Simone Pond's Blog - Posts Tagged "simone-pond"

Radio Inteview about The City Center

My book is picking up some steam--it's good to know other people are talking about it besides me and my father.

People like it, they really like it! (Sally, we'll never let you live that one down)

I just had a radio interview with Cyrus Webb about writing, life and what inspired me to write The City Center. I actually listened to the play back and didn't hate myself afterward.

If you want to hear more from me, you can listen to the interview right here:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/conversa...
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter

Author spotlight

I'm being featured on Kit 'n Kabookle. So if you're interested in reading more about The City Center, or my writing process, you can read my interview here:

http://kitnkabookle.blogspot.com/2013...


I love doing author interviews, so if you - or someone you know - is interested in hearing more from me, let me know.
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter

Of course Ava Rhodes is no Katniss Everdeen

First of all, let me say I'm flattered that some book reviewers and critics have mentioned The City Center's heroine, Ava Rhodes, in the same paragraph as The Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen. This is a huge compliment. Yes, they are young women who rebel against their oppressive circumstances, but that's pretty much where the similarities end.

In The City Center, Ava is designed from her inception to be a symbol of perfection. She's raised inside a modernized center where she's sheltered and pampered, and lives a life of luxury. Ava is borderline robotic because of her programming. While Katniss is living in the worst conditions, starving to death and has been fighting for survival since birth.

Inside the City Center people are pumped up with chemicals and years of indoctrination to keep them unaware and clueless of their prison state, so this should indicate the level Ava is operating from. She's not a wimp, she's like a newborn foal slowly discovering how to use her wobbly legs. To have her escape the City Center, guns blazing, would be totally out of character. Her ascent into heroine-ism is slow and steady, and eventually she wins the race.

Some critics say she's strong at certain points, but then she checks out from time to time. And I say, of course! I don't know anyone who's faith or courage doesn't waver every now and then. Ava's overcoming a long-term internal conflict––the abusive relationship with her assigned partner, James, that's been pecking at her self-confidence and planting seeds of doubt since she was a kid. This might not seem like a big deal to contend with, but in my experience it's usually the 'smaller' stuff that knocks me on my ass.

I'm not writing this to defend my work, but rather my heroine, Ava Rhodes. I wanted to keep her in character and true to her story arc. Sure, the ending might have been a bit rushed. It's my first novel and I was so excited to get it out into the world, I wanted to hurry up and get it done. Also, I wasn't as interested in the specifics of rebuilding the city––that might happen in another novel––I was more interested in Ava's journey from being a prisoner in Plato's cave to a place of awareness and enlightenment.

Hope this clears things up, I feel MUCH better. And so Ava.
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter

Author Interview via The Reading Cat

What book genre of books do you adore?
Speculative fiction and memoir.

What book should everybody read at least once?
The Outsiders.

Location and life experiences can really influence writing, tell us where you grew up and where you now live?
I was born in Kensington, Maryland - a small town just outside of Washington D.C. I went to the University of Maryland, College Park and moved to San Francisco a week after graduation. After five years, I headed south to Los Angeles where I live today. I came for the opportunity and stay for the weather. I love the city, but my dream is to retire in the small town of Ojai, CA.

How did you develop your writing?
By writing, writing and writing.

Do you find it hard to share your work?
I love sharing my work. When I was in junior high school, I’d write stories in my spiral notebook and read to my classmates. They couldn’t wait to get to class the next day to hear what happened.

Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you?
My family is incredibly supportive. My father is my number one blog commenter. I drive my poor friends nuts with my constant requests for their support. I wouldn’t be as inspired to keep going without the love and support of my family and friends.

Do you plan to publish more books?
Absolutely. The City Center is the first in the series. I’m not sure how many there will be total, but I’m staying open to the possibilities.

What else do you do to make money, other than write? It is rare today for writers to be full time…
I’m a freelance project manager in advertising. The job requires a lot of organizing, communicating and planning ahead. I’ve become an expert on managing the creative process – with a smile.

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
Sometimes I fantasize about living in Paris, but then I’d have to start drinking, smoking and eating meat again.

How do you write – lap top, pen, paper, in bed, at a desk?
I write on a laptop at my dining room table. When I start to get cabin fever I go to a coffee shop to be around other humans. I keep a notepad next to my bed and write notes when they come to me in the middle of the night. I learned the hard way that I won’t remember them in the morning.

The City Center
Buy Now @ Amazon
Genre - Science Fiction
Rating – PG-13

Connect with Simone Pond through Facebook and Twitter
Website http://www.simonepond.com/


Original source: http://thereadingcat.blogspot.com/201...
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter

Book Trailer - The City Center

Check out my new book trailer: http://youtu.be/nZPeCIJ0dWo
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on February 01, 2014 14:12 Tags: dystopian-fiction, post-apocalyptic-fiction, science-fiction, simone-pond, the-city-center

Back to time travel

Code Name: Ellie Hollins Chattaoway

Date of Birth: June 15, 1870

Age: 20

Place of Birth: Kingston, ON

Occupation: Time Traveler


Meet Ellie, a time traveler who's never on time.

Hello! I'm Ellie. You'll have to forgive me, I usually don't look like this. White doesn't agree with my skin tone. Nor do I approve of a woman's knees being out in plain view. I think they should be kept under layers of fabric. Also, I'd like to note this abominable polyester material gives me a rash. I really don't hold much regard for the 70s. Such a horrible time for fashion. But I very well can't walk into George Washington Hospital wearing a tulip bell skirt and a straw hat. Oh, I do apologize, but I must place you on hold––my case assignment has just entered the scene . . .

"Hello, Dr. Ashmore. I'm Ellie Hollins Chattaoway, I'll be assigned to you for the next few days."

"Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Chattaoway. Are you my new nurse?"

"Yes, doctor. I'm here to help you with a patient of yours named Melanie Palmer. She's been on the wait list for a new kidney and I'm here to help you obtain one."

"Oh, dear. I'm sorry, Ms. - what was your name?"

"Ellie Hollins Chattaoway."

"Yes, well, Ms. Chattaoway, I'm regret to inform you that Melanie Palmer passed away yesterday. I'm afraid you're a bit late."

Okay, I know what you're thinking: I'm a time traveler, can't I just get into my time machine and go back a few days and start over? You think this would be the case. After all, I have a bloody TIME MACHINE. However, the system is not set up that way. For some ridiculous reason, I only get one chance per each case assignment. In most instances my tardiness isn't so devastating––not everyone dies. But my silly little problem with not showing up on time usually complicates matters. I'm working on it. Really I am. This time and space continuum stuff can be a bit thorny.

Stay tuned for more on Ellie––I'm late for an appointment . . .



Keep writing. It saves lives.
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on February 18, 2014 15:54 Tags: simone-pond, steampunk-fiction, story-ideas, time-travel

Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award

Last night my heart was hammering away as I opened up the list of authors who made it to Round Two for the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest. At first I was scrolling through the list at breakneck speed, looking for Simone Pond and The City Center. I was both thrilled and terrified. Then I started to slow down around the "Ms" because I was barraged with a litany of questions:

"What happens if I don't make it to the next round?"

"Does this mean my book sucks?"

"Does this make me a bad writer?"

"Am I writer?"

"Should I just quit everything and move back home with my parents?"
(I'm going to be forty-four this year and this is still an option in my mind)

By the time I got to the "Rs" I realized it didn't matter if I made it to Round Two. What mattered was I wrote a book. I wrote a book! That was enough. Moving to the next level wouldn't determine if I'd write another one. In fact, I had just emailed the manuscript for my next book to my proofreader.

Validation is a wonderful thing, but it shouldn't be the reason we do things. But the ego loves winning, doesn't it? Charlie Sheen seems to think it's pretty sweet. The point is, I already won.

Fortunately (for my parents), I made it to Round Two.

I'm up against four hundred other authors, so who knows what happens next. I'm tremendously grateful for making it this far. "Quarter Finalist" sounds official enough to me. I do know––without a inkling of doubt––no matter what happens next I'll keep writing because it really does save me.
1 like ·   •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter