Week 12: The Next Big Thing

The Next Big Thing . . . we all like to think we will be.  I suppose there can only be so many Twilight’s in a lifetime, but you never know . . . right?

We are blog hopping our way through some new reads.  For those who aren’t familiar with a blog hop . . . to me it’s kind of like a treasure hunt – once you find something on one blog you hop on over to the next blog link for more treasure.  In this case, the treasure is a wealth of new and exciting books.  Some are still being written, some are just being released.  Either way, for fiction lovers . . . it’s a treasure and I’d like to thank Lisa Vandiver for tagging me to participate.

(Click the link to find out about Lisa’s book.)

In this particular hop I answer 10 questions . . . you get to learn about my current WIP (work in progress), some of the characters I’ve come to think of as real, and how I got to the point of being nuts enough to write down over 70 thousand words worth of what the voices in my head have been whispering to me.  When it’s all said & done . . . comments and questions are always welcome. 

Q & A

 

What is the working title of your book?  Lullaby, it’s Book 1 in my Book of Dreams Trilogy.  Books 2 & 3 are: DreamWalkers and Awakening.

 
Where did the idea come from for the book? I know it sounds a little familiar, but I had this crazy dream.  Off and on for years I’ve written dreams down so I’d remember them, but this one was different.  I didn’t write it down . . . at least, not right away.  It was persistent.  It kept replaying in my mind all day through work.  When I got home, it was still looping over & over.  It demanded to be written down.  Finally, after doing the typical mom stuff, I sat down to write.  Literally write, not type.  When I stopped (notice I don’t say finished) I had over ten handwritten pages.  It was my “here’s your sign” moment.  After writing in some way for years, it was time to listen to the voices and REALLY write.

 

What genre does your book fall under?  This is tough.  I’ve had Beta Readers from the ages of 14 through 55 and they all keep wanting the next chapters before I’m done writing.  My story covers a lot of territory.  Let’s try this: it’s a supernatural edge-of-your-seat, what’s gonna happen next story with a decent dash of romance, a good bit of action and enough mystery to make you want to keep reading. (I hope)

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?  WOW . . . that’s a tricky question and I won’t lie, I’ve thought of it many times.  Truth is, this story plays like a movie in my head and I just write down what I see.  I’d say this:

Halle – (An ordinary, slightly mature for her age, 18 year old – on the outside – but far from ordinary . . . only she doesn’t know it yet) Possible actresses:  This is a hard one . . . maybe Grace Phipps.

Aedan – (Alpha male type Guardian all the way, has been all business for thousands of years, his hard shell of a heart was untouchable, until now) Possible actors:  Ian Somerhalder or Tyler Hoechlin.

Jenna – (Halle’s BFF since 7^th grade, a bit of a wild child exterior with a knack for talking Halle into things) Possible actresses:  Chloe Moretz, Juno Temple or AnnaSophia Robb.

Matt – (Poster boy-next-door type, loyal friend, closest thing to a brother Halle’s ever had) Possible actors: Honestly . . . I imagine my oldest son in this role, Patrick Curren O’Grady.  He’s a pretty darned good actor.  You never know.

 

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?  I came up with two but this one won out:

Halle Michaels feels like she’s on the brink of insanity, but balancing on the edge between insanity and reality is the one place where she will uncover more than any sane mind would ever imagine - about herself, her family, and her entire existence.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?  I intend to shop for an agent and see how that goes first, but I’m inpatient and will likely self pub while I’m shopping. After all, if I have readers already, doesn’t that make my story a stronger sell?

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?  It will have taken me just over 2 years when I’m done (within a few months), but I took about 10 months off in the middle of writing for personal / family reasons and I spent a few months on research.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?  I honestly don’t know.  I have avoided reading books within the paranormal and supernatural genres while I have been writing.  I didn’t want any other storylines mixing in my mind and intertwining with mine.  I will say this . . . if you love paranormal/supernatural romances - I think you'll LOVE this series.

Who or What inspired you to write this book?   Hmmmm . . . I suppose my inspiration ultimately came from God since this spouted from a dream that didn’t want to leave me be.  Since then, inspiration to go on has come from my Beta Readers.  If they hadn’t loved it so much . . . I probably would have moved on to another story.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

 

~Halle~

For as long as I can remember, the voices have haunted me.  They used to be faint and encouraging . . . recently, not so much.  And my dreams . . . don't even get me started on the dreams.  It seems that my reality isn’t so realistic anymore.  The question is, am I going mad or is someone – or something – trying to get my attention?

 

~Aedan~

I am a Guardian and a Warrior of the Highest Realm . . . sworn to protect.  I allow nothing to interfere with duty.  Guarding Halle Michaels will be no exception.  Many of my kind would say that you have to feel in order to effectively protect.  I disagree.  Emotions are for the weak and I refuse to ever be weak again.

 

Normal is overrated.

Halle Michaels is on the brink of insanity, at least that what she thinks.  Each dream she awakens from is one step closer to the last ounce of normalcy she knows slowly seeping from her life.  But the edge of reality is the one place where she will uncover more than any sane mind would ever imagine - about herself, her family, and her entire existence.  Her world becomes a journey through discoveries and deceit, her past and a future no typical mortal could face, forbidden romance and the true meaning of selfless love.  Just when she thinks her sanity is lost - along with any hope of a normal life - she discovers she was never meant to be normal.

She was born to be so much more.

 

List of my tagged blog hop buds for next week.  Check out their blogs next Wednesday to read about their WIPs and New Releases:

Theresa McClinton

Robert Chazz Chute

Carlyle Labuschagne

Victoria Danann

Krissy Clowe