Hi Everyone!
Today I’m welcoming Kimberly Derting to the blog! Kim is a Deb/Tenner who is celebrating the release of her debut novel: THE BODY FINDER!
Sounds cool, right? Without further ado. . . .
About The Body Finder
Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her "power" to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes that the dead leave behind in the world... and the imprints that attach to their killers.
Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find the dead birds her cat had tired of playing with. But now that a serial killer has begun terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he's claimed haunt her daily, she realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.
Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet on her quest to find the murderer—and Violet is unnerved to find herself hoping that Jay's intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she's falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer... and becoming his prey herself.
About Kimberly Derting
Kimberly lives in the Pacific Northwest, which is the ideal place to be writing anything dark or creepy...a gloomy day can set the perfect mood. She lives with her husband and their three beautiful (and often mouthy) children, who serve as an endless source of inspiration for her writing.
On to the Interview!
Me: Without giving away too many spoilers, what is your favorite part of the novel/what was the part you had the most fun writing?
Kimberly: For me, I loved writing the parts from the killer’s point of view. It was fun to get inside his head…at least for a little while.
Me: What kind of writing projects are you currently working on? Or, if you aren't working on anything new, is there a different demographic/genre you wouldn't mind tackling in the future?
Kimberly: I recently sent a new super-secret manuscript to my agent. My agent says she loves it so…*fingers crossed*. I also have notes for two more books in the The Body Finder series because I would love to spend some more time with Violet and Jay!
Me: OOOH! I love super-secret manuscripts! Finally: who is your writing hero and why?
Kimberly: Definitely Stephen King! I’ve mentioned him so much lately that I wouldn’t be surprised if I receive some sort of internet stalking restraining order from his people at some point in the near future. Seriously though, he has always had a way of pulling readers into his stories and never letting go, which is what made me want to be a writer.
I know what you mean. I’m forever talking about Sarah Dessen, and I’m afraid I’ll be told to stop. Great pick!
Readers . . . You can visit Kimberly at her home on the web: http://www.kimberlyderting.com
And . . . THE BODY FINDER is officially on sale. You can buy it here: http://www.amazon.com/Body-Finder-Kimberly-Derting/dp/0061779814/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1236005824&sr=8-1
Thank you so much for stopping by, Kimberly! Happy Debut!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Barbie -n- Me
I’ve had Barbies on my mind lately. Mainly because I can’t walk into a room without stepping on one . . . usually one that’s naked. If my mom hated Barbies because she was always sucking up their shoes in the vacuum cleaner . . . I hate them because they’re exhibitionists. Like I’m hosting some kind of nudist colony in my living room.
Besides that, I don’t particularly care for them anyway. I’m not sure why. Just the whole perfect body perfect guy perfect life thing.
I couldn’t even make a conscious decision to keep them out of my house, thanks to a well-intentioned family member who bought Baby Girl her first Barbie when she was two years old. Yes, I said two. Since then it’s been totally downhill, and the play room is covered with naked dolls and their clothes and their necklaces and shoes and their accessories: bicycles, cribs, and yes, even toilets.
Even though Barbie and I have a love/hate relationship (I love to hate her even if it doesn’t stop me from buying her), Barbies were a HUGE part of my life growing up. I had a Barbie Dream House (Baby Girl has a castle . . . but that’s at Grandma’s, thank God). I had a pink Barbie Corvette (Baby Girl has a remote control purple VW Bug). My Barbies had lots of clothes (Baby Girl’s . . . well, you know).
So the other day in the car, my four almost five year old baby and I were having a discussion about Barbies. Somehow we got on the subject of my favorite Barbie outfit. I didn’t have to think twice. I told her about this beautiful dress my Barbie had: it had a white shimmery top with a sweetheart neckline, and the bottom was made of this sheer/gauzy peach fabric. It was a beautiful ball gown, and I wanted one of my own.
I don’t know where this dress came from (if someone had given it to me/passed it along, whatever), but I *loved* it. “Barbie” never wore it much. I always gave it to Winnie. I don’t know if that was her real name, but she was the Barbie with LONG brown hair that almost touched the floor. I think I may have named her that because of Winnie Cooper on The Wonder Years. I taught myself how to French Braid hair because of that doll.
So you can imagine my sheer and total SHOCK when I was passing through the Barbie aisle at Wal-Mart on Friday and saw this:
That Barbie, with my Favorite Dress, has been reissued. Of course, I picked it up, squealing, and said:
“Guy who I’m sorta married to but not allowed to talk about online: Do you KNOW what this is?”
Guy: “No.”
Me: “Remember the other day when I was telling Baby Girl about that Barbie dress I loved?”
Guy: “No.”
Me: “I hate you. You never listen to me. But this is IT!!! This is the dress I was talking about!”
It was a complete and total flashback: to Barbies getting ready for dates with Ken and their scarily proportioned bodies with too-large chests and non-existent waists . . . arms at uncomfortable right angles . . . standing on their tip-toes.
And Ken: with his follicle-free, muscular body and painted-on underwear. The Ideal Guy. Because really, ladies, who doesn’t want a hairless guy with painted-on panties?
And the time Ken must’ve lost a leg or a neck (you can *never* get his head back on right once it comes off) and I cut one Barbie’s hair really really short to make her a man. Because if you cut your hair off and put on a suit . . . you can be a guy, No Problem.
(sigh)
This blog has no purpose whatsoever. There is no moral of the story. I just saw something from my past that brought back a whole bunch of memories. The Barbies who have currently taken up residence in my home? They’re okay, I guess. Though I’d like them a whole lot more if they’d consider getting dressed in the morning.
That Flashback Barbie is from 1985. I was three years old. Her name? Peaches and Cream. Yeah. I know. Actually, the more I think about it, the more perfect she is for our house. It’s impossible that a girl with a name like Peaches could stay dressed for very long.
How about you? Share your Barbie tale/memories here!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Stacey Jay is Here!
Another late post. I swear, I feel so Made of FAIL lately. Head is above water with the day job—but just barely. Revisions of last ms are completed. I am *trying* to take a month off from writing, but wouldn’t you know that a new story is already brewing. . . .
Can’t stop it! I swear!
In the meantime, I have another Debs interview for you! Stacey Jay is BACK and she’s BIGGER and BADDER and she’s celebrating the release of her latest: UNDEAD MUCH?
ABOUT UNDEAD MUCH?
Even Zombie Settlers with Super Hot Boyfriends get the Blues...
A few months ago I was a normal girl with a normal life. But that was before my power to Settle the Undead returned and someone tried to kill me with zombies.
Now I work magic and practice kicking butt while trying to find time for pom squad and my boyfriend, Ethan, and trying NOT to think about how freaky my life has become. It can be tough. Still…things could be worse…
Oh yeah, right:
1. Feral new super-strong zombies. Check.
2. Undead psychic hottie predicting a zombie apocolypse. Check.
3. Earth-shattering secrets that could land me in Settler prison for life. Check.
4. Cheerleader vs. pom squad turf war threatening the end of the half time as we know it. Check.
I’m going to need therapy (and a cookie) if I live through the week. Unfortunately I’m learning that’s not something Zombie Queens can take for granted.
ABOUT STACEY JAY
Stacey Jay is a workaholic with three pen names, and a sick sense of humor. She loves creepies, crawlies, and of course, romance. What would a zombie novel--or any novel--be without kisses that make your toes tingle?
Stacey has been a full time writer since 2005 and can't think of anything she'd rather be doing. Her former careers include theatre performer, professional dancer, poorly paid C-movie actress, bartender, and waiter.
On to the Interview!
Me: What was the inspiration/where did you get the idea for this latest story, and when did you realize it could become a novel?
Stacey: I was asked to do a sequel to YOU ARE SO UNDEAD TO ME and I immediately knew I wanted to do a bigger, badder, darker book. I wanted the zombies to be scarier, the romance romancier, and the stakes much higher. UNDEAD MUCH? grew from there.
Me: (lol) That’s a great way to get started! Now that you’re a seasoned author, if there is one thing you could go back and tell your “debut author” self, what would it be?
Stacey: I still don't feel as "seasoned" as I probably should, but I would tell my debut author self to take her time a little more. It's okay to be late occasionally in the name of getting that sentence/paragraph just right.
Me: Good advice! I’m always looking for new ways to tackle revisions. What is your tried and true revision strategy and why does it work?
Stacey: Dive in, fight the waves, gasp for air, choke and spit, vow that you shall not be sucked to the bottom, keep swimming until you get to small patch of land and...yeah. I have no idea how they get done half the time. Revisions are hard. I just tackle them piece by piece and try not to get too overwhelmed!
Me: That sounds like a good plan, and the best we can do, in some cases.
Readers . . . You can visit Stacey at her home on the web: http://www.staceyjay.com
And . . . UNDEAD MUCH? is officially on sale. You can buy it here:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Undead-Much-Megan-Berry-Book/dp/1595142738/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_1
Thank you so much for stopping by, Stacey!
Can’t stop it! I swear!
In the meantime, I have another Debs interview for you! Stacey Jay is BACK and she’s BIGGER and BADDER and she’s celebrating the release of her latest: UNDEAD MUCH?
ABOUT UNDEAD MUCH?
Even Zombie Settlers with Super Hot Boyfriends get the Blues...
A few months ago I was a normal girl with a normal life. But that was before my power to Settle the Undead returned and someone tried to kill me with zombies.
Now I work magic and practice kicking butt while trying to find time for pom squad and my boyfriend, Ethan, and trying NOT to think about how freaky my life has become. It can be tough. Still…things could be worse…
Oh yeah, right:
1. Feral new super-strong zombies. Check.
2. Undead psychic hottie predicting a zombie apocolypse. Check.
3. Earth-shattering secrets that could land me in Settler prison for life. Check.
4. Cheerleader vs. pom squad turf war threatening the end of the half time as we know it. Check.
I’m going to need therapy (and a cookie) if I live through the week. Unfortunately I’m learning that’s not something Zombie Queens can take for granted.
ABOUT STACEY JAY
Stacey Jay is a workaholic with three pen names, and a sick sense of humor. She loves creepies, crawlies, and of course, romance. What would a zombie novel--or any novel--be without kisses that make your toes tingle?
Stacey has been a full time writer since 2005 and can't think of anything she'd rather be doing. Her former careers include theatre performer, professional dancer, poorly paid C-movie actress, bartender, and waiter.
On to the Interview!
Me: What was the inspiration/where did you get the idea for this latest story, and when did you realize it could become a novel?
Stacey: I was asked to do a sequel to YOU ARE SO UNDEAD TO ME and I immediately knew I wanted to do a bigger, badder, darker book. I wanted the zombies to be scarier, the romance romancier, and the stakes much higher. UNDEAD MUCH? grew from there.
Me: (lol) That’s a great way to get started! Now that you’re a seasoned author, if there is one thing you could go back and tell your “debut author” self, what would it be?
Stacey: I still don't feel as "seasoned" as I probably should, but I would tell my debut author self to take her time a little more. It's okay to be late occasionally in the name of getting that sentence/paragraph just right.
Me: Good advice! I’m always looking for new ways to tackle revisions. What is your tried and true revision strategy and why does it work?
Stacey: Dive in, fight the waves, gasp for air, choke and spit, vow that you shall not be sucked to the bottom, keep swimming until you get to small patch of land and...yeah. I have no idea how they get done half the time. Revisions are hard. I just tackle them piece by piece and try not to get too overwhelmed!
Me: That sounds like a good plan, and the best we can do, in some cases.
Readers . . . You can visit Stacey at her home on the web: http://www.staceyjay.com
And . . . UNDEAD MUCH? is officially on sale. You can buy it here:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Undead-Much-Megan-Berry-Book/dp/1595142738/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_1
Thank you so much for stopping by, Stacey!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Erin Dionne is Here!
Hi Everyone!
I’m a little late today, but better late than never! I’m thrilled to have the *absolutely hilarious* Erin Dionne on the blog. Her debut: MODELS DON’T EAT CHOCOLATE COOKIES was *so* funny, and one of those books I didn’t want to put down. But Erin is here for a different reason:
To celebrate the release of her latest: The Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet.
Stay tuned: because Erin provides a perfect example of why it’s important to brush your teeth.
You know the routine!
About The Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet.
Hamlet Kennedy just wants to be your average, happy, vanilla eighth grader. But with Shakespearean scholar parents who dress in Elizabethan regalia and generally go about in public as if it were the sixteenth century, that's not terribly easy. It gets worse when they decide that Hamlet's genius seven-year-old sister will attend middle school with her-- and even worse when the Shakespeare project is announced and her sister is named the new math tutor. By the time an in-class recitation reveals that our heroine is an extraordinary Shakespearean actress, Hamlet can no longer hide from the fact that she--like her family--is anything but average.
About Erin
Erin Dionne’s debut novel, Models Don’t Eat Chocolate Cookies, was inspired by events that occurred in seventh grade, when she wore a scary peach bridesmaid dress in her cousin’s wedding and threw up on her gym teacher’s shoes (not at the same event). Although humiliating at the time, these experiences are working for her now. Erin lives outside of Boston with her husband and daughter, and a very insistent dog named Grafton. She roots for the Red Sox, teaches English at an art college, and sometimes eats chocolate cookies.
On to the Interview!
Me: What was the inspiration/where did you get the idea for this latest story, and when did you realize it could become a novel?
Erin: Truthfully? I got the idea for TOTAL TRAGEDY when I was brushing my teeth. I was scrubbing along, and all of a sudden, I thought, "What kind of parents name their DAUGHTER Hamlet?" From there, I was hooked on learning about this family. I knew right away there was potential for this to be a novel, but I had no idea what shape or form it would take.
Me: (lol) That is freakin awesome!! I love it! Now that you’re a seasoned author, if there is one thing you could go back and tell your “debut author” self, what would it be?
Erin: I'm still learning so much! I think I'd go back and tell her not to spread herself so thin; to focus and enjoy the time more. It's hard not to get caught up in every little detail about your book's experience in the world, though!
Me: Good advice! I’m always looking for new ways to tackle revisions. What is your tried and true revision strategy and why does it work?
Erin: I print every version of my manuscript out, 3-hole punch it, stick it in a binder, and make hand edits on it. Then I keep track of how many versions I've printed. This gives me some distance on the writing, literally lets me "see" the book in a different way from when it's on the computer screen, and also allows me to interact with the text.
Me: Awesome!
Readers . . . You can visit Erin at her home on the web: http://www.erindionne.com
And . . . The Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet is officially on sale. You can buy it here: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780803732988
Thank you so much for stopping by, Erin!
Readers: Always brush your teeth, because you never know when inspiration will strike. You only have to floss the ones you want to keep.
I’m a little late today, but better late than never! I’m thrilled to have the *absolutely hilarious* Erin Dionne on the blog. Her debut: MODELS DON’T EAT CHOCOLATE COOKIES was *so* funny, and one of those books I didn’t want to put down. But Erin is here for a different reason:
To celebrate the release of her latest: The Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet.
Stay tuned: because Erin provides a perfect example of why it’s important to brush your teeth.
You know the routine!
About The Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet.
Hamlet Kennedy just wants to be your average, happy, vanilla eighth grader. But with Shakespearean scholar parents who dress in Elizabethan regalia and generally go about in public as if it were the sixteenth century, that's not terribly easy. It gets worse when they decide that Hamlet's genius seven-year-old sister will attend middle school with her-- and even worse when the Shakespeare project is announced and her sister is named the new math tutor. By the time an in-class recitation reveals that our heroine is an extraordinary Shakespearean actress, Hamlet can no longer hide from the fact that she--like her family--is anything but average.
About Erin
Erin Dionne’s debut novel, Models Don’t Eat Chocolate Cookies, was inspired by events that occurred in seventh grade, when she wore a scary peach bridesmaid dress in her cousin’s wedding and threw up on her gym teacher’s shoes (not at the same event). Although humiliating at the time, these experiences are working for her now. Erin lives outside of Boston with her husband and daughter, and a very insistent dog named Grafton. She roots for the Red Sox, teaches English at an art college, and sometimes eats chocolate cookies.
On to the Interview!
Me: What was the inspiration/where did you get the idea for this latest story, and when did you realize it could become a novel?
Erin: Truthfully? I got the idea for TOTAL TRAGEDY when I was brushing my teeth. I was scrubbing along, and all of a sudden, I thought, "What kind of parents name their DAUGHTER Hamlet?" From there, I was hooked on learning about this family. I knew right away there was potential for this to be a novel, but I had no idea what shape or form it would take.
Me: (lol) That is freakin awesome!! I love it! Now that you’re a seasoned author, if there is one thing you could go back and tell your “debut author” self, what would it be?
Erin: I'm still learning so much! I think I'd go back and tell her not to spread herself so thin; to focus and enjoy the time more. It's hard not to get caught up in every little detail about your book's experience in the world, though!
Me: Good advice! I’m always looking for new ways to tackle revisions. What is your tried and true revision strategy and why does it work?
Erin: I print every version of my manuscript out, 3-hole punch it, stick it in a binder, and make hand edits on it. Then I keep track of how many versions I've printed. This gives me some distance on the writing, literally lets me "see" the book in a different way from when it's on the computer screen, and also allows me to interact with the text.
Me: Awesome!
Readers . . . You can visit Erin at her home on the web: http://www.erindionne.com
And . . . The Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet is officially on sale. You can buy it here: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780803732988
Thank you so much for stopping by, Erin!
Readers: Always brush your teeth, because you never know when inspiration will strike. You only have to floss the ones you want to keep.
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