THE NEXT BIG THING BLOG HOP !

Along with Addison Moore author of The Celestra series, I was invited by the amazing Rebecca Munro https://twitter.com/missRmunro to join The Next Big Thing blog hop. The Next Big Thing gives published/unpublished writers a chance to share their work then pass it on to further authors the following week and throughout the year.

I was honoured to be asked by Rebecca and ask you to take a look at her blog here http://justagirldancingwithearth.wordpress.com/ She is a lovely person who, if her twitter popularity is anything to go by WILL BE THE NEXT BIG THING IN 2013!

There are a series of questions to be answered, it is the same for everyone who takes part in The Next Big Thing and here are my answers:

1. What is the working title of your book?

Global Superstar (inc Global Superspa and Superstar Resurrection)

2. Where did the idea come from for the book?

The idea for Global Superstar came from a dream I had on the 22nd January 2011. Around the same time I was writing a family drama, (which will be out in 2013) but my dream literally stopped me in my tracks. It was so compelling, so vivid; it was all I could think about. I wrote everything down so I could remember every detail.

3. What genre does your book fall under?

YA pop/celebrity culture, prophecy.

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

Ed Harvey is the main character. He is a guy who wants to make a difference but is jaded by years of disappointment. Desperate, he enters a talent competition, where under the spotlight of television his talent and enigmatic inner/outer beauty shines out. The world falls in love; he becomes the world’s no1 superstar and joins A-Listers in a life of unadulterated luxury. His age ranges from 17 to ancient and the person I think sums Ed up is Zac Efron.

Ed has a secret. He learnt it from another amazing woman (sorry Rebecca) who has been around from the dawn of time. The name she uses now is Daniella Avedon and she loves Ed. Their love is centuries old, primeval yet pure and their destiny is as intertwined as we need air to breathe. She is astonishingly beautiful, sexy, loving, exotic, innocent, exciting, maternal, fun yet mysterious and all men are captivated by her. It is a tall order to convey but the one that springs to mind is Penelope Cruz.

Then there is Kaine Young, Ed’s controlling billionaire manager. Kaine has a dream of living like an Edwardian gentleman in a long gone romantic ideal of croquet lawns, stately homes and aristocracy with every modern convenience thrown in. When he discovers Ed’s secret he exploits it to open a chain of Superspas. As global economies collapse, Kaine becomes a multi-trillionaire and accumulates whole swathes of prime real estate. Along with the patronage of politicians and the world’s elite, Kaine is able to achieve his dream and builds monumental super mansions across the globe. He takes over every utility and Media Company, leaving a whole underclass who are left to rot outside gated communities. The person I would think would be great in this role would be Leonardo DiCaprio.

Teenager Lola lives outside the gilded gates in a life of tragedy and poverty. Her mother, Nicky is convinced Ed is Lola’s father but no one believes her. A further tragedy pushes Lola over the edge. She becomes angry, defensive, bitter… vengeful. She does not realise she has a pivotal role to play in the future of mankind. The person I would like to play her is Rooney Mara.

5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Eve took a bite from the apple, chaos ensued… heaven retreated.

6. What is the longer synopsis of your book?

Is social media the catalyst for the end of the world as we know it? How far can reality TV go? And how does the Internet become a saviour for millions?

As global economies teeter on the brink of collapse, Ed Harvey is a young man with a prophecy. He enters a talent competition and goes on to become the world’s No1 Superstar. But can he secure a future for everyone he loves… or will it be yet another false hope?

Adam, Eve and Methuselah lived for hundreds of years… lost for centuries… the secret of their longevity is revealed to the king of TV, superstar manager Kaine Young. A MIRACLE? Billionaires and Hollywood’s elite flock to a chain of uber luxurious ‘Global Superspas’ to find out.

But when Kaine discovers an opportunity for TVs Ultimate Show ‘Superstar Resurrection’ and exhumes the dead famous. Is it a camera close-up too far, or a comeback like no other? Who would you vote for…?

7. Is your book self-published or represented by an agency?

Self Published at http://www.amazon.co.uk/Superstar-including-Superspa-Resurrection-ebook/dp/B008HSR6HW  or

http://www.amazon.com/Superstar-including-Superspa-Resurrection-ebook/dp/B008HSR6HW

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

Fifteen months. The original script was almost one hundred thousand words long. I edited it down to just over seventy thousand before sending it for further editing and proofreading by a well respected writer from the sfep website.

9. Who or What inspired you to write this book?

My dream, the bible, celebrity lifestyles, TV reality shows and inequality.

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

I think the book has relevance in today’s society where the rich are getting richer, as the poor are left to flounder. Ok, the secret of eternal youth has not been discovered, but the source of how it is achieved (in the book) not only links up with modern day science but also the creation of mankind. The book also has an important message, for despite our differences; we are all the same and should unite together as one, accepting each other for what we are, not judge, hate or kill… but support, love and care.

Now it is my turn to pass the baton to next week’s talented guest writers:

Sharon Stevenson, is the author of the modern fantasy Gallows Novels, her blog is at http://sharonstevenson.moonfruit.com/  Take a look for more info about her ‘Scottish kick ass’ action packed books Blood Bound and Demon Divided and also read her latest book reviews.  You can follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/chettsgenie

Riley Banks is the alter ego of journalist and author, Rebecca Byfield. As Riley, she has written the unputdownable erotic thriller, The William S Club, while as Rebecca, she weaves history and fiction in The Vampire Origins. Through her blog http://www.rileybanks.net/rileys-blog.html she shares her journey as an Indie writer and also reviews. Her twitter address is https://www.twitter.com/rileybanksbooks

I am really looking forward to hearing what they have to say on the 9th in the next instalment of The Next Big Thing . . .