Mindy McGinnis (Author of Not a Drop to Drink) Q&A Event Feb. 24th - 27th!

[Jesse]

Which part of the world would you like to visit?

[Linda]

Were any of the characters in Not a Drop to Drink based on anyone you know?

[Karen’s Library]

Wow. Loved your answer about the names, Mindy. Lynn was the perfect name for this story.

[Karen’s Library]

What's your "publishing story"? How long did it take to become a published author?

[Mindy]

Jenny wrote: " If you suddenly won millions of dollars in the lottery, what would you spend your money on?"

Secondary bladders so that I could write more without excusing myself.

[Mindy]

Jesse wrote: "Which part of the world would you like to visit?"

Ireland!

[Mindy]

Linda wrote: "Were any of the characters in Not a Drop to Drink based on anyone you know?"

No, I definitely don't base characters on people in real life. I think that can get really sticky, really fast!

[Mindy]

Karen wrote: "What's your "publishing story"? How long did it take to become a published author?"

Oh, it's been a long, long journey. -- but with a pretty happy outcome! I have a detailed blog post from 2011 about my experiences in publishing:

http://writerwriterpantsonfire.blogsp...

[Marianne (Boricuan Bookworms)]

Hey Mindy!
Is there a movie that you can watch over and over again?

For me it would be The Princess Bride (Westley!!!) or Confessions of A Shopaholic... it has nothing to do with the fact that they are based on books, lol.

[Mindy]

Marianne (Boricuan Bookworms) wrote: "Hey Mindy!
Is there a movie that you can watch over and over again?

For me it would be The Princess Bride (Westley!!!) or Confessions of A Shopaholic... it has nothing to do with the fact that..."

Princess Bride, for sure, All of the LOTR movies (Fellowship is my reigning fave), The Untouchables, Goodfellas and oddly... Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. I DO NOT KNOW WHY. ;)

[Dre]

If there's something that you can eat everyday if you, what would it be?


What is the most memorable moment of your life in 2013?


Given that your book is about survival, what do you think is the worst way to die?

[Karen’s Library]

Mindy, you just melted my heart with your LOTR answer! And David's I'm sure! Favorite books for both of us! I know I do LOTR marathons (extended editions) once a year!! ;-)

[Karen’s Library]

Mindy wrote: "Karen wrote: "What's your "publishing story"? How long did it take to become a published author?"

Oh, it's been a long, long journey. -- but with a pretty happy outcome! I have a detailed blog pos..."

Love the blog post!! Great post for all our writers out there! Never give up!! :)

[Peri]

Have you always known you wanted to be a writer?

[Marianne (Boricuan Bookworms)]

Mindy wrote: "Marianne (Boricuan Bookworms) wrote: "Hey Mindy!
Is there a movie that you can watch over and over again?

For me it would be The Princess Bride (Westley!!!) or Confessions of A Shopaholic... ..."

I'm waiting for the moment when all of the Hobbit movies are out on DVD, so I can have a movie marathon with my friends of all the Hobbit movies PLUS the LOTR movies. Who needs sleep?! I agree that "Fellowship" has a special spot in my heart :)

[Victoria]

Mindy wrote: "Victoria wrote: "Mindy wrote: "Kelly wrote: "What's something you MUST have while writing?"

An empty bladder."

LOL! Love that answer!"

It is, so so so true though. If I have the slightest indica..."

Fair point. It's still an amazing answer though; it's something I need myself, but I never would have thought to give it as an answer to that question!

[Victoria]

Mindy wrote: "Victoria wrote: "How, and why, did you pick your character names?

Do you ever take advantage of quiet periods at work to do some writing?"

Love the question on the names - I have a fairly long an..."

Great answer! I've got an obsession with names and their meanings too, so I love what an appropriate meaning Lynn's name has!

[Jesse]

Mindy wrote: "Jesse wrote: "Which part of the world would you like to visit?"

Ireland!"

Wow me too

[Melissa]

Mindy wrote: "Meeks wrote: "I have to admit for a time I thought that Lynn's father was going to end up being Stebbs. Was this a conscious decision you made to up the tension and mystery or did I totally pull th..."

Thanks so much for answering! Not A Drop was definitely one of my favourite books I've read in the last year or so. I don't always get hard copies of the ebooks I read but im searching for a hardback now. Thank you for writing this one, cant wait for the companion. :)

Not a question but I want you to see this. My fiance was murdered in front of me when we were mugged. So the ending of a particular character (not saying for sake of spoiling) was particularly rough for me. I have to say though it could have been written in a very crass way but it was written beautifully. Rough enough to get that awful feelong across but still... what's the word? It was written with grace by a very talented woman. Thank you for that.

[Melissa]

Mindy wrote: "Victoria wrote: "How, and why, did you pick your character names?

Do you ever take advantage of quiet periods at work to do some writing?"

Love the question on the names - I have a fairly long an..."

This is FANTASTIC!

[Mindy]

Dre wrote: "If there's something that you can eat everyday if you, what would it be?


What is the most memorable moment of your life in 2013?


Given that your book is about survival, what do you think is the..."

I eat yogurt every day. I could digest concrete.

Having dinner with Veronica Roth and Michael Grant. That was pretty cool.

Worst way to die - drowning in an enclosed space.

[Mindy]

Karen wrote: "Mindy, you just melted my heart with your LOTR answer! And David's I'm sure! Favorite books for both of us! I know I do LOTR marathons (extended editions) once a year!! ;-)"

Instead of watching the ball drop on New Years I've timed Fiery Ball of Denethor falling from Gondor perfectly. It's got a much better soundtrack too.

[Mindy]

J_P wrote: "Have you always known you wanted to be a writer?"

Yes! I specifically remember in 8th grade taking a personality / skills assessment test that was supposed to guide your in your career. I told the proctor I wanted to be a writer. My test results said I should be a cop.

In my defense, I think I would've been a pretty kickass cop.

[Mindy]

Marianne (Boricuan Bookworms) wrote: "Mindy wrote: "Marianne (Boricuan Bookworms) wrote: "Hey Mindy!
Is there a movie that you can watch over and over again?

For me it would be The Princess Bride (Westley!!!) or Confessions of A ..."

Particularly The Mines of Moria.... that sequence NEVER gets old. Although every time I shed a little tear for Boromir's awesome cape that he leaves behind rotting with the cave troll for all eternity.

[Mindy]

Meeks wrote: "Mindy wrote: "Meeks wrote: "I have to admit for a time I thought that Lynn's father was going to end up being Stebbs. Was this a conscious decision you made to up the tension and mystery or did I t..."

Oh Meeks, that is heartbreaking. I can't imagine, and I'm so sorry that happened to you.

When I write violent scenes I try very hard to not "sexualize" them for lack of a better word. Violence is an ugly thing, and most fight scenes in movies or books either trivialize or stylize violence so much that it looks like fun, it looks sexy.

Real violence is ugly. Real fights are ugly, nasty, desperate things that turn the stomach of those who witness them. I try to represent that when I write, so thank you for telling me your experience of the scene. Sensationalizing violence is never an option.

[Jenny, Always smiling! :-D]

Meeks wrote: "Mindy wrote: "Meeks wrote: "I have to admit for a time I thought that Lynn's father was going to end up being Stebbs. Was this a conscious decision you made to up the tension and mystery or did I t..."

I'm so sorry, Meeks, that is horrible :( I can't even imagine it.

[Karah]

I REALLY, REALLY want to read this book.

Why did you choose to write this story?

Did you choose to write characters who you could relate with, or are they nothing like you?

[Donna]

Oh, we love the same movies. I so love Princess Bride too. It is my go to movie when I need cheering up. And LoTR is so magical. I am so sorry I have not read your books yet but I feel a kinship with you now so gotta get to it. Is it dystopian? That is my favorite genre.

[Mindy]

Dnicole wrote: "Oh, we love the same movies. I so love Princess Bride too. It is my go to movie when I need cheering up. And LoTR is so magical. I am so sorry I have not read your books yet but I feel a kinship wi..."

It's not dystopian in the sense that there's a revolution against a hierarchy, but it's a survival story set in the future after a freshwater shortage. It's definitely post-apoc. And woo hoo movie night!!

[Mindy]

Karah wrote: "I REALLY, REALLY want to read this book.

Why did you choose to write this story?

Did you choose to write characters who you could relate with, or are they nothing like you? "

I didn't really choose to write the story so much as it just happened to me, if that makes sense. When you get a very clear concept out of the blue like that you do best to listen to your gut and go with it.

I think all writers will tell you there's a little bit of us in every character we create - even the despicable ones.

[Dre]

Mindy wrote: "Dre wrote: "If there's something that you can eat everyday if you, what would it be?


What is the most memorable moment of your life in 2013?


Given that your book is about survival, what do yo..."

Wow, dinner with awesome authors would make up my year!

And I do agree, that is the worst way to die. One of my greatest fears is dying in water, and I love to swim in the ocean.

[Karen’s Library]

Last day for Mindy's incredible Q&A!!!

Get your questions in by tonight! :)

[Donna]

Mindy wrote: "Dnicole wrote: "Oh, we love the same movies. I so love Princess Bride too. It is my go to movie when I need cheering up. And LoTR is so magical. I am so sorry I have not read your books yet but I f..."

Yay! Post apocalyptic, my other favorite genre. In fact that is my number one and dystopian number 2! Yeah, movies

[David, Mr. Blue Eyes; He's the Best--Ain't no lie!! ;)]

Mindy wrote: "J_P wrote: "Have you always known you wanted to be a writer?"

Yes! I specifically remember in 8th grade taking a personality / skills assessment test that was supposed to guide your in your career..."

Hahaha! This answer made me giggle...and it always amazes me how pathetically off those career assessment tests are :)

Also LOVED the reference to The Lord of the Rings, my favorite books EVER!!

[David, Mr. Blue Eyes; He's the Best--Ain't no lie!! ;)]

This has been such an AWESOME Q&A! Before it's over, I just wanted to thank everyone who participated and asked great questions, our fantastic mods, Jenny and Karen, for setting up and running the event, and most of all Mindy, for your incredibly entertaining answers, a generous giveaway, and spending your valuable time with all of us! It's been so cool meeting you :)

[Karen’s Library]

I knew you'd love the LOTR answer, David!! ;-)

[cindy ♡]

This Q&A has been great! Thank you Mindy! :)

[Jenny, Always smiling! :-D]

Thanks so much, Mindy for hanging out with us this week! You made me LOL quite a bit, and it was so FUN!!!

Thank you Karen for moderating this Q&A for me :) And thanks to David, who nabbed such a wonderful author for us :)

[Karen’s Library]

Mindy, you have been fabulous!! Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to join us and being so open (and funny!!). I can't wait to read as I'm sure it will be another Mindy McGinnis masterpiece!!

[Marianne (Boricuan Bookworms)]

Hey Mindy! This Q&A was awesome. It was so fun to learn more about you as a person and as an author. Thanks for answering my questions (which were sometimes really random) and everyone else's. :)

[Donna]

Thanks Mindy. I now will be sure to read your books. It was awesome meeting you.

[Mindy]

Thanks everyone for having me and for the wonderful questions!

[Jesse]

Thank you Mindy

[Victoria]

Thanks Mindy; you gave some fantastic answers!

[Kelly]

Mindy wrote: "Kelly wrote: "What's something you MUST have while writing?"

An empty bladder."

LOVE it! And it's so true :D. Thanks for answering (and sorry late to respond!)

[Jenny, Always smiling! :-D]

Congratulations to Lauren for winning Mindy's giveaway! She has won a signed copy of Mindy's book! I send you a message, Lauren, check your inbox!

[Karen’s Library]

Yay Lauren!!! That's so exciting!! :) Congrats!

[Kelly]

Congrats Lauren!

[Mindy]

Thank you everyone for having me! I very much enjoyed this kind and positive group!

[Lauren]

Jenny wrote: "Congratulations to Lauren for winning Mindy's giveaway! She has won a signed copy of Mindy's book! I send you a message, Lauren, check your inbox!"

Woo hoo! I'm so excited to read Not a Drop to Drink. Thanks again, Mindy! :)