Children's Writers Blog Hop

Thanks to Stacy Lynn Carroll for asking me to be apart of this awesome blog tour! By following the links, it’s a great way to discover new authors for children and young adults. Feel free to browse and get to know them. As part of the tour, Stacy asked me to answer these four questions.

1.  What are you working on right now?

I'm working on a contemporary YA called The End of Feeling about Benjamin, who doesn't feel anything anymore since being abandoned by his mother, and  Charlie, who has her own secrets to protect. Can she break through Benjamin's icy heart? 

I'm also writing a short story for a Christmas-themed book. My story is as-yet untitled, but it's about a South Pole elf who is banished to the North Pole when her shameful secret is discovered. There, she's teamed up with a gorgeous but angry elf named Seb.

Sherry Gammon and I are also working together on a step-by-step guide for authors who'd like to self-publish. It will include screen shots so if you're computer illiterate, you can still follow it and succeed. 

2.  How does it differ from other works in its genre?

The End of Feeling is different in that it's really Benjamin's story, and that he's managed to created a life that's a mirage. His reality is much darker than anyone can guess because he hides so well behind his popular, A-student, captain of the football team persona.

My elf story is different in that it's an elf story (think Legolas, not short, cutsey elves). My heroine has a secret that already had her banned from the South Pole to the North Pole though everyone perceives that as a good thing. And Seb, my hero, is angry because he hordes a secret of his own.

3.  Why do you write what you do?

I fell in love with young adult book a few years ago as my daughters came into the age to be reading them. I read them as well because I wanted to know what they were reading, and it was like a light bulb exploded over my head! I knew then my long search for genre to write was over, and the rest is history.

4.  How does your writing process work?

I'm pretty unstructured. I have an idea for a story, some idea of the conflict, maybe a vague idea of where it will all end, and I just start writing. Most of the time my story ends up in places I never imagined it would go, and my characters constantly surprise me with what the say and do.

Now look for these authors next week: Monday, August 26 as they continue the blog tour and answer the same questions. Enjoy!