Jenny M

Hi there! :) The lovely lady in that tiny photo above is Jenny Milchman, who invited me to participate in The “Next Big Thing” Blog Pyramid Scheme thing. :) Well, naturally, I said yes, because I’m an idiot and a blogger. And here’s Jenny’s blog where she (or some other author she hoodwinked into doing this) does the “Next Big Thing” thing.

Okay, now my turn to answer the damn questions. Ha ha!

What is your working title of your book?

THE INVISIBLE GIRL

Where did the idea come from for the book?

The idea came to me while I was taking a shower, totally out of left field. I started hearing the voice of a 13-year-old kid telling me her story. So, when I finished in the shower, I wrote it down and it became the beginning of the book. From there, I started an outline and created a story that led up to an ending that I also wrote down, when I got the idea for the story.

What genre does your book fall under?

I have a hard time categorizing this one. Young adult suspense, I suppose.

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

To be honest, I have no idea. Except one character who the protagonist keeps comparing to Justin Bieber.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Portia Maddox, the perennial new kid and an albino, is asked to spy on the boyfriend of the most popular girl at Jefferson Davis Junior High, only to learn that being a spy isn’t so easy, for a number of reasons.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

At this point, I plan to self-publish it. However, I’m also submitting it to a small press.

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

About a year, more or less.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

This is the first young adult book I’ve ever tried to write. It’s not really comparable to anything I’ve written up to now. This is a coming-of-age story that includes elements of mystery and suspense. The protagonist is much younger and more vulnerable than my hardboiled mystery series character, Sam McRae, a lawyer in her late 30s who knows the score. (Please consider contributing to my crowdfunding campaign for the series. Thanks! Commercial over. :) )

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

I’ve always enjoyed young adult novels, because I think that well-written ones appeal to readers of all ages. If the Harry Potter books proved anything, they certainly proved that. Not to mention Hunger Games and countless other books. Classic coming-of-age novels like To Kill a Mockingbird, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Catcher in the Rye, The Bell Jar and many other really depressing and/or funny books have inspired me to write this one.

I think to a great extent I was inspired by Karen McQuestion’s work. I’ve read two of her young adult novels, and her stories touched me deeply. I recall being reluctant to read one of her books for fear I might inadvertently copy her style, once I was able to work on my story. However, all writers have their own distinct voice when you come down to it, so it wasn’t a problem at all.

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

It’s the great American novel. For kids! :) Just kidding. Of course.

Let’s put it this way. If you ever felt like life wasn’t fair while you were growing up, you’ll probably enjoy this book.

******

That’s it. And now I foist this off pass the baton to the only blogger decent enough to who accepted my plea request for this thingy. Bill Gagliani will post his “Next Big Thing” post on Monday (I think). There were others who said they would’ve done it, but they were already taken. The rest either simply didn’t make have the time or didn’t bother to reply to me. Thanks, guys! :)

And thank you, Bill, for not making me show up here empty-handed! LOL!

Message for the tagged authors and interested others:

Rules of the Next Big Thing
***Do not use this format for your post. Use this one.
***Answer the ten questions about your current WIP (work in progress)
***Tag five other writers/bloggers and add their links so we can hop over and meet them.

Ten Interview Questions for the Next Big Thing:
What is your working title of your book?
Where did the idea come from for the book?
What genre does your book fall under?
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
Include the link of who tagged you and this explanation for the people you have tagged.

Be sure to line up your five people in advance. Way, way, way in advance. And be prepared to offer bribes incentives.

Pretend my hand is holding this …