people. I went straight from name to hobbies or books or whatever. It didn’t catch on.

 4. The most fun thing?

There have been lots of fun things. When my book went to auction I was pretty happy, but the research was the best. I went to Appleby Horse Fair last year, as it’s a really exciting event date for Irish Travellers. I had my fortune told, and the lady said I would be a writer. She had this incredible fast patter, and was really intense. She’d put cardboard on the floor of her caravan to save the carpet from the mud, and there was all this immaculate china on the windowsill and sides. I wanted to stay for dinner! Actually, she said I would get money without having to work for it. Now that would be fun.

 

Elsie Chapman

DUALED

1. When did you realize the story in your head was meant to be a book?

 An innocent question from my son about doppelgangers. It got me thinking about how it would make a good premise for a book. So I decided to try writing it.

 2. Advice to aspiring writers.

Keep writing. Finish what you start. Make time for it. And read widely when you’re not writing, just to stay immersed in words in another way. Publishing is an awesome goal, but the writing comes first.

 3. The hardest thing about your journey to publication?

The rejections, the coming-this close-but-not-quite, the waiting. The days you felt like your writing was absolute crap and then struggling to put those days behind you.

 4. The most fun thing?

The publication journey really does give the best of both worlds—I get my alone time to write, and when I need to get out of my own head for a while, I can always find support from other kidlit authors I’ve met online this past year. Also, the idea of seeing my book in a bookstore still pretty much blows my mind.

 

Emma Pass

ACID

 1. When did you realize the story in your head was meant to be a book?

ACID is based on a story I wrote when I was 14, after a friend and I challenged each other to write a story set in a prison. I didn’t get much of it done, but the idea stayed with me, and over the years, I had a couple of attempts at writing it as an adult novel. Somewhere along the line, I discovered I was actually a YA writer. After snagging my fabulous agent with a contemporary YA that didn’t sell, I went back to my prison story, and this time, it was ready to be written.

 2. Advice to aspiring writers.

Never give up! It might be the next book that gets you that publishing deal, or the next one… but if you don’t write them, you’ll never know. And you’ll learn a huge amount from every book you write, even if it doesn’t go anywhere but your bottom drawer.

Also, don’t throw any of your early stuff away! It might come in useful one day (like the story that became ACID did for me!).

3. The hardest thing about your journey to publication?

The self doubt that crept in after each rejection, or when I knew my writing wasn’t working but couldn’t figure out why. What kept me going was my love for writing – even if ACID hadn’t sold, I’d still be doing it. I’m also lucky enough to have a very patient and supportive husband, who refused to let my insecurities get the better of me even when I was on the verge of giving up!

4. The most fun thing?

For me, it has to be what’s happened since ACID sold – namely, getting online and connecting with writers, bloggers, reviewers and everyone else out there who loves books and reading. I was even asked to join my wonderful group blog, the Lucky 13s, via Twitter! I never expected to enjoy social networking and blogging as much as I do – in fact, before I got my book deal, I avoided it, and as a result often felt quite isolated. I didn’t feel like I could tell many people about my writing, so I didn’t know anyone else who was doing what I was trying to do. There’s an amazing community of people out there and I feel privileged to be part of it.

 

Jessica Corra

AFTER YOU

 

1. When did you realize the story in your head was meant to be a book?

I’ve never been good at having ideas for short stories or novellas. I tend to assume all my ideas are novels-length, or will be once they grow a bit. As far as when I knew AFTER YOU was something special, I’ll be honest: I gave myself shivers when I jotted down the one sentence idea that sparked the book on scrap paper at my desk at work way back in September 2009.

2. Advice to aspiring writers.

Read, write, breathe. Remember to live. You won’t have anything worth writing if you become a black hole of bookishness, fun though it is to be a black hole of bookishness. But do keep the creative well filled. Practice, and just keep going. There is no race.

3. The hardest thing about your journey to publication?

This is two-fold: I would say I struggle with the endless revision loop, but what that ultimately boils down to is my own impatience.

4. The most fun thing?

I get to work in sun-drenched cafes sipping Italian sodas and coming up with that rejoinder I can never make in the moment, envisioning the romantic scenarios and sweeping adventures I will probably never have, and bring it all to life. I get to dig deep into characters and stories and push them to their edges and then over, until everything sings with a resonance that makes me ache. I get paid to do this. I have the best job ever.

 

Justina Ireland

VENGEANCE BOUND

1. When did you realize the story in your head was meant to be a book?

 Not until after the third or fourth draft, unfortunately!  I wanted it to be a book, but it wasn’t until later drafts that the story really started to gel.  I generally write without an outline, so my method of writing is a little chaotic.

I start by asking “What if?”  With Vengeance Bound (the tentative title of my forthcoming book from Simon and Schuster) I started with an idea of “What if there was a teen girl version of Dexter (the serial killer from the Jeff Lindsay books)?  What would she be like?  And what would motivate her?”  I really liked this idea of a girl who spent her days worrying about typical high school things, like boys and lip gloss, but spent her evenings killing people guilty of these terrible crimes.

But the first few chapters weren’t really working.  My main character was very unsympathetic, and very cold. So then I began to play around with the idea of some sort of paranormal element motivating her, compelling her to seek out these targets.  While researching mythology I stumbled upon the Furies, and everything kind of came together.  And my main character, Amelie, was born!

 2. Advice to aspiring writers.

 First, read, read, and read some more!  Everything that gets published ends up there for a reason.  Figure out what worked in that story, and think about how you can apply that same principle to your writing.  I’m not saying to plagiarize another author, because that’s just wrong, but look and they things they do to move the story along.  Take Suzanne Collins, for example.  She writes great action scenes, and a lot of it is her use of these short, choppy sentences that move your eyes across and down the page very quickly.  Patrick Ness, who wrote the Chaos Walking Trilogy, does the same thing.  So if you’re struggling with an action scene, if it drags or just doesn’t have enough tension, you may want to try breaking up your longer sentences with a few shorter, choppier ones.  By reading how successful writers apply the craft, you can figure out your own style.

Second, when you’re revising don’t be afraid to make the big changes.  The general feeling among writers tends to be “I finished a draft!  Now I just need to smooth out a few things and I’ll be all done!”  That doesn’t always work, and writers shouldn’t be afraid of making major overhauls.  Kill a character, delete a few scenes, add new scenes, get rid of weak plotlines.  Big changes can mean big payoffs, and so can small ones.  Don’t feel committed to your plot if it’s just not working out.

And third, and most important, never give up.  It takes a lot of hard work, a lot of rejection and a lot of self doubt to get published.  I think every writer has had that moment where they’ve stopped and asked themselves “Am I wasting my time?”  If you think you’re wasting your time, ask yourself why.  Is it because you aren’t really that committed to writing?  Or because you’re afraid of more rejection?  Everyone gets derailed at some point.  The important thing is to keep working, to keep improving, to keep marching towards that goal, no matter how long it takes to get there.

 3. The hardest thing about your journey to publication?

The waiting.  Nothing travels quickly in the publishing world, and the waiting would try even a very patient person.  First, you wait to hear back from your beta readers and critique partners.  Then, you wait to hear back from agents once you begin to query them.  And when you’ve landed an agent you wait to hear back on revisions.  When you go on submission you wait to see what editors think of your manuscript.  And then there’s waiting on contracts, and edit letters, and copyedits…the waiting never seems to end.  And it’s easy to lose confidence when you’re waiting, so it’s important to have other things to think about while waiting, like new manuscripts in progress.

 4. The most fun thing?

Right now, I’m loving the idea that people are going to finally get to meet my characters.  That’s just amazing.

 

 

You didn’t really think we were done did you..?

Stay Tuned for the next installment of the Lucky 13ers.

The Lucky 13ers Part Three!

                                                                                                 Wanna chat with other YA writerly folks?