Ask the Author: Shannon Lee Alexander (Life After Juliet)

   In this weeks edition of Ask the Author I'm bringing you the amazing Shannon Lee Alexander, author of Life After Juliet, the companion Love and Other Unknown Variables. I absolutely loved Life After Juliet (find my review here) so I'm really happy that Shannon agreed to do this interview with me.

   Find her amazing book and As to my Qs below:

Life After Juliet by Shannon Lee Alexander

Published: July 5th 2016 by Entangled TEEN

Number of Pages: 304 Pages (Hardcover)

Series: Yes, companion to Love and Other Unknown Variables

   Becca Hanson was never able to make sense of the real world. When her best friend Charlotte died, she gave up on it altogether. Fortunately, Becca can count on her books to escape—to other times, other places, other people...

   Until she meets Max Herrera. He’s experienced loss, too, and his gorgeous, dark eyes see Becca the way no one else in school can.

   As it turns out, kissing is a lot better in real life than on a page. But love and life are a lot more complicated in the real world...and happy endings aren't always guaranteed.

   The companion novel to Love and Other Unknown Variables is an exploration of loss and regret, of kissing and love, and most importantly, a celebration of hope and discovering a life worth living again. (goodreads.com)

Interview with Shannon Lee Alexander

   1 – Describe Life After Juliet with a haiku.

   I haven’t written a haiku in so long! What a fun way to start an interview.

Quiet bookworm hides

Spotlight reveals deepest grief

Defies stars for new life

   2 – What was the first initial thought or thing that sparked the idea of Life After Juliet?

   Waaaay back in 2013, my editor asked if I’d ever considered writing another book in the Love and Other Unknown Variables universe. LAOUV is the companion novel to Life after Juliet. I laughed and said no. No way. But then, she said, “It’s just that some of us here are wondering…what happens to Becca?”

   Once the question was asked, I couldn’t stop thinking about Becca and what might happen to a girl like her after the events of LAOUV. Eventually, I started writing my ideas down and Life after Juliet was born.

   3 – What was the most challenging about writing Life After Juliet and which scene was the most fun to write?

   There were many challenging things about Life after Juliet. One of the most difficult was to be sure Becca’s voice was authentic to her and that the grief journey she was on was her own. I didn’t want to color her life with my own experiences, so I had to be very careful and deliberate in creating her character.

   I think the dumpster scene near the end is one of my favorites. Becca seems so happy and like she truly fits in again. I love that scene. And I think it’s funny. I love funny!

   4 – What do you like most and least about your main character, Becca?

   I like Becca’s honesty, with herself and others.

   I guess what I liked least about Becca when I was writing was her ability to sit still for so long. Main characters that prefer to sit alone and read do not make very exciting stories! I really had to shove her into the spotlight!

   5 - In retrospective, is there anything that you’d change about the story or are you happy with the way it turned out in the end?

   Hmm…maybe not change. I’m sure there are little tweaks here and there I’d like to make if I were to go back and read it now. But as far as major structure, I like the bones of this story. It works for Becca. I’d hate to change that.

   6 - How did you feel when you first realized that this story you had written would soon be read by hundreds of people and how do you feel now, years later, before your next book will be released? Did the feeling change or is it still the same?

   I was absolutely terrified with the first book! Terrified!! And while I still get nervous when I think about people reading (and judging) Life after Juliet, I’ve really made my peace with my role in the creative process and where it ends, which is the moment it becomes available to readers.

   Life after Juliet was mine until July 5, when it launched and became the property of readers. It’s a gift. And I can’t take it back. And it isn’t my place to interpret the gift I’ve given. It’s my job to give the gift with all my heart and then let others receive it.

   7 – What do you think about the cover? Is it anything like you imagined it being?

   I love the hombre blue hues in this cover!! They are so pretty. And the title font is gorgeous (I’m a big fan of fonts, which is weird, but I just love them). I honestly struggled a little with the couple on the cover at first. But Entangled Publishing worked with me on a few things, and now I can see their vision for the cover much more clearly.

   I didn’t exactly have a vision for this cover (or LAOUV either), but Entangled always comes through.

   8 – Seeing as you’re a YA author I’m sure you also read YA, so I wondered, what were the last three books you’ve read and what did you think of them?

   I’m going to check my Goodreads to be sure:

   1) Maybe a Fox by Kathi Appelt and Alison McGhee—LOVED this middle grade book! Gave it 5 stars. It’s the story of a girl and fox and the mysterious ways their lives are linked. I cried so many times when reading it. It was beautiful.

   2) Everland by Wendy Spinale—I liked this one and gave it 3 stars. It’s a steampunk retelling of Peter Pan, which was a really cool angle! I enjoyed it, but not as much as my 13-year-old daughter. She finished it in one sitting!

   3) Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler—I’m a big Sarah Ockler fan. I love her characters’ inner monologues. She makes me laugh and tugs at my heartstrings, too. I gave this book 3 stars, though, which is low for a Sarah Ockler for me. She’s usually a 5 star author. It was a cute story about a figure skater turned baker and the ways she’s trying to pull her life back together. Very fun, but I wanted something more. My favorite Sarah Ockler is Fixing Delilah.

   9 – Do you have a writing routine or do you write whenever creativity strikes?

   I write whenever I get the chance. That doesn’t happen every day. I have two very busy kiddos whose lives come first for me right now. They won’t be at home with me very much longer, and I just don’t want to miss out on anything. Time here on Earth is short and life is fleeting, so I spend as much time with people I love as I can.

   10 – What advice could you give aspiring authors?

   Find an amazing critique group. Make sure they are always honest (even brutal when necessary) with you. Your writing won’t grow from praise, but constructive criticism will do you wonders! I wouldn’t be a published writer if it weren’t for my critique group, the YA Cannibals. Our motto is We Eat Our Own. We figure it’s best to have our stories shredded by each other, so we can put them back together stronger and better.

   11 – If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

   Telekinesis? I think I’d like that. If it means I can make the vacuum work and fold the laundry without actually having to do that, then sign me up!

About the Author

   Shannon Lee Alexander is a wife and mother (of two kids and one yellow terrier named Harriet Potter). She is passionate about coffee, books, and cancer research. Math makes her break out in a sweat. Love and Other Unknown Variables is her debut novel. She currently lives in Indianapolis with her family.

Website // Twitter

Ask the Author: Gaby Triana (Wake the Hollow)

   After a one moth pause I'm finally back with new interviews! 

   Today I'm bringing you Gaby Triana, the author of Wake the Hollow and other amazing books. She was so lovely as to take some of her time to answer my questions for you guys. 

   Find her book and her amazing answers below:

Wake the Hollow by Gaby Triana

Expected Publication: August 2nd 2016 by Entangled: Teen

Number of Pages: 304 Pages (Paperback)

Series: No

   Forget the ghosts, Mica. It’s real, live people you should fear.

   Tragedy has brought Micaela Burgos back to her hometown of Sleepy Hollow. It’s been six years since she chose to live with her father in Miami instead of her eccentric mother. And now her mother is dead.

   This town will suck you in and not let go.

   Sleepy Hollow may be famous for its fabled headless horseman, but the town is real. So are its prejudices and hatred, targeting Mica’s family as outsiders. But ghostly voices carry on the wind, whispering that her mother’s death was based on hate…not an accident at all. With the help of two very different guys—who pull at her heart in very different ways—Micaela must awaken the hidden secret of Sleepy Hollow…before she meets her mother’s fate.

   Find the answers.

   Unless, of course, the answers find you first. (goodreads.com)

Interview with Gaby Triana

   1 – Describe Wake the Hollow with a haiku.

   I’m not much of a poet but how’s this?

   Journal hidden near

   First to find wins money, fame

   But beware the ghosts

   2 – What was the first initial thought or thing that sparked the idea of Wake the Hollow? And in what way do you think does Wake the Hallow stand out and offer something that should make readers even more interested in it?

   The Disney short film, The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, was one of my favorites growing up. I used to show this in my classroom to all my students too when I was a teacher. I loved the autumn vibe and spooky feel, and I loved reading “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and discovering that it wasn’t so much a story about the Headless Horseman as it was about a love triangle. I thought how cool would it be to write a modern-day version through the POV of Katrina Van Tassel, only in my book she’s Micaela Katerina Burgos. My book stands out in that it’s not a straight retelling of an old classic. It’s a reimagining with a modern mystery crime twist, where the ghosts are spirit guides and the real live people are the ones we should fear. It also features a Cuban-American character in a tale as American as apple pie.

   3 – What was the most challenging about writing Wake the Hollow and which scene was the most fun to write?

   The research was challenging. There was a lot to learn about classic author, Washington Irving, who features in his own story’s retelling. Also, evoking a spooky feel in first person POV was challenging, because I wanted to vividly describe the entire town while still staying true to “teen think.” The chase through the cemetery is one of my favorite scenes. Also the one at the safe deposit box at the bank.

   4 – What do you like most and least about your main character, Micaela?

   What I like the least is that she didn’t bother to learn more about her mother before she left town six years earlier. She could’ve learned a lot about her heritage at that time, but what I love is that she redeems herself throughout the book and grows closer to her mother even after death. It’s never too late to change ourselves.

   5 - How long did it take you from first idea until publishing deal?

   This book took me the longest, because it was conceived, written, shopped, rejected, then…it sat around collecting dust. Revived. Revised multiple times, shopped again, and overall it took 7 years from idea to publishing deal.

   6 - How do you feel about the fact that in only a few more weeks (August 2nd) hundreds of readers will be able to hold and read your novel?

   I’m probably going to cry, because this is my favorite of all my books. I’m a big Halloween freak, so it’s the one that allowed me to write what I love, which is a good ghost story. For a while, I thought it would never be published, but I kept the faith, and now everyone will get to read it.

   7 – What led you to writing and wanting to be an author? Is it the way you imagined it would be?

   I’ve been writing stories since I was in 3rd grade. It was always a natural progression for me. I won writing contests in high school and always wrote, even though I went to college to become a teacher. In that way, I felt I had sidetracked myself, but I was always slow in figuring out what I wanted from my life. Now I live the dream of writing every day for a living.

   8 – What do you think about the cover? Is it anything like you imagined it being?

   The cover is the farthest thing from what I ever imagined. I always thought there would be darker black and orange tones with a headless horseman in a forest or something. When I first saw it, I thought it was beautiful but was concerned about how it would tell the story within. Then I realized it doesn’t need to tell the story within, it just has to capture your imagination, and I feel it does exactly that. It’s GORGEOUS!

   9 – Book adaptations – movie or TV series?

   Definitely a movie! This is a story that is told in one powerful burst, not spread out. That said, I can see a sequel being told in segments over time.

   10 – What advice could you give aspiring authors?

   Write every day. Write even if it’s terrible, because you can always go back and fix it, but the important thing is that you got it down. Don’t judge yourself as you go, just tell a story, and always, always revise and revise before you share. That’s the point of writing versus talking. You don’t have to get it right the first time.

   11 – If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

   The ability to destroy hatred. Imagine what a wonderful world we would live in.

About the Author

   GABY TRIANA is the award-winning author of six YA novels—Wake the Hollow (Coming 2016), Summer of Yesterday, Riding the Universe, The Temptress Four, Cubanita, and Backstage Pass, as well as thirteen ghostwritten novels for best-selling authors. Originally a 4th grade teacher with a Master of Science in Elementary Education and ten years teaching experience, Gaby earned Teacher of the Year in 2000, wrote her first novel, Freddie and the Biltmore Ghost, then left teaching to launch a full-time writing career. She went on to publish young adult novels with HarperCollins and Simon & Schuster, win an IRA Teen Choice Award, ALA Best Paperback Award, and Hispanic Magazine’s Good Reads of 2008. She spends her time obsessing about Halloween, Christmas, and Disney World, as well as hosting parties, designing mugs, making whimsical cakes, and winning costume contests. When she’s not writing, she might also be watching Jurassic Park movies with her boys, posting excessive food pics on social media, or helping run the Florida region of the SCBWI. Gaby lives in Miami with her three sons, Michael, Noah, and Murphy. She has one dog, Chloe, and two cats—Miss Daisy, and the reformed thug, shooting survivor, Bowie. Visit her at www.GabyTriana.com.

Ask the Author: Katherine Fleet (The Secret to Letting Go)

   Welcome everyone!

   Thanks so much to Alice for hosting me on her site today! I’m Katherine Fleet, the debut author of The Secret to Letting Go. It’s a YA contemporary set in a fictional town on the Gulf Coast of Florida during that magical summer after high school graduation when the whole world is out there waiting for you. It’s the story of two teens – Clover, a mysterious girl who shows up in town lost in her secrets and fears, and Daniel, a boy who’s drawn into her troubled world despite his better judgment. Life keeps throwing them together, but their secrets keep them apart. Ultimately, it’s a story about living through tragedy and learning to forgive your self.

The Secret to Letting Go

Published: February 1st 2016 by Entangled: digiTeen

Number of Pages: 334 Pages (Kindle)

Series: No

   One summer can change everything...

   Haunted with guilt after his girlfriend’s death, Daniel Hudson has no interest in committing to anyone. At the end of the summer, he’ll be leaving Florida for a new start in college. If only he could avoid the mysterious new girl in town, who seems every bit as naive and eccentric as she looks. Trouble is, she’s hard to ignore, with her beautiful piercing eyes, pitiful-looking dog, and unsettling tendency of finding trouble.

   Clover Scott lived her whole life off the grid and arrives on the Gulf coast in search of her grandparents. She never expected to nearly drown, or get caught in a hurricane, or fall in love with the boy who rescues her. Now, she has a chance to rewrite her life’s story, to finally fit in somewhere, but Daniel wants answers about her past. When the police start asking questions about the disappearance of her parents, she must make a choice: go to jail or confess her secrets—even if they might destroy her chance at a happily-ever-after. (goodreads.com)

Interview with Katherine Fleet

   1 - Describe The Secret to Letting Go with a haiku or twitter pitch.

   Since I was always terrible at our annual holiday haiku contest at the office, I’ll stick with a twitter pitch!

   Homeless and running from her past, Clover needs saving. Daniel’s not good at being anyone’s hero, but he can’t walk away.

   2 - What was the first initial thought or thing that sparked the idea of The Secret to Letting Go?

   This will probably sound cliché, but I had a dream, which was basically the first scene of the book. When I woke up, I just lay there, letting the characters take shape. I didn’t know what Clover had been through, but I knew it was something bad. From there, I started writing.

   3 - What do you like most and least about your protagonists Clover and Daniel?

   I love that after everything they’ve been through, neither one of them has given up on life, hope or love. What do I like least? That’s a hard one. It’s probably that they had so many self-doubts. I wanted them to be confident in their own goodness and worthiness, but I knew that it would take a while for them to accept it.

   4 - What was the most challenging thing about writing The Secret to Letting Go and which scene was the most fun to write?

   The most challenging part was portraying Clover’s character to the reader in the same way I saw her. To me, Clover is a girl with quiet strength. She requires saving on several occasions and she has her phobias, but she’s survived so much and still has the ability to see good in the world and feel compassion toward others. I believe it takes great personal strength to emerge from trauma and tragedy, without losing hope and optimism. So, I was surprised when feedback on early drafts mentioned that she seemed weak and needy. That’s when I realized that a writer’s vision of a character may not always come across clearly. So I revised and tweaked until readers could see Clover the same way I see her.

   I love writing emotional scenes. So the parts I had the most “fun” writing are actually the ones where I was on the verge of tears as I was typing. There are a lot of emotional scenes in this book, but the cemetery scene in the middle of the storm was probably my fav.

   5 - How long did it take you from first thought until publishing deal? Out of curiosity, how many queries did you have to send until you found 'the one'?

   This book had an unusually long timeframe. Unfortunately, I’d just started writing when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It took over six months before I was able to return to the story and eighteen months in total before it was finished. The publishing deal took many, many queries and another three years of waiting and perseverance!

   6 - How did you feel when you first realized that this story you had written would soon be read by hundreds of people and how do you feel now, a couple of weeks after the publication?

   I was nervous, because a part of me was afraid no one would read it or like it. When the initial reviews started to come in, I realized that readers were forming their own thoughts and relationships with the characters I’d created. It’s an amazing and surreal feeling, because the story takes on a life of its own, independent from me. The amazingness of this still hasn’t worn off.

   7 - Why do you think the readers out there should pick up The Secret to Letting Go? What makes the story stand out and, in a way, important?

   There are so many great YA stories available right now, so it can be difficult for readers to choose. I like to think that my book is a unique emotional journey. At points, it’s deep and raw, but always hopeful. The romance is sweet, but the secrets are dark. It’s a small-town book, with a rich cast of characters, some surprise twist and turns, and an eccentric heroine that readers are falling in love with.

   8 - While writing the story did you ever imagine how a cover might look like and what do you think about the absolutely gorgeous final version?

   I had some basic ideas for the cover, which I shared with Entangled, but what they created looked very different from what I’d envisioned. So when I first saw it, I was a little disoriented, but it didn’t take long for it to grow on me. Now, I love it and can’t imagine anything else!

   9 - Did you listen to any particular songs or artists while writing The Secret the Letting Go? If so, could you give us an example?

   I love writing to music and have different playlists for different activities. Certain songs put me in the right mood to write emotional scenes, and other songs I listen to when editing. Most of The Secret to Letting Go was written while listening to Mumford & Sons.

   10 – What advice could you give aspiring authors?

   Writing is a craft and a skill, and like any other skill, it gets better with practice. Your first book may not get published, but if you keep writing, you will succeed. Oh, and if you are serious about being a writer, tell people you are a writer. Saying these words out loud to family, friends and even strangers makes it real, and it makes you accountable. It will help you hang in there, even when you feel discouraged. Also, find the people who will support and encourage your writing goals. It may be your family, friends, a critique partner or an online writing community. You may need to put yourself out there to find them, but the reward will be worth it!

   11 – If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
   My selfish answer is that I’d love to be able to fly! It probably wouldn’t be very helpful for crime-fighting and helping people, but it would be so cool☺

About the Author

   Originally from Newfoundland, Canada, Katherine Fleet moved with her family to the Caribbean island of Curaçao in 2007. The slower pace of island life gave her time to pursue a long-time goal - becoming an author. When she’s not writing, she spends her time baking, chauffeuring her three amazing, talented kids around, and having sun-filled adventures with her wonderful friends. She is a member of RWA™ and several of its chapters. She also loves NaNoWriMo and is an active supporter of the associated Young Writers Program. She is represented by super-agent Carrie Pestritto of Prospect Agency. The Secret to Letting Go is her debut novel.

Website / Twitter: @KatherineFleet / Instagram: @katherine_fleet

Ask the Author: Meredith Russo (If I Was Your Girl)

   For this edition of Ask the Author I decided to contact the amazing Meredith Russo, author of If I Was Your Girl, to ask if she'd be interested in doing an interview with me. She was. I sent her my Q's and received amazing A's from her, which you can all find below. I cannot wait to get my hands in If I Was Your Girl, even more after having the chance to talk to Meredeith, and discovering that she feels the same way about the My Chemical Romance breakup as I do, so can May please hurry up a little?

   Anyways, here is her book and her wonderful A's to my Q's:

If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo

Expected Publication: May 3rd 2016 by Flatiron Books

Number of Pages: 272 Pages (Hardcover)

Series: No

   A big-hearted novel about being seen for who you really are.

   Amanda Hardy is the new girl in school. Like anyone else, all she wants is to make friends and fit in. But Amanda is keeping a secret. She's determined not to get too close to anyone.

   But when she meets sweet, easygoing Grant, Amanda can't help but start to let him in. As they spend more time together, she realizes just how much she is losing by guarding her heart. She finds herself yearning to share with Grant everything about herself--including her past. But Amanda's terrified that once she tells him the truth, he won't be able to see past it.

   Because the secret that Amanda's been keeping? It's that she used to be Andrew.

   Will the truth cost Amanda her new life--and her new love?

   If I Was Your Girl is a universal story about feeling different--and a love story that everyone will root for. (goodreads.com)

Interview with Meredith Russo

   1 - Describe If I Was Your Girl with a haiku.

   A girl with a past

   Who wants to have a future

   Gives it her best shot

   2 - What inspired you to write a story about a transgender girl?

   There aren’t very many stories about trans women or trans girls, and the novels that do exist, at least the ones written by cis people, aren’t necessarily very comforting to trans kids who might read them, so I wanted to write something for a trans teen who’s looking for themselves in what they read, something that tells them they can maybe be happy and have a future that, while complicated, won’t necessarily be tragic.

   3 - How much research did you do on transgender and the life transgender people face on a daily basis? And did you, at some point during research, feel discouraged or anxious in terms of writing about it, or rather incorporating it into your story?

   Not much really, at least not that aspect of the story. I am trans, so I already know what gender dysphoria, transitioning, and post-transition are like. I do live in a city though, and I didn’t have to go to high school in a small town like Amanda does in the story, so I interviewed some other trans people who went through that to make sure I was doing it right. Me being trans is another huge reason I wanted to write this novel: there are, so far as I’m aware, no mainstream YA novels about trans girls written by an actual trans woman, which is something I wanted to correct. So no, I never really had to deal with the feeling that I was getting anything wrong and the anxiety that comes from that.

   4 - As I’ve mentioned plenty of times already on my blog, I think books that tackle hard topics are immensely important, and seeing as you wrote a story that does so, I believe you think the same. How important do you think is it for authors to do it in YA literature and do you think it’s a good way to make young people think about these things and discuss them?

   I think books about diverse characters, whether the diversity is neurodivergence, race, gender, sexual orientation, whatever, are really important, but I think educating readers is a fringe benefit. More than raising awareness of these issues, I think these books are important for kids and adults going through the same issues because they help them feel less alone, help them contextualize their lives and their pain in a way that makes them feel less alone and maybe even gives them hope. The example I always come back to is Perks of Being a Wallflower which, while I’m sure it helped people become aware of things like mental illness, gay kids, sexual assault, and bullying, was so important for me and so many of my friends who were going through the issues dealt with in that book. So I think diversity is important for those reasons, but also because homogeneity is boring, and reading stories about nothing but white, straight, cis, largely neurotypical characters gets boring after a while.

   5 – What, besides the obvious, makes Amanda stand out in the sea of female contemporary main characters?

   She’s dealt with bullying. Mental illness has played as big a part in her life as being trans-- she has an anxiety disorder and she tried to kill herself a few years before the beginning of the novel. She’s a closet nerd, a holdover from the days when she didn’t want to live as a boy so she spent all her time in her room. If you’re curious, her favorite anime is Sailor Moon and her favorite video game is Final Fantasy 10.

   6 - How long did it take you from first thought until publishing deal? Out of curiosity, how many queries did you have to send until you found 'the one'?

   About a year and a half, I think. Take that with a grain of salt though, because my memory is the worst. I never actually wrote any query letters though! I work with a book packager, which kind of changes how the process works in a lot of ways.

   7 - How do you feel about the fact that in only a few more months thousands of readers will be able to hold and read your debut novel?

   Absolutely mortified. I have faith in my work, and the reviews from the advance copies have been really good, but writers are neurotic people and I can’t ever shake the idea that everybody is going to hate me, the trans community is going to reject me for representing us poorly, and the book will be a huge flop. Hopefully not though!

   8 - While writing the story did you ever imagine how a cover might look like and what do you think about the absolutely gorgeous final version?

   I had no idea! I told my publisher I wanted either a trans model or a trans artist because I wanted to keep trans people involved at every possible step, but I really wasn’t prepared for the absolutely stunningly gorgeous Kira Conley’s involvement. And then there’s the UK cover, which I only just saw: it’s art instead of a photograph, but I think it’s just wonderful as well.

   9 - Did you listen to any particular songs or artists while writing If I Was Your Girl? If so, could you give us an example?

   I listened to a lot of The Magnetic Fields, specifically All My Little Words and The Book of Love, which is technically a cover but I like their version better. I also listened My Chemical Romance (I’m still not over them breaking up!) with a focus on Danger Days, not because it’s my favorite album but because it’s the most energetic and it kept me up on the long nights. My favorite songs on that album are Na na na na (is that the correct number of na’s? I’m not sure), Party Poison, and Save Yourself, I’ll Hold Them Back. 

   I think my main inspiration was The Mountain Goats, because John Darnielle is maybe my favorite person in the world after my kids and my girlfriend. I listened to way too many of their songs to mention so I’ll just say my favorite albums are Tallahassee, All Eternals Deck, and Heretic Pride, and all three of those got a lot of play. Against Me! was another huge inspiration because of Transgender Dysphoria Blues (my faves are the eponymous track and True Trans Soul Rebel, but I can’t listen to it too much because it kind of hits too close to home). And, finally, I listened to People That Can Eat People Are The Luckiest People In The World, which is one of my favorite albums of all time, and my favorite songs off it are Brave as a Noun and Survival Song. I just realized this is my longest answer of all, which should tell you a lot about my writing process.

   10 – What advice could you give aspiring authors?

   Write fanfiction, write a blog, write articles, write in a journal, write short stories, write essays, write as much of any idea for a novel as you can, because it doesn’t matter what you’re writing as long as you are writing. Also, and this is important, don’t turn down paying work, even if it’s not something you necessarily want to write. Patton Oswalt, one of my favorite comedians, speaks at length about how you do the paying work to give yourself room to do the work that inspires you, and I think that’s hugely important.

   11 – If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

   Invisibility, for a few reasons. The first is so I could commit lots of crimes and get away with it, because I’m honest with myself. The second is that I’ve always been kind of a wallflower, and being invisible would make it easier to just walk among people and see them as they really are when they’re not worried about being judged or observed. The third is that you don’t have to worry about passing when you’re invisible, though I guess I could have just gone with shapeshifting instead.

About the Author

   MEREDITH RUSSO was born, raised, and lives in Tennessee. She started living as her true self in late 2013 and never looked back. If I Was Your Girl was partially inspired by her experiences as a trans woman. Like Amanda, Meredith is a gigantic nerd who spends a lot of her time obsessing over video games and Star Wars.

   If I Was Your Girl is her debut novel, but definitely not her last. When she's not busy writing she can be found reblogging pictures of cats and babies, reading high literature (and definitely not fanfiction and fantasy novels), arguing with strangers about social justice, and, of course, raising her two amazing children, Vivian and Darwin.

   You definitely, absolutely should not be shy about contacting her, even if it's just to talk. She's always open to new opportunities and chances to speak with new people.

Check out her website and twitter, @Mer_Squared!

Ask the Author: Karen Fortunati (The Weight of Zero)

   For this weeks Ask the Author I'm bringing you the amazing Karen Fortunati, author of The Weight of Zero. When I first came across this book I knew that this was something I would love, I mean, it deals with hard topics - bipolar disorder and depression - which already is a big plus, but additionally this story sounds really amazing. So, of course, I e-mailed Karen to ask for an interview. She was extremely friendly and fun to talk to. She agreed to do it so, below, discover her book and her amazing A's for my Q's.

The Weight of Zero by Karen Fortunati

Expected Publication: October 11th 2016 by Delacorte Press

Number of Pages: 400 Pages (Hardcover)

Series: No

   Seventeen-year-old Cath knows Zero is coming for her. Zero, the devastating depression born of Catherine’s bipolar disease, has almost triumphed once, propelling Catherine to her first suicide attempt. With Zero only temporarily restrained by the latest med du jour, time is running out. In an old ballet shoebox, Catherine stockpiles meds, preparing to take her own life when Zero next arrives.

   But Zero’s return is delayed. Unexpected relationships along with the care of a new psychiatrist start to alter Catherine's perception of her diagnosis. But will this be enough? This is a story of loss and grief and hope and how the many shapes of love – maternal, romantic and platonic – impact a young woman’s struggle with mental illness. (goodreads.com)

Interview with Karen Fortunati

   1 - Describe The Weight of Zero with a twitter pitch.

   Supported by friends, doctors and family, a young girl moves beyond thoughts of suicide toward a better future.

   2 - What was the first initial thought or thing that sparked the idea of The Weight of Zero? Was it a name or the most basic idea of a story about a girl with depression caused by having bipolar disorder?

   In 2012, I was attending a writing workshop and had to come up with a first page of something brand new. Catherine, the main character of The Weight of Zero, and the general idea of her story came to me almost immediately. I knew right away that she was considering suicide because she had little hope that a life with bipolar disorder could be meaningful. And I knew it would be a story of hope. When you first meet her, Catherine is seriously struggling and her doctor has made some changes that include a new group therapy program. So the story unfolds from there and we see how these new supports impact her struggle.

   Looking back now, I think I understand why her story called to me. I’ve seen first hand the impact of suicide. I know people who suffer from depression, anxiety, addiction and bipolar disorder. And for these family members and friends who have battled these issues, I’ve also seen them get through it and emerge to a place of stability and peace. My husband’s work continues to support my own experiences. He’s been a child and adolescent psychiatrist for sixteen years and through him, I have a good understanding of the potential of mental health treatment. My unwavering belief that there is always hope is what propelled me to write Catherine’s story.

   3 - How much research did you do on bipolar and depression? And did you, at some point during research, feel discouraged or anxious in terms of writing about it, or rather incorporating it into your story?

   My first manuscript was a middle grade fantasy so when I started writing The Weight of Zero, I felt a frightening amount of responsibility in getting it as authentic as possible. I read all the time, scoured the Internet reading personal accounts, subscribed to blogs, etc. I found Kay Redfield Jamison’s An Unquiet Mind especially moving and that helped me a lot in understanding Catherine. My husband was invaluable in explaining the symptoms of bipolar disorder and the different types of treatment. I was really lucky that way to have him as a resource 24/7.

   4 - Did you have a personal motivation behind writing a story dealing with mental illness or was it out of pure interest in the illness itself?

   I definitely felt compelled to write about high school and what it’s like with the added weight of a mental illness. High school can be tough – intense pressure to have your life completely planned out by age sixteen, social media, peer pressure, bullying, the stress of friendships and romances beginning and ending or not starting at all, college applications, etc. This is what I remember and these are some of the things I’ve seen my own kids struggle with. So Catherine has to deal with all of that. And come to terms with her bipolar disorder. A struggle that’s complicated by the very real stigma having a mental illness often carries. The story follows Catherine as she learns to navigate the built-in stressors of high school along with her mental health and treatment.

   5 - How long did it take you from first thought until publishing deal? Out of curiosity, how many queries did you have to send until you found 'the one'?

   I wrote the first page of The Weight of Zero in the fall of 2012 but didn’t really dive into writing it until a year later. It took me a year and I finished it in November of 2014. Things moved really fast from there. Sara Megibow of KT Literary, my dream agent, offered me representation in January 2015 and Delacorte Senior Editor Kate Sullivan bought it in February 2015.

   Regarding the number of queries, once The Weight of Zero was finished, I queried around fifteen agents.

   6 - How do you feel about the fact that in only a few more months thousands of readers will be able to hold and read your debut novel?

   Incredibly grateful, excited and nervous!

   7 - Why do you think the readers out there should pick up The Weight of Zero? What makes the story stand out and, in a way, important?

   The story explores the culture of high school and what it’s like for kids who have the added burden of a physical or mental disorder. The story focuses on Catherine’s journey – how she adjusts to changes in treatment: a new psychiatrist, a new group therapy program and a new medication. What’s different about The Weight of Zero is that it shows treatment making a positive change in Catherine’s life! It’s about what can happen when doctors and therapy and medication align. Catherine gets this new, expanded support network from the most unexpected people (including one tiny, Italian grandmother!) These changes and these new supports turn out to be critical.

   8 - While writing the story did you ever imagine how a cover might look like and what do you think about the absolutely gorgeous final version?

   I had a very specific image of Catherine and was really worried that the image of her on the cover wouldn’t be right. My editor Kate Sullivan shared that concern and I know she went through tons of images before coming up with the final version. I can tell you that the cover still blows me away. I love the bright yellow and how Catherine is positioned in the middle of the scribbled zeroes. It perfectly captures her and the essence of her story.

   9 - Did you listen to any particular songs or artists while writing The Weight of Zero? If so, could you give us an example?

   I didn’t listen to a specific playlist or artist while writing. In fact, most of the time I wrote without music. But there was one song I heard after I finished the story. It reminds me of Catherine especially as she is in the last three or four chapters of the book - Kelly Clarkson’s “Catch My Breath.”

   10 – What advice could you give aspiring authors?

   Don’t quit! Find critique partners that you trust and enter contests. Contests open up new ways of networking and mentor possibilities.

   11 – If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

   Flying. I have always wanted to be able to take flight like a bird – just start running and then go airborne. Probably because I’m lazy and flying looks effortless.

About the Author

   I’m a writer of contemporary, realistic YA. The subject of my first book, The Weight of Zero, is mental illness, specifically bipolar disorder, and it explores the shame, stigma and anxiety that often complicate the management of this chronic condition. The issue is personal to me having witnessed the impact of depression and bipolar disorder in relatives and friends. My goal was to write a story of hope for teens who struggle with mental illness. (karenfortunati.com)

Ask the Author: A.L. Davroe (Nexis) (Blogmas Day #5)

   For todays Ask the Author I'm bringing you the amazing A.L. Davroe, author or Nexis, a fascinating new YA sci-fi read. I'm very happy that she agreed to do this interview with me, and her answers are really great and detailed, so have fun reading them!
   Here is Nexis and her interview:

Nexis by A.L. Davroe
Published: December 1st 2015 by Entangled: Teen
Number of Pages: 304 Pages (Paperback)
Series: Yes, #1 in the Tricksters Trilogy/Series (?)

   In the domed city of Evanescence, appearance is everything. A Natural Born amongst genetically-altered Aristocrats, all Ella ever wanted was to be like everyone else. Augmented, sparkling, and perfect. Then…the crash. Devastated by her father’s death and struggling with her new physical limitations, Ella is terrified to learn she is not just alone, but little more than a prisoner.
   Her only escape is to lose herself in Nexis, the hugely popular virtual reality game her father created. In Nexis she meets Guster, a senior player who guides Ella through the strange and compelling new world she now inhabits. He offers Ella guidance, friendship…and something more. Something that allows her to forget about the “real” world, and makes her feel whole again.
   But Nexis isn’t quite the game everyone thinks it is.
   And it’s been waiting for Ella. (godreads.com)

Interview with A.L. Davroe

   1 – Describe Nexis with a twitter pitch.
   My favorite one-line way to describe Nexis is: “Matrix meets Tron meets Ender’s Game.” That’s usually epic enough to answer all the questions.

   2 – What sparked the idea for Nexis? The sole idea of writing a futuristic tale involving a virtual reality game or something completely different?
   There is a fun story behind this. The initial idea for Nexis came about when my agent, Louise Fury, was still part of the L. Perkins Agency. She and Lori Perkins and I were eating dinner at a convention and they were talking about wanting a Steampunk Cinderella story. I also write Steampunk, so the idea was intriguing to me. On the spot, I came up with a Cinderella who loses her whole leg instead of just a shoe and ends up with some crazy Steampunk gadget for a leg instead. I didn’t want to do another Steampunk story though, so I decided I’d try and do a futuristic Cinderella instead. I’ve always been a huge fan of anime and, if you’re also a fan like me, you’ll probably be able to pick out some of my influences. Anyway, I wrote this sort-of futuristic Cinderella story. The initial set up in the original version was very Cinderella, but then, I flew off course with the whole virtual game idea and the ending. The work and the character became so much bigger and better than its initial starting point. After numerous edits and Cinder coming out in print (yes, I wrote Nexis that long ago), I decided to nix the Cinderella aspect all-together and really make Nexis its own story. I really love what this story has become and the journey that the characters and I have taken.

   3 – What was the most challenging about writing Nexis and which scene was the most fun to write?
   Oh, gosh. You know, the challenging bit came after writing the story. Editing is always harder and making this book stand out against some of its contemporaries really challenged me. Also, adding “levity.” My editor wanted that. I don’t consider myself a humor writer nor do I have the type of humor that most people appreciate, so I still cringe a little when I think about how my readers will respond to flying monkeys with glitter bombs…Though, I’d laugh my butt off if I saw one…*shrug* Oh well, at least I giggled a lot while writing it? As for the most fun to write? Hm…I donno, I’m kinda fond of the scene where Gus first takes Ella to the cottage and then chases her around like an idiot trying to lick her. It’s so corny, and I’ll never forgive myself for having a male lead “wag his eyebrows” and yet, I couldn’t seem to erase it either!

   4 – What do you like most and least about your main character, Ella?
   This is a tough one! Okay…I guess I love how Ella grows up and becomes such a strong character throughout this series. She’s also very real in that she doesn’t just have that exponential progress upward arc like many heroines do. Life looks like an EKG in my humble opinion, so Ella regresses, has bad days, and moments of weakness just like everyone else who has gone through trauma or emotional hurdles. In this way, her strength is also her weakness. Sometimes I dislike writing her because I created her to be this way. It’s hard writing someone who is damaged and realistic. But, it’s the truth of the situation and, in the end, I wouldn’t change that about her.

   5 – In retrospective, is there anything that you’d change about the story or are you happy with the way it turned out in the end?
   I love most things in Nexis. I love the setting, the game, the social structure, my characters and their relationships. I think if I changed anything it would be small stuff like the timestamps or names or what someone’s Mod or Alt looked like.

   6 - How did you come up with the name Evanescence for the city? Does it have anything to do with the band or is that simply a coincidence?
   Haha, no, nothing about the band. Besides the fact that I just think it sounds cool, the meaning of the word, evanescence, is “to gradually fade away.” I liked the idea of that, especially in the wake of an apocalypse like the Bio-Nuclear War. I wanted the names of the cities to invoke emotions that new citizens might have had the day they entered the domes. Some are positive feelings, like Selestia ( heavenly) and Allegra (joy or living). Other city names have a sad quality -- like they are supposed to remind you of the humanity we used to be – Cadence (end notes -- but perhaps not the end of the song), Evanescence (gradual fading – like walking off into the distance until no one can see you anymore), Adagio (slow beat – like the plodding of feet going into the dome or the constant heart of humanity).

   7 - How did you feel when you first realized that this story you had written would soon be read by thousands of people and how do you feel now, years later, before your next book will be released? Did the feeling change or is it still the same?
   Honestly? I don’t think it has sunk in fully. I keep thinking this is a dream or it’s too good to be true -- like it’s going to be taken away. I don’t think I’ll actually believe it’s a ‘thing’ until the book releases and those thousands of people DO buy the book and read it, LOL!

   8 – What do you think about the cover for Nexis? Does it do the story justice?
   OMG. I cannot tell you how much I love this cover. I had a different cover, not too long ago, but the publisher changed it last minute. I liked the other cover – didn’t love it – but it was acceptable. Then I got this email saying they were going to change it. I’ll never forget it, I almost threw my phone across the room when I read the email. I was so mad they were changing it so close to release! BUT, then I opened the folder containing the new mock-ups. It was between this cover and another one with a different model. I saw this one and, well, if you’ve ever had love at first sight, you’ll know how I felt. I was just so happy to see it. So relieved. The background is perfect, the foreground is perfect. The model is perfect. She’s not exactly Ella in my head, but she COULD be in someone else’s and her stance is so emotive and the red dress…*sigh* I LOVE MY COVER. Can you tell? LOL!

   9 – Do you have a writing routine or do you write whenever creativity strikes?
   Very much whenever the mood takes me. My muse is persnickety. But, she gives me good stuff when she does decide to cooperate, so I let her do her thing for the most part and write if and when she deems it time. It was hard to write the sequel to this novel because I was on a deadline and that’s the first time I’ve ever had to do that. But, I managed. It was an entirely different process, trying to coax my muse against her will, she retaliated, leaving me shell-shocked (and frankly I’m still confused by my own book). But hey, I did it! Still, I prefer to work at my own pace…

   10 – What advice could you give aspiring authors?
   It’s seriously all about luck and timing. You could put hours and hours into writing and revising, going to workshops, and honing your craft until you have the best piece of literature ever written, but you may STILL not get an acceptance letter. Above everything, this industry is a business. If an editor doesn’t think they can pitch it, doesn’t have room for it, doesn’t have the budget for it, or doesn’t think there is a large enough market for it, they aren’t gonna take it, even if they loved it. That’s just how it is and it doesn’t mean you should give up on your dream.

   11 – If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
   Man, this is a hard one. Hm… I’ve always loved the idea of being able to communicate with animals. Not only can you call on them to help you out in times of need, but you could also have an even better relationship with your best friends! I would love to just put a call out and have a horse just trot up to my house for an afternoon ride, or have a fox deliver a letter for me, or ask the birds what the weather is going to be like today.

About the Author

   A.L. (Amanda) Davroe writes both YA and adult speculative fiction. She prefers revisionist tales in paranormal, romance, Steampunk, and fantasy. She is the author of Salvation Station (adult psych horror), The City Steam Collection (adult psych horror), For Your Heart (YA Paranormal Romance) and her YA Sci-Fi novel, Nexis, is coming out with Entangled Publishing December 1, 2015! By day, Amanda lives in Connecticut with her two feline hench-creatures and makes cheese. 
   She's a terrible blusher, has a weak spot for cuddly animals, loves Laffy Taffy and Cadbury MiniEggs, and she's a huge advocate of alternative healing methods. Amanda also wears purple shoes and corsets...Though not always in the same ensemble. She's a Capricorn, a Hufflepuff, a bit gothic, and a few nuggets short of a Happy Meal.

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