Lisa Unger's Blog, page 16
April 7, 2013
HEARTBROKEN Giveaway on Goodreads!
Visit HEARTBROKEN Giveaway for details. Two days left to enter!
March 14, 2013
Drawn To The Dark
I was drawn to dark and frightening books — much to my parents’ dismay. I loved to be scared. And my parents never sought to censor what I read; if I could reach a book on their shelf, and decipher the words within, it was mine. So I read (avidly, voraciously) books wildly inappropriate for my age – Stephen King’s Carrie, Christine, Cujo. V.C. Andrews’ Flowers in the Attic. Peter Straub. Dean Koontz. The more depraved and twisted, the better. I think my parents hoped a lot of it was going over my head. It wasn’t.
Because of my fascination with all things bleak and mysterious, I was pretty sure there was something wrong with me. My parents supported my belief by often wondering aloud: ”What’s wrong with you?”
Monsters, ghouls, any creatures not of this world were terribly exciting for me, transporting. They lifted me out of my dull, gray suburban New Jersey life. I had big dreams – I wanted to live in New York City (fabulously). I wanted to be a writer (famously). I drifted around in a fantasy world about what my life would be when I was gone and grown, creating my own destiny – when I wasn’t the freak being taunted and bullied at school, when I was anywhere but where I was.
I came to Mary Shelley’s FRANKENSTEIN expecting – and wanting — to be scared silly by a monster story. In books like this I was searching for reasons to feel the big feelings I had inside. Fear is a big feeling; it also anesthetized by adolescent ennui. The more horrifying the scenario on the page, the further away I was from the mundane nightmare of middle school.
But instead of a monster story, in FRANKENSTEIN I found a sad, beautiful novel about the nature of the human heart. The gripping narrative and its large themes — ambition, alienation, science, the origins of life, fear of technology – hooked me. I had hoped to be frightened, thrilled, white-knuckled – and I certainly got what I came for. But I hadn’t expected to think, or to feel so deeply for the tortured creature and his wretched creator.
My imaginings of Frankenstein’s monster were warped by film adaptations of the classic. I held an image of a square-headed, neck-bolted monstrosity, his body patch-worked from corpses, his brain belonging to an executed criminal. He was hell-bent on destruction. The perfect villain, already dehumanized, there was no need for complicated feelings like empathy or pity.
But Shelley’s monster is a soul in pain. He didn’t ask for life; he’s brutalized by rejection, desperate for love and companionship. Victor Frankenstein, his “father” has given him the brain of an abused and neglected child. Turned away by society and his creator, the monster’s psychic pain and loneliness turns to rage. He seeks to destroy the man who created him. Then, having laid waste to all Victor loves, the monster begs his forgiveness.
In most children’s literature, and in most popular fiction, the heroes and the villains are fairly easy to tell apart. From all my many hours of reading and television viewing, I was accustomed to the good guy vs. bad guy scenario. It’s a simple formula: You hate one person, cheer for the other. But with Shelley’s compelling, nuanced portraits of man and monster, it was impossible for me to judge either of them. I never saw a villain the same way again.
But what thrilled me most of all, was that the author of this dark and terrifying book was a young woman. Shelley was just nineteen at the writing of this classic. She wrote, in the preface of the 1831 edition, “How I, then a young girl, came to think of and then dilate upon, so very hideous an idea?” How indeed?
I realized that maybe there wasn’t anything wrong with me after all. Or at least I wasn’t the only girl who wanted to walk on the dark side, who wanted to feel big feelings, and understand the secrets of the blackest motivations of human nature, who wanted to escape my current situation, and who looked for all of that on the page. Maybe, after all, I was just what I always imagined myself to be: a writer.
Shelley’s FRANKENSTEIN came as a big surprise and changed the way I thought about writing, and also how I thought about myself. I learned that it’s often in the darkest scenarios in which a writer can delve most deeply and empathetically into the heart of man and monster. And I understood, finally, that I wasn’t the first girl less intrigued by roses than by thorns.
Because of my fascination with all things bleak and mysterious, I was pretty sure there was something wrong with me. My parents supported my belief by often wondering aloud: ”What’s wrong with you?”
Monsters, ghouls, any creatures not of this world were terribly exciting for me, transporting. They lifted me out of my dull, gray suburban New Jersey life. I had big dreams – I wanted to live in New York City (fabulously). I wanted to be a writer (famously). I drifted around in a fantasy world about what my life would be when I was gone and grown, creating my own destiny – when I wasn’t the freak being taunted and bullied at school, when I was anywhere but where I was.
I came to Mary Shelley’s FRANKENSTEIN expecting – and wanting — to be scared silly by a monster story. In books like this I was searching for reasons to feel the big feelings I had inside. Fear is a big feeling; it also anesthetized by adolescent ennui. The more horrifying the scenario on the page, the further away I was from the mundane nightmare of middle school.
But instead of a monster story, in FRANKENSTEIN I found a sad, beautiful novel about the nature of the human heart. The gripping narrative and its large themes — ambition, alienation, science, the origins of life, fear of technology – hooked me. I had hoped to be frightened, thrilled, white-knuckled – and I certainly got what I came for. But I hadn’t expected to think, or to feel so deeply for the tortured creature and his wretched creator.
My imaginings of Frankenstein’s monster were warped by film adaptations of the classic. I held an image of a square-headed, neck-bolted monstrosity, his body patch-worked from corpses, his brain belonging to an executed criminal. He was hell-bent on destruction. The perfect villain, already dehumanized, there was no need for complicated feelings like empathy or pity.
But Shelley’s monster is a soul in pain. He didn’t ask for life; he’s brutalized by rejection, desperate for love and companionship. Victor Frankenstein, his “father” has given him the brain of an abused and neglected child. Turned away by society and his creator, the monster’s psychic pain and loneliness turns to rage. He seeks to destroy the man who created him. Then, having laid waste to all Victor loves, the monster begs his forgiveness.
In most children’s literature, and in most popular fiction, the heroes and the villains are fairly easy to tell apart. From all my many hours of reading and television viewing, I was accustomed to the good guy vs. bad guy scenario. It’s a simple formula: You hate one person, cheer for the other. But with Shelley’s compelling, nuanced portraits of man and monster, it was impossible for me to judge either of them. I never saw a villain the same way again.
But what thrilled me most of all, was that the author of this dark and terrifying book was a young woman. Shelley was just nineteen at the writing of this classic. She wrote, in the preface of the 1831 edition, “How I, then a young girl, came to think of and then dilate upon, so very hideous an idea?” How indeed?
I realized that maybe there wasn’t anything wrong with me after all. Or at least I wasn’t the only girl who wanted to walk on the dark side, who wanted to feel big feelings, and understand the secrets of the blackest motivations of human nature, who wanted to escape my current situation, and who looked for all of that on the page. Maybe, after all, I was just what I always imagined myself to be: a writer.
Shelley’s FRANKENSTEIN came as a big surprise and changed the way I thought about writing, and also how I thought about myself. I learned that it’s often in the darkest scenarios in which a writer can delve most deeply and empathetically into the heart of man and monster. And I understood, finally, that I wasn’t the first girl less intrigued by roses than by thorns.
January 30, 2013
Book Club Contest
Are you in a book club?
For a chance to win signed copies of Sliver of Truth: Ridley Jones #2 for EVERYONE in your group, tell me something about your group... You can post on Facebook or Twitter, or you can email me at lisa@lisaunger.com
Just a small way of celebrating the mass-market release, and saying "Thanks" to all the book clubs out there!
All the best,
L
For a chance to win signed copies of Sliver of Truth: Ridley Jones #2 for EVERYONE in your group, tell me something about your group... You can post on Facebook or Twitter, or you can email me at lisa@lisaunger.com
Just a small way of celebrating the mass-market release, and saying "Thanks" to all the book clubs out there!
All the best,
L
January 22, 2013
Tiki Talk with former Tampa mayor Pam Iorio
What a fabulous conversation with author and former Tampa mayor Pam Iorio! We chat here about books (of course), balancing work and motherhood, and so much more. She's one of the smartest, funniest, coolest, and most genuine people I know. Tune in for our chat on
Tiki Talk!
Tiki Talk!
January 6, 2013
Book Club on a Yacht!
Last night, I had the pleasure to join a wonderful group of women from Palm Harbor, Florida for a book club discussion of HEARTBROKEN -- aboard a beautiful 60 ft yacht.
Over the years, I have joined many book groups in person or online for discussions of my work, and I have always had a great time. But, this was truly a unique and amazing experience!
We watched the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico and talked for hours over wine and hors d'oeuvres. They had so many great questions, and we had a lot of laughs as well. Thanks so much to everyone who attended and to our hosts Captains Mike and Angela, and a special thanks to Angela Ashe for the invitation!
December 5, 2012
HEARTBROKEN - Best of 2012 Books
A huge thanks to Suspense Magazine for choosing HEARTBROKEN as one of the "Best of 2012 Books!"
October 11, 2012
Attention readers! Aspiring writers! Anyone who wants a live video chat with me!
I was recently asked to participate in Greenroom.com, a site pioneered by Dr. Drew Pinsky where fans can interact one-on-one with actors, athletes, writers and experts. I thought this was a great idea, especially when I learned that I could donate 100% of the proceeds to the charity of my choice. To celebrate my signing on, Greenroom is giving away a free live chat with me.
So, if you’d like to enter to win a live video chat with me, just post a question for me on Facebook or Twitter. It could be about anything – my process, my novels, my path to publishing, etc. I will draw the winner on November 1. The winner gets his or her question answered, and a 15-minute personal video conversation with me.
In honor of this first free event, I will donate $200 to Brookwood and it will go directly to help fund this amazing home for girls, which I recently visited and wrote about in a guest blog. Read the blog
Moving forward, I will continue to donate 100% of my earnings from Greenroom.com to Brookwood and other important charities.
Please spread the word to your friends - fans, readers, aspiring writers and book groups. It’s for a great cause and it will be fun, too! Send in your questions and I’ll look forward to seeing you soon!
So, if you’d like to enter to win a live video chat with me, just post a question for me on Facebook or Twitter. It could be about anything – my process, my novels, my path to publishing, etc. I will draw the winner on November 1. The winner gets his or her question answered, and a 15-minute personal video conversation with me.
In honor of this first free event, I will donate $200 to Brookwood and it will go directly to help fund this amazing home for girls, which I recently visited and wrote about in a guest blog. Read the blog
Moving forward, I will continue to donate 100% of my earnings from Greenroom.com to Brookwood and other important charities.
Please spread the word to your friends - fans, readers, aspiring writers and book groups. It’s for a great cause and it will be fun, too! Send in your questions and I’ll look forward to seeing you soon!
September 18, 2012
The Power of Story
Last week, I had the opportunity to visit with some terrific young writers who live at Brookwood, a group home for girls in St. Petersburg. It was an amazing evening, and an honor to spend time with this funny, smart and talented group of girls. Today, I have shared my thoughts in a guest blog at Jungle Reds. READ IT HERE and don't forget to leave a comment for your chance to win a copy of my latest novel, HEARTBROKEN!
June 12, 2012
Pre-Pub - The Days Before a New Release!
The days before a new release are so super-charged! I'm doing lots of interviews, guest blogs, posts and getting ready to go on the road. Meanwhile, I'm knee deep in revisions on the next book. Crazy times! I'm excited and nervous all at once! You'd think after so many years of doing this, I would be more immune to the hills and valleys of pre-publication time. But I'm not! My book is on its way to the stores and digital storage for downloads. And, now, there's nothing more I can do for it. It's all up to you!
So, now is the time! If you plan to buy HEARTBROKEN, and cannot make it to an event (best place to pick up a copy and get it signed, and I look forward to seeing you), it would be fabulous if you pre-ordered your copy today! You can buy it online from your favorite independent or chain bookseller by clicking here.
There are a lot of benefits to pre-ordering, both for the author as well as the reader. Pre-orders generate excitement at the publisher and with the booksellers. When they see readers clamoring to get a copy of the book early, they know that people are jazzed about the release. It really impacts word of mouth, placement, and even the number of copies in the stores. Also, pre-order sales count towards first week sales, which is the week with the best shot at hitting bestseller lists. For readers, it ensures that you get the book as soon as possible and can start reading immediately! And it can even drive sales campaigns that lower the cost for you. My pre-orders are always really solid - because my readers are such an active, faithful crew. But this year, I'm hoping to really hit it out of the park. And I know I can count on you to help me do that!
If you read HEARTBROKEN and enjoy it, please don't be shy about posting your positive reviews online, telling your friends, posting on Facebook or Twitter, or just sending me a note letting me know your thoughts. It means a lot to me, and really there's nothing nicer you can do for an author than spread the word about her work. In the age of social media, it's easier than ever.
Your support means the world to me! Thank you so much, and thanks for reading!
So, now is the time! If you plan to buy HEARTBROKEN, and cannot make it to an event (best place to pick up a copy and get it signed, and I look forward to seeing you), it would be fabulous if you pre-ordered your copy today! You can buy it online from your favorite independent or chain bookseller by clicking here.
There are a lot of benefits to pre-ordering, both for the author as well as the reader. Pre-orders generate excitement at the publisher and with the booksellers. When they see readers clamoring to get a copy of the book early, they know that people are jazzed about the release. It really impacts word of mouth, placement, and even the number of copies in the stores. Also, pre-order sales count towards first week sales, which is the week with the best shot at hitting bestseller lists. For readers, it ensures that you get the book as soon as possible and can start reading immediately! And it can even drive sales campaigns that lower the cost for you. My pre-orders are always really solid - because my readers are such an active, faithful crew. But this year, I'm hoping to really hit it out of the park. And I know I can count on you to help me do that!
If you read HEARTBROKEN and enjoy it, please don't be shy about posting your positive reviews online, telling your friends, posting on Facebook or Twitter, or just sending me a note letting me know your thoughts. It means a lot to me, and really there's nothing nicer you can do for an author than spread the word about her work. In the age of social media, it's easier than ever.
Your support means the world to me! Thank you so much, and thanks for reading!
May 19, 2012
Heartbroken Excerpt
Would you like to get a head start reading HEARTBROKEN before it releases next month? Read Now!
