Let’s talk writing! My guest today is author Shelley Workinger who writes for young adults.
Readers can visit her:
Website: http://thesolidseries.com,
Twitter: http://twitter.com/SWorkinger,
Facebook: http://facebook.com/SolidSeries,
Blog: http://bookfare.blogspot.com.
Anne - When did you first realize you were destined to be a writer?
Shelley - It wasn’t so much my choosing to be a writer as it was a story presenting itself to me that demanded to be written! Yes, I did double-major in Writing and Sociology in college, and yes, I did write a genre romance at age 19 just to see if I could, but I never seriously pursued writing until the idea for “Solid” captured my imagination. By the time I wrote the final sentence a year and a half later, I felt compelled to write a sequel, then found I couldn’t wait to get through the editing phase to get to work on a third installment. Maybe my delayed entry into the publishing field was due to not knowing my destined genre; now I can’t stop looking ahead to when the “Solid” trilogy is finished so that I can work on a new idea for a thriller that just showed up at my door and started unpacking its bags. J
Anne – I love your description of a new idea showing up and just moving in! Tell us about your book. Is it part of a series? If so, include other titles.
Shelley - The “Solid” series (“Solid” – 2010, “Settling” – 2011, and “Sound” – due out 2012) is a Young Adult trilogy (at least it was intended to be; as I work through Book #3, I’m no longer sure I can effectively wrap it up in 3 installments!) It is built on the following premise: Teens who discover they were secretly genetically altered before birth are brought together at a classified site where they develop "super-abilities," while at the same time forging new friendships, finding love, and unearthing a conspiracy.
“Settling” (Book #2) continues the saga: Picking up where “Solid” left off, Clio and her friends realize that they aren’t ready to go home; they’re determined to stay on campus and continue their journey of self- discovery. But someone doesn’t feel the same way and will do anything to drive them away – even kill. Friendships will be tested, abilities will evolve, and more secrets will come out as the teens race to stop the killer before he sets his sights on one of them.
“Sound” (Book #3) will contain the most explosive action to date, along with the final answers.Anne – It sounds like a fascinating series. What is your favorite thing about writing a series?
Anne - Is there a message in “Solid” you want readers to grasp?
Anne - Of all the characters you’ve created, does one hold a special place in your heart? Why?
Anne - What is the hardest part of writing for you?
Shelley - Getting to everything else besides the writing! For me, writing is all-consuming. I get so caught up in unraveling the story that I can’t sleep and even lose my appetite, which is crazy for me. So, as much as I will miss the characters, I will be happy when the “Solid” series is complete and I get my life back.Anne - What is the most surprising thing you’ve learned about yourself from your writing?
Anne - Tell us about the defining moment when you felt as if you’d finally made it as an author.
The second biggest highlight was when I stumbled upon a blog exchange between two readers where one said about me, “She is so super nice! Love her. :)”
Wow. To be known as a good writer Anne – How true. Congratulations on both accounts! ;-) Any words of advice for struggling, unpublished writers?
Anne - Outside of writing, of what accomplishment are you most proud?
Anne - Quick. Your favorites – author, actor, movie, song and quote.
Shelley – Author: Marcus Zusak, Actor: Bruce Willis, Movie: Pirates of the
Anne – Thanks so much for dropping by today, Shelley. I wish you every success both at and away from the keyboard!
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6 comments:
I have a question for Shelley: Although I love every character in my own books dearly, but the time I finish writing the book in which they appear, I feel ready to move on and make new character "friends." How do you feel about that? Do you ever get tired of writing about the same characters?
And Anne, great interview!
Hi Smoky, great question. I look forward to Shelley's reply.
Great interview! Solid sounds like a really interesting series. And what a great defining moment. That's something any author would be happy to hear.
Hi, Smoky - thanks for the question!
I think I have the opposite problem with these characters; they each have too much to say and too many possibilities for me to get to everyone. (My main cast is 8 kids, plus 4 not-quite-central-but-much-more-than-peripheral others.) I now see why so many authors (and producers) write spin-offs, because every character has a back story worth fleshing out if you're so inclined. I do think the cleanest way for me to handle this series, though, is to wrap it up in 3 books as planned :)
Shelley W.
Anne, you do such great interviews, I really enjoy reading them! I have two teenage sons who I think would really like this series! Thank you for introducing me to the series and to Shelley!
Thank you, Kelly and Michael Ann. I enjoy meeting people, finding out what makes them tick. Discovering a great book or series along with meeting someone new is the icing on the cake!
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