The Next Big Thing Blog Hop, part 2

The Next Big Thing Blog Hop celebrates what writers are working on or what they have coming up next.  (Yes, I know I’ve already participated, but I’m always working on new projects!)  Welcome to my stop!

I was tagged by talented writer and friend, Shelley Sackier, whose book (DEAR OPL) I’ve read a snippet of and it’s funny, clever, thoughtful and interesting, just like she is.  So, I decided to talk about a funny work-in-progress …

1.  What is the working title of your book?

Glorious and Free

2.  Where did the idea come from for the book?

A road trip I took with my family a couple of years ago.  And coming to terms with my father’s death.  (No, really, the story is mostly funny.)

3.  What genre does your book come under?

YA.  More specifically, teen road trip novel.

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

This is a little sad — and related to Shelley’s book, DEAR OPL, actually — that I can’t come up with a short, overweight young actress, but that’s what Shannon looks like.  Her brother, Avery is tall and thin and has so much hair in front of his face I’m having trouble picturing which actor he looks like. :o)  But for granddad?  Definitely Robert Duvall!

5.  What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

When Shannon is dragged on a road trip to Canada with her annoying brother and even more annoying gravely ill grandfather, she begins to see that although you can’t control life and bad  things may happen, it can still be a wild and wonderful ride.

6.  Is your book self-published, published by an independent publisher, or represented by an agency?

Agent:  The wonderful Linda Pratt of Wernick & Pratt!

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

Well, it’s not actually finished yet, which has something to do with the fact that I work on several books at once and, if it’s not under contract, it doesn’t get top priority.  It’s FUN to work on, though, and I do plan to finish it after I complete the main book I’m working on now.

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

Well, comparing it to these seems presumptuous — it’s similar in that it’s humorous and quirky but with weighty topics underneath.

Going Bovine, Libba Bray

An Abundance of Katherines, John Green

As Easy as Falling off the Face of the Earth, Lynne Rae Perkins

9.  Who or what inspired you to write this book?

To remind us all that there’s a whole big, beautiful world out there if we’ll open our eyes, question our assumptions, and dare to dream.

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

If you like snarky and heartwarming in the same package, you might just like this one.

OK, now I get to tag TWO other author friends — look for their posts next Sunday — and here they are:

Moira Rose Donohue is a lawyer who started writing fiction for children and ended up writing children’s nonfiction and loving it!  She is currently working on a chapter book about talented animals that will be part of a multi-author series by National Geographic.

Alma Fullerton is an award winning Canadian author and illustrator who is currently working on picture book entitled Hand  Over Hand  about a Filipino girl who goes fishing with her grandfather.

Thanks for visiting and enjoy these next stops!