Archive for October, 2007

October 27, 2007 • 12 Comments

MySpace Glitters

I’m so excited because our local video store is letting you hire five dvds (not latest ones) for a week for only $5. I KNOW!!!!

So, I’ve got loads of teen movies out, and plan to spend tomorrow glued to the TV! All in the name of research, you understand.

Other news….. I’ve just started writing a new book and I’m really excited by it. It’s about a girl who totally gets the wrong idea about something, and her reaction to what she thinks has happened has huge consequences - I bet that’s as clear as mud, isn’t it??? It feels like ages since I’ve done any writing (though really it’s only a month between finishing my last one and starting this one) and I’ve been getting really twitchy.

Hope you all have a great weekend!!

October 16, 2007 • 9 Comments

I am so excited because today I’m interviewing NYT bestselling author the fabulous Ally Carter.

What inspired the plot for the Gallagher Girl books?

My agent emailed me one Wednesday afternoon because she’d recently had a YA project go to auction. Evidently, editors were very hungry for fresh YA concepts, and my agent encouraged me to think about trying my hand at it. That night, I was watching ALIAS with the sound on mute. At one point, I looked up and saw a group of girls running through a huge, old building and my first thought was “did she go to spy school?” Well, I turned up the volume and found out that it wasn’t a school–it was an orphanage–but by that point the seed had already been planted and the rest, as they say, is history.

Why did you decide to write for teens?

I wrote for adults first, and while I really liked that, I think I think YA is just a more natural fit for me. Honestly, it wasn’t something I’d ever considered until my agent suggested it, but now I’m absolutely hooked.

What is your writing process like?

I always start with a character and then ask myself “what’s the worst that can happen?” Great books are always about conflict–taking interesting people and messing up their lives. Once I know who the character is, what conflict she/he will be dealing with, and what the character’s goal is, I usually write down scenes on huge Post-It notes and put them all over my walls. Then I move them around like pieces of a big puzzle while I plot and write until finally everything comes together.

What are you working on now?

I have two major book projects in the works and one other little hobby project. I’m afraid I can’t comment much on any of them, but I’m really excited about them and hopefully other people will be as well.

What do you know about publishing now that you wish someone had told you earlier?

That this business isn’t for wusses. Seriously. It’s a tough, tough industry and wanting to write and wanting to publish are two entirely different things. Going pro as a writer is just as tough as being a professional athlete or a professional musician or anything else. Love of the game alone won’t get you through.

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

It’s old advice, but it’s the best I know: read a lot and write a lot. Writing is part talent and part elbow grease, and to really make the most of your talent you have to pay your dues. How do you do that? By being a student of other people’s books and by not being afraid to write terrible drafts of your own.

What do you do when you’re not writing?

I watch entirely too much TV. While eating. It’s a terrible, terrible habit.

Who do you like to read?

I love books that make me laugh and cry and keep me engaged. My favorite books lately have been the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer, the Kiki Strike books by Kirsten Miller, and a book called THE DISREPUTABLE HISTORY OF FRANKIE-LANDAU BANKS by E. Lockhart that, sadly, won’t be available until next spring.

 

Ally Carter is a writer living and working in the American Midwest. She is the author of Cheating at Solitaire and its sequel, Learning to Play Gin. Her first novel for young adults, I’d Tell You I Love You But Then I’d Have to Kill You has been optioned by Walden Media and the producers of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and The Princess Diaries. It has also been named as a Kansas Notable Book, an Amelia Bloomer book, and is featured on both the Texas Lone Star and Georgia Peach reading lists. A sequel, Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy is now available and marks the second chapter in the adventures of the Gallagher Girls.

October 14, 2007 • 4 Comments

So, the All Blacks were knocked out of the Rugby World Cup. Devastating, for the Kiwis. And I do admit to being upset too.

There is a silver lining, though….

England beat Australia to get into the semi finals and TODAY beat France (who beat the All Blacks, grrrr) and are now in the final. HURRAYY!!!!!!!!!!!

It’s not that I’m fickle. Being English and living in NZ means I have two teams to support. England are reigning champions and are looking good to retain the title!!! And their greatest weapon is the fabulous Jonny Wilkinson (and his incredible foot) the best kicker in the world:

Other news…. I’m posting on Teen Fiction Cafe this week, I’d love to see you there.

October 5, 2007 • 10 Comments

The weather is gorgeous - blue skies, a few fluffy white clouds and bright sunshine; the All Blacks are through to the Quarter Finals of the Rugby World Cup (and are favourites to win); I’m writing up a storm….. ooops (big fat lie alert); and one of my fav programs is back on TV - Criminal Minds (I find anything to do with profiling totally fascinating).

Anyway, back to the writing….. I’ve been spending the last few months thinking about writing middle grade fiction instead of young adult, or a paranornal or a SF… after having a long chat with my fabulous agent I realise that I should be writing what I do best… normal!!! NORMAL! Who knew? I guess it’s something to do with my anal, eldest child, conformity gene!