The Next Big Thing
A writing friend, Lena Winfrey Seder, tagged me in The Next Big Thing, where someone tags a noteworthy author, who in turn tags five other authors and bloggers. It is a way for authors and bloggers to share with readers and fans exciting news about their new and upcoming projects.
Lena published The Metamorphosis of a Muslim in 2011. Her writing skills include poetry, screenplays, fiction, and, of course, blogging. Lena is the proud mother of three sons and a daughter. It really makes you wonder how she manages all of that.
Her current work-in-progress has been renamed Between Bite and Might. This will be book one of the Clara Walker series.
Lena, you've given me quite a challenge!
Here are my responses to the questions from The Next Big Thing:
What is the working title of your book?
Earthbound
Where did the idea come from for the book?
This is a book that has lived in the dark recesses of my mind since I finished Gather The Children. I swore I wouldn't write it, but the main characters kept chattering in my mind. It was as though MacDonald and Anna insisted their story be told.
What genre does your book fall under?
It is a Science Fiction, but it is also the family saga of the MacDonald family and how alien genes will be mixed with human. MacDonald is the name a stranded alien uses on Earth. The story unfolds in the western United States during 1843 through April 1861.
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
The actress for Anna is an easy pick. It should be Nicole Kidman. MacDonald is far more difficult. I don’t know of any actor that could play this giant of a man.
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
An alien mutant struggles to survive and find a counselor on a violent planet called Earth.
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
It is being published through dMon Publishing, LLC.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
It was close to nine months as I had to make sure it agreed with the events mentioned in Gather The Children. I'd look something up and then start reading.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
That is really difficult. I suppose the closet would be the Dune series. The other one I think of is the series The People by Zenna Henderson.
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
The story was there in my mind and Anna, the main character, was insistent that the tale of her missing children and love for MacDonald be told.
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
This story contain the history of the western United States (you don’t want to know how many pages of notes I have), but it is also about basic emotions and how people, or beings as MacDonald names the different species, need each other. Love, friendship, and companionship are all basic needs.
My five picks for authors to meet and follow are:
Alan Place
Yezall Strongheart
Anna L. Walls
Barry Parham
Joy Johnson
All of these writers have different styles and write in different genres, and they are all excellent writers. I hope you will visit their blogs and find out more about their books.
For those I have tagged, please follow the rules for The Next Big Thing:
• Answer the 10 questions about your current WIP (work in progress).
• Tag five other writers/bloggers and add their links so we can hop over to meet them.
• Mention the person who tagged you.
I've met so many fine writers while online and one right here in Twentynine Palms, that it was really difficult to nail it down to five. Please don’t take umbrage if you weren't selected.
Earthbound is being edited and reviewed now and should be out within the next three to four months. The cover is done. Go to http://www.maricollier.com and scroll down. I think it is fabulous!
Lena published The Metamorphosis of a Muslim in 2011. Her writing skills include poetry, screenplays, fiction, and, of course, blogging. Lena is the proud mother of three sons and a daughter. It really makes you wonder how she manages all of that.
Her current work-in-progress has been renamed Between Bite and Might. This will be book one of the Clara Walker series.
Lena, you've given me quite a challenge!
Here are my responses to the questions from The Next Big Thing:
What is the working title of your book?
Earthbound
Where did the idea come from for the book?
This is a book that has lived in the dark recesses of my mind since I finished Gather The Children. I swore I wouldn't write it, but the main characters kept chattering in my mind. It was as though MacDonald and Anna insisted their story be told.
What genre does your book fall under?
It is a Science Fiction, but it is also the family saga of the MacDonald family and how alien genes will be mixed with human. MacDonald is the name a stranded alien uses on Earth. The story unfolds in the western United States during 1843 through April 1861.
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
The actress for Anna is an easy pick. It should be Nicole Kidman. MacDonald is far more difficult. I don’t know of any actor that could play this giant of a man.
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
An alien mutant struggles to survive and find a counselor on a violent planet called Earth.
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
It is being published through dMon Publishing, LLC.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
It was close to nine months as I had to make sure it agreed with the events mentioned in Gather The Children. I'd look something up and then start reading.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
That is really difficult. I suppose the closet would be the Dune series. The other one I think of is the series The People by Zenna Henderson.
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
The story was there in my mind and Anna, the main character, was insistent that the tale of her missing children and love for MacDonald be told.
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
This story contain the history of the western United States (you don’t want to know how many pages of notes I have), but it is also about basic emotions and how people, or beings as MacDonald names the different species, need each other. Love, friendship, and companionship are all basic needs.
My five picks for authors to meet and follow are:
Alan Place
Yezall Strongheart
Anna L. Walls
Barry Parham
Joy Johnson
All of these writers have different styles and write in different genres, and they are all excellent writers. I hope you will visit their blogs and find out more about their books.
For those I have tagged, please follow the rules for The Next Big Thing:
• Answer the 10 questions about your current WIP (work in progress).
• Tag five other writers/bloggers and add their links so we can hop over to meet them.
• Mention the person who tagged you.
I've met so many fine writers while online and one right here in Twentynine Palms, that it was really difficult to nail it down to five. Please don’t take umbrage if you weren't selected.
Earthbound is being edited and reviewed now and should be out within the next three to four months. The cover is done. Go to http://www.maricollier.com and scroll down. I think it is fabulous!
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message 1:
by
Shelly
(new)
Jan 12, 2013 05:46PM
Schwoo! I'm off the hook again. Great answers, Mari.
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I'm reading about Macdonald in Marie's book right now. Fascinating! Congratulations on being named "The Next Big Thing!"
Shelly wrote: "Schwoo! I'm off the hook again. Great answers, Mari."Shelly, I thought you had already been tagged. Darn, I missed a great opportunity.
The Desert Rocks wrote: "I'm reading about Macdonald in Marie's book right now. Fascinating! Congratulations on being named "The Next Big Thing!""I'm glad you find MacDonald fascinating. Wait until you read Earthbound. He's at the top of his form--as usual Anna is a match for him.
