Lucienne Diver's Blog: Lucienne Diver's Drivel, page 25

Girlfriends’ Cyber Circuit interview with Jessica Brody

I’m woefully late on posting my interview with Jessica Brody for her awesome new release UNREMEMBERED.  In my defense, I’ve been a) swamped and b) hoping to read the free sample I’d downloaded to my Kindle so that I could rave about its fabulosity firsthand.  Alas, a has not yet given way to b, but the great buzz I’ve been hearing has convinced me that words like “awesome” and “fabulous” are not overselling.

Just check out these great quotes:

“Unremembered is a story brimming with mystery and suspense, star-crossed love and mad scientists. I felt like a detective putting together the pieces of Seraphina’s forgotten past right along with her, and the masterful way the puzzle was finally revealed left me speechless.”—Marissa Meyer, New York Times bestselling author of Cinder

“Unremembered is an awesome book! I was pulling for Seraphina from the opening chapters, and couldn’t wait to read what happened next—and I LOVED the twist at the end.” —P.C. Cast, New York Times Bestselling author of the House of Night series.

“Gripping story…harrowing action…The first in Brody’s new science-fiction series should snare enough attention to have folks tapping their feet for the sequel.” – Booklist

“Unremembered” is the first in a young adult sci-fi trilogy that is a page-turning adventure of self-discovery.” – Deseret News

“Fast-paced and sure to satisfy romance-oriented readers” – Kirkus

Or this summary:

The only thing worse than forgetting her past…is remembering it.

When Freedom Airlines flight 121 went down over the Pacific Ocean, no one ever expected to find a single survivor; which is why the sixteen-year-old girl discovered floating amid the wreckage—alive—is making headlines across the globe. She has no memories of boarding the plane. She has no memories of her life before the crash. She has no memories…period. As she struggles to piece together her forgotten past and discover who she really is, every clue raises more questions. Her only hope is a strangely alluring boy who claims to know her. Who claims they were in love. But can she really trust him? And will he be able to protect her from the people who have been making her forget?

Set in a world where science knows no boundaries and memories are manipulated UNREMEMBERED by Jessica Brody is the first novel in a compelling, romantic, and suspenseful new sci-fi trilogy for teens.

Or the book itself.  Or the interview below:

Jessica Brody

What is your writing process like? Are you a plotter or a pantser? Do you schedule time to write each day or are you a spree writer?

Definitely a plotter. I can’t start a book until I’ve got at least an outline of an outline done.

I try to write in the mornings, I find that’s when I’m most creative. And if I don’t, I usually end up putting it off all day and then it never gets done. I write for about 2-3 hours which usually gets me 1000-1500 words. And I shut off EVERYTHING during that time. No Facebook, no Twitter, no emails until my word count is in! Yes, I’m a very mean boss!

What is the hardest part about the publishing process for you and how do you get through it?

Copyediting and chocolate. Lots and lots of chocolate. If it’s Easter time, I go for those Cadberry mini eggs. They are like magic copyediting happy pills.

We drop your hero or heroine on a deserted island. Quick, what are the three things he or she can’t live without?

Well, this is a pretty tough question since at the beginning of the story my heroine has nothing. Not even a single memory of who she is! However, she does discover that she had a locket on her when they pulled her out of the plane wreckage. A locket with a mysterious engraving on the back. This turns out to be a very important element in the story. And she definitely can’t live without it (for reasons you come to discover as you read!)

If your story were a film, who would you cast?

Oh gosh, I’m always SO bad at this question! Okay, I’m going to go with Nina Dobrev (from The Vampire Diaires) I’ve always pictured her in the role of Seraphina. She just has that totally flawless look about her (which is how Seraphina is described in the book) and she’s also ethnically ambiguous (another trait of my main character.) Before my publisher designed a cover, I made this temporary mock-up with Nina’s face as inspiration.

Are there any contests or upcoming appearances/interviews/etc. you’d like to plug?

Yes! A few!

I’m going on tour for the book this month! Click here to see a list of all the stops: http://www.jessicabrody.com/2013/02/the-unremembered-tour/

Also for some more fun guest posts and interviews, check out the UNREMEMBERED blog tour: http://www.jessicabrody.com/2013/02/the-unremembered-blog-tour/

And you can read a free short story called “The Memory Coder,” set in the Unremembered world on Tor.com.

Okay, I’m done plugging now.

Happy Book Birthdays

So excited to wish a happy book birthday to Rob Thurman and to Keith R.A. DeCandido for:

Rob Thurman’s incorrigible Leandros brothers are back in SLASHBACK, the lastest novel in her New York Times bestselling series!

Playtime…



Taking on bloodthirsty supernatural monsters is how Caliban and Niko Leandros make a living. But years ago—before they became a force to be reckoned with—the brothers were almost victims of a very human serial killer.

Almost.

Unfortunately for them, that particular depraved killer was working as apprentice to a creature far more malevolent—the legendary Spring-heeled Jack. He’s just hit town. He hasn’t forgotten what the Leandros brothers did to his murderous protégé. He hasn’t forgotten what they owe him.

And now they are going to pay…and pay…and pay.…

Quotes

“In a series that constantly finds new ways to explore the bonds of brotherhood and friendship, this book takes those emotions to a whole new level. And the book is stronger for it.” —SF Revu for DOUBLETAKE

“Rob Thurman’s books have become favorites. The grim horrific reality of the world Cal inhabits is viewed through a sarcastic lens and softened with the love between brothers. Touching and at times hilarious, yet intensely compelling Thurman’s storylines are among the darkest in urban fantasy but she uses that grim supernatural backdrop and the internal struggles of her antihero Caliban to heighten the sense of what it truly means to be a power for good. Any book by Thurman is worth the purchase, but the Cal Leandros series shines, each one better than the one before.” —Fresh Fiction for DOUBLETAKE

LEVERAGE: THE ZOO JOB by Keith R.A. DeCandido

A new novel based on the hit TV series Leverage…

The rich and powerful take what they want.

We steal it back for you.

THE ZOO JOB 

Marney Brillinger is in trouble. The zoo that has been in her family for generations is failing, and when she makes a deal with a Malanian priest to loan her two exotic black rhinos for a special exhibit, they never arrive. Now, she’s on the hook for hundreds of thousands of dollars to the priest, who was planning to use the money for sick children.

Desperate, she turns to Nate Ford and his team for assistance. But finding two very large lost animals is no easy feat when the search involves duplicity—both international and close�to�home—and the unwelcome arrival of Nate’s nemesis, Interpol agent James Sterling.

With Sterling around, if the team isn’t careful, they just might end up in cages of their own . . .

 

So much to celebrate!

A few quick things to celebrate (and I promise a pithy post or rant or whatnot in the near future)!  Huge congratulations to:

N.K. Jemisin, who is a NEBULA AWARD NOMINEE (sorry, was I shouting?) for her amazing novel THE KILLING MOON

Beth Cornelison for making the Bookscan Romance bestseller list with COWBOY’S TEXAS RESCUE.

Christina Henry for the release of BLACK CITY, the latest novel in her fabulous Black Wings series.  You can read the first chapter or get more info over on her website.  Just click here!  (If you’re a Beezle addict, you can hear him grumbling over in the Sidekick Corner at Literal Addiction.)

Vicky Dreiling whose publisher is celebrating the upcoming release of the first novel in her Sinful Scoundrels series, WHAT A WICKED EARL WANTS, by giving people the chance to win one of ten copies at GoodReads (ends tomorrow, so enter asap)!  Of course, you can always guarantee yourself a good read by pre-ordering it today.

I’m sure I will think of a million more things as soon as I post, but that’s what tomorrow is for!

Olde City, New Blood

I’ve been trying to find time since I returned from the Olde City, New Blood conference to post pics and blog about the general fabulosity of the event and the people involved.  Unfortunately, as usual when I return to the office from a con, I’ve been swamped.  But since today started with an ultrasound on my not-so-little-boy’s belly, I needed a pick me up this morning.  Posting about Olde City, New Blood was just the thing.

First off, its unbelievable to me that this was the first time for Jennifer Morris pulling together a convention.  She did an amazing job.  I’m still in awe of all the incredible authors, bloggers and readers she managed to pull in for the conference and how warm everyone was.  Picture one big coffee klatsch or bar round table, and you’ve pretty much summed up the weekend.  Jennifer also came up with some really fun concepts like the Mystery Science Theatre-esque movie showing, which I heard Damon Suede rocked, the flash fiction panel in which the audience gave up prompts leading to fun things like a horror/romantic comedy featuring a heroine on a space ship with a hyperdrive dealing with a platypus infestation.  (Let’s just say that by the time we were done, they were venomous, shape-shifting platypi aliens who wanted our heroine to breed with them to create a whole new race.)  Possibly the most fun, though, was the Character Dating Game, where many of us portrayed the characters from our book, a la the cheesy 70s game show.    In the first match up, our bachlorette was Agent Parker Adams (aka her author Karina Cooper), definitely a take-charge kind of girl.  Her dating options were (from L to R) Daemon, the hero from Jennifer Armentrout‘s Lux series, Deacon Chalk, from James R. Tuck‘s Occult Bounty Hunter series, and Criminy Stain, Delilah S. Dawson‘s creation for her Blud series.  In the second match up, we had Karina Cooper again, playing her colorful heroine Jessie, Tawdra Kandle, playing her mind-reading heroine Tasmyn Vaughn, me in the guise of Gina Covello, fashionista of the fanged (she asked me to fill in for her since she doesn’t show on camera) and Criminy Stain, who’d failed to find “his” perfect match the first time around.  I’m happy to say that wasn’t true in the second dating game!

The charity signing was a HUGE success, and I’ve posted some pics below for your viewing pleasure:

  

Pictures:

1- Damon Suede of Dreamspinner Press sweeping me off my feet

2- Lea Nolan, Me with my eyes closed, J.A. Souders and Janice Hardy, ready, willing and able to sign books at a moment’s notice

3- Janet Breakfield, Pamela Palmer and Cynthia Eden

4- Elisabeth Staab, Tes Hilaire and Elisabeth Naughton

5- James R. Tuck, Karina Cooper and Alex Hughes

6- J.A. London, aka Loraine Heath

7- Jenna Bently/Jennie Bently and Lexi George

8- Amanda Carlson and Kristen Painter

9- Erin Quin and Rosalie Lario

10- Alex Hughes, Delilah S. Dawson and Jess Haines

11- Nancy Haddock and her new friend Vlad

12- Caridad Piniero and Dianna Love

12- Amanda Carlson and Jennifer Armentrout showing off each others’ books

13- Don’t know what’s more fab – Kristen Painter or her poster

14- our event planner Jennifer Morris with author Amy Lane

1-Delilah S. Dawson and Karina Cooper all dressed up for the steampunk panel and James R. Tuck because he’s awesome

2- Dinner: Sarah Nicolas, Janice Hardy, James R. Tuck, Alex Hughes and Sarah M. Ross

3- Dinner continued: blogger Sarah-with-an-h whose last name I have to catch from The Book Life, Micki (ditto on the last name), Amy Christine Parker and J.A Souders

Book Birthday and Advice for the Aspiring Writer from Heather Burch

First, a very happy book birthday to Chloe Neill, whose latest novel in her New York Times-bestselling Chicagoland Vampires series, HOUSE RULES, releases today.  I can promise you an amazing read.  If you’re interested in following her HOUSE RULES blog tour for giveaways and prizes, check out the details on her website here.

Next, I’m very pleased to feature on the blog today the fabulous Heather Burch, author of the Halfling series for Zondervan/HarperCollins and one of the members of the Sunshine Tour.  Barnes & Noble made the books a Top Teen Pick nationwide, and USA Today has called the series, “A well written, thoroughly thought out and utterly addicting read.”  I’ve asked Heather what piece of advice she’d offer to aspiring writers, and she responded:

Don’t be afraid to bleed onto the page. Dig deep when you write. Don’t hold anything back. If you aren’t feeling the emotion, a reader won’t feel it either. The deeper you dive into your own soul, the farther you will reach into the reader’s soul. Go to that place where you’re on the edge of fear, at the door of discovery and standing on the cliff of uncertainty. And above all else, trust. Trust your heart to know the story it wants to tell. Trust your characters to be far more brilliant than you could ever write them. And trust your instincts to lead you where you need to go.

One more thing.

Don’t let the act writing get too big in your life. You are a writer. But that doesn’t dictate your entire being. Trust me, being a writer can consume you. Don’t let it. When you step away from the computer, know that the sum of what you are cannot be contained in a book or even several books. You are a writer. But you are also so so much more.

 

I think this is brilliant advice!  For those of you who want to follow Heather and check out her books, she can be found on:

The Halflings Network

Her website

Twitter

Facebook

FANGTABULOUS Giveaway and new tour stops!

Happy Saturday, y’all!  Two quick things here before I run off and type like my fingers are on fire.  (Just finished writing RISE OF THE BLOOD last night and now have to type it all into my computer, print out and revise by Feb. 15th.  No pressure!  Oh, and read two proposals and a full while making time for Superbowl on Sunday!)

   First, City of Books has posted a great new review for FANGTABULOUS, the latest in my Vamped series, and is also offering up four signed books for a giveaway!  There’s still time to enter to win.  I hope you will.  These books need a good home!

Second, the next round of stops on the multi-author Sunshine Tour have been announced.  It’s a great bunch of young adult writers with very varied sorts of books – something for everyone from paranormal to mainstream contemporary to historical.  I hope if you’re anywhere in the Orlando, Clearwater or Tampa area you’ll check us out!

For Orlando: 
 
Saturday March 2nd at 2pm

Attending: Heather Burch, Karen Amanda Hooper, Anna Banks, J.A. Souders, Jessica Martinez, Jenny Torres Sanchez, Lucienne Diver, Gaby Triana, and Kristen Simmons.

Location: Barnes & Noble
3049 Daniels Rd
Winter Garden, FL 34787



For Tampa: 
 
Sunday March 3rd at 3pm
Attending: Heather Burch, Karen Amanda Hooper, Anna Banks, J.A. Souders, Jenny Torres Sanchez, Lucienne Diver, Gaby Triana, Trish Doller, Laura Sullivan, and Kristen Simmons.Location: Barnes & Noble, Inc.

23654 US 19 North

Clearwater, FL 33765

 
I’m going to be hosting some of the Sunshine Tour authors on my blog, starting with Heather Burch on Tuesday with advice for aspiring authors and a little about her successful Halfling series. Please stop back on by!

Also, there’s still time to join the #SunshineSyndicate and be entered into our HUGE Sunshine Tour giveaway, details here.

THE ELDRITCH CONSPIRACY/The Writing Process

To celebrate the release of Cat Adams’ latest fabulous urban fantasy, I’ve asked C.T. Adams, one half of the bestselling Cat Adams writing team, to come and talk about the evolution of her writing process.  But first, a little bit about the book, THE ELDRICH CONSPIRACY, which USA Today recommended as a hot new read.  Library Journal says, “The fifth installment (after The Isis Collar ) of Adams’s (the pen name of cowriters C.T. Adams and Cathy Clamp) classy series mixes a glimpse of Siren society and mores with a compelling story of political intrigue, betrayal, and growing romance. Strong characters and the Siren “connection” make this title stand out.”  In other words, if you haven’t already jumped on the Blood Singer series…what are you waiting for?

The Writing Process by C.T. Adams

Okay, first off, let me be clear here (or as clear as I ever am). I don’t know about other people’s writing processes. I suspect that the process is different for every writer. And, in my case, it has evolved.

When I started (20 published books ago, more unpublished books ago than I care to count — after all, I started trying to do this when I was ten). I was strictly a “pantser.” I would get a character in my head, and they’d tell me a story, and we’d ramble around until they were finished. Then I’d edit it, and we’d be good.

Except that sometimes it wasn’t.

Sometimes it just rambled.

Time was wasted.

When I was unpublished that was no biggie. I mean, I had all the time in the world to make it PERFECT. But I’m not unpublished any more, and editors have these things called EXPECTATIONS and DEADLINES. I couldn’t afford to keep wandering around in the wilderness of my imagination. I had places to go, things to do.

So, I started plotting.

It was . . . .uncomfortable, restricting, at first.

So I adjusted.

I plot, but loosely. I have a chart I use that hits the main plot points I want to get and approximately where they go. I check them off. If they just don’t work, I cross it out and put what did. It’s a map, nothing more. There are multiple roads from Denver to Detroit. There are multiple roads to get to the end of my book. No stress. I remind myself of that all the time.

It’s speeded up my writing process by MONTHS on every book. I’m hitting my deadlines. The editor is happy. I am happy.

Will the process continue to evolve? If it needs to. And I am okay with that. Because I’m in this for the long haul.

Books in the Blood Singer series:
BLOOD SONG
SIREN SONG
DEMON SONG
THE ISIS COLLAR
THE ELDRITCH CONSPIRACY

The Sunshine Tour – pics et. al.

We had an incredible time on the first leg of The Sunshine Tour this past weekend.  Huge thanks to Books and Books in Coral Gables and to Barnes & Noble in Fort Myers for hosting us and to all who came!  I’m not sure why some of the pics came out fuzzy, but I will try to rectify this post haste!  Don’t forget there’s still time to join the #SunshineSyndicate and be entered to win our huge, amazing giveaway and that even if you missed our stops, you can still swing by the stores or order signed copies of our books!

 

Pics above from the Coral Gables stop at the amazing Books and Books!

Group pic L to R: (Top) Karen Amanda Hooper, Gabrielle Joseph, Sarah Nicolas, Christina Diaz Gonzalez, Gaby Triana, (Bottom) J.A. Souders, Heather Burch, Lucienne Diver, Jenny Torres Sanchez

Karen Amanda Hooper and her books TANGLED TIDES and GRASPING AT ETERNITY

Jenny Torres Sanchez with her books THE DOWNSIDE OF BEING CHARLIE and DEATH, DICKINSON AND THE DEMENTED LIFE OF FRENCHIE GARCIA (forthcoming)

J.A. Souders with her novel RENEGADE

Still from Books and Books!

Gaby Triana with her book RIDING THE UNIVERSE

Christina Diaz Gonzalez (Florida Book Award winner!) with THE RED UMBRELLA and A THUNDEROUS WHISPER

Me and Vlad with some of my books: REVAMPED, BAD BLOOD, FANGTASTIC, FANGTABULOUS

Now at Barnes & Noble in Fort Myers (after a quick stop for Heather Burch and I at the outlet mall…I know, you’re shocked):

L to R: (Top) Jenny Torres Sanchez, Karen Amanda Hooper, Danielle Joseph, J.A. Souders, (Bottom) Me, Trish Doller, Christina Diaz Gonzalez, Heather Burch

Heather Burch with her book GUARDIAN and the little crown headband we picked up at said outlet mall

Me modeling (okay, there’s a theme here) my outlet mall shoes and Heather modeling the shoes I nearly mugged her for (photo credit to Jenna DeTrapani)

Trish Doller and Christina Diaz Gonzalez chatting away

Our awesome organizer Sarah Nicolas and Karen Amanda Hooper

Danielle Joseph and Jenny Torres Sanchez

Melissa Walker’s SMALL TOWN SINNERS

Girlfriends Cyber sister Melissa Walker’s Small Town Sinners is newly out in paperback!  To celebrate, Melissa is giving away “a box of great books to someone who sends in a pic or tells me about a sighting of the Small Town Sinners paperback in the wild! Info here.”  Looking over the books she’s giving away, I’d be entering myself if my TBR pile weren’t already teetering on the brink of burying my pups as they walk past.

Small Town Sinners is the story of Lacey Anne, daughter of the pastor and perennial good girl, who is eligible for a lead role in the season’s Hell House production—a role she’s been coveting for years. But when Ty moves to town as casting begins, a new perspective is added to Lacey Anne’s world and she starts to see her tight-knit, Evangelical community in a different light. With the help of her two best friends Starla Joy and Dean, and her potential first love Ty, Lacey Anne begins exploring her own thoughts and feelings about her religion, her community, and her place within both. While this novel deals with provocative issues like religion, teen pregnancy and underage drinking, it is not an “issue” book; the topics are masterfully interwoven into this story of friendship and family.

Rave Reviews:

“Small Town Sinners shines a light on the fascinating world of the teenage Hell House. Sit back and let Melissa Walker be your guide. She writes without a shred of judgment and plenty of heart.” —Dana Reinhardt, author of A Brief Chapter of My Impossible Life

“Walker is sympathetic and respectful of her characters’ faith, while putting on display the shocking extremist scare tactics that make Hell Houses, well, hellish.” —Donna Freitas, author of This Gorgeous Game and The Possibilities of Sainthood.

“A non-judgmental, nuanced, fascinating look at the teenage religious right… Walker writes an outstanding contemporary novel with a cast of characters who, far from being portrayed as hateful zealots, are relatable for readers of all faiths. The extremism of Hell House is tempered by the perfectly understandable attitudes and intentions of Lacey Anne, who struggles with what it means to grow up, to question and to think for herself.” –Romantic Times

“Both tender and provocative… Walker creates an astutely balanced portrait of a conservative congregation’s in-your-face response to perennial issues of domestic abuse, teen pregnancy, and suicide, as well as of those who struggle to fit the prescribed Christian mold.” –Publishers Weekly

“This secular story about religious people could easily devolve into camp mockery, but because Walker takes her character’s crisis of faith seriously and sensitively, readers will, too.” –Kirkus Reviews

Bio:

Melissa has worked as ELLEgirl Features Editor and Seventeen Prom Editor. She is the author of the Violet on the Runway series as well as Lovestruck Summer. Melissa manages I Heart Daily, an e-newsletter and blogs for ReaderGirlz, an online community for teens. www.melissacwalker.com

For more information, check out the interview Melissa did with me when Small Town Sinners first released in hardcover!

Doings

I guess that if you’re visiting my blog, you already know about me and my new release, Fangtabulous.  I’m not especially known for my reticence and subtlety!  But in case you haven’t already heard enough out of me, I thought I’d list some current blog interviews and some upcoming events that you might want to check out!

Blog Interviews with:

Jessica Brody

Melissa Walker

Laurie Stolarz

Elise Allen

Debbie Rigaud

Eileen Cook

Sara Hantz

Diana Rodriguez Wallach

Denise Jaden

YA Fresh

Magical Words (not so much an interview as a post about settings, particularly the on-the-spot research for Fangtabulous)

 I’ve also found a new review from Mortality Bites.

Later this month I’ll be on The Sunshine Tour, signing books on January 26th at Books & Books in Coral Gables at 7 pm and on January 27th at Barnes & Noble in Fort Myers at 3 pm with the fabulous J.A. Souders, Karen Amanda Hooper, Jenny Torres Sanchez, Danielle Joseph, Heather Burch, Christina Diaz Gonzalez, Gaby Triana and Trish Doller.  We’re also doing a HUGE giveaway that you can check out here to celebrate the tour.

In February, I’ll be at Olde City, New Blood, which is going to be an amazing conference in St. Augustine, Florida from the 8th to the 10th.  Tomorrow is the last day to register, so don’t delay!  I can’t even tell you how many incredible authors will be featured, but among them are Jennifer Armentrout, Jennie Bentley/Jenna Bennett, Delilah S. Dawson, Nancy Haddock, Janice Hardy, Tes Hilaire… They’re all listed here.  I hope to see some of you there!