Next Big Thing Memery

Eee, it’s been a good long while since anyone’s tagged me in a meme, but now is PERFECT timing. So, thank you, Cat Hellisen, and also, for those reading along, if you haven’t read Cat’s WHEN THE SEA IS RISING RED, please do? Because, it’s great – one of my fav books this year.

So, meme!

What is your working title of your book?

LOOSENED FROM THE SKY, which will change once I think of something better. I also call it “the bug book”. Because, ya know, there are bugs.

Where did the idea come from for the book?

Aha! Something I can answer, with a two-pronged response!

1. Years ago, I was walking down the street of my hometown and the fire alarm went off. Because I lived in a community with a volunteer fire department, that siren, back in the day, was designed to call in firefighters from all the outlying areas. As such, it happened to be an old air raid siren.

So, I was walking along, the siren went off, and I noticed an elderly lady in front of me in a state of distress. I went to help, because I could see she was panic-stricken. Turns out she was visiting from Britain and had lived through the Blitz, and the sound of our town’s fire siren sent her into a state of complete shock. I’ve never forgotten that moment, when I realized that something so commonplace for me could trigger such powerful memories for someone else.

2. A few years ago, I was at a Remembrance Day ceremony with my sister. We were standing in the crowd, waiting for the ceremony to begin, when two guys in front of us began to discuss whether there was one world war or two. I’m not even kidding. In the end, they decided there was one, but it was a really big one.

Even now, I’m boggled. I have no words. And thus, the story-stork delivered this story.

What genre does your book fall under?

Middle grade alternate-history. With bugs.

Did I mention the bugs?

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

Well, the two main characters are thirteen year old twins, so I don’t know about them, as I don’t really know of many child actors. But, I am all about casting Tom Hiddleston in everything. I also think Helen Mirren should be in all the movies. So, them. And that’s all I know.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Kids, bugs, war? Oh wait, that’s a list, not a sentence, isn’t it?

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

It is in my agent’s capable hands as we speak…

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

Erm, well, I tend to write a bunch, and then let it sit, and write a bunch more, and then let it sit. So, I guess, a couple of years? I think?

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Erm, I’m not sure! Um, bug books, cuz, ya know, there are bugs…

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

A point comes in all memes when I realize, yet again, I have no answers. I’m much better at questions. Alors, who or what do you think inspired me to write this book? Huh? Huh? Riddle me that, oh clever meme…

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

GIANT BUGS! What else do you need to know, really?

I mean, look at this:

Now, imagine that beauty as very, very large and able to carry people around. Inside.

Who wouldn’t want to ride in that? I mean, I would, and I don’t even like flying! But if someone said “Wanna take a spin in my giant dragonfly?”, um, YES!

So, that’s it. Now, I’m supposed to tag others, so I shall! But, ya know, should you be tagged and not feel like playing along, no worries. It’s all good! (But I am curious, yes, I am!)

First victim: Shari Green, because I will read anything she writes.

Second victim: Mara of The Writing Blues, because I am selfish and want to know what she’s been working on!

Third victim: Ryan Howse, because he has promised me a YA series about sparkling ninjas, brooding eyes, and love triangles, and I will not be denied.

Fourth victim: Jo Anderton, because I want to know what she’s up to! Also, she wrote DEBRIS and SUITED, which you should read. I will soon, as they’re sitting in my tbr pile over there, waiting…*side-eyes TBR pile!*

Finally, I’d also love to hear from Jennifer Schmidt Adam, but she has no website to link to. But, should anyone else want to play along, do! Because I want to know more about your Next Big Thing!

Filed under: Uncategorized