Interview with Michelle Zink

Michelle Zink is the author of the new book Prophecy of the Sisters that has recently been released on August 1st, 2009.

You can find out more about Michelle on her on her website by clicking Here or following her on Twitter at: @Michelle_Zink

To find out more about Prophecy of the Sisters, check out my review by clicking Here.

Q: What made you decide to write Young Adult literature as opposed to Adult?
To be honest, it wasn't a conscious decision! I still feel nineteen inside and I always enjoyed the same books as my teenage daughter. There's something really honest and open about YA books that appeal to me both as a reader and a writer.

Q: How long did it take you to write Prophecy of the Sisters?
The first draft only took me about three months, but that's because I prefer to draft in total-immersion mode - i.e. writing 6-8 hours a day, every day, until it's done ver sus a little here and a little there. I don't really allow myself to go back and fix anything in the first draft until it's completely done. If I did, I'd never actually finish! So I manage to write my drafts really fast. The downside is that I have A LOT of revisions on the back end. Between my "keep moving forward" motto and my preference to write without an outline, I usually have a whole lot of work to do once a book is finished. Prophecy took me ten months to edit after that first draft was complete.

Q: Did any of the characters particularly difficult to write? Particularly easy?
Alice was a difficult character for me because I really wanted to defy the cliched black & white evil antagonist. I know from real life that its rarely that simple, and I wanted to craft a character with a dark nature that also struggled with moments of goodness. It wasn't easy! But in the end, it was one of the more satisfying aspects of the book, at least for me!

Q: What would you say is your favorite book of all time and why?
You guys are going to get sick of hearing this in my interviews, but it's White Oleander by Janet Fitch. I've just never read anything that spoke to me as powerfully as that book. I'm always surprised how many people haven't read it! They always say they've seen the movie, and I'm like, "Noooooo! It's not the same!" And it isn't. It's Fitch's writing that gives that book meaning. You have to READ it!



Q: Prophecy is based off the myth about Watchers from the Bible. What is your overall favorite Legend/Myth (besides the one Prophecy is based off of)?
Ohhhhh, that's a tough one! You're talking to a myth/legend junkie! I love pretty much every biblical legend. Demons scaaaaaare me!

Q: Sonia and Lia and Alice all have supernatural gifts. If you could any supernatural gift what would it be and why?
I would love to be able to cast spells. But I would only use my power for good not evil! I promise! Wait... does giving myself the ability to eat whatever I want and be skinny count as evil? *ponders*

Q: Most authors say that music played a big help in writing their book. Did music help you while writing, and if so any particular song or genre?
Music helps me A LOT. I write to film scores because lyrics distract me. I try to find two or three scores that capture the mood of a my next book before I start a project. It helps me tune out the noise of my house (four kids aged 10-17 - need I say more?), is a constant reminder of the atmosphere I'm trying to create, and gives me a way to instantly slip back into the writing mood of a particular book no matter how much time has passed since I last worked on it. For this book I listened exclusively to the score from The Village.

Q: Now I’ve heard that Prophecy is the first of three books. Is that true and if so, is there anything you can tell us about the other two?
It is! The second book is called Guardian of the Gate. I think of the book as "big" - not in terms of length (it's almost exactly the length of Prophecy) but in terms of feel. It's just a big adventure, a lot of action, a lot of growth for Lia and a couple of crazy twists! Oh! And a hot new guy!

Q: Is there any debut novel that you are looking forward to reading?
Oh, my gosh, there are so many! Really looking forward to The Hollow by Jessica Verday, Bedeviled by Shani Petroff, The Secret Year by Jennifer Hubbard, and Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garci and Maragret Stohl. But that's only a teeny-tiny fraction of the books I'm waiting for!



Q: How does it feel to have a published book?
It's just.... amazing. Surreal. Crazy! My son and I used to go to the bookstore near our small town, and he remembers us browsing the YA section and me saying, "I want a book on these shelves SO BADLY!" And the other day we went in to that same bookstore and walked smack into a HUGE Prophecy display in the very same YA section. My son kept shaking his head and saying, "This is awesome." I'm hoping it's up-close-and-personal proof to my kids that dreams DO come true.

Q: Any advice for aspiring authors?
Read and write as much as you can. Silence your inner editor while working and try to just FINISH something. You'll learn more from that process than from ANYTHING else you can do, and you can always edit later. Most of all, if you really want it, don't give up. That doesn't mean write aimlessly. That means WORK to get better, to learn, to take constructive criticism. But whatever you do, don't stop writing. Because the only sure way you will fail is if you quit.

Q: Anything else you want readers to know?
Just a big thank you to those of you who have done so much to support Prophecy online! You guys have made ALL the difference, and I so appreciate those of you who believed in my book very early on and spent the past few months telling anyone who would listen that Prophecy is a great book. You're the best! <3

Thanks again Michelle for doing the interview!

Interview with Georgia McBride

Georgia McBride is the author of a new book currently titled Praefatio. She is currently looking for an agent in hopes of getting her work published. I thought it would be fun to see how it goes for her, and follow her on this journey.

You can find Georgia at the following places:

Blog: Here

Twitter: @Georgia_McBride

Facebook: Here

Q: You have currently written Praefatio. Can you give our readers a short summary?
Grace Ann Miller isn’t sure at first why she’s sitting in a police station being questioned by police. When she finds out that it’s because the world’s biggest rock star has been arrested for her supposed kidnapping, bits and pieces of her life come flooding back causing Grace and everyone around her to question her sanity. Grace tells the police that in fact she was not kidnapped, that she is an Archangel--she sets into motion a chain of events with far reaching consequences for more than just herself. Suspected of having Stockholm Syndrome, and making up this elaborate story to protect her supposed kidnapper, Grace tells her story from the police station and later from the psych ward unsure at times of even her own self. Of course with Grace being an angel she interacts with otherworldlies but this book is about relationships above all else.

Q: Where did you get the idea for Praefatio?

Unable to sleep for weeks after being laid off characters from Praefatio started speaking to me at night. Telling their part of the story. I knew I would never sleep until I got the story out of me. I told my husband who thought I was crazy and still does.

THIS IS NOT THE OFFICIAL COVER

Photo by Mariana Britto

http://skategirl.deviantart.com

Q: How long did planning and writing take?
I wrote the story in three months but the revisions and editing took nine gruesome months.

Q: Now that it is written and edited, you are looking for a publisher, right? How does that make you feel?
I am looking for an agent who will help me find the right publisher. I’m relieved, scared to death and excited all at the same time. I cannot wait to share this story with the world. I’ve felt the entire time this sense that I wasn’t writing this for me that I was writing it for someone else, that the characters wanted or needed to be heard and I was simply the vehicle or person they chose. I know that sounds bizarre.

Q: Is there anything that worries you, now that your book is out there, possibly in the hands of a potential publisher?
No. I think the right publisher will get it and love it and take it and put it out there.

Q: What would you say the scariest part of putting your work out there for publishers to look at?
I’m not worried about publishers. I worry more so about people in general. I’ve seen how cruel some people can be toward other people.

Q: What made you want to be a writer?
I love taking something from nothing, a blank page and turning it into a story with a beginning and end. In this instance with Praefatio, I feel as if I was an instrument somehow. The story simply wrote itself. When I tried to write it, I got in the way and it ended up getting scrapped and edited out. My husband would laugh at me when I would say, “that Grace cracks me up.” He’d say, “what do you mean? Aren’t you writing it?” I’d say, “I don’t know what she’s going to say next.” He’d just shake his head. I would have no idea what my characters were going to say, let alone do next. And on days when they didn’t come around, I would have to wait.

Q: Why did you decide to write a YA book?
Well, I am a kid at heart, and a teen in my own eyes. It’s the age group I relate the most to in terms of music, literature and fashion. So, it made the most sense. Having said that, if the characters that spoke to me were older or younger, then that is the age of the characters that I would write for.

Q: What drew you to the fantasy realm?
I have always loved fantasy but it had nothing to do with me. It just so happened that this particular character turned out to be claiming to be an Archangel. What are you going to do? My other WIPs range from urban fantasy to sci-fi. I have one WIP that is a parenting/self-help/humor book. Go figure.

Q: Are any of your characters based on or inspired by people you know?
Hmmm. Well, I guess in an abstract way. One of the characters, Remi, Grace’s brother is adopted and my son is adopted. I wanted to carry the theme of adoption through the book. I also wanted to carry the theme of sisters who did not grow up together through the book as my sister and I did not grow up together like Grace and her sister Emeria. Also LJ (Olivia) is a name politely stolen from my friend, Olivia. I call her “LJ.” So, these are very loosely based characterizations. Oh, and we can’t forget Tia. I have a daughter named Tia who looks exactly like the character in the book!

Q: Many authors say that music is a big part in the writing of their books. Do you feel this is true with Praefatio?
Absolutely. I listen to music when I write. I have to. I am working on the playlist now. The major theme of the book is Halo by Depeche Mode. Take a listen one day when you have a chance. When I get the playlist done, I will let you know!

Q: Who do you think would be most interested in reading Praefatio?
Hmmm. People who question the norm, feel like maybe the don’t always fit in, maybe kids who have a strained relationship with one or both parents, anyone seeking a little escape.

Q: What is one thing you would like publishers and readers alike to know about your book?
Praefatio has a nice mix of urban fantasy, sci-fi, paranormal romance and even something for people into Christian YA.

A few fun questions:

Q: Favorite book of all time?
Are You There God, Its Me Margaret by Judy Blume

Q: If you could live in any book (besides your own) which would you choose?
Any Little House Book - life was simpler then…

Q: Current favorite Song?
Untouched, The Veronicas

Q: Favorite movie?
Pretty Woman/Jason And The Argonauts - A tie…

Q: Anything else you would like readers to know about you or your book?
It was my absolute pleasure writing this book. I had so much fun and all I could think about was the day it would be on shelves and people would have the opportunity to share my joy. I can’t wait for them to read it! Thanks so much!

Stay tuned for more on Praefatio and Georgia!