Kate Interviews Me!

The most awesome book blogger from Georgia, Miss Kate, interviewed me yesterday about Skid. She asked me about why I decided to use a female main character in a racing novel and about my publishing journey as an indie author. Great questions and she couldn't have been more nice!  Check out the interview here.

SKID Book Signing in Tulsa!

What a day! Thanks to everyone who came out last Saturday to see me at Steve's Sundry Books and Magazines in Tulsa! This was my very first book signing and all of you made it so fun and stress free. The two hours felt like only a half-hour and I signed 22 books! I even had one friend who lives in Austin make her parents come to the book signing so she could have a signed copy. Stuff like that floors me.

 

With Joanie of Steve's Sundry Books and Magazines

 I would also like to thank Joannie, Kayla, and everyone else at Steve's Sundry for helping me set up this book signing and for being such wonderful hosts. And another big thanks to KJRH Anchor Karen Larsen who actually interviewed me for the 5pm news that day. I have the video that aired and will try to have it posted soon so you guys can watch it. Here are some cool pictures...

   

Calm before the storm

 

I signed 22 books

 

Cian’s first book signing! And according to him, I rulz.

 A cool shot of me signing

 

Lara liked her signed book so much she took a picture of it.

 

Superfan Melanie and me

 

Me and the youngest YA reader ever Tatum

Courtney Summers Author Interview!

My first introduction to Courtney Summers occurred inside my local Barnes and Noble bookstore. I saw the cover of her debut novel, CRACKED UP TO BE, which featured a headless teen girl stretched out on a bench with a soccer field behind her. I was curious. Why is that girl missing her head? Does she play soccer? Is she thinking about playing soccer? Does she dream about a world without soccer?

Curious, I picked up a copy and read the first chapter. I was then introduced to Parker Fadley, a girl who was smart, sarcastically hilarious, and didn't take crap from anybody. But what really got me was the writing. As a reader, I clicked with the no-marshmallow, to-the-point, no-apologies way Ms. Summers writes. It was refreshing and made me a fan right then and there. Although, I did find out that CRACKED UP TO BE has nothing to do with soccer. Since then, Courtney has written three young adult novels, SOME GIRLS ARE, FALL FOR ANYTHING, and her new book coming out on Tuesday, June 19th...
 

Here's a description from Ms. Summers' website: 

It’s the end of the world. Six students have taken cover in Cortege High but shelter is little comfort when the dead outside won’t stop pounding on the doors. One bite is all it takes to kill a person and bring them back as a monstrous version of their former self. To Sloane Price, that doesn’t sound so bad. Six months ago, her world collapsed and since then, she’s failed to find a reason to keep going. Now seems like the perfect time to give up. As Sloane eagerly waits for the barricades to fall, she’s forced to witness the apocalypse through the eyes of five people who actually want to live. But as the days crawl by, everyone’s motivations to survive begin to change in startling ways and soon the group’s fate is determined less and less by what’s happening outside and more and more by the unpredictable and violent bids for life–and death–inside. When everything is gone, what do you hold on to? 

I've already had the pleasure of reading this book and you can read that review here. (without spoilers) But basically...I LOVED IT! I asked Courtney if she would stop by my website and answer a few questions about her writing, her books, and about THIS IS NOT A TEST. I was floored when she said yes. And I was humbled when she offered to send a free copy of THIS IS NOT A TEST to one lucky person for a giveaway! 

Let's get started...

Instead of going for the standard, survivalist-type horror heroine, you went the opposite way with Sloane. In the book, she starts off as a character who really wants to die. How did you come up with that choice? Was it the way you always envisioned Sloane or did her character change as you were writing the book?
I thought about how I'd (honestly) react during a zombie apocalypse. I like to think I'd be totally awesome at it but if I lost everyone that mattered to me, I'm not so sure I'd want to keep going. I always envisioned Sloane as girl who didn't want to survive. How much she wanted to die became more pronounced from the first to second draft, but the core of her character, her motivations, remained the same.
One central element of this book is how the characters relate to each other and how that shifts throughout the story. My favorite relationship is between the twins Trace and Grace. Why did you pick a set of twins?

Thank you! I think of Trace and Grace as the characters the other characters want to be. Everyone in THIS IS NOT A TEST is aching for their family and those two represent what the others have lost. I thought having siblings would emphasize this void and I chose twins because I felt that would also intensify it.

What is your favorite horror film? And why?

I love Kairo (Pulse). It's J-horror and it's brilliant. I didn't like it the first time I saw it but I made myself watch it again and it blew me away. The pacing is very slow, but it's incredibly atmospheric and so lonely. It's about ghosts and they're taking over the living world through technology, forcing those who come in contact with them to commit suicide. It's chilling.

Why do you like to write young adult fiction? What is it about the genre that appeals to you?

I love writing YA fiction because the stories demand an immediacy and intensity that is so fun to explore. I also love writing YA because I love reading it. So many YA books out today are fresh and exciting. I also adore the community--it's so supportive and enthusiastic.

When faced with a new book, what's your writing process?

My process is all over the place, to be honest! It really depends on the book. I could outline, I could just dive right in. I never know. THIS IS NOT A TEST was outlined extensively twice, for example. The book I'm working on now has been outlined more than that. Right now it looks like I settle into a new book with outlining, but Book 6 could change that up!

Who is your favorite fictional heroine and why?

That's so hard to pick! I adore Luna Lovegood. She operates on this whole other level and nothing seems to touch her. I love every female protagonist Melina Marchetta has written because they're always so honest and realistic. Andrea from Blake Nelson's Girl has an incredible voice and is so likeable and wonderfully flawed. I'd read any book she narrated.

You write very compelling female heroines. Sloane in THIS IS NOT A TEST. Eddie in FALL FOR ANYTHING. Regina in SOME GIRLS ARE. Parker in CRACKED UP TO BE. Of these four fictional characters, which one is the closest to the real Courtney Summers?

Thank you! I don't think any of them are by the time I'm finished a book, to be honest! I relate to some of my female leads more than others, but all of them are pretty far away from the type of person I am... I think. ;)

You can tell this next question is a bit...leading. But, if you were given a choice between an all-expenses-paid trip to Las Vegas or one to Volcano National Park in Hawaii...which one would you choose and why?

Hah! WELL. Volcano National Park all the way! Best ever.

What projects are you working on now? I'm wrapping up the first draft of my fifth book, ALL THE RAGE, which is due out in 2013. It's about a girl who blackmails a rich classmate and then wakes up on a dirt road with no memory of the night before.

To wrap things up, I would like to borrow five quick questions from the great James Lipton, host of Inside The Actor's Studio. 

Here we go. Now, Courtney...

What is your favorite word?

Fisticuffs!

What is your least favorite word?

Lolling.

What turns you on creatively, spiritually, or emotionally?

Fearlessness.

What sound or noise do you love?

Thunderstorms.

What sound or noise do you hate?

Snoring!

And we will leave on that noisy note. Courtney, thank you so much for stopping by!

Thanks for having me on your blog, Doug!

Interview with Author Nancy Bilyeau

 

 I've known author Nancy Bilyeau for a couple years now and oddly enough, I've never met her in person.  But...in the age before Facebook, we traveled around similar online writing circles, one of which is the Nichollscribes Yahoo group. This group is composed of screenwriters who were quarterfinalists or higher in the Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting. Nancy had two scripts reach the semi-finalist stage of the competition. Nancy then switched to writing novels, which I think was a brilliant career move on her part because..

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Her debut novel The Crown is a historical thriller set during the Tudor period of English history. Simon and Schuster/Touchstone will release the novel on Tuesday, January 12, 2012 in the United States and Orion will release the novel on February 2, 2012 in the United Kingdom. 

It's already getting some advanced buzz... 

 "The events of the period come to life in Nancy Bilyeau's dazzling and heart-wrenching novel. The Crown is evocative, provocative, and full of intriguing characters—a gorgeously written novel that has mystery and history, pathos and depth. This is a stunning debut about a woman whose spirit shines through and deeply moves the reader." —International Bestseller M.J. Rose "This fast-paced debut delivers Tudor intrigue and mystical thrills in one satisfying package—and leaves room for a sequel." —Kirkus "Bilyeau deftly weaves extensive historical detail throughout, but the real draw of this suspenseful move is its juicy blend of lust, murder, conspiracy, and betrayal." —O, The Oprah Magazine 

 Here's more about the novel... 

Joanna Stafford, a Dominican nun, learns that her favorite cousin has been condemned by Henry VIII to be burned at the stake. Defying the sacred rule of enclosure, Joanna leaves the priory to stand at her cousin’s side. Arrested for interfering with the king’s justice, Joanna, along with her father, is sent to the Tower of London. The ruthless Stephen Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester, takes terrifying steps to force Joanna to agree to spy for him: to save her father’s life she must find an ancient relic—a crown so powerful, it may hold the ability to end the Reformation. Accompanied by two monks, Joanna returns home to Dartford Priory and searches in secret for this long-lost piece of history worn by the Saxon King Athelstan in 937 during the historic battle that first united Britain. But Dartford Priory has become a dangerous place, and when more than one dead body is uncovered, Joanna departs with a sensitive young monk, Brother Edmund, to search elsewhere for the legendary crown. From royal castles with tapestry-filled rooms to Stonehenge to Malmesbury Abbey, the final resting place of King Athelstan, Joanna and Brother Edmund must hurry to find the crown if they want to keep Joanna’s father alive. At Malmesbury, secrets of the crown are revealed that bring to light the fates of the Black Prince, Richard the Lionhearted, and Katherine of Aragon’s first husband, Arthur. The crown’s intensity and strength are beyond the earthly realm and it must not fall into the wrong hands. With Cromwell’s troops threatening to shutter her priory, bright and bold Joanna must now decide who she can trust with the secret of the crown so that she may save herself, her family, and her sacred way of life. This provocative story melds heart-stopping suspense with historical detail and brings to life the poignant dramas of women and men at a fascinating and critical moment in England’s past. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer a few questions about your new book, Nancy!

I am glad to be here, Doug! 

Joanna Stafford is the main heroine in your book The Crown. What's interesting about her character? 

She’s a young woman who’s often divided. Her father’s an English nobleman, and her mother’s a Spanish lady-in-waiting. She “looks” different than most other women. She has selected a life of prayer and contemplation but she has quite the temper. Controlling her anger is her biggest challenge. She loves books and is very, very smart. Joanna excels in thinking “on her feet”—and that becomes critical quite a few times.

What is it about the Tudor era of English history that draws you to write about it? 

So many exciting things to write about: love, war, upheaval, betrayal, faith. I love the Renaissance and that feeling in the 16th century that all sorts of new ideas were pouring in but medieval values still held. Amazing clothes! 

How do you approach writing historical fiction? Does research fuel the fictional story or do you write the story first and then research what you need to ground it inside that world? 

Sometimes research leads the way but more often I come up with story and then research to ground it. One of the reasons I picked the 1530s is I’ve been reading about it for years and so felt some comfort there. I wouldn’t have wanted to pick a place and time I know little about going in. Too daunting. 

Are there any good sword fights in the book? Something Errol Flynn would love? 

No, but I do have multiple stabbings! There’s a bit of torture and burning at the stake. And someone gets bashed in the head with a religious object. 

I LOVE the cover of your book. Did you give any input into its creation? 

Authors are asked to submit thoughts, so I sent in a couple of books of religious art, snapshots of the Cloisters of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, postcards, and a CD of nuns’ chanting—mood music. 

You first started out writing screenplays, but then made the switch to novels. As a writer, was it difficult making the transition between the two mediums? 

No, it wasn’t hard. There were certain techniques from screenwriting I found very very helpful! Such as making sure there are obstacles in the way of your main character, describing the environment characters move in, setup and payoff. It’s still storytelling. A lot of these skills I learned from screenwriter Max Adams—I think I met you in one of her classes, Doug. Now going from nonfiction to fiction—that is hard. A lot of writers can’t do it. 

What is your writing process like? 

My writing process is that I revise what I did during the previous writing session and then I start new material. I need about two hours to be effective but more is ideal. At about five hours I crash. The period of revising "starts the engine," so to speak. The tricky thing about The Crown and The Chalice is getting the voice. I am writing in the first person, from the POV of a young Catholic novice. I don't use obscure 16th century words but I try very hard not to let modern-slangy usage in there either. I have two readers who comb through my chapters flagging words that sound too modern. But also I need to keep the pace up while weaving through the story my historical detail. Plus I try to end every chapter with a hook or at least a feeling of intrigue. So this is not the kind of writing you can pick up when you have a few spare minutes. That's why I talk about "starting the engine." I usually listen to a piece of music first. Also I find "field trips" enormously helpful. As often as possible I took the subway to upper Manhattan, to the Cloisters Museum of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I'd walk in the cloisters garden, sit in the Chapter House, and visit the room with the medieval tomb effigies. I also found incredible inspiration from a day at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens in December. It had snowed heavily; no one else was around. I tramped through the snow for hours--ideas kept popping in my head. A friend told me snow is quiet and perhaps suppressing all other sounds allowed creative ideas to emerge. I don't know. But whatever happened, it was helpful! 

You've worked for Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, Good Housekeeping and as deputy editor of InStyle magazine so you know that side of the publishing world. Has that experience helped you in dealing with your publisher Simon & Schuster? Were there any differences between the publishing worlds of novels and magazines that you had to adjust to? 

Being a magazine editor and writer means I produce "clean" pages, according to my agent anyway. My grammar and spelling are top-notch. But it never gave me much of an advantage in creating fiction. Editing nonfiction and writing fiction are really different things that use different muscles. Although I had dealt with literary agents as an editor I really didn't know how to get one myself. I asked, in an embarrassed way, if two agents I knew and liked would represent me, and it turns out my kind of book was not their kind of book so they said no. Agents specialize to a degree I hadn't realized. I got my agent through Publisher's Marketplace like anyone else. I sent him an email with a description of my book and the first five pages attached, as he requested on his website. He responded pretty quickly. I think the fact that I was an editor at InStyle helped get his attention but if he hadn't thought the book was good he wouldn't have taken me. Also if I had not worked in media at all, I think my agent would still have signed me. Because historical mystery/thrillers are his passion with a special place in his heart for the Tudor period. So we are made for each other. Now another way being a longtime text editor helps me is on the back end, when my book is being edited. I don't get upset with queries or suggestions; I've walked too many miles in those shoes. I LIKE being copy-edited, and I sent an email to the Simon&Schuster copy editor saying "Be as aggressive as you like--I welcome all questions!" I don't know if that happens to them all that often. LOL.

Who is your all-time favorite fictional heroine? And why? 

Evil question, Doug. How do I choose between Anna Karenina, Elizabeth Bennett, Countess Olenska, Scarlett O’Hara, V.I Warshawski, Mina Harker and Jo March?? But since you’ve pushed me up against the wall, my runner-up would be Anne Elliott of Persuasion and number one goes to the unnamed Second Mrs. DeWinter of Rebecca. They are both flawed and shy women who are tested and become strong and they are both unbelievably relatable and sympathetic. 

What projects are you working on now? 

I just finished the sequel to The Crown, it’s called The Chalice. It brings back most of the main characters of the first book, plus I bring in a LOT of new ones. I think it’s scarier. 

Now, I'm going a little James Lipton on you, Nancy, so get ready. 

What is your favorite word? 
 Mom. 

What is your least favorite word? 
 synergy 

What sound or noise do you love? 
 The ocean. Also 80s pop songs. 

What sound or noise do you hate? 
 Leaf blowers! That horrible grinding hum—and the gas smell. Ugh. But other than that, I can tolerate anything. New York City is unbelievably noisy. The only time noise truly sent me over the edge is when I lived in an apartment building below subletters who would hit the clubs every night and then come home at 3 a.m. and stomp around on the wood floor with French techno turned up high. Torture. 

What profession, other than your own, would you like to attempt? 
 I know I’m supposed to say doctor or social worker, but pastry chef would be fantastic. At one point when the New York career thing was going badly I daydreamed a lot about running a kayak rental business on Vancouver Island. 

Always wanted to try kayaking. Thanks, Nancy!

The Austin Film Festival

 

This is the fourth time I've been to the Austin Film Festival. The last time was in 2003 when my script THE VETERAN was a second rounder in the screenwriting competition. The Austin screenwriting conference is held in conjunction with the film festival and it's one of the best conferences for screenwriters in the country. A-list writers from Los Angeles and other parts of the country descend on Austin, Texas to talk craft, bitch about Hollywood, and enjoy tasty beverages. 

I haven't been able to go in a while since I made the switch from screenplays to novels. However, the perfect storm began to form earlier this year when my brilliant screenwriting teacher, (I'm not exaggerating) Max Adams, moved from LA to Austin. Max teaches online classes through her Academy of Film Writing website and runs screenwriting group 5150. Most of her students have never met face to face, so getting such an opportunity to meet Max and all these awesome people in person...was just too good to pass up.

 

Friday of that weekend, I drove eight hours and reached Austin around three o'clock in the afternoon, then I headed straight to the classic and cool Driskill Hotel. Everyone knows the bar in this hotel is the beating heart of the festival. No VIP areas here. Everyone is equal and welcomed. I find my teacher Max and classy writer friends Kitty, Jacqueline, and Deborah surrounding a leather couch, just hanging out.

   

At first, I thought I would have to introduce myself, but within seconds they yelled, "Doug!" It was like we were all best friends forever. I couldn't believe how happy they were to see me. After multiple hugs, I sat down with my friends and we had a long night of drinks, friendship, and plenty of laughter. 

That night I met the awesome Julie Howe, a student of Max's who won the best screenplay award last year at Austin. Her script JASPER MILLIKEN was picked up by producers and director Jonathan Lynn (MY COUSIN VINNIE, THE WHOLE NINE YARDS) just signed on to direct the film. Hopefully it'll be coming to a theater near you. 

I also met Michael Canales. What a bubbling personality and so full of energy. Michael's the type of person that lights up a room when he enters. I have a sneaky feeling he's good at pitching his scripts in front of Hollywood execs. 

   

Saturday I got up early and caught two morning screenwriting sessions. The first had a group of authors who wrote screen adaptations of their work. Tom Perrotta, wrote the book ELECTION which the Alexander Payne movie with Reese Witherspoon and Matthew Broderick was based on. Another author, Pamela Ribon, is also a writer for the television series SAMANTHA WHO and has developed many other television series. Cool stuff.

   

The second morning session I went to was with BONES show-runner Hart Hanson and author Kathy Reichs who writes a book series the television series is based on. 

Lunch was an adventure. I teamed up with my friend Deborah Chesher and a few other new writer friends and walked into one restaurant, but the manager wanted me to dump out my Starbucks coffee and also search the girl's handbags for smuggled food. Seriously? I don't know why he thought twelve hungry people would smuggle food into a restaurant. So we go to the bustling Irish Pub on the other side of the street. The Irish stew was delicious.

   

Saturday afternoon begins with a panel about writing fantastic horror movies. Rhett Reese who wrote ZOMBIELAND was there. And the most awesome screenwriter ever, Alvaro Rodriguez, the writer of MACHETE and FROM DUSK TILL DAWN 3. I'm excited because Alvaro was in Max's 5150 workshop 
and has been so cool about supporting me and a lot of other writers. 

   

The last panel I go to is with four television show-runners. Rodrigo Garcia who runs HBO's IN TREATMENT and has directed episodes of SIX FEET UNDER. Rob Thomas who created VERONICA MARS. Donald Todd writer/producer of  SAMANTHA WHO, ALF, and CAROLINE IN THE CITY. It was moderated by Barry Josephson. Quite a panel of heavy hitters. 

That night, I went to dinner with my friends. We find a nice Thai restaurant and discover our waitress is brand new and has trouble understanding English. You see where this is going. Luckily most of us did get what we ordered, except for Max.  Instead of the Thai version of beef stew with bread that she ordered, out comes a bowl of pond water with colorful veggies floating on top. Yuck. But soon things got cleared up and Max got her bread and something that looks like it had beef in it.

   

That night we found another leather couch and hung out at the Driskill bar where I met screenwriter Terry Rossio. Terry is an A-list screenwriter and such a nice guy. I just listened as he talked about his Hollywood war stories.

 

Sunday Morning I decide to check out the Texas Book Festival on the grounds of the Texas State Capitol. It was packed, but it was nice to see so many kids at a book festival. There were a lot of exhibitor tents with food, games, entertainment for the kids, and a big list of authors. I was so happy to see that young adult writer superstar Ellen Hopkins was going to be there that day.

Ellen's panel took place on the floor of the House chambers inside the Texas State Capital. The audience got to sit in the large leather chairs the representatives use, each of us with a fancy wood desk with a metal panel that had Yay or Nay buttons for voting.

   

Sunday afternoon I returned to the good old Driskill Bar. Deborah Chesher finally had time to show me her short film END OF THE INNOCENTS. She ran a Kickstarter campaign to fund it and I tossed in a couple of bucks. The movie is so freaking good and she did a fantastic job directing it. The cinematography, the directing, the acting, everything was exceptional. Deborah made the short film as a visual calling card for her feature-length screenplay version of the story. Go to her website to view the trailer. 

Deborah will be submitting END OF THE INNOCENTS to film festivals and I'm confident you will be see this film making the rounds. Keep your eyes out for it. 

Late Sunday afternoon and the screenwriting conference is wrapping up. The bar at the Driskill gets quiet. Alvaro Rodriguez and his friend Jose sit down with me and we talk about writing. Alvaro is writing this cool western that I hope gets made because the premise sounds awesome. Jose is a trip. He's from Philly and we bitch about the same things. As he told me later, it was a very cathartic conversation. 

Sunday night comes and I must say goodbye to all my friends, old and new. Reluctantly, I steer my car North towards Oklahoma, convinced I've just had one of the best weekends of my life. 

As my friend Trevor would say...Good People, Good Times.