Archive for the 'Interviews' Category

December 16, 2008 • 4 Comments

I’m thrilled to welcome Greg Logsted to my blog. The premise for Greg’s first YA book SOMETHING HAPPENED is awesome and I can’t wait to read it.

What inspired the plot for your book?
First of all, let me say thank you for having me on your site. Well, let’s see, my first book SOMETHING HAPPENED was just inspired by reading the newspaper and watching the evening news. For quite a while all you ever saw was one story after another about how some hot teacher had been ‘dating’ a thirteen-year-old boy. It was always reported with a bit of the old nod-nod, wink-wink.
It got me thinking about how something like this gets started. What happened in the lives of these people before they met?

SOMETHING HAPPENED is about a poetry-writing thirteen-year-old boy, Billy Romero, who’s still grieving from the loss of his father. He falls prey to a beautiful young teacher who shows him the attention and understanding he craves. Unfortunately the relationship becomes more than Billy expected it to be.

Why did you decide to write in this genre?
I think the whole genre gives you more opportunities to express raw emotions and philosophical insights. You can look at something with fresh eyes and just write about how messed up it is in a way you can’t always do in other genres.
Plus, it’s just plain fun being in the head of a teenager again

What is your writing process like?
I do have a day job so the process isn’t as extensive as I’d like it to be. But I normally write for an hour in the morning before work and then a couple hours at the end of the day. If there’s noise in the house I’ll slip on a pair of headphones and listen to some music BUT nothing with lyrics, maybe Miles Davis or something like that. I also love to read a poem before I start to work. For me it gets my mind thinking about the importance of finding the right words.

What are you working on now?
This summer my second book comes out, ALIBI JUNIOR HIGH. It’s more action packed than my first. It’s about a thirteen-year-old boy, Cody Saron, accustomed to living a globetrotting James Bond lifestyle with his mysterious dad. Cody must suddenly learn to cope with regular school life for the first time after he’s forced into hiding when a secret mission turns bad. He thinks after everything he’s done that going to a small Connecticut junior high school will be easy, a piece of cake…boy, is he ever wrong.

Right now I’m working on a very Twin Peaks-ish type of book. It has me by the throat and it’s not letting go. I’m about two thirds of the way through. It’s going to be called THE STUTTERING TATTOO. This one’s a lot of fun!

What do you do when you’re not writing?
I spend time with my wife and daughter. In the winter I like to ski, in the summer I’ll do a little surf fishing. There are always books to be read and shows to be watched. I’m fairly quiet. I don’t bother the neighbors…much.

Who do you like to read?
A few of my favorites are John Kennedy Toole, David Foster Wallace, Russell Banks, Mary Shelley, Harper Lee, Pablo Neruda, Hunter Thompson, Edger Allan Poe, Ken Grimwood, and T.C. Boyle.

Greg Logsted was born in Amityville, New York, raised in Ridgefield, Connecticut, and attended the University of Arizona for Journalism. He lives in Danbury, CT, with his wife, author Lauren Baratz-Logsted, and their daughter Jackie. The three of them wrote a series together called THE SISTERS EIGHT. Greg’s first YA novel, SOMETHING HAPPENED, was published by Simon Pulse in 2008 and his second, ALIBI JUNIOR HIGH, will follow in mid-2009. His website is still under construction, but interested parties can take an early peek at www.greglogsted.com.

December 11, 2008 • 7 Comments

I am so excited to be interviewing Lauren Baratz-Logsted, one of my fellow TFCers. I’ve been a fan since The Thin Pink Line was published a few years ago. I adore the concept for Lauren’s latest THE SISTERS EIGHT, and it’s so cool that it’s a family affair.

So…. the interview:

What inspired the plot for your books?

The plot of THE SISTERS EIGHT nine-book series for young readers, which launches on Dec 29 with the publication of Annie’s Adventures and Durinda’s Dangers, is as follows: On New Year’s Eve, Mommy goes out to the kitchen for eggnog, Daddy goes out to the shed for firewood…and neither returns. Now the Eights, as they are known, must solve the mystery of what happened to their parents while keeping the wider world from realizing that eight little girls are living home alone. Here’s how it all came about…

In December 2006 we were stranded by a blizzard in Colorado with friends who had neither children nor a TV. We were there for 10 days. By the end, looking for things to do, I figured we could brainstorm a book. So I asked my daughter who was six years old at the time what she’d like; being an only child, she said a book about sisters. Me: How many sisters? Her: eight. Me: What ages? Her: 1-8. Me: What if we made them octuplets, all seven years old, who will be eight on 8/8/08? And we were off and running with my YA novelist husband Greg Logsted providing yet more input, particularly about talking refrigerators and flyting watering cans.

Why did you decide to write in this genre?

Jackie’s always been proud of what I do for a living – she tapes my cover flats to her walls – but she’s never been able to read any of my books because the subject matter’s always too mature. I figured it was high time I rectified that (and we were stranded by that blizzard). It’s turned out to be the greatest joy of my writing career: creating a series with her and Greg.

What is your writing process like?

It differs from book to book so that each time it’s like I’m reinventing my own wheel. Sometimes I don’t plot at all, sometimes I do a bit, sometimes I have a loose outline. For me the best way to get the work done is to treat my writing career like a full-time job, which I do, a job that I love. If there’s any real “process” to my madness, it’s that my first drafts are always for me – writing the story I want to tell as I want to tell it – but then I’m done, it’s time to revise, and that’s when the audience comes into view and I realize someone other than me needs to be happy with it as well.

What are you working on now?

My next non-SISTERS EIGHT book is CRAZY BEAUTIFUL, due sometime around mid-2009 from Houghton Mifflin, who also publishes THE SISTERS EIGHT series. It’s a contemporary Beauty & the Beast YA story about a gorgeous girl and a boy with hooks for hands.

What do you do when you’re not writing?

Is there ever a time? I read, I read like a madwoman, I spend as much time with Jackie as I can, see family and friends, I watch “General Hospital” and my political shows, and every now and then I go out and shoot pool.

Who do you like to read?

Everyone. Seriously, I’m an eclectic reader and I love a little bit of it all. Is it too kissy-kissy to say Sara Hantz? So what, I’m saying Sara Hantz. In terms of YA, I think Sarah Dessen, David Levithan, Ellen Hopkins, Markus Zusak, and, of course, all my sisters at Teen Fiction Cafe are all amazing.

Bio

Before becoming a published author, Lauren was an independent bookseller, a Publishers Weekly reviewer, a freelance editor, a sort-of librarian and a window washer. By the end of 2008, Lauren will have had 12 books published in a wide variety of genres for a wide variety of ages from a wide variety of publishers. You can read more about her life and work at www.laurenbaratzlogsted.com.

October 31, 2008 • 7 Comments

I can’t begin to say how excited I am to be interviewing my great friend and CP, Christina Phillips, whose debut Foretaste of Forever has just been released.

FORETASTE OF FOREVER is a dark erotic romance with paranormal elements, published by the Scarlet line of The Wild Rose Press (http://www.thewildrosepress.com/wilderroses/index.php)

Elyesha, last surviving descendant of a line of powerful witches, finally finds the only man she’s ever loved, the man who deserted her countless years before. But Ben is torn between desire and despair when Elyesha, his only love, eventually penetrates his protective retreat. He knows what she wants, but the price of their love is too high. At midnight, on the beach, a battle of wills and erotic seduction ensues as each confronts the other’s darkest fears.

What inspired the plot for your book?

This story was actually inspired by a recurring dream I had over a four year time frame. I knew nothing about this couple who met on a storm tossed beach at midnight except that they were desperately in love and destined to be forever apart.

Eventually, I decided to write their story down, just to get it out of my head – and amazingly the dreams stopped. But it wasn’t until a few years later when, encouraged by my awesome CPs (who shall remain nameless, Sara, Amanda and Pat… oops…!) I went back to it and added the spice and submitted to The Wild Rose Press.

Why did you decide to write in this genre?

I’m so glad you asked this question, Sara!!! Well, when I first started writing nine years ago I targeted category romance. One day, after a chat with my cps when I declared I could never write first person chick lit, I did exactly that.

Then, after another chat with my cps when I said I could never possibly write paranormal, I wrote two paranormal romances.

It was at this point my amazingly clever cps enquired when I was going to give erotic romance a shot, since I appeared to have a knack for it.

I sat my cps down and kindly explained I could never write erotic romance, as it was far too hard. Then I turned round and dived into it head first, and discovered I absolutely adored writing dark erotic romance!

What is your writing process like?

Not pretty! Back in the day I planned everything in advance, from how many pages each chapter would be to snippets of dialogue. Now I don’t plan at all, and while flying into the mist can be exciting I also find it quite terrifying at times, as I rarely have a clue what’s going to happen next. I also continually edit as I go, back tracking and inserting things earlier in the book so it all hangs together. At least, that’s the idea!!

What are you working on now?

Currently I’m writing another erotic romance set during the Roman invasion of Cymru. This is a full length novel, not a short story, and I’m really enjoying it. (This is Sara… just want to add this is possibly the best book Christina has written. It’s awesome)

What do you do when you’re not writing?

I usually relax in the spa on the deck, where Clive Owen feeds me peeled grapes and tends to my every whim… oh, you mean outside of my imagination? OK *sigh* Well my one husband and three adorable children keep me on my toes although why they think they need to be fed every night is a mystery to me. “Christina cooking” is truly an oxymoron. I’m an expert at ignoring dust bunnies and toppling piles of ironing, and can often be found chatting on MSN with writer friends (it’s all in the line research! It’s not like we’re gossiping or anything like that). Reading of course! Catching up on movies. Sometimes I even sleep.

Who do you like to read?

This is a hard question to answer as I love so many different authors! I enjoy romantic comedy and romance which has light or dark paranormal elements, or is a bit quirky or has a strange twist on reality.

And finally, please tell us a little about yourself:

I moved to sunny Australia from the UK almost ten years ago with my very own hero and our three adorable children. Over the last few years as I’ve actively sought publication for the romances I love writing, I’ve tried my hand at category romance, chick lit, paranormal and now dark erotic romance. My mantra is Never Say Never, because I will immediately go and do whatever I said I could never attempt!

You can find me at my website: http://www.christinaphillips.com

Or check out what I’ve been up to lately at my blog: http://christinaphillips.blogspot.com

I also have a MySpace page: http://myspace.com/christinaphillips1 (come and friend me, I’d love to see you!)

Manic Readers: http://www.manicreaders.com/ChristinaPhillips/

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/wilderroses/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=651

CONTEST: For the chance to win a download of FORETASTE OF FOREVER, all you need to do to go into the draw to win is comment on this post, or comment over at Amanda Ashby’s blog, or ask a question on Pat’s blog to triple your chances! The winner will be chosen and announced on Wednesday.

October 24, 2008 • 3 Comments

I’m very excited to be touring fellow Teen Fiction Café author Kelly Parra’s latest book, INVISIBLE TOUCH. I can’t wait to read it, the premise is awesome.

Do you believe in fate?

Kara Martinez has been trying to be “normal” ever since the accident that took her father’s life when she was eleven years old. She’s buried the caliente side of her Mexican heritage with her father and tried to be the girl her rigid mother wants her to be — compliant and dressed in pink, and certainly not acting out like her older brother Jason. Not even Danielle, her best friend at Valdez High, has seen the real Kara; only those who read her anonymous blog know the deepest secrets of the Sign Seer.

Because Kara has a gift — one that often feels like a curse. She sees signs, visions that are clues to a person’s fate, if she can put together the pieces of the puzzle in time. So far, she’s been able to solve the clues and avert disaster for those she’s been warned about — until she sees the flash of a gun on a fellow classmate, and the stakes are raised higher than ever before. Kara does her best to follow the signs, but it’s her heart that wanders into new territory when she falls for a mysterious guy from the wrong side of town, taking her closer to answers she may not be able to handle. Will her forbidden romance help her solve the deadly puzzle before it’s too late…or lead her even further into danger?

What inspired the plot for your book?

I’ve always believed in intuitive vibes and repetitive signs and
thought wouldn’t it be cool to have a girl who really saw visions and have to piece the signs together to help others? But the catch was not only would the signs be a gift but also a curse. And from there Kara’s story started to enfold as I wrote her story.

Why did you decide to write in this genre?

I’ve always loved to read as well as watch paranormal stories and characters. You can really stretch your creative wings in this genre.

What is your writing process like?

Very chaotic. haha! Sometimes I write in the mornings and some times in the evening. With a family, its whenever I can spare the time.Then I zip off chapters to my critique partner, author Tina Ferraro (How To Hook a Hottie) for her feedback.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on something different–a sci-fi YA. It hasn’t been
shopped yet but I’m hoping it will be something different in the eyes of a publisher.

What do you do when you’re not writing?

If I’m not hanging with the family, its definitely reading books and watching my favorite TV shows.

Who do you like to read?

I love to read Tina Ferraro, Dianna Love, Anne Frasier, JD Robb, Janet Evanovich, Marjorie M. Lui, and all my Teen Fiction Cafe girls and MTV Book friends’ books.

Praise for Invisible Touch

“A magical blending of mystery, romance, and deep and dangerous secrets. Kelly Parra’s Invisible Touch is an action-packed coming-of-age novel, sure to keep readers turning pages and begging for a sequel.” — Laurie Faria Stolarz, Bestselling author of Blue is for Nightmares and Deadly Little Secret

“Readers are going to delight in this fast-paced, gripping story, and be kept spellbound until its surprising finish.” 
 — Tina Ferraro, author of How To Hook A Hottie

“The Gold Award of Excellence! An amazing, touching novel that deals with big issues in an original context.” — TeensReadToo

“Five out of five gold pens for Invisible Touch.”—The Salinas Californian

About the Author

Kelly Parra is the author of Graffiti Girl, a double RITA nominee and a Latinidad Top Pick, and the contemporary paranormal, Invisible Touch. When not pulling her hair while writing her current novel, she likes to play with her abundance of websites and feed a serious television addiction. For excerpts visit, www.kellyparra.com or follow the Secret Fates blog at secretfates.blogspot.com.

October 14, 2008 • 5 Comments

I’m hugely excited to tour fellow Flux author Stacy DeKeyser and her fabulous book JUMP THE CRACKS.

When fifteen-year-old Victoria witnesses what she believes to be child neglect on a train to New York, she makes a split-second decision and takes the young boy with her on the next train out in order to protect him. But, in her effort to make sure the child doesn’t slip through the cracks and end up back with the neglectful parents, she’s unwittingly branded a kidnapper and is forced to stay on the run until she can clear her name.

JUMP THE CRACKS is a fast-paced, suspense-driven thriller set in motion when a young girl is forced to confront the fine line between doing the legal thing and doing the right thing. Debut novelist Stacy DeKeyser offers a memorable and honest portrayal of a teen whose efforts to take on a child’s demons leads her to take on her own in the process.

1. What inspired the plot for your book?

I was taking the train from Connecticut to New York City, just like Victoria does to open the book. I witnessed an upsetting situation, just like Victoria does. But there was nothing I could do about it. I decided to write a story where someone DOES do something about it. Of course, it gets Victoria into lots of trouble, but it was very therapeutic for me.

2. Why did you decide to write in this genre?

I’ve tried writing for adults, and I’ve tried writing picture books, but I found my niche writing for young teens. It just “fits” me.

3. What is your writing process like?

1. Coffee

2. Read email and blogs

3. Background music (instrumental only)

4. When I have no more excuses, I start writing.

4. What are you working on now?

I’ve just finished an upper midgrade novel about a girl who hears voices. Which makes her worry that she might be going crazy, but the thing is, she likes the voices.

5. What do you do when you’re not writing?

Mom stuff. (I have two boys and a husband and a dog.) I love to travel, and to go hiking, and I’m learning to play golf. I like doing yard work!

6. Who do you like to read?

I didn’t read much fantasy as a kid, which might be why I love it now. I love Terry Pratchett and Jonathan Stroud. I like humorists, especially Bill Bryson (and Mark Twain). For contemporary YA/MG, I’ll read anything by Barbara O’Connor, Hilary McKay, or any of my many writer friends.

Bio

Despite being “the girl who was always good in math and science” and getting a BA in Psychology, Stacy DeKeyser (Connecticut) has always harbored a passion for reading and writing. Her subsequent Master’s degree in Health Services Administration led her to a career in hospitals and clinics but even then, she found her favorite part of the job was writing reports. Segueing into life as a full-time mom, she found she had scads of time but no creative outlet. An editor at a writer’s conference

suggested she try her hand at a novel and when she witnessed an upsetting incident involving a small child on a train, Stacy knew what she wanted to write about. Originally from Milwaukee, Stacy now lives in Connecticut where she’s at work on her next novel.

website: http://stacydekeyser.com
blog: http://stacy-dekeyser.livejournal.com/
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/stacydekeyser

September 24, 2008 • 3 Comments

I’m a bit late doing this, because I’ve just been on vacation (details of which will be saved for a later post!!!). Anyway, I’m really excited to be touring Linda Gerber’s DEATH BY LATTE (cute title!)

Aphra Connolly, who had been living a quiet existence on her father’s secluded island resort, until Seth Mulo turns up and steals her heart… and provides information that leads her to find her mom in Seattle. But the reunion isn’t quite what she expected. Aphra’s mom, Natalie, doesn’t seem happy to see Aphra, and Natalie’s boyfriend, Joe, insists that Aphra go home. Even worse, Seth shows up, only to ask her to return the ring he had given her that summer. At least Natalie’s good-looking neighbor is sympathetic. But when Joe is found dead at a nearby coffee shop, Aphra discovers her whole trip to Seattle has been based on a lie. And now someone just might be trying to kill her. . . .

1. What inspired the plot for your book?

During the course of writing DEATH BY BIKINI, I realized that I really wanted Aphra to go find her mom in DEATH BY LATTE and try to put things right. That her mom happens to be a CIA agent gave me a lot to play with.

2. Why did you decide to write in this genre?

I love reading YA and I love thrillers and romantic suspense. With this series, I get to work with all the elements I love.

3. What is your writing process like?

Write, fret, write, fret, write, fret…
More seriously, what seems to be working for me now is to outline the story I’m working on, usually running it through a template based on Hauge and Vogler’s Hero’s Two Journeys. When I actually get going, the story typically strays quite a bit from the original outline because so much discovery comes from the writing itself, but at least I have a sense of the pacing and plot points I’m working toward.

4. What are you working on now?

I just finished the final edits on the next book in the series, DEATH BY DENIM, which comes out in May, and moved on to CHARLATANS (working title) my upcoming paranormal YA about two sisters who share cryptic premonitions.

5. What do you do when you’re not writing?

Read, hang out with my kids, think about writing…

6. Who do you like to read?

Sarah Dessen and Meg Cabot rank right up there, but I have too many favorites to list!

Praise for DEATH BY LATTE:

“Great characters, plot twists, and non-stop action and excitement.”

YA Books Central
http://www.yabookscentral.com/cfusion/index.cfm?fuseAction=books.review&review_id=13742

“Full of action, suspense, and mystery, Death by Latte is a thrilling edition to the Death by series!”

The Story Siren

http://www.thestorysiren.com/2008/09/death-by-latte.html

“An entertaining Seattle joy ride that… teens will appreciate.”

Genre-go-Round Reviews
http://genregoroundreviews.blogspot.com/2008/07/death-by-latte-linda-gerber.html

“Death by Latte is a compelling read for those who like mystery, action, and adventure with a little romance and humor thrown in for good measure.”

Purple Pens Reviews
http://www.purplepens.com/inreview/review_deathbylatte.htm

“Enjoyed quite thoroughly!”

Critical Mass
http://www.dondammassa.com/index.htm

“This exciting installment features non-stop thrills and leaves you guessing right up to the end.”

Presenting Lenore
http://presentinglenore.blogspot.com/2008/08/book-review-death-by-latte-by-linda.html

“High action and suspense.”

Library Thing
http://www.librarything.com/work/5357263

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Linda recently returned to life in the Midwest after four years in Japan, where she served as the Regional Advisor for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She currently lives and writes in Dublin, OH, blissfully ignoring her husband, four kids, and one very naughty puppy.

Website: http://lindagerber.com

Facebook: http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=518643863

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/gerbsplace

Blogger: http://lindagerber.blogspot.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/gerbsan