The Next Big Thing

The fabulously talented Janet Sumner Johnson tagged me in this blog game: The Next Big Thing.

What is the working title of your book?
Rabbit Island (Yes, I'm still working on Rabbit Island. No, I can't believe it either.)

Where did the idea come from for the book?
After learning about the historic Dreamland fire in Coney Island, I started to wonder what it means for a place called Dreamland to go up in flames.

What genre does your book fall under?
Oh the dreaded label. Contemporary YA.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Seeing how long it is taking to write the book, never mind get it published, never mind sell the film rights, I am hopeful that a young, amazingly talented friend I work with in children's media will be old enough, by that time, to play the lead role.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
When Rabbit Island's glittering amusement park, Dreamland, burns to the ground, sixteen year old Adelaine Cross searches for new life in her broken world.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
Represented by an agency.  I am hopeful.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? May we see an intro?
The first, first draft took four months. The second first draft (yes, you're reading this right) is taking about the same.  Revisions are endless...

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I don't like to compare books to one another.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?
Wandering through Coney Island in winter.  The ocean. Judy Garland.

What else about your book might pique the reader's interest?
There are underground canals, swan boats, kissing in concrete meadows, old theaters, midnight swims, a Bridge of Laughs, music (Nirvana meets Gershwin), and Luna Lovelorn, who you do not know, but who you will want to know.  

I am tagging some of the next big things:
Sharon Mayhew
Angela Cothran
Amy Mackechnie
Meredith @ Fairy Tales and Cappuccino
Jennifer Pickrell

Rules of The Next Big Thing:

*Use this format for your post
*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? May we see an intro?
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.

Sevens- Words from A Work In Progress

My friend Angie Cothran tagged me in this madness.  In which I must go to page 77 of my current manuscript, go to line 7, copy down the next 7 lines and post them as they are written.

I have not yet reached page 77 of my work in progress. The process for this particular novel has been painfully slow and, rather than punish myself, as I have been known to do, I've decided to embrace my snail pace.  So you get page 7.  You get the 7th line and the 7(-ish) lines paragraphs from there.

When I got to the page, when I set myself up to copy and paste and follow the rules, I was thrilled.  I didn't expect to come across one of my favorite moments and I wanted to give you more of the exchange. So I won't follow the rules or do as I'm told. Because it's my blog.

            Anna  kicks up her laced boots next to the tea cup and I see a vase crash on screen, crushed flowers, a woman, on her hands and knees, sobbing while a door slams and I can’t bear the thought of watching anymore. “This is absolutely ridiculous.”

            “You’d care. If you watched all the time,” Anna says.

            “I can’t even stand to watch fifteen minutes.”

            “Well, Claire, if you knew these people the way I know these people, you’d realize how pivotal this scene really is.”

            “But only if I knew them.”

            “Right.”

            “The way you know them.”

            “Exactly.  You’d know that the flowers are forsythias.  Her favorite flowers.  The first of spring.  You’d know that she told him they were her favorite flowers the very first time they met. And you would know that he picked them.  Plucked them.  From the earth. After she told him about the brain tumor. While they danced in the rain.”

Won't You Be My Neighbor? (or...Somebody Interviewed Me)

I've been so fortunate to *meet* the fabulous Angie Cothran through this strange and wonderful blogging world.  She asked to interview me as part of her Won't You Be My Neighbor interview series. 

This is my first interview, well, ever, and I had a lot of fun.  Angie is kind and warm and so incredibly funny.  And even though I have never met her, I always picture her with a smile on her face. 

If you feel so inclined, you can check out the interview here.  We talk books, writing, New York City, petticoats, and bras (don't ask, it just happened.)   Angie always makes me laugh and think and I'm really lucky to know her.  If you aren't following her blog already, I hope you will.

I'm Hearing Voices Blogfest- Dialogue Introduction

The I'm Hearing Voices Blogfest (the brainchild of Angie Cothran and Cassie Mae) continues. This time with dialogue.  So far, it's been a great opportunity to learn more about my characters.

Have two characters introduce each other using only dialogue—no backstory, no internalization, just dialogue between the two. Max 250 words.

I just went for it, script style.  

CLAIRE: What is this?

JEREMIAH: A painting.

CLAIRE: Like graffiti?

JEREMIAH: No... A painting.

CLAIRE: How do you get each swirl to match so perfectly?  How do you line it up?

JEREMIAH: It's in the wrist.  You have to do it quickly. Wanna try?

CLAIRE: I can't.

JEREMIAH: Of course you can.

CLAIRE:  No really.  I can't.  I'm useless.

JEREMIAH: It's easy.  Try it.

CLAIRE: Trust me.  I'll ruin it.   

JEREMIAH:  It's not like anyone'll see.  No one ever comes through.

CLAIRE:  Then why do you bother?

JEREMIAH: I like it along the canal.  It's quiet.  Still.  I can think.

CLAIRE:  Me too. It think it's beautiful.

JEREMIAH: The water's toxic, ya know.

CLAIRE: No.  Your painting.  I like it.

I'm Hearing Voices Blogfest- Characters On The Couch

Two wonderful bloggers, Angie Cothran and Cassie Mae, who always keep me smiling, came up with the I'm Hearing Voices Character Blogfest.

I immediately signed up to participate a few weeks ago.  Then I sat down to write the post, looked at the rules, and had a panic attack.  The truth is, I'm in such a weird place with my characters, the idea of bearing their souls on this blog gives me hives.

But I guess that's the point.  So here we go.

This is Anna.  She is the sister of my main character.

What is your biggest vulnerability?  Do others know this or is it a secret?

You've got to be kidding me, doc. I tell you my kryptonite while you nod and fake a scribble in that little notebook of yours?  No way.  We start on a level playing field.  

What do people believe about you that is false?

That I'm smarter than I look.  I'm just as smart as I look.

What would your best friend say is your fatal flaw?  Why?

You're really into this tragic hero thing aren't you?  I'm sorry. I'm not budging on this one. I mean, if you know how to take me down, we're just not going to have any fun here.

What would the same friend say is your one redeeming quality?  Why?

I'm loyal.  Running into burning buildings loyal.  Ya know, give my right arm kind of stuff.

What do you want most?  What will you do to get it?

There's this Bob Dylan lyric, 'Everybody will help you, discover what you set out to find.'  I want the 'what'.  Once I know that, I'll be there.  I'll take down a nun if I have to.  I'll be first one in line.