Interview with Amy Holder, and a GIVEAWAY

So, in yesterday's post, I recommended Amy Holder's The Lipstick Laws. And today, Amy stopped by for an interview! (Because she's just awesome like that . . .)

This is Amy. You can also find her:
BLOG
TWITTER
WEBSITE

Oh, and she's ALSO awesome because she sent me a BUNCH of swag to giveaway to y'all! And I'm throwing in a copy of The Lipstick Laws for one of you, too! (Find out how to win at the bottom of the post.) 

Don't forget. I've got enough for FOUR winners!

Without further ado . . . (I'm in black, Amy in orange. I think you would have figured it out. But still. Doesn't Amy look amazeballs in orange?)

* * * * * * * * * * *

Amy! Thanks for stopping by today :) Let’s start with my one of my favorite things about The Lipstick Laws… The humor!! April, your main character, had me cracking up from the very first sentence all the way to the end. How did you keep the funny going throughout the entire novel?      

Thank you so much!  That is the best compliment you could give me about my book!  Truth is, I’m not a super serious person, so I typically like to keep things light and fun.  When April’s character came to me, it was a very quirky, self-deprecating, sarcastic take on teen angst… so her voice plus my avoidance of most things serious seemed to meld well.  I love to laugh and I wanted to have fun writing this book, so it’s great to know that it came across throughout the story. 

Oh, it totes came across! Now . . . Fact One: You studied psychology and sociology in college. (That’s right, I stalked you enough to figure these things out. taptaptap Hear those rocks hitting your window? *waves*) Fact Two: You nailed the popularity mindset and teenage interactions in The Lipstick Laws. Coincidence? I think not… No, seriously—you tell me: was it a coincidence, or did your background help you write the story?     

Wow!  Thank you again! Your compliments are seriously helping my inferiority complex. Are you for hire?  To answer your question, I’ve always been fascinated by human behavior and am naturally a people watcher.  This is what led me to study psychology and sociology in college.  I also think this innate interest helps me build characters and their interactions, because I believe writers have to be good observers.  This, paired with the fact that I never fully grew up helped me get in a teen mindset while writing this book…in fact, I’m still sort of stuck in it.  

YES! I never fully grew up either. Maybe that's why we get along so well. A large portion of my blog readers are aspiring writers. And you’ve made it—so share! Let us live vicariously through you :) What’s been the best part of your journey so far? What’s been the hardest? Any tips for those of us (*clears throat* … *points at self*) working toward that dream of publication? And, of course, what is your writing process?    

The best part of my journey so far was the feeling of achievement, adrenaline, joy, and validation that I felt from getting “THE CALL” (or in my case it was an email) from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt wanting to publish THE LIPSTICK LAWS.  I will never forget how amazing that moment was!  Seeing my book in a bookstore, getting my agent, and receiving television interest from a producer that I admire have all been huge highlights as well! 

The hardest part so far has been dealing with the bad along with the good. I’ve quickly found out that my book isn’t going to please everyone, naysayers love naysaying, most writers experience disappointments (minor or major) in the industry at some point or another, and there isn’t always enough chocolate to get through tough revisions.  Granted, the good far outweighs the bad… but this industry is filled with ups and downs and you need thick skin to be able to bounce back from the downs. 

My tips are to practice your writing craft daily, read the genre you want to write, study the publishing market, never give up, and network your tail off (the more people you know in the industry, the better your chances will be to get a personal referral). I also think it’s important to be careful not to stifle your own writing by comparing it to other writers’ successes or failures.  Always avoid a creative comparison coma by celebrating the uniqueness of your individual writing style and journey.  

My writing process can vary depending on what I’m working on… but I usually expand an idea spark for a story by asking what-if questions.  Once I’ve brainstormed most of the plot, I’ll create a loose outline that keeps me on track, but still allows for ad-lib surprises and story growth.  I usually edit as I write, which will add time onto writing the first draft, but it spares me a lot of the pull-your-hair-out-revision-headache later on. Once I’m done with my rough draft, I’ll put it away for a bit and come back to it with fresh editorial eyes to revise.  When I feel it’s complete and clean, I’ll celebrate like crazy!  This usually involves chocolate, high-caloric drinks, indulging my reality show addiction, and dancing the robot in a hula skirt.  Clearly I know how to party. 

You dance the robot? In a hula skirt? Ummmm. I MUST SEE VIDEO PROOF. Seriously, send me some! Or better yet, we should have a hula skirt-wearing robot dance off. What do you say?

*crickets*

What? You don't want to go up against my mad robot skillz? 

SIKE. You'd totally win... Soooo anyhoo, let’s chat books—four questions in one! Ready? Set? GO! What are you currently reading? What’s been your favorite book to read so far this year? What’s your favorite book of all-time? What book are you most excited to read that hasn’t yet come out?

1) MEMENTO NORA by Angie Smibert

2) I can’t choose!  I have so many friends debuting this year, and all of their books are amazing!

3) Series: HARRY POTTER, Classic: A CHRISTMAS CAROL

4) I’m really excited to read POPULAR by Alissa Grosso.  It comes out this month (May)!

Congratulations on an outstanding debut novel! What’s next for Author Amy Holder? Anything you can share with your fans? (If they’re anything like me, they’ll be lined up waiting anxiously for your next book. I’ll be the one shoving my way to the front of the line . . .)   

Thank you! I’m hoping to write more books in various genres and age groups, but right now I’m working on another humorous contemporary YA novel with a bit of a paranormal twist.  I’m also thinking about a Lipstick Laws sequel…but that isn’t set in stone yet.  Another exciting thing that’s happened recently is that my TV rights for THE LIPSTICK LAWS have been optioned, so I’m keeping my fingers, toes, eyes, elbows and hair crossed hoping it will go to production. In the meantime, it’s tricky to write with all of these crossables crossed.

Dude. TELEVISION RIGHTS. So. Awesome. Can we have a viewing party at your place when it first airs?? What? I do too know where you live. Remember the window tapping from earlier? 

QUICK! The fate of the WORLD* * * depends on your answers to my final red-hot questions!

Would you rather give up your Chi straightener or never eat grape pie again??? (I mean, as a Chi girl myself, I know which one I’d choose. Just sayin’.) I’m with you on this one!  I would give up grapes altogether if they came in between me and my CHI! 

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?  I’m a huge animal lover & have adopted four fabulous pets…but I always wish I could help millions more.  My superpower would be to have superhuman abilities to rescue as many animals in need as possible.  This would require flying, super strength, mind control over animal mistreaters, telepathy with animals, Cesar Millan’s training abilities, and a continuous stream of money to create stellar animal sanctuaries. Yes, I have found a way to sneak several superpowers in one; I’m crafty like that. (You are seriously a girl after my own heart.)

Best grunge musician, alive or dead? This question is slightly evil seeing how I was (and may still be) clinically obsessed with grunge music. I’ll say Chris Cornell from Soundgarden… but Eddie Vedder and Kurt Cobain can’t go without being mentioned. See, you made me cheat by asking this question – shame on you!

What’s the best thing about the month of May? Well, the expected answer is flowers, but I’ll say Book Expo America. (You'll be at BEA? I'm so jealous. And now even more sad that I'm missing it. Sigh.)

What’s the first thing you see in this inkblot? I see a circus clown with a cocktail shaker on his head and two abnormally shaped birds perched on both sides of his face looking at each other.  Perhaps this is part of the circus clown’s act, or he just likes to go about town balancing a cocktail shaker and birds on his face. Hey, we all have our quirks; I’m not judging him…or the birds for that matter. 

Er… does this inkblot translation mean I’m crazy… or a strange bird-watching clown woman?  Hmmm…on second thought, I don’t think I want to know that answer. 

Yeah, I'm pretty sure you're a strange bird-watching clown woman ;-) But it's cool. Because I love bird watching. And clowns. Okay, not really. Clowns scare me. But YOU don't. Because you're awesome.

Seriously, thanks so much for stopping by! Come back anytime. 

Now for my bloggie friends: Amy sent me enough swaggliciousness to send out FOUR packages!! So, if you want to enter to win some swag, all you have to do is leave a comment with your email address! And one commenter will win a copy of The Lipstick Laws!

One point for leaving a comment, two if you tweet about this! (Let me know if you've tweeted in the comment you leave . . .)

The giveaway will close on Friday at midnight. I'll announce the winners over the weekend.

xoxo

* * *Okay, the fate of the WORLD didn't really depend in the answers, but still. Isn’t it more fun this way?

Author Interview: Clare Dunkle!!

Everyone knows how much I LOVED The House of Dead Maids. And now the author, Clare Dunkle's here to give an interview!! What a great start to the week :)

I'm just gonna dive right in, because Clare has some fabulous things to say!

Okay. My first question has to be about the ghosts you created! They were so creepy I still get chills along the side of my neck when I think about them. I mean, I read a lot of ghost stories as a kid and have flipped through a few as an adult, and no ghost that matched the scariness of your ghosts has come across the pages! If you don’t mind, I’d like to give a small example to my readers:

“It wasn’t the pallid hue of her grimy face that shocked me, or her little gray hands and feet. It was the holes where her eyes should have been, great round sockets of shadow.

The dead girl opened her lips as if she meant to speak. Her mouth was another black pit like the black pits of her eyes. She was nothing but a hollowed-out skin plumped up with shadow. I had the horrible idea that if I were to scratch her, she would split open, and the darkness within her would come pouring out.”

That passage was the first one to make me “give into a shiver,” but it wasn’t the last! How did you create your ghosts? Are they based off of anything, or did they just come to you like that? Either way, you have one heck of a descriptive style!

Thank you so much! Like you, I read a lot of ghost stories as a kid and still enjoy them as an adult. My favorites are the collections of “true” tales—eyewitness accounts of preternatural events—because these stripped-down, straightforward recountings of odd incidents can make me shiver when literary offerings can’t. (If you like that sort of thing, I heartily recommend Glen Grant’s Obake Files.) So one detail about my ghosts came right out of a haunting account: the young son of the person being interviewed complained of seeing an old man with “eyes like windows.” I loved the ambiguity of that: what exactly is he seeing?  So Himself makes a very similar statement.

I can’t remember how I came up with the idea for the maids to be eyeless. There’s a scary eyeless ghost in one of the accounts Glen Grant collected, though, so I was familiar with the idea. And I wanted to stress the fact that these “maid” forms were something like puppets—not typical souls of the deceased, but forms that seem to have been taken over and inhabited by an evil force. Since the eyes are the “windows of the soul,” then these “soulless” forms have no eyes.

But the success of the second paragraph has as much to do with word choice and imagery as the appearance of the ghost itself. Certain words in our culture are nasty words—almost taboo words—and I used those to heighten the shiver because it isn’t just ghosts that make our skin crawl. Examples: plumped up (which awakens dim associations with ticks), scratch, and split open. This takes the scare factor and adds a gross factor to achieve a true visceral reaction of disgust.

Yeah, true visceral SCARY reaction? Totally achieved!! I own an ARC, so I’m not sure if the illustrations changed in the final version, but the artwork in my copy is amazing! To say Patrick Arrasmith is talented would be an understatement. How did that process work? Did he create images based on descriptions in your writing, or did you tell him what you wanted, or did he have creative freedom? Or am I totally off the mark and it was something I’m not even asking about? :)

Those illustrations are astounding, aren’t they? They’re absolutely perfect! When my wonderful editor, Reka Simonsen, approached me with the idea of illustrations, I immediately lobbied for woodcut-style chapter heads because that’s what my childhood Modern Library copy of Wuthering Heights had: wonderfully creepy illustrations by Fritz Eichenberg. (I’m throwing one in here so you can see what I grew up with.)

The process of working through choice of illustrator and then sketch approval normally wouldn’t necessarily involve me but would involve the art director, book designer, editor, and marketing people. However, Reka is the best editor on the planet, and she made sure my input counted. Patrick Arrasmith was my first choice as well as theirs, and although he and I didn’t interact directly, all my concerns got addressed. As sketches came to me (through Reka), I would send back photos or drawings of period clothes or architecture or other details that I thought he was struggling with, and every time, his next sketch just nailed it.

Patrick did read the book, and his illustrations reflect that level of care and involvement. They make real contributions of their own to the story. I particularly love that he came up with the crumbling, mask-like faces of the dead maids, which stress that hollow quality they have. He creates the perfect atmosphere to make the story a success—even before the reader begins to read.

I read Wuthering Heights right before reading The House of Dead Maids. It was my first time and I can’t believe I missed out on such an amazing classic for so long! I loved it, obviously—and I also absolutely loved the view I got of Heathcliff while reading your book! I puzzled over him while (and after) reading Wuthering Heights, and your take on his background really resonated with me, so thank you for that. My question here is: What drove you to write this story? Were you as puzzled over Heathcliff as I was?

I’m glad I’m not the only one who has pondered Heathcliff! I’ve been mulling over him for decades. Heathcliff was very important to me when I was nine—freaky-looking little kid that I was, I needed his toughness to get me through my school days. Because I met him as a child and was so sensitive to his horrific childhood at Wuthering Heights, I’ve never understood those who’ve dismissed him as nothing but a regular villain. Heathcliff suffers too much for that.

This story might never have been written, though, if my family hadn’t unexpectedly gone into a dark chapter of our own. My older and then younger daughter went through bouts of serious mental illness, and for my part, I pulled away from my friends and isolated myself while I dealt with that. Working with the Brontës was a relief because I knew they had also dealt with the bitter grief of a mentally ill family member. So I wrote out all the pain and darkness I was going through and put it into this story.

What your daughters (and you) went through must have been extremely difficult. Writing truly can be a healing process and I'm glad you were able to push your emotions into your words, because the book really is amazing.

A large portion of my blog readers are aspiring writers. And you’ve made it! You’re there :) Successful, multiple books published, and—let’s be honest—a truly fantastic weaver of words. What’s been the best part of your journey so far? What’s been the hardest? Any tips for those of us aspiring to follow in your footsteps? And, of course, what is your writing process?

You’re so sweet! Those are very nice words to read. Because you know what? No writer feels he or she has made it. Imagine a job where you start over every year, where you don’t know if you’ll be good enough to earn a paycheck next year, and where the only feedback you get is on work you completed two or three years ago. It can be nerve-racking! That’s why we have to love the writing itself.

The best part of my journey—the very best—is when people come up to me and talk about my characters as if they’re living people we both know. That’s certainly how I think of them! The hardest part is having the courage to love what I write even when it carries a price tag. For years, I didn’t presell books because I didn’t want to think about this as I was writing the first draft. And I still can’t write if I think, “Is this chapter worth x number of thousands of dollars?” I have to pretend that I’m writing just for myself.

My website is full of writing advice, much of it geared (of course) towards teens, and it also contains a large section of general publishing advice. I did my very best to pour out all the most important tips I could think of in those pages. You can get to them here, under the pictures of heaven and hell: http://www.claredunkle.com/Design/writelife.htm.

My best tip? I do think it’s very important to be picky about what you read if you want to become a good writer. Try to read the very best stuff out there, as well as classics from around the world. Think of your reading time as research, and push yourself out of your comfort zone. I used to think that it was important not to try to read and write during the same week, so I put a moratorium on reading fiction for several years. Now I know that we need that infusion of prose to keep going, but it’s still important to be very choosy: it helps you to train your critical thinking and your word-smithing “ear.”

Process? What process?! My writing process has been crazy over the last several years as I’ve had to fit it in along with family obligations. Writing has to feel fun and special to me; if it does, then I’ll find a place for it in a busy schedule. So it’s the attitude that matters most, I think.

Finally, things have a tendency to get a little silly here at the Babbling Flow—so I have to wrap up with some silly questions!! Quick! Answer these questions with the first response that comes to mind!

What’s your favorite time of year and why?

Autumn, when the leaves start falling and chilly winds blow. That’s when the world of imagination draws near and touches our own world.

If you could own one mythological creature as a pet, which would you choose?

For years, I daydreamed about owning a “teacup” unicorn—a tiny unicorn only a foot tall. But now I think I’d rather own a tiny dragon that could sit on my shoulder. (Those aren’t entirely mythological since they’re modified, though.)

Of course, from my own personal mythology, I’d choose Charm, the golden snake from my trilogy!

What’s the best thing about the month of May?

The fact that it inspired Loreena McKennitt’s “The Mummer’s Dance.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B7sH5QLyXY

Quick! What’s the first thing you see in this inkblot?

Two little girls who set out to play “Cowboys & Indians,” but now they’re arguing because both of them want to be the “Indian”! I can sympathize because I used to play this game with a little boy down the street, and I drove us to create elaborate narratives for our play in which we were first one character and then another. One day, he ended up being the entire U.S. Army Cavalry, and I was the entire Apache Nation. Needless to say, we couldn’t resolve our differences, and he stomped home in a huff.

Hehe! I see a girl getting ready for a date and checking her hiney out in the mirror. (That's something I can sympathize with, ha!) Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a blast on the rest of your blog tour!

Thank you so much for having me. It’s been a real delight! May you always write the stories you want to read, and may everyone else want to read them too.

So, to my blog readers:  Check out this giveaway!!!

Special Brontë-themed giveaway!

One Grand Prize winner will receive The House of Dead Maids, a gorgeous Brontë sisters pocket mirror, and the HarperTeen edition of Wuthering Heights! Two lucky runners-up will receive the two books. 

To enter, send an email to DeadMaidsBook@gmail.com with your name, email address, and shipping address (if you're under 13, submit a parent's name and email address). 

One entry per person and prizes will only be shipped to US or Canadian addresses. Entries must be received by midnight (PDT) on October 31. Winners will be selected in a random drawing on November 1 and notified via email.

Want to know more about Clare? The next stop on her blog tour is at Steph Su Reads! 

Author Interview: Tricia Rayburn!!

In case you missed it, I gushed all about Siren by Tricia Rayburn in my review yesterday. And guess what! She accepted an interview here on Babbling Flow! Needless to say, I was totally floored!

I was lucky enough to meet Tricia this year at ALA. I seriously stalked her booth (there's even picture proof on my sidebar.) And let me tell you, Tricia is AWESOME! So sweet and personable. Even on my third time around the booth.

That's right.

Third time. And never once did she act like I was crazy.

So I already knew Tricia rocked--and then I read her book and it was confirmed for me all over again.

For those of you who don't know her (and dude, you so should) here's a little bit about Tricia:

Tricia Rayburn used to save her weekly allowance for two things: the Scholastic Book Club and her family’s bi-annual trip to the Smithaven Mall, where she loaded up on the latest Baby-Sitter’s Club and Sweet Valley Twins books. Years later, Tricia discovered her love of writing for ‘tweens and teens while taking a children’s literature course in graduate school. Her first novel, The Melting of Maggie Bean, started as an assignment in that course, turned into her thesis, and was eventually published by Simon & Schuster as one of six launch titles for M!X, a line for tweens. Maggie Bean Stays Afloat and Maggie Bean in Love followed, and were joined by Ruby’s Slippers and Siren in July 2010. Tricia lives on eastern Long Island. Visit her online at www.triciarayburn.com and www.triciarayburn.blogspot.com.

Everyone welcome Tricia to the Babbling Flow!! And make sure you don't leave without entering to win a SIGNED copy of Siren!


I have to start off by saying—I loved Siren! You wrote such succinct characters and built a really fabulous mystery! I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started, because I don’t know too, too much about siren mythology… So—how much of what’s in the book is traditional, and how much is your own creation?

I’m so happy you enjoyed Siren!  Thank you for taking the time to read it—and for inviting me to visit your blog!

To be honest, all I took from classic mythology was the idea that sirens were these beautiful women/creatures who lured sailors to their deaths.  I did some research beyond that, but I really wanted to write an original, contemporary story without relying too heavily on previous works.  So to break it down, I’d say 5% of the story is traditional and 95% is my own creation!

And man, let me just say: your creation is freaking awesome! So… I’ve read on your blog that you’re on to Siren book 2!! What is that like? Did you plan out the entire series first or are you building book 2 from the ground up, working with what you created with Siren? AND along those lines—what is your standard writing process? Do share :)

Yes, Siren 2 (title TBA soon!) is now in the editing stages, woohoo!  :)  It continues Vanessa’s story as she returns to Boston for her senior year, struggles with her body’s new abilities and challenges, and tries to make sense of everything she learned in the first book, including who she really is and how that will affect her future—and her relationship with Simon.

I had a pretty good idea of what book two would entail before I started writing it; when my agent and I submitted Siren to editors, we also submitted proposals for the next two books, so I had the basic outline down.  But as we know, nothing goes quite as planned once you’re actually in front of the computer, and it took some major brainstorming (and some minor freaking out!) to finally reach the conclusion I wanted.

As for my writing process, I usually know four things before starting a new project: the first and last scenes, the climax, and the title.  After that, the rest varies.  Sometimes I consistently outline ahead a few chapters as I go, other times I take it page by page, figuring out the plot as it comes.  But it always, always helps to have an end goal, because no matter how far off track I go, I know where I have to come back to. 

Oh man, don't even get me started about the freaking out part! I've been there myself recently... But I can't wait to read the next in the series!! On that note, Siren isn’t your first book—you’ve also written a three book series based on a character named Maggie Bean… Plus another one, Ruby’s Slippers! So far, which has been your favorite book to write? OR are books like children and you love them all equally?  Also—I noticed you had TWO books come out in July 2010!! How was that (asks the drooling not-yet-published girl)? Double the parties?

It’s pretty impossible to pick a favorite, but I do have an especially soft spot for my first book, The Melting of Maggie Bean.  That was actually my MFA thesis, and I wrote it without ever considering trying to get it published.  So when it was published, I let myself think that maybe writing was something I could do professionally—instead of something I did while trying to figure out what I was really supposed to be doing.  And that changed my life!

(That said, I also really love Siren.  It’s just so different from anything else I’ve written!)

Having two books out in one month was crazy.  We sold Ruby seven months before we sold Siren, so the fact that they ended up coming out at basically the same time was an unanticipated—and very exciting!—treat.  :)

What’s been the best part of the publication process for you? And, what’s been the hardest? Any tips about making it to the realm of published author for my readers who are also aspiring writers? (Oh, yeah—and for me too!)

The best part of the publication process has been receiving letters and emails from readers.  To know that ‘tweens, teens, and even a few adults not only connect with my stories but are compelled to take the time to write with comments and questions is an amazing thing. 

The hardest part is probably dealing with the (largely self-inflicted!) pressure that comes with being published.  I always want to make everyone—my agent, editor, publisher, family, friends, and most importantly, readers—happy.  And that can sometimes feel like a very tall order! 

The best tip I can give is to try to write your story without worrying about getting it published.  That’s SO hard, I know, but the publication process can be arduous long before it’s rewarding, and I think focusing on the fun helps you through the tough times!

That's really great advice--it's so much easier to write for pleasure without publication worries weight down those typing fingers :) Now, to be honest, my blog wouldn’t be my blog without a little silliness... So quick! Answer the next five questions with the FIRST answer that comes to mind!

1. Who’s been the hottest Bachelor (from ABC’s The Bachelor)?  Travis the doctor!

2. If you could have one superpower, what would it be?  Invisibility! 

3. What’s your favorite thing about the month October?  The annual reintroduction of pumpkin.  Pumpkin bread, lattes, candles, you name it.  If there’s pumpkin in it, I’m a fan! (yum me too!!)

4. What is the best all-time 80s rock song?  It’s a tie between Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” and GNR’s “Sweet Child of Mine!”

5. Quick! What’s the first thing you see in this inkblot??  Kissing fish!

oooo nice one! I saw fighting dragons... I like kissing fish way better :)




Tricia, thanks for making this such a fabulous interview! I hope you'll come back :) Now go hurry up and get Siren 2 out there. I'm dying to read it!!


And to my fabulous readers: Do you want to win a SIGNED copy of Siren? (And I can answer that for you--YES, you do!) Leave a comment and let Tricia and me know what you see in the inkblot! (Make sure to include your email address so I can contact you if you win.)


Thanks for stopping by!!

My Very First Author Interview!! With Kristina McBride

So, yesterday I posted my review of Kristina McBride's THE TENSION OF OPPOSITES. And today, I'm interviewing the author herself!  

Seriously, Kristina's awesome and has some really great stuff to share! Make sure you check out her silly answers at the end too--AND one lucky commenter will win a signed copy of her book!!!

First, here's a little bit about Kristina:

Kristina McBride, a former high-school English teacher and yearbook advisor, wrote The Tension of Opposites in response to the safe return of a child who was kidnapped while riding his bike to a friend’s house. She lives in Ohio with her husband and two young children. This is her first novel. Visit her online at www.kristinamcbride.com.

So everyone, please welcome Kristina to the Babbling Flow!


I’m just going to dive right in here! The inside cover states the story was ripped from the headlines—and in your bio, I read that you wrote this in response to the safe return of a child who was kidnapped while riding his bike to a friend’s house. I’m sure your creativity propelled the story forward, but how much research did you do to ensure you were telling a story that was compelling but also believable? (Because THE TENSION OF OPPOSITES is definitely both!) 
Thank you so much! To ensure that I would be offering a truly realistic story, I did quite a bit of research on two main subjects: Kidnapped-and-returned victims, and the kidnappers themselves. While I did not carbon copy any one child’s experience, I did take some small bits of inspiration from these stories. For instance, in an interview, one girl talked about how much she hated the smell of coffee when she returned home after spending months with her kidnapper – this was so moving to me, I had to use it. These details helped me get to know Noelle better, and pulled her story to a more powerful level. The interviews and stories I reviewed helped me ensure that I had the right tone and feeling as far as Noelle’s return. In regards to research topic number two, the kidnappers, I focused mainly on the legal issues they face. I couldn’t just ignore Charlie Croft, the kidnapper, after Noelle returned home. Though we never meet him, he is an essential character to the book, and I wanted to make sure that the legal parts of his story would be accurate.
Gah! You're a stronger woman than I. Researching the kidnappers would scare the heck out of me! 


Tessa’s the main character, but really Tessa wouldn’t be Tessa without Noelle. Heck, the book wouldn’t be the book without Noelle. So, let’s talk about Noelle. I’d imagine you really had to inhabit this character, to write her as realistically as you did. How did you do it? I mean, just reading her was hard for me at times—so heartbreaking. Was it difficult to write her? 
At first, it was totally impossible. Funny what can happen when you try to write a book – the characters often won’t cooperate. When I started the first draft of The Tension of Opposites, I attempted to write the book from Noelle’s point of view. But she was silent. Tessa was the only one who spoke up. I shushed her, thinking this was Noelle’s story. It wasn’t until I gave Tessa a fair shot that I got to know Noelle better. I’ve always been an avid journaler, so the best way I found to connect with Noelle was through her journal entries. I wrote five or six, but only three made their way into the final version of the book. Noelle really opened up to me in her journal entries, and I felt like I knew her full personality after writing them.
What an awesome method--I've interviewed my characters before, but I haven't journaled for them... I'll definitely do so in the future though :)


We’ve covered research and inhabiting characters—but I want to delve a little deeper into your methods! {insert evil laugh} Tell me: are you a plotter or a pantser?? What’s your writing process? 
Well, I can only tell you my writing process as it stands for today, because it’s this constantly changing and evolving part of who I am. I used to be a complete panster, discovering the book I was writing in small pieces as I sat down to work each day. During a lengthy revision process on The Tension of Opposites in which I scrapped all but five chapters of the manuscript (yes, you read that right – I deleted all but five chapters about six months into revisions), I started plotting. Nothing set in stone, but just an overall idea of the major scenes that needed to take place. I formed a much clearer picture of the characters and plot in my head before I began writing, took notes on note cards (one card per chapter, where I jot down any details, like dialogue, that I might use later), before I began writing. I have continued to use this process with my new WIP, and it seems to work well for me. I’m still a panster, though, in the respect that if some new idea strikes me halfway through a draft, I have no problem cutting chapters or plot threads that no longer fit.
Yeah, I'm revising a novel I didn't plot out first and I will NEVER not plot again, ha! But I definitely think it's important, no matter how strict I plot, to keep an open mind for working with new ideas!

What’s been the most rewarding part of the publication process? And, you know I have to ask it: what’s been the hardest? Do you have any tips for those of us (*clears throat*) working toward that dream of publication? 

I’m not sure I can pinpoint the most rewarding or challenging stages. There are the obvious highlights – holding the final book in my hands, seeing my name on the cover, and having friends and family share in the experience. Oh, and the YALSA nomination for Best Fiction for Young Adults was totally cool. But even the hard stages – the revisions and editing – have been rewarding as well. I think I have grown so much as a writer through the entire process. Maybe that’s the answer to both questions, that though it has been a struggle, I can see the growth that has occurred through each step of the process. My main tip for any aspiring writer is to never give up. Keep writing. Read a ton of books that fall in your genre. And understand that while rejection hurts, it’s part of the process and means you’re in the game. And being in the game is exciting, so enjoy!

Congratulations on the YALSA nomination! That's awesome! And I totally got goosebumps at thinking about what it must feel like having your name on the cover of a real, live book! *pauses to dream for a moment* Thanks for the encouraging words!

What’s next in line for Author Kristina McBride? Anything you can share with your fans? 

I am working on book two of my two-book deal with Egmont USA. That’s about all I can say for now . . . except that I’m falling in love with this new plot and all the characters

Oh man, such a TEASE :) Well, whatever you're working on, I can't wait to read it!

Alright, well you’ve read my blog, so it should come as no surprise that sometimes I can be kinda silly. And I figure that since you’re book is pretty intense, maybe you need some silly time too! QUICK! Answer these final questions with the first word that pops into your mind!!

Celebrity crush:    In this very moment, I’d have to say Dave Matthews (was just listening to DMB – his voice is dreamy!)

Dream vacay spot:    Caribbean

Favorite scent:   Chocolate

As a child, what’d you want to be when you grew up?   Author, Teacher, Hair Stylist, or Librarian

What do you see in this inkblot?? 

It’s a motorcycle with one pig (think Olivia) riding on each side, back hoof kicked out for balance. I can’t figure out if this is a friendly circus type of situation where they’re practicing a stunt, or if they’re battling it out over the motorcycle. I get more of a fun vibe from these pigs, though, and believe this might be a competition where they show off their unique talent of duo motorcycle riding for a prize of some sort. Maybe a trip to the Caribbean with loads of chocolate and a private DMB concert included. I think the pigs are wearing tutus, so they are very fancy little things with a flare for style. And I believe their names are Millie and Mae

Okay, so remind me never to drink soda again, while reading your interview answers because I definitely almost spit my Diet Dr. Pepper out at your inkblot response. hahaha


Thank you SO much for visiting the blog, Kristina! Can't wait to see what comes out for ya next :)


Okay guys! Want to win a signed copy of THE TENSION OF OPPOSITES? Leave a comment with your email address and tell me and Kristina what YOU see in the inkblot!