I love when paying it forward pays big. So when I got a message from Caitlin Whitaker telling me she got her agent through one of my contests, I had to let out a major squee.
Here's her story:
Ladies and gentlemen, I am now represented by the fantabulous Ms. Bree Ogden of D4EO Literary Agency.
First, some numbers. I sent out a grand total of 37 queries, never heard back on 14 of them, was rejected 12 times, and had 15 submission requests. I know the numbers don't add up. Some of my submission requests were from contests so there wasn't an official query involved.
Bree was one of my non-query submissions.
I started querying at the end of July and the very first one I sent was answered with a request for my full manuscript. Over the next few weeks, I sent out two and three queries at a time and entered contests to distract myself from obsessing over my submissions.
The first contest I entered was Dorothy Dreyer's 3-2-1 Pitch Contest; three sentences, two days to enter, one agent judging the entries. The agent judging the August 3-2-1 Pitch Contest was Bree Ogden, who is ridiculously awesome on so many levels. I was pretty darn sure I wouldn't win but I loved the idea of whittling my pitch down to three little sentences so I went for it. I labeled it New Adult because the option was there. It's a tricky issue for me because my MC is a little older but the MS feels very YA. I've had mixed messages from agents on this one so I thought it was safer calling it NA than risking the old "Maggie's too old for YA" response. I spent maybe fifteen minutes condensing my query down to this;
"Maggie inherited a lot from her grandma-- her brown eyes, her sense of humor, and her cause of death. Unaware she's starting the countdown to a reenactment of her grandma's death by fire, Maggie spends the summer with her hot-as-hell boyfriend and accidentally sets off an unstable stalker.
It's only a matter of time before Maggie Parrish is going to burn."
And then I waited. Six days later, I wasn't the winner. I assumed Bree wasn't interested. (WRONG)
A bizarre email showed up in my inbox early the week after. Someone claiming to be Bree's executive assistant requested my first fifty pages and synopsis, saying Bree had instructed her to do so following the 3-2-1 Pitch Contest. Instead of her email address ending in @D4EO.com, it was (redacted).D4EO@gmail.com. Her first name was EXACTLY THE SAME as mine. Think hard-- how many Caitlins do you know? Not Katelyns or Caitlynns, but Caitlins. No one knew how to pronounce my name when I was little. Every substitute teacher called me Cat Lynn. I hated it. But I digress.
Because I'm such a confident, secure person, I assumed the almighty Bree-Freaking-Ogden was way out of my league and the email was a scam. This psycho "Caitlin" chick swiped my email address off the contest entry and wanted to steal my baby. Bree, with her red lipstick fetish and love of things dark and wonderful, would never be interested in some loser stay-at-home mom with a minivan and a Diet Cherry Coke addiction.
I did what any sane person would do. I called Bree's executive assistant a manuscript-napping fraud and said she needed to get smacked around. Then I got this email;
"Ha ha! Yes, she is my assistant. And yes, I told her to request fifty pages. Thanks for checking!"
So I apologized to Caitlin for calling her a scam artist and accusing her of trying to hijack my story. I made such a splendid first impression, I figured I'd slaughtered any chance I had of landing Bree.
A bunch of other stuff happened. (I just saved you half an hour. You're welcome.)
All of a sudden, I had offers. It was an overnight thing and I'm still in shock. I wrote a bunch of "thank you for considering my MS, blah blah blah" emails and sent them to the agents who hadn't answered my query yet. To the agents who'd made submission requests, I gave them a heads up about my offers and got emails back, asking for a week to finish reviewing my MS. Bree was one of them.
Bree's offer was preceded by a middle of the night email, confessing she was (and I quote) "falling madly in love" with my manuscript. She sent an email the next day, asking if we could chat on the phone because she had an offer for me. I locked myself in my room and The Gunny hung out with the kids so I could have a semblance of privacy. We talked on the phone and she was every bit as jaw-droppingly cool as she seemed online. (Her hair changes color! Pink! Blue! Green!)
I have to add here how awesome my other offers were. This wasn't an easy decision. I didn't query every agent known to man-- just agents I really wanted to work with. Getting an agent is more than signing a contract. It's agreeing to a sort of partnership. It's finding someone who genuinely loves you and your work and will rave about you to publishers and fight for your manuscript's life. It's not something I took lightly when I sent queries. I think having this attitude made rejections easier for me. When I got a rejection that praised my writing but said they just didn't love it the way they needed to in order to represent me, I was cool with that. I was looking for love and I found it.
Congratulations, Caitlin! I'm so happy for you! I look forward to news of a book deal!
Sunday, 18 November 2012
Thursday, 15 November 2012
Official Entry Post for the Three Two One Pitch Contest
This contest is now closed. Thank you for all your entries. I will announce the winner as soon as literary agent Marie Lamba makes her decision. Stay tuned!
So you think you can pitch? It's time for aspiring writers everywhere to pitch to awesome literary agent Marie Lamba of the Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency. The contest starts today, November 15th, and closes at midnight on the 16th. Just a reminder to those who haven't participated before, a Three-Two-One pitch contest goes like this:
THREE - Pitch your story in only three sentences. No run-ons!
TWO - Two days to enter: November 15th and 16th.
ONE - One agent, Marie Lamba, will judge and pick a winner.
This contest is open to unagented, completed and polished manuscripts in the genres of:
Each contestant is allowed two entries.
To be eligible, you must:
So, don't forget: Three sentences, two days to enter, one agent will judge. Good luck, everyone. Can't wait to read all your pitches. On your mark, get set, GO!
So you think you can pitch? It's time for aspiring writers everywhere to pitch to awesome literary agent Marie Lamba of the Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency. The contest starts today, November 15th, and closes at midnight on the 16th. Just a reminder to those who haven't participated before, a Three-Two-One pitch contest goes like this:
THREE - Pitch your story in only three sentences. No run-ons!
TWO - Two days to enter: November 15th and 16th.
ONE - One agent, Marie Lamba, will judge and pick a winner.
This contest is open to unagented, completed and polished manuscripts in the genres of:
- YA
- MG
- Contemporary Fiction
- Women's Fiction
- Some memoir
Each contestant is allowed two entries.
To be eligible, you must:
- Follow this blog - go ahead and click "Join this Site" on the right if you haven't already
- Follow me on Twitter
- Spread the word! Tweet, Blog, or mention on Facebook about the contest linking back to this post
- Friend me on Goodreads
- Like my Facebook Author Page
Entries should be formulated in the following manner, right here in the comments section:
- Your name
- Your email
- Title of your manuscript
- Genre
- Word count
- Three-sentence pitch
Wednesday, 14 November 2012
Interview with Aviva Orr
Today we're chatting with author Aviva Orr about her novel, THE MIST ON BRONTE MOOR.
Welcome to We Do Write, Aviva! Tell us a bit about yourself.
I was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, and I currently live in Southern California with my husband, two daughters, and two Yorkshire terriers (Lucy and Branwell). I love to travel and one of my favorite places to visit is England. I am fascinated by its history and its literature. When there, I try to explore as many literary sites as possible. A trip to the Brontë Parsonage Museum in Haworth inspired me to write The Mist on Brontë Moor.
How long have you been writing?
I started writing as a teenager but never completed any manuscripts. At college, I studied literature and became immersed in academic writing. After graduating with my master’s degree, I turned to writing fiction once again.
Tell us about THE MIST ON BRONTE MOOR. What’s the story about?
The Mist on Brontë Moor is literary fantasy, in which a young girl goes back in time and meets the Brontës before they became famous.
Here is the synopsis:
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When fifteen-year-old Heather Jane Bell is diagnosed with alopecia and her hair starts falling out in clumps, she wants nothing more than to escape her home in London and disappear off the face of the earth. Heather gets her wish when her concerned parents send her to stay with her great-aunt in West Yorkshire. But shortly after she arrives, she becomes lost on the moors and is swept through the mist back to the year 1833. There she encounters fifteen-year-old Emily Brontë and is given refuge in the Brontë Parsonage. Unaware of her host family’s genius and future fame, Heather struggles to cope with alopecia amongst strangers in a world completely foreign to her. While Heather finds comfort and strength in her growing friendship with Emily and in the embrace of the close-knit Brontë family, her emotions are stretched to the limit when she falls for Emily’s brilliant but troubled brother, Branwell. Will Heather return to the comforts and conveniences of the twenty-first century? Or will she choose love and remain in the harsh world of nineteenth-century Haworth?
Such an enchanting cover! How did the idea of the story come to you?
I’ve always loved the Brontës and visiting their home in Haworth, England was an awe-inspiring experience. The Brontë Parsonage Museum is so well maintained that when you are there, it is not difficult to imagine yourself going back in time and meeting the Brontës. Since I couldn’t make that happen, I did the next best thing and wrote about it.
Do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?
I belong to a fantastic online critique group consisting of eight writers, so I receive plenty of feedback on each chapter. In addition, my publisher, WiDo, provided me with a wonderful editor and two copyeditors.
Are you a planner or a pantser?
A pantser. I start with an idea or an image and then I write. Once it’s written, I revise. I am a compulsive reviser.
What’s the hardest part of writing for you?
Letting the manuscript go. I always find something to tweak.
What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?
Aside from my laptop, the only thing I need when I write is quiet. I can’t concentrate in a noisy environment (although I don’t mind music). For this reason, I tend to go to the library a lot or write late at night when everyone in my house is asleep.
If you could have any super power, what would it be?
I’d love to be able to snap my fingers and transport myself to any place in the world. Going back in time would be fun too.
What's the weirdest thing you've googled?
The components that make up a tooth sealant. Not that interesting, but I wanted to know what the dentist was putting in my child’s mouth.
Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: mortgage, define, and horse-drawn buggy.
Bella hesitated before accepting the gnarled hand that extended from the horse-drawn buggy, unable to define exactly how she felt about the task that lay ahead, and the vital role it played in saving her family from the mortgage collector.
Finish this sentence: If I'm not writing, I'm probably ...
on the Internet.
Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.
A huge thank you goes out to my husband and two daughters. Also to my sister, Tamara, for her endless reads of my manuscript. My amazing critique group, Out of the Blue, for their years of support. My brilliant publisher, WiDo, who have been fantastic to work with. And the Brontë Parsonage Museum for answering my questions and for inspiring this story.
And finally, where can people find you and your book online?
http://www.avivaorr.com
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6464067.Aviva_Orr
http://www.amazon.com/The-Mist-Bronte-Moor-Aviva/dp/1937178277
Thanks for stopping by the blog today, Aviva. I'm looking forward to reading your book!
Welcome to We Do Write, Aviva! Tell us a bit about yourself.
How long have you been writing?
I started writing as a teenager but never completed any manuscripts. At college, I studied literature and became immersed in academic writing. After graduating with my master’s degree, I turned to writing fiction once again.
Tell us about THE MIST ON BRONTE MOOR. What’s the story about?
The Mist on Brontë Moor is literary fantasy, in which a young girl goes back in time and meets the Brontës before they became famous.
Here is the synopsis:
.jpg)
Such an enchanting cover! How did the idea of the story come to you?
I’ve always loved the Brontës and visiting their home in Haworth, England was an awe-inspiring experience. The Brontë Parsonage Museum is so well maintained that when you are there, it is not difficult to imagine yourself going back in time and meeting the Brontës. Since I couldn’t make that happen, I did the next best thing and wrote about it.
Do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?
I belong to a fantastic online critique group consisting of eight writers, so I receive plenty of feedback on each chapter. In addition, my publisher, WiDo, provided me with a wonderful editor and two copyeditors.
Are you a planner or a pantser?
A pantser. I start with an idea or an image and then I write. Once it’s written, I revise. I am a compulsive reviser.
What’s the hardest part of writing for you?
Letting the manuscript go. I always find something to tweak.
What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?
Aside from my laptop, the only thing I need when I write is quiet. I can’t concentrate in a noisy environment (although I don’t mind music). For this reason, I tend to go to the library a lot or write late at night when everyone in my house is asleep.
If you could have any super power, what would it be?
I’d love to be able to snap my fingers and transport myself to any place in the world. Going back in time would be fun too.
What's the weirdest thing you've googled?
The components that make up a tooth sealant. Not that interesting, but I wanted to know what the dentist was putting in my child’s mouth.
Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: mortgage, define, and horse-drawn buggy.
Bella hesitated before accepting the gnarled hand that extended from the horse-drawn buggy, unable to define exactly how she felt about the task that lay ahead, and the vital role it played in saving her family from the mortgage collector.
Finish this sentence: If I'm not writing, I'm probably ...
on the Internet.
Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.
A huge thank you goes out to my husband and two daughters. Also to my sister, Tamara, for her endless reads of my manuscript. My amazing critique group, Out of the Blue, for their years of support. My brilliant publisher, WiDo, who have been fantastic to work with. And the Brontë Parsonage Museum for answering my questions and for inspiring this story.
And finally, where can people find you and your book online?
http://www.avivaorr.com
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6464067.Aviva_Orr
http://www.amazon.com/The-Mist-Bronte-Moor-Aviva/dp/1937178277
Thanks for stopping by the blog today, Aviva. I'm looking forward to reading your book!
Tuesday, 13 November 2012
Interview with Nick Orsini
Today we're chatting with author Nick Orsini about his novel, FINGERLESS GLOVES.
Welcome, Nick! Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m 26 years old, only about 5’6’’ tall, big glasses and a sometimes-beard. I call it that because it’s not quite as much of a beard as it is an unfortunate collection of lazy stubble. I’m a writer, a terrible guitarist, an amateur professional wrestler and a connoisseur of classic video games. I also pride myself on my T-shirt collection and my skills with a light saber. I have an unhealthy obsession with horror movies and creative socks.
How long have you been writing?
About four years.
Tell us about FINGERLESS GLOVES. What’s the story about?
How did the idea of the story come to you?
It came to me one night in 2010, I was living in Montclair, New Jersey and was going through some internal struggles. I wanted to write a story not about growing up, but about feeling like a grown-up. I also began to ponder how important my friends are. Fingerless Gloves is a very pop-punk story - about the value of love and self and the journeys we go on with unforgettable people.
Are you a planner or a pantser?
I don’t really plan. I let the story guide itself. I muse on many different things when I’m writing and I have the hardest time outlining, etc.
What’s the hardest part of writing for you?
The first line of the first chapter. I really like to start things off with a bang. I always imagined first lines should be epic, sweeping things. I literally study first and last lines of novels, examining them closely. It’s weird, but it matters!
What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?
My Garden State movie poster. It reminds me where I’m from. I saw that movie over 10 times in theaters. It’s one of my favorites.
If you could have any super power, what would it be?
The ability to teleport like Nightcrawler. I’d only want to teleport to places I could see. I wouldn’t want to be able to blink my eyes and be on top of the Grand Canyon or at the bottom of the ocean – I’m not impractical.
What's the weirdest thing you've googled?
“What is a McRib made of”
I don't want to know, lol. Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: turbulant, beautician, remorseful.
I felt remorseful when I put the beautician through a turbulent series of requests for a high-top fade.
Finish this sentence: If I'm not writing, I'm probably ...
Watching Batman and Robin with my roommate, on my couch, laughing.
Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.
For my parents: Richard and Catherine, thank you so much for allowing me to grow up the way I did. Thanks for sending me to school every day when I hated it. Thanks for giving up so much for your kids. All of this is for you.
For my sister Allyse, you do better work than I do … you help people every day and live a most admirable life. You made it out of New Jersey even when New Jersey hasn’t quite made it out of you. Thanks for helping me get it together.
For Juice and Ryan, you two stuck with me since the beginning. Thanks for helping out on the “Read or Die” Tour and for believing in this the whole time. You guys are an amazing support system and have made me laugh harder than I ever thought possible.
For Dylan, thanks for that first interview on TellMeSomething.org …that site has become so much since then … you’re a so-so podcast host.
For Tara, thanks for helping this writer grow up a little. Your encouragement and care has seriously led to some of the best work I’ve ever done. I appreciate you more than you’ll ever know.
This is also for every person who ever responded to my first novel, Two Wrongs Make a Vice, and/or any of the poems on AdorkableLife.com … none of this would be possible if it wasn’t for you. Your stories and emails and kind words helped me keep writing. I told you, years ago, that together, we’d bring writing back … and we have. This all belongs to you. Thanks for letting me tell you stories.
Lastly, for Grandma Orsini, Grandpa Teddy, and Grandma Nori, all it takes is an old photograph or a memory to set me off writing again. Thanks for calling me all through college to make sure I was doing ok. Although you aren’t a phone call away anymore, the lessons learned from your lives continue to inspire my writing.
And finally, where can people find you and your book online?
My blog, AdorkableLife.com … Fingerless Gloves is available now from Apostrophe Books, on all ebook retailers!
Links to buy Fingerless Gloves:
iBookstore USA: http://goo.gl/txhCn
iBookstore UK: http://goo.gl/3vK7n
Kobo USA: http://goo.gl/uVtsi
Kobo UK: http://goo.gl/uVtsi
Links to find out more about Fingerless Gloves:
On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FingerlessGlovesByNickOrsini
Monday, 12 November 2012
Interview with Prudence MacLeod
Happy Monday, everyone! Does it feel like Fall where you are? Have you already got your Thanksgivings plans sorted out? So much to do and so little time, right? Well hopefully you have time to sneak a peek at an interview with the fabulous Prudence MacLeod.
Welcome, Prudence!
Hi Dorothy, thanks so much for giving me this opportunity. Okay, I’m strapped in with coffee in hand. Ask me anything at all.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
Well, I’m in my sixties, so I’ve been around for a while. The thing is, the older I get the more fun this adventure called life becomes. I love telling stories, knitting, hanging out with friends, walking with dogs, did I mention hanging out with friends? I also enjoy meeting new people. Oh and then there’s the shopping…
How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing off and on much of my life, but only in the last twenty years have I taken it seriously.
Tell us about HUNTER. What’s the story about?
Hunter is my latest effort. It began as an exercise of letting my mind wander then took on a life of its own. It is the story of a young woman with a special gift, one that brings her as much grief as it does benefit. She has spent her life running and hiding from the authorities and something else; always wondering why the women in her family are different. And then she finds out, and goes on the hunt herself. The story is as much about Tracy’s hunt for herself and her place in the world as it is about the hunt for the aliens.
How did the idea of the story come to you?
Actually it was through a conversation with my Labrador Retriever. Dogs perceive the world very differently and I suddenly wondered what that might be like. Later that day I was watching Firestarter with friends and that was it. I couldn’t sleep that night until I put some thoughts on paper.
Do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?
I have a couple of Beta readers. First I do a self-edit, then have the story read, and then it goes to my editor at Powder River Editing. This is actually new for me and Hunter is only the second book she has done for me. It does make a difference.
Are you a planner or a pantser?
Oh, pantster all the way. Shoot, if I knew how the story would unfold I wouldn’t bother to write it. I write them to see what is going to happen.
What’s the hardest part of writing for you?
Promotion usually; I’m not so great at blowing my own horn or running contests and such.
What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?
Coffee, dogs, or people. I talk to the dogs while I write. It helps me to sort out the story. I’m a writer, most of us survive on coffee, and oddly, I enjoy having people all around me.
If you could have any super power, what would it be?
Oh, teleportation. If you want to have coffee with a friend in Texas, poof you’re there. Want to do lunch with the girls in England? Poof, you’re there. How incredible would that be?
What's the weirdest thing you've googled?
Oh dear, now that’s a tough question; probably the name of the main characters in my books. After I finish a book I google the names just to make sure I’m not going to rub anybody’s fur the wrong way. You know, if I write Joe Bob as a womanizer and google turns up Joe Bob as a solid citizen running for office, well, my Joe becomes Jimmy Sam. No harm intended and none done if I can help it.
Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: ambition, ammunition, and appetite.
“Jeanie, here’s the extra ammunition you’ll need if you have the appetite for the killing, or the ambition to see another sunrise.”
Finish this sentence: If I'm not writing, I'm probably ...
thinking about writing.
Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you.Let's hear your shout outs.
First there’s my partner who is also my biggest fan as well as a gifted artist. Find her here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/PurpleRavenBoutique?ref=seller_info
My editor and dear friend, C.M.Crawford , find her here: http://powderriverediting.blogspot.ca/
Also the WANA group. You can find these folks on Facebook or Twitter as well as hundreds of other places. These are the most supportive and inspirational people you could ever hope to encounter. Find them at WANA 1011, WANA 112, on Facebook or at #MYWANA on Twitter. These are incredible people, check them out; you’ll be glad you did.
And finally, where can people find you and your books online?
All my books can be found at these locations or at fine on-line book seller anywhere.
http://www.prudencemacleod.com/
http://www.amazon.com/Prudence-MacLeod/e/B0079XOY8U
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/Witchhazel
Thanks so much for chatting with us today, Prudence. I wish you the best with your book!
This has been a lot of fun, Dorothy. Thanks again for inviting me.
Welcome, Prudence!
Hi Dorothy, thanks so much for giving me this opportunity. Okay, I’m strapped in with coffee in hand. Ask me anything at all.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing off and on much of my life, but only in the last twenty years have I taken it seriously.
Tell us about HUNTER. What’s the story about?
How did the idea of the story come to you?
Actually it was through a conversation with my Labrador Retriever. Dogs perceive the world very differently and I suddenly wondered what that might be like. Later that day I was watching Firestarter with friends and that was it. I couldn’t sleep that night until I put some thoughts on paper.
Do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?
I have a couple of Beta readers. First I do a self-edit, then have the story read, and then it goes to my editor at Powder River Editing. This is actually new for me and Hunter is only the second book she has done for me. It does make a difference.
Are you a planner or a pantser?
Oh, pantster all the way. Shoot, if I knew how the story would unfold I wouldn’t bother to write it. I write them to see what is going to happen.
What’s the hardest part of writing for you?
Promotion usually; I’m not so great at blowing my own horn or running contests and such.
What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?
Coffee, dogs, or people. I talk to the dogs while I write. It helps me to sort out the story. I’m a writer, most of us survive on coffee, and oddly, I enjoy having people all around me.
If you could have any super power, what would it be?
Oh, teleportation. If you want to have coffee with a friend in Texas, poof you’re there. Want to do lunch with the girls in England? Poof, you’re there. How incredible would that be?
What's the weirdest thing you've googled?
Oh dear, now that’s a tough question; probably the name of the main characters in my books. After I finish a book I google the names just to make sure I’m not going to rub anybody’s fur the wrong way. You know, if I write Joe Bob as a womanizer and google turns up Joe Bob as a solid citizen running for office, well, my Joe becomes Jimmy Sam. No harm intended and none done if I can help it.
Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: ambition, ammunition, and appetite.
“Jeanie, here’s the extra ammunition you’ll need if you have the appetite for the killing, or the ambition to see another sunrise.”
Finish this sentence: If I'm not writing, I'm probably ...
thinking about writing.
Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you.Let's hear your shout outs.
First there’s my partner who is also my biggest fan as well as a gifted artist. Find her here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/PurpleRavenBoutique?ref=seller_info
My editor and dear friend, C.M.Crawford , find her here: http://powderriverediting.blogspot.ca/
Also the WANA group. You can find these folks on Facebook or Twitter as well as hundreds of other places. These are the most supportive and inspirational people you could ever hope to encounter. Find them at WANA 1011, WANA 112, on Facebook or at #MYWANA on Twitter. These are incredible people, check them out; you’ll be glad you did.
And finally, where can people find you and your books online?
All my books can be found at these locations or at fine on-line book seller anywhere.
http://www.prudencemacleod.com/
http://www.amazon.com/Prudence-MacLeod/e/B0079XOY8U
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/Witchhazel
Thanks so much for chatting with us today, Prudence. I wish you the best with your book!
This has been a lot of fun, Dorothy. Thanks again for inviting me.
Sunday, 11 November 2012
Interview with Cassandra Giovanni PLUS Giveaway
Today we're talking with author Cassandra Giovanni about her novel, WALKING IN THE SHADOWS. Be sure to leave a comment, and you could win an ebook, necklace and signed photographic print. (Available to UK, USA, and CANADA.)
Welcome to We Do Write, Cassandra! Tell us a bit about yourself.
Tell us about WALKING IN THE SHADOWS. What’s the story about?
How did the idea of the story come to you?
This story had two different inspirations. I really didn't want to write a vampire novel, and I started to think about the concept and how obsessed everyone seems to be with it since Twilight. Somehow the concept twisted in my mind to the extreme—a serial killer who drinks the blood of their victims. The second part of the story was inspired by a dream. In the dream there was Vera and Tad in a dark auditorium. I could feel the love that Vera had for Tad, but there was this distinct feeling that something wasn't right. There were secrets and apprehension. Then it fast forwarded to Tad pulling her into a dark room and kissing her. It didn't make sense to me that the whole thing had to be so secretive because they were so close in age—no different than my husband and I. So, then I started thinking…and their relationship was born.
Do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?
I have a few select beta readers, and I have a friend who is just starting her own editing company that has helped me.
Are you a planner or a pantser?
Ummm…pantser? I have to google that…alright, pantser. I get the characters in my head and I start writing. I usually write the beginning, middle, end . . . all the really strong scenes and then fill in from there, but there’s no order to it. I could write an ending scene, a middle scene, another ending scene and then a beginning.
What’s the hardest part of writing for you?
I’m not really sure—there are parts that frustrate me, but I honestly love every part of writing, no matter how hard it is, so I have never thought about how hard certain parts were. If I had to say what I like least, it’s the formatting the novel for print. There are so many things to do to make it look right! Oh, and figuring out how to use commas…little buggers.
What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?
Iphone and my Bubski—my Chihuahua/Jack Russell aka a ChurRussell
If you could have any super power, what would it be?
Healing
What's the weirdest thing you've googled?
My own name…that was the weirdest thing ever, and it just keeps getting weirder as more and more pages pop up.
Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: swap, damaged, and hilarious.
Some parts of my past are hilarious and some parts are damaged, but I wouldn’t swap them for the world.
Finish this sentence: If I'm not writing, I'm probably ...
Taking photos.
Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.
First, my amazing husband. He always deals with my ranting, stressful yelling for no reason and constant tapping on the computer! My parents are amazing—they have always been there to guide me, even when I didn’t want them to. Besides my husband, they are two of my best friends. Onto best friends—Marsha…you can say the simplest things and make everything all better. Ellen, what can I say? You are an amazing person, writer, mentor and friend. I am so lucky to have all of you. AND let’s not forget my awesome readers and fans!
And finally, where can people find you and your book online?
You can purchase the ebook at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. You can pick up the paperback at Amazon, my createspace store and Bank Square Books in Mystic, CT.
Blurb:
Seconds seem like a lifetime when the life you lived is slowly drained out of you by those who care not what you felt, hoped, or dreamed. When the darkness comes it is all-consuming; there is no light and there is no pain. It is the never-ending loss of hope that now consumes me as I die in his arms.
This is Abigail Martin’s nightmare. After her parents become the first victims of a serial killer obsessed with the vampire saga, "Crimson Reign," Abigail does the only thing that she thinks will save her from her parent’s fate–she becomes some one else. As Vera MacIntrye, she falls in love with the very handsome Tad Knightley, and then walks into her first day at her new school to see him standing at the front of the classroom. He’s every teenage girls fantasy, but as he writes “Mr. Knightley: AP British Literature” across the white board Vera realizes the one person who filled the gaping hole in her heart will soon rip it wide open again.
Vera struggles to adjust to being a ‘normal’ teenager with very adult responsibilities like paying therent, buying groceries and making sure that lights stay on, while being drawn time and time again back to her off-limits teacher. What’s worse is he is drawn to her too, and their worlds refuse to stay apart when Tad finds Vera screaming in terror in the parking lot after the winter formal. Themurderer has struck again and is getting closer to the next target–Vera. Tad will do whatever he can to save her, even if it means losing his dream job, but will it be enough when the murderer is closer than anyone ever thought?
Social media links:
My website: www.cgiovanni.com
My blog: www.cgiovanniwrites.wordpress.com
My GR: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6094287.Cassandra_Giovanni
Youtube video: http://youtu.be/sFcFwylsMTo
My book merchandise store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/CGiovanniWrites
Buy links:
Book Merchandise and signed novels:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CGiovanniWrites
Amazon:
EBOOK: http://www.amazon.com/Walking-in-the-Shadows-ebook/dp/B009Y7Y6UK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1351902882&sr=8-3&keywords=cassandra+giovanni
PAPERBACK:http://www.amazon.com/Walking-Shadows-Volume-Cassandra-Giovanni/dp/1478118199/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1351902913&sr=8-2&keywords=cassandra+giovanni
Barnes and Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/walking-in-the-shadows-cassandra-giovanni/1113639395?ean=2940015893274&itm=1&usri=cassanda+giovanni
Friday, 9 November 2012
Interview with Barbara Morgenroth
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The next stop on the FLASH blog tour is right here. We're talking with author Barbara Morgenroth.
Welcome to We Do Write, Barbara. Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m a horse person with no horses but two dogs. I live in the country but was born in a city.
How long have you been writing?
Professionally? I probably started before you were born.
Kip Chanin is a 15 year old pretending to be 18 in order to get along in the adult world. Her mother is beautiful but dreamy and unserious, so Kip has been freelancing as a photographer in order to keep the two of them going. When they move to Los Angeles so her mother can become an actress, Kip becomes a paparazzi out of necessity.
Kip’s first photo is of Alex Milne, the handsome and volatile young actor. That photo changes both their lives.
Lesson One--You do what you have to in Hollywood to survive.
How did the idea of the story come to you?
My college major was photography so a camera is always close at hand. There was a moment when I thought “Wow. Interesting idea—girl paparazzi.” The book wound up being quite a bit different than that initial spark.
Do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?
I do not have a critique group or a partner or beta readers although I’m sure others find that very helpful. I self-edit happily.
Are you a planner or a pantser?
I know where I’m going and enjoy the adventure and surprise of getting there. If I planned it all out, then the book would be done before it was written and I would move on to something else.
What’s the hardest part of writing for you?
With so many interesting things going on in life, it’s sometimes hard not to be distracted.
What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?
These chewy ginger candies from Indonesia.
If you could have any super power, what would it be?
I’d like to be able to find things I’m looking for. A book buried under 20 other books, the pen with the sheep on it, things I waste hours looking for. Then they turn up. If I could just find them immediately, that would be super.
What's the weirdest thing you've googled?
How many yards of fabric was required in order to wrap an Egyptian mummy for burial.
Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: paw, gradually, and chapel.
The Warrior Cats gradually wore out their welcome after leaving hundreds of messages in the review sections of various book sites and had to stealthily sneak away on their annoying cat paws to hide in the chapel as writers came after them with pitchforks and torches.
Finish this sentence: If I'm not writing, I'm probably ...
Doing photography.
Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.
I want to thank my fans—Angela, Kelly, and the others unnamed you know who you are—who keep asking for Bad Apple 4 and have the patience to wait while I figure it out.
And finally, where can people find you and your book online?
All my books are at amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, kobobooks.com and bn.com
I’m at http://barbaramorgenroth.blogspot.com
Or
http://www.facebook.com/barbara.morgenroth.5
Blurb
She’d been pretending to be 18 for so long, it felt like the truth.
When the only way for 15 year old Kip Chanin to earn a living is as paparazzi, she can’t say no.
Kip’s first photo is of Alex Milne, the handsome and volatile young actor. That one photo changes both their lives.
Lesson One--You do what you have to in Hollywood to survive.
Flash. You’ve been pap snapped.
Links
http://www.facebook.com/barbara.morgenroth.5
http://barbaramorgenroth.blogspot.com
http://www.amazon.com/Flash-ebook/dp/B005R2LUFA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350328317&sr=8-1&keywords=flash+morgenroth
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/flash-barbara-morgenroth/1106030146?ean=2940013337039&itm=1&USRI=flash+morgenroth&
http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Flash/book-zT2fG8hHMEyVWoz972kC_w/page1.html?s=VlHGqTVqy0G148v7TN-7Jg&r=4
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