Something to keep you busy while I work on the final proofing of Widow Woman‘s print version:
If you’re an author, it’s quite common to be asked at a reading what’s your next project. You always need to be working on something, or you might as well hang up your pen! The question, “What are you writing right now?” inspired this blog hop, where a number of writers from all over the U.S. are writing on “My Next Big Thing,” answering the same 10 questions you see here.
I’m honored to be tagged by Alice Osborn, author of three books of poetry, After the Steaming Stops (Main Street Rag, 2012), Unfinished Projects (Main Street Rag, 2010) and Right Lane Ends. In the blog hop, Alice wrote about her current project, Heroes Without Capes, her first full-length poetry collection, as well as a few of her favorite things. Please check it out!
Now on to the Blog Hop!
What is the working title of your next book? The working title of my next book is The Water Bearers. The title I’d really like to use would be Sprite or some such variation, but because it’s a product name, I’m not sure about the copyright issues and haven’t had time to research them yet. One fellow writer suggested I might be able to get away with Sprite: A Novel; maybe I’ll have to go with something closer to Sprite: A Novel and Not Remotely Associated with the Sparkling Beverage of the Same Name.
Where did the idea come from for the book? The idea came from several different places. First, I saw a story about sinkholes a few years ago and wanted to learn more about what caused them. I checked out a children’s book, Sinkholes, by Sandra Friend, and learned about the relationship between water tables and their formation. It started me thinking about how careless we are in this country about protecting our water supply and about our stewardship of natural resources in general. Mix that in with a love of fantasy and a viewing of the movie The Abyss, add in a little rumination about the possible existence of previously unknown sentient species, and everything just started to click. It’s all tied together.
What genre does your book fall under? It’s youth fantasy. Although my daughter read Widow Woman, I didn’t feel it was appropriate fare yet for my two younger sons; I wanted to write something for them, and they are huge readers of youth fantasy. This is a labor of love for them and for all other kids out there—it’s so important for them to read.
What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition? Since we’re dealing in fantasy with that question, I’ll deal equally fantastically with the answer: A 40-something Harrison Ford as Richard Barnes, the father; he’s so good at playing smart but hapless, much like Richard’s character. A 13-year-old Chloë Grace Moretz as Bibi; she just radiates smart and tough, which is how I envision Bibi. For her twin brothers, I’d go with Corey Feldman, circa The Goonies, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, circa Treasure Planet; these two boys need to be good kids at heart, but clever and “full of piss and vinegar,” as my mom used to say. Gordon-Levitt would be Nibble—I think he’s historically been better at playing characters with a softer side to them; Feldman would definitely be Lex. For Sabrina—I’d love to have Jennifer Lawrence play her. She’s very good at playing “flouts authority” in a way you can root for—that’s Sabrina all over.
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? “Scientists estimate there are 8.7 million species on Planet Earth; what if the one species we haven’t yet identified is the one that holds the key to destroying us all—or to saving us?”
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
I don’t know the answer to that question. It’d be nice to be picked up by an agency, but my first book is self-published, and that’s been a positive experience. The total control over content, marketing, layout and design, combined with the increase in royalties, would be hard to find with any conventional publisher.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript? I’m still working on it. I hope to complete it by fall of 2013.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? There are elements from so many different youth works here, it’s kind of hard to choose just one, but I think the one that comes the closest may well be Arthur and the Minimoys by Luc Besson.
Who or what inspired you to write this book? Our children are all voracious readers, but my middle child’s love of reading didn’t take off right away. We had to search diligently to find books that would hook him. We had trouble at first, until we stumbled on R.L. Stine’s Rotten School series. He whipped through the first book in a single night and devoured the rest of the series in short order. That experience opened his eyes to what reading could be, what it could do; and that series became a gateway for him to others. While the idea for my new book was not directly “inspired” by him, as I’m writing it I think a lot about his early reading experiences, similar to so many other kids out there, and I’m consciously trying to craft a book that will really grab hold of them. I know if my kids tell me it’s working, I’m on the right track.
How did you find the courage to let people see your personal inner thoughts? That’s a good question: I’m still looking for it, I think! Revealing your inner thoughts is terrifying—like jumping off a cliff without a parachute and hoping that someone will catch you at the bottom. It’s a huge leap of faith, every single time. But if you want people to read you, you have to do it. Find someone you trust, take a deep breath, close your eyes, and jump. What’s the worst that will happen? Someone won’t like it. So you go back to work and make the next draft better. It’s the hardest part of being a writer!
NEXT! I’ve tagged 2 fabulous authors who (are also so beautiful) to follow me in the Blog Hop!
You don’t have to quit your day job!” that’s the bold message Tai Goodwin delivers as a speaker, coach, and author of the upcoming book bearing that title. With a weekly podcasts that reaches thousands of listeners each month, clients and audiences sing her praises for her ability to insightfully deliver both inspiration and instruction – exactly what they need to go from stuck to started and create the life and work they really want. You can find her online at http://www.taigoodwin.com/, where she offers a complimentary Jump Start session. Look for Tai’s post on March 19th!
In November 2011 Kathryn Holmes published her first book entitled, I Stand With Courage: One Woman’s Journey to Conquer Paralysis. This inspirational book reveals Kathi’s life beginning when she was told she would be paralyzed from the waist down for the remainder of her life. In her book you will travel through her intense struggle to regain strength, to her ability to now stand, walk and drive. Kathi retired from a career in marketing, advertising and magazine publishing. She has written for both business and pleasure and currently writes a monthly blog educating and inspiring readers about people with courage, determination, and faith. Kathi lives with her husband and is the proud grandmother to two adorable little granddaughters who keep her motivated and mobile. She is working on her next book – a novel taking her fictional characters from real life people and experiences. You can find her online at http://istandwithcourage.com/. Look for Kathi’s post on March 22nd!