The Next Big Thing
Did you ever get a chain letter and groan? I don’t want to do this! Well, fellow debut author, Melanie Crowder (PARCHED due out June 2013), sent me a chain letter of sorts called the Next Big Thing; but I didn’t groan. I cheered! The Next Big Thing is a chance for me to connect with more readers.
Last week, Melanie wrote a blog post and tagged me at the bottom of her post. Today I’ll write a post and tag another author in hopes of keeping the chain going. The Next Big Thing gives authors a chance to answer a few questions about themselves and their writing. It also gives readers a chance to find out about some really great new books.
So here we go:
What is the title of your debut novel?
THIS JOURNAL BELONG TO RATCHET
Give a short synopsis of the story.
It is the story of one eleven-year-old’s quest to make a friend, save a park, and find her own definition of normal. Ratchet tells her story through the assignments in her homeschool language arts journal.
What did you love most about writing this book?
Because Ratchet tells her story through her assignments, the book is written in a unique format. I loved figuring out how to tell an entire story this way. It felt very creative, and it gave me the opportunity to write in many different forms.
How many drafts of the book did you write before it was ready for print?
Too many to count. I revised it many times before my agent read it. I revised it again before my publisher even made an offer, and then with the help of my editor, I revised it several more times. For me the revision process it super satisfying because there’s nothing like watching your story get better and better.
Here I am with just some of my many drafts.
Describe your experience working with your agent.
My agent is Holly Root of Waxman Leavell Literary Agency, and I have nothing but wonderful things to say about her. She is encouraging, helpful, and extremely talented at what she does. Having Holly in my corner has made all the difference in the world.
Describe your experience working with your editor.
My editor is Aubrey Poole of Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky, and I really can’t imagine having a more wonderful and talented person to champion my book. She has done amazing things with RATCHET, and the book has become something so much more than I ever imagined it could be.
What is next for you as a writer?
In the immediate future, I will be promoting THIS JOURNAL BELONGS TO RATCHET. I hope to visit schools, not only talk about my book, but also to teach students about the writing process. I have several other middle grade works-in-progress waiting in the wings, so I will work toward getting those into the hands of readers.
Now in hopes of keeping this chain letter going, I am tagging debut author Shannon Hitchcock http://shannonhitchcockwriter.blogspot.com. Her book THE BALLAD OF JESSIE PEARL is due out February 2013.
Look for her post in the Next Big Thing interview series next week!
Happy Reading,
Nancy
