Claire Merle's Blog - Posts Tagged "auditions"
QUERY TRACKERS MAKING TRACKS
An interview taking from A. G. Howard's blog: A Still and Quiet Madness (5/01/12)
Today is installment number fourteen of my "first Friday of the month" series on successful authors from QueryTracker. Some of my guests have agents, others have found success in less conventional ways. But one thing they all have in common is the utilization of the QueryTracker website to help make their tracks in the publishing world.
Today I'm extra excited because my guest is Claire Merle from the beautiful city of love: Paris, France.
You heard right! My interview is going international, yo! (◕‿-) Actually, I've had one other author from London way back in the beginning phases of this interview series. Just goes to show how far reaching QueryTracker is and proves that a truly amazing idea backed by inspiring and enthusiastic people has no bounds.
AGH: Welcome Claire! Could you give us a quick summary of the book which snagged your agent?
CM: THE GLIMPSE: In a near future society is segregated according to whether people are genetically disposed to mental illness. 17-year-old Ana has been living the privileged life of a Pure due to an error in her DNA test. When the authorities find out, she faces banishment from her safe Community, a fate only thwarted by the fact that she has already been promised to Pure-boy Jasper Taurell. Jasper is from a rich and influential family and despite Ana’s condition, wants to be with her. The authorities grant Ana a tentative reprieve. If she is joined to Jasper before her 18th birthday, she may stay in the Community until her illness manifests. But if Jasper changes his mind, she will be cast out among the Crazies. As Ana’s joining ceremony and her birthday loom closer, she dares to hope she will be saved from the horror of the City and live a ‘normal’ life. But then Jasper disappears.
AGH: Before you signed with your agent, how many books had you tried to query?
CM: I’d written and queried one book prior to The Glimpse.
AGH: What were the responses to those queries (stat-wise: fulls, partials, etc.)?
CM: I queried my first book long before I found QT and I knew very little about the process. I didn’t really keep stats or anything. I probably queried around thirty agents. From those I received 2 full requests and a phone call, but didn’t land an agent.
AGH: What genre(s) do you write?
CM: Young adult. Within that genre, I’m particularly drawn to sci-fi, fantasy and stories with a paranormal twist.
AGH: What inspired your very first book idea?
CM: I wrote my first full-length screenplay when I was thirteen and though it wasn’t a book, I’d say it was my first real effort to tell a ‘big’ story: Two best friends awake a malignant spirit that gives them the power to speak mentally to each other, but also leaves them running for their lives. I guess I’ve always been drawn to danger, adventure, the paranormal and psychological.
AGH: How do you come up with titles?
CM: Usually, when I start a project the title just seems to come at the same time as the ideas. Though sometimes I rework the title once I’ve finished a first draft and know more about my story.
AGH: What books / authors have most influenced your own style and concepts?
CM: Personally, I’m not sure I can be objective enough about my own writing style to give you any sort of definitive answer to that. I think an author’s style and concepts probably come as much from who they are, what they believe, what sort of questions they’re asking, and the experiences that have shaped the way they see the world, as anything else. Though I’m imagine along the way I’ve also picked up techniques and absorbed various elements from the stories that have had the greatest impact on me.
Some of those books include,
Favourite books pre-teens: ‘The Faraway Tree’ by Enid Blyton, ‘Ballet Shoes’ by Noel Streatfeild, ‘The Hounds of the Morrigan’ by Pat O’Shea.
Favourite books as a teenager: ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ by Margaret Atwood, ‘Rebecca’ by Daphne du Maurier, ‘Pride and Prejudice’ Jane Austen.
Recent favs include: ‘The Sky is Everywhere’ by Jandy Nelson, ‘Fingersmith’ by Sarah Waters, ‘Hunger Games’ by Suzanne Collins, ‘The Gift’ by Alison Croggon. (Better known as The Naming in the US.)
AGH: How did you find QueryTracker, and how did it help you in your effort to get inside the publishing doors?
CM: I think I found Query Tracker through googling for agent information. QTs amazing forum helped me work and rework my query, get feedback on my first chapter, and introduced me to many wonderful writers – two of whom critiqued my whole manuscript before I sent it out. That sort of help is priceless.
AGH: Do you have any current news to announce?
CM: Yes, some very exciting news! Next week, Faber are launching online Open Auditions for a series of fictional video diaries that will be a prequel to The Glimpse. The videos will centre around a character from the book – 16-year-old Tamsin Strike – and anyone in the UK from 13 upwards will be eligible to audition. The videos will be shot by an award-winning British director in the Spring. So if you want to be the first to know when The Glimpse facebook page launches (sometime during the second week in Jan) with all the hows, whens, and wheres about auditioning, follow my author facebook page where I’ll be giving you the links and the most up-to-date info. I'll also be running an international giveaway for anyone who is kind enough to help spread the word.
Here's the linkage: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Claire-...
**Five for fun**
AGH: In your opinion, what was the best thing before sliced bread?
CM: Hey, I live in Paris where they have baguettes and fresh, chunky loaves which I prefer to sliced bread, so I’m not convinced about the whole sliced bread thing!
AGH: Which would you rather do: carry an umbrella or sing in the rain?
CM: I’ve never been one for carrying an umbrella. Way too practical. I’d go for singing in the rain.
AGH: What’s your favorite breakfast?
CM: Coffee with whatever story I’m working on.
AGH: Are you Team Dog or Team Cat?
CM: Grew up with a cat, which I adored. But I think I’d like to try Team Dog now.
AGH: When would you go to if you had a time machine, and why?
CM: 150 years into the future. Wow! I’d love to see that!! And then I’d write a book about it.
Thanks so much for having me on your blog!
****
And thank you so much for coming, Claire! Two things, your premise sounds INCREDIBLE, and WOW on the promo-videos! If anyone out there knows a teen girl who's been looking to break into acting, this would be an excellent start! And if you're on twitter, please tweet Claire up so we can pass on the word!
Also, you can find Claire at these online haunts:
Website: http://clairemerle.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ClaireMerle
GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
http://bravenewwordsdebut.blogspot.com
Thanks everyone for stopping by. Have a happy and safe weekend, and see you next week! Q
Today is installment number fourteen of my "first Friday of the month" series on successful authors from QueryTracker. Some of my guests have agents, others have found success in less conventional ways. But one thing they all have in common is the utilization of the QueryTracker website to help make their tracks in the publishing world.
Today I'm extra excited because my guest is Claire Merle from the beautiful city of love: Paris, France.
You heard right! My interview is going international, yo! (◕‿-) Actually, I've had one other author from London way back in the beginning phases of this interview series. Just goes to show how far reaching QueryTracker is and proves that a truly amazing idea backed by inspiring and enthusiastic people has no bounds.
AGH: Welcome Claire! Could you give us a quick summary of the book which snagged your agent?
CM: THE GLIMPSE: In a near future society is segregated according to whether people are genetically disposed to mental illness. 17-year-old Ana has been living the privileged life of a Pure due to an error in her DNA test. When the authorities find out, she faces banishment from her safe Community, a fate only thwarted by the fact that she has already been promised to Pure-boy Jasper Taurell. Jasper is from a rich and influential family and despite Ana’s condition, wants to be with her. The authorities grant Ana a tentative reprieve. If she is joined to Jasper before her 18th birthday, she may stay in the Community until her illness manifests. But if Jasper changes his mind, she will be cast out among the Crazies. As Ana’s joining ceremony and her birthday loom closer, she dares to hope she will be saved from the horror of the City and live a ‘normal’ life. But then Jasper disappears.
AGH: Before you signed with your agent, how many books had you tried to query?
CM: I’d written and queried one book prior to The Glimpse.
AGH: What were the responses to those queries (stat-wise: fulls, partials, etc.)?
CM: I queried my first book long before I found QT and I knew very little about the process. I didn’t really keep stats or anything. I probably queried around thirty agents. From those I received 2 full requests and a phone call, but didn’t land an agent.
AGH: What genre(s) do you write?
CM: Young adult. Within that genre, I’m particularly drawn to sci-fi, fantasy and stories with a paranormal twist.
AGH: What inspired your very first book idea?
CM: I wrote my first full-length screenplay when I was thirteen and though it wasn’t a book, I’d say it was my first real effort to tell a ‘big’ story: Two best friends awake a malignant spirit that gives them the power to speak mentally to each other, but also leaves them running for their lives. I guess I’ve always been drawn to danger, adventure, the paranormal and psychological.
AGH: How do you come up with titles?
CM: Usually, when I start a project the title just seems to come at the same time as the ideas. Though sometimes I rework the title once I’ve finished a first draft and know more about my story.
AGH: What books / authors have most influenced your own style and concepts?
CM: Personally, I’m not sure I can be objective enough about my own writing style to give you any sort of definitive answer to that. I think an author’s style and concepts probably come as much from who they are, what they believe, what sort of questions they’re asking, and the experiences that have shaped the way they see the world, as anything else. Though I’m imagine along the way I’ve also picked up techniques and absorbed various elements from the stories that have had the greatest impact on me.
Some of those books include,
Favourite books pre-teens: ‘The Faraway Tree’ by Enid Blyton, ‘Ballet Shoes’ by Noel Streatfeild, ‘The Hounds of the Morrigan’ by Pat O’Shea.
Favourite books as a teenager: ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ by Margaret Atwood, ‘Rebecca’ by Daphne du Maurier, ‘Pride and Prejudice’ Jane Austen.
Recent favs include: ‘The Sky is Everywhere’ by Jandy Nelson, ‘Fingersmith’ by Sarah Waters, ‘Hunger Games’ by Suzanne Collins, ‘The Gift’ by Alison Croggon. (Better known as The Naming in the US.)
AGH: How did you find QueryTracker, and how did it help you in your effort to get inside the publishing doors?
CM: I think I found Query Tracker through googling for agent information. QTs amazing forum helped me work and rework my query, get feedback on my first chapter, and introduced me to many wonderful writers – two of whom critiqued my whole manuscript before I sent it out. That sort of help is priceless.
AGH: Do you have any current news to announce?
CM: Yes, some very exciting news! Next week, Faber are launching online Open Auditions for a series of fictional video diaries that will be a prequel to The Glimpse. The videos will centre around a character from the book – 16-year-old Tamsin Strike – and anyone in the UK from 13 upwards will be eligible to audition. The videos will be shot by an award-winning British director in the Spring. So if you want to be the first to know when The Glimpse facebook page launches (sometime during the second week in Jan) with all the hows, whens, and wheres about auditioning, follow my author facebook page where I’ll be giving you the links and the most up-to-date info. I'll also be running an international giveaway for anyone who is kind enough to help spread the word.
Here's the linkage: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Claire-...
**Five for fun**
AGH: In your opinion, what was the best thing before sliced bread?
CM: Hey, I live in Paris where they have baguettes and fresh, chunky loaves which I prefer to sliced bread, so I’m not convinced about the whole sliced bread thing!
AGH: Which would you rather do: carry an umbrella or sing in the rain?
CM: I’ve never been one for carrying an umbrella. Way too practical. I’d go for singing in the rain.
AGH: What’s your favorite breakfast?
CM: Coffee with whatever story I’m working on.
AGH: Are you Team Dog or Team Cat?
CM: Grew up with a cat, which I adored. But I think I’d like to try Team Dog now.
AGH: When would you go to if you had a time machine, and why?
CM: 150 years into the future. Wow! I’d love to see that!! And then I’d write a book about it.
Thanks so much for having me on your blog!
****
And thank you so much for coming, Claire! Two things, your premise sounds INCREDIBLE, and WOW on the promo-videos! If anyone out there knows a teen girl who's been looking to break into acting, this would be an excellent start! And if you're on twitter, please tweet Claire up so we can pass on the word!
Also, you can find Claire at these online haunts:
Website: http://clairemerle.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ClaireMerle
GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
http://bravenewwordsdebut.blogspot.com
Thanks everyone for stopping by. Have a happy and safe weekend, and see you next week! Q
SeeitOReadit Author Interview
I stopped by Jaskirat's lovely blog this week and she asked some really interesting questions about writing and my book THE GLIMPSE.
Here's what was said:
I would like to welcome Claire Merle, the author of the soon to be released dystopian thriller, THE GLIMPSE to SeeitORreadit!
Thank you!
I think we should start by telling our readers a bit about the book. Describe The Glimpse in 3 words.
Lies, Love, Destiny.
Why do you think readers will be able to relate to your characters?
The Glimpse is set in a near-future where society is segregated according to whether people are genetically disposed towards mental illness. The main character Ana has been raised in an elite, priviliged Community with the 'Pures', (those who won’t become sick), but becomes ostracised when the authorities discover there was a mistake with her test. Really she's a Big3 Sleeper, which means one day she’ll develop one of this societies 3 most frequent disorders – depression, schizophrenia, or anxiety. When circumstances force her out into the turbulent City beyond her safe Community, Ana is forced to question everything she’s been taught and is also left questioning herself and her own judgement, a part of her always wondering if her illness has started. This self-questioning and redefining the world from her own experiences rather than what you've been told to think, is one of the things that I personally related to most when writing Ana’s character, and I hope other readers will relate to it too.
Do you think the storyworld you have created in The Glimpse could be real some day?
I’ve taken the situation to the extreme, but I think the elements are already in place in our society. Mental illness is reportly on the rise with 1 in 4 people said to experience a mental health problem in any given year; Teen Screening is becoming more and more prevalent; and the race is on in the scientific community to develop genetic tests for various mental ills. I just read an article that three companies – Neuromark, Psynomics and SureGene – already offer genetic tests for variants associated with mental illness, and a company called Psynomics offers two genetic tests to diagnose Bipolar Disorder. So yeah, I don’t think it’s beyond the world of The Glimpse is beyond the realms of possibility!
How did you feel when The Glimpse was accepted for publication? Can you tell us a bit about how it happened?
My agent sent me an email saying ‘Offer Imminent!’ and I subsequently lay awake half the night anxiously wondering whether this meant I could get excited yet, or not! The following day my agent rang to confirm she’d received an ‘official’ offer. It took several hours to sink in. And I think I only really began to believe it and get excited once we’d accepted and finalised details!
Can you tell us a bit about the auditions and how Tamsin's story relates to the book?
16-year-old Tamsin Strike is Ana’s absent best friend. Tamsin’s video diaries take place around eight months before the The Glimpse. Like Ana, she is an outsider among the girls of her Community. Her parents come from a poor background and work endless hours in their shop in the hope that one day she’ll join with a rich Pure boy and have a safe, assured future. But Tamsin is a non-conformist. She detests the idea of being joined and pregnant before she’s 18, and she questions the separation of the Pures from the rest of the population. Unlike other Pure girls, she isn’t afraid of the City beyond their walls and willingly accompanies her father to the market to buy goods for their shop. When her father allows her to go to the cinema, she meets a guy that changes everything. But nothing is what it seems. Least of all, Brian. These videos are filmed in the days leading up to Tamsin disappearance, providing clues that will be followed up and answered in The Glimpse.
What do you hope to accomplish as an author?
Primarily, I hope to draw people into a world and a story that takes them on a roller coaster journey they won’t forget. I also hope the stories I write encourage people to ask questions about the world we live in, and search for their own answers.
What do you plan on doing on the release of the book!
Mmm tough question. I’d like to have a wonderfully lavish launch party/ celebration. But I’m in France and the book won’t be released here at the same time as it is in the UK, so I’m not sure yet! I may end up doing something totally different and going skydiving to celebrate instead. I was in a skydiving club at university, loved it, haven’t done it for years!!
Do you have any info on the cover reveal?!?! I promise I won't share!
Wow, the cover! Such an exciting and nerve-wracking part of the process. I've seen a few possibles, but nothing has been confirmed yet. Hopefully, I'll have more for you at the end of January!
Thank you so much for stopping by! I can't wait to read The Glimpse!!! Do you have any last words for your readers?
Thanks for taking an interest in The Glimpse. And if you know anyone between the ages of 13 and 18 who enjoys acting be sure to tell them about The Glimpse Auditions. Faber are launching a Glimpse facebook page this week which will include audition scripts, character description and details on how to apply!! The online video diaries will be directed by an award-winning British director, so anyone who wants to help spread the word that would be awesome! I’ll also be holding an international book giveaway on my facebook author page for anyone that tweets or blog about the auditions.
So come and join me!http://www.facebook.com/pages/Claire-...
Thanks again for having me on your blog Jaskirat!
Here's what was said:
I would like to welcome Claire Merle, the author of the soon to be released dystopian thriller, THE GLIMPSE to SeeitORreadit!
Thank you!
I think we should start by telling our readers a bit about the book. Describe The Glimpse in 3 words.
Lies, Love, Destiny.
Why do you think readers will be able to relate to your characters?
The Glimpse is set in a near-future where society is segregated according to whether people are genetically disposed towards mental illness. The main character Ana has been raised in an elite, priviliged Community with the 'Pures', (those who won’t become sick), but becomes ostracised when the authorities discover there was a mistake with her test. Really she's a Big3 Sleeper, which means one day she’ll develop one of this societies 3 most frequent disorders – depression, schizophrenia, or anxiety. When circumstances force her out into the turbulent City beyond her safe Community, Ana is forced to question everything she’s been taught and is also left questioning herself and her own judgement, a part of her always wondering if her illness has started. This self-questioning and redefining the world from her own experiences rather than what you've been told to think, is one of the things that I personally related to most when writing Ana’s character, and I hope other readers will relate to it too.
Do you think the storyworld you have created in The Glimpse could be real some day?
I’ve taken the situation to the extreme, but I think the elements are already in place in our society. Mental illness is reportly on the rise with 1 in 4 people said to experience a mental health problem in any given year; Teen Screening is becoming more and more prevalent; and the race is on in the scientific community to develop genetic tests for various mental ills. I just read an article that three companies – Neuromark, Psynomics and SureGene – already offer genetic tests for variants associated with mental illness, and a company called Psynomics offers two genetic tests to diagnose Bipolar Disorder. So yeah, I don’t think it’s beyond the world of The Glimpse is beyond the realms of possibility!
How did you feel when The Glimpse was accepted for publication? Can you tell us a bit about how it happened?
My agent sent me an email saying ‘Offer Imminent!’ and I subsequently lay awake half the night anxiously wondering whether this meant I could get excited yet, or not! The following day my agent rang to confirm she’d received an ‘official’ offer. It took several hours to sink in. And I think I only really began to believe it and get excited once we’d accepted and finalised details!
Can you tell us a bit about the auditions and how Tamsin's story relates to the book?
16-year-old Tamsin Strike is Ana’s absent best friend. Tamsin’s video diaries take place around eight months before the The Glimpse. Like Ana, she is an outsider among the girls of her Community. Her parents come from a poor background and work endless hours in their shop in the hope that one day she’ll join with a rich Pure boy and have a safe, assured future. But Tamsin is a non-conformist. She detests the idea of being joined and pregnant before she’s 18, and she questions the separation of the Pures from the rest of the population. Unlike other Pure girls, she isn’t afraid of the City beyond their walls and willingly accompanies her father to the market to buy goods for their shop. When her father allows her to go to the cinema, she meets a guy that changes everything. But nothing is what it seems. Least of all, Brian. These videos are filmed in the days leading up to Tamsin disappearance, providing clues that will be followed up and answered in The Glimpse.
What do you hope to accomplish as an author?
Primarily, I hope to draw people into a world and a story that takes them on a roller coaster journey they won’t forget. I also hope the stories I write encourage people to ask questions about the world we live in, and search for their own answers.
What do you plan on doing on the release of the book!
Mmm tough question. I’d like to have a wonderfully lavish launch party/ celebration. But I’m in France and the book won’t be released here at the same time as it is in the UK, so I’m not sure yet! I may end up doing something totally different and going skydiving to celebrate instead. I was in a skydiving club at university, loved it, haven’t done it for years!!
Do you have any info on the cover reveal?!?! I promise I won't share!
Wow, the cover! Such an exciting and nerve-wracking part of the process. I've seen a few possibles, but nothing has been confirmed yet. Hopefully, I'll have more for you at the end of January!
Thank you so much for stopping by! I can't wait to read The Glimpse!!! Do you have any last words for your readers?
Thanks for taking an interest in The Glimpse. And if you know anyone between the ages of 13 and 18 who enjoys acting be sure to tell them about The Glimpse Auditions. Faber are launching a Glimpse facebook page this week which will include audition scripts, character description and details on how to apply!! The online video diaries will be directed by an award-winning British director, so anyone who wants to help spread the word that would be awesome! I’ll also be holding an international book giveaway on my facebook author page for anyone that tweets or blog about the auditions.
So come and join me!http://www.facebook.com/pages/Claire-...
Thanks again for having me on your blog Jaskirat!
ARTICLE 5 GIVEAWAY!
WIN A COPY OF ‘ARTICLE 5’ BY KRISTEN SIMMONS
Today, Faber are sending out an announcement for The Glimpse facebook auditions to schools all across the UK. I’m so excited about this! I’m sure there’s a lot of talent out there, and I can’t wait to find a wonderful actress to play 16-year-old Tamsin. To celebrate this event and all the fun stuff to come - casting, filming, launching the video diaries and then of coures my book! - I’m going to be running a series of dystopian giveaways. The first thing I’m giving away is a hardback copy of Kristen Simmons’ highly anticipated novel ARTICLE 5. This book sounds fantastic and I recommend you all check it out on goodreads. Kristen will also be sending the winner of this contest a signed book plate. This giveaway is international. To enter go to my FB wall: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Claire-...
Today, Faber are sending out an announcement for The Glimpse facebook auditions to schools all across the UK. I’m so excited about this! I’m sure there’s a lot of talent out there, and I can’t wait to find a wonderful actress to play 16-year-old Tamsin. To celebrate this event and all the fun stuff to come - casting, filming, launching the video diaries and then of coures my book! - I’m going to be running a series of dystopian giveaways. The first thing I’m giving away is a hardback copy of Kristen Simmons’ highly anticipated novel ARTICLE 5. This book sounds fantastic and I recommend you all check it out on goodreads. Kristen will also be sending the winner of this contest a signed book plate. This giveaway is international. To enter go to my FB wall: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Claire-...
