Interview with Mindi Scott & Freefall Giveaway!

The awesome Mindi Scott was kind enough to do an interview with me for her amazing debut novel  Freefall.   And because I loved Freefall so much I am giving away a copy opened INTERNATIONALLY (to all places that The Book Depository ships to).  I hope you enjoy this interview and don't forget to check out my review for Freefall.

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How do you come back from the point of no return?

Seth McCoy was the last person to see his best friend Isaac alive, and the first to find him dead. It was just another night, just another party, just another time where Isaac drank too much and passed out on the lawn. Only this time, Isaac didn’t wake up.

Convinced that his own actions led to his friend’s death, Seth is torn between turning his life around . . . or losing himself completely.

Then he meets Rosetta: so beautiful and so different from everything and everyone he's ever known. But Rosetta has secrets of her own, and Seth will soon realize he isn’t the only one who needs saving . . .
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Why YA?
The summer that I decided to start write seriously (2004), I was at the library nonstop.  I read over 100 books of all different types.  I found that contemporary YA resonated with me and felt the most natural, so I gave it a try. I love it!
 
What inspired you to write Freefall?
Seth and his story came about in a backward way, which I think most people wouldn't expect.

This story was inspired by the character Rosetta, who appeared from nowhere, like some characters seem to do!  At that time, I was finished with my first (unpublished) manuscript, which was about a kind of messed up girl.  I didn't feel like being in the head of another kind of messed up girl right exactly then, so I decided that I would write Rosetta's story from the point of view of the boy who would love her.

It didn't take long before I realized that letting her story drive the novel wasn't fair to the narrator I'd chosen.  He needed an arc that wasn't all about trying to "save" her, otherwise, this was never going to work.

So, really, Rosetta wasn't created to help Seth find his purpose, meet his goals, etc.; it was supposed to have been the other way around!

I love the cover of Freefall.  And also on the pages that numbers and the title get lower on each page like they are falling.  Did you have any say in the book design?
I love everything Pulse came up with, but I had no say whatsoever in it!  My editor and I discussed that Marketing was going to go for a "mood piece" with the cover and that the characters wouldn't be depicted.  They really wanted this book to be something that a girl or a guy might pick up.

The words and pages numbers falling was a really cool surprise when I got to see the unbound galleys.  My editor told me that the interior designer had done something special with and I was excited to realize that if you flip the edge of the pages quickly, you can watch the words fall!
 
Music is a important part of Seth's life.  Did you have a playlist while writing? And what were some of the songs on it?
I do listen to music while I write and I try to mix it up a lot or I go crazy.  After all, with drafting and several rounds of revisions, I was actively involved with this book for about a year and nine months. 

The songs from those days that will always remind me of Seth are:  everything ever by Social Distortion ("Bad Luck," in particular), nearly every song from the Sam's Town album by The Killers, "Free Fallin'" by Tom Petty, and "It's Been Awhile" by Staind. (And that last one is always embarrassing for me to admit, for some reason.  But, seriously, the lyrics and the whole mood are just so very Seth-hungover-and-staring-at-glow-in-the-dark-stars-on-his-ceiling to me.)

What I loved most about Freefall were the characters.  So realistic and honest.  Which character do you see the most of yourself in and why?
Thank you!  I had a friend once tell me that she thinks Rosetta and Kendall are comprised of different parts of me.  While I don't entirely agree (they really are fictional characters; I swear it!) I think that the way I behave and speak is more like Rosetta. The way that I feel sometimes is probably more like Kendall.

Rosetta was my favourite character.  I want to know more.  Do you plan on writing Rosetta story?

I'm certainly interested in writing a novel from Rosetta's point of view, but 1) it might be awhile before I'll have any idea whether the publisher will want to see anything else set in the Freefall world and 2) I have to figure out a unique journey for Rosetta in order to justify writing it.  I very deliberately made a strong parallel in the things that Seth and Rosetta needed to overcome, but that also means that I'd need something fresh so that it doesn't feel like the same story again, you know?

You are part of The Contemps Challenge.  What are some of your favourite YA contemporary books?
Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist (Cohn/Levithan), Looking for Alaska (John Green), Guyaholic
(Carolyn Macker), What My Mother Doesn't Know (Sonya Sones), This Lullaby (Sarah Dessen), Sloppy Firsts (Megan McCafferty), Rats Saw God (Rob Thomas), Flash Burnout (L.K. Madigan), and Amy & Roger's Epic Detour (Morgan Matson).  I could go on and on.

What are you working on next? 

I am working on more YA novels.  I have a few in the works, but I don't yet have another contract, so I'm not sure which might become my next published novel.  The one I'm working on most seriously at this time is another contemporary.  This one is about a girl who can't tell the truth out of fear of what it will cost her.  That's vague, I know, but I suck at writing my own pitches, so I'll have to wait and see if my agent/editor can do better when the time comes! 

The subject matter is darker and more difficult in some ways (except there isn't anyone dealing with death this time around), and the girl POV is definitely a huge switch for me, but my agent feels like it will be a good follow up to Freefall.  I hope he's right.

Thank you again Mindi Scott for doing this interview with me.  My first ever! Now onto the giveaway.

One lucky person will win a copy of Freefall.  To enter all you have to do is fill out this FORM.  You must be 13 years or older to enter.  This competition closes on 6th December, 2010.  Please read my giveaway policy before entering.

Follow Friday #5

I am loving Follow Friday as I have found lots of amazing blogs through it.  Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee's View.  ParaJunkee also asks us follower's to answer a question each week, so today's question for the follow is:

How long have you been book blogging?

One month today!  I have been posting reviews and chatting books on Goodreads for over year when I decided to give blogging a go.   

 

Make sure you comment and follow so I can return the favour (I might be a little bit late this week as I am going away for the weekend but I promise to stop by your blog when I get back). 

 

Thanks for stopping by my blog and while you are here check out my interview with Mindi Scott and FREEFALL GIVEAWAY.  Have a great weekend!

Raincheck on Timbuktu by Kirsten Murphy

Goodreads Description - Lucy has her life all planned out -

* perfect job at 21
* engaged to ideal man at 26
* married at 27 and a half
* building ideal home at 28 (fully equipped with a stereo surround-sound wide screen TV and a comfortable, yet stylish couch)
* birth of perfect daughter at 30

What does not neatly fit into her organised life is a mother with a bombshell, an ex-best friend with an unfortunate liking for low-life boyfriends, a series of badly dressed, metallic-eyeshadowed teachers and a (very) friendly boy next door.

Mini Review:-

Favourite Quote: "You know when you put something on lay-by and you look forward to paying it off and picking it up in a few weeks?  That's how I feel about my life.  I've been looking forward to picking it up my brand new life for a while now.  Once I get my new life I'll be fun, interesting and happy - perfect".

This is a book that just make you smile.  Raincheck on Timbuktu is funny, smart and such a truthful coming of age story that really captures all the emotions and confusions of being a teen.  It has a wonderfully bunch of characters but I adored Lucy and really felt for her as she learned to let go of the past and started living in the moment.  To me this is an Aussie classic.  I only wish I had read this as a teen.

Rating: 5/5

Want to find more awesome Aussie YA check out Nomes @ Inkcrush amazing list of books.

Waiting on Wednesday #4

 "Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
Set on the island of Nantucket, STARCROSSED tells the tale of Helen Hamilton, a young woman whose destiny is forever altered when she meets Lucas Delos and tries to kill him in front of her entire high school. Which is terribly inconvenient, not only because Lucas is the most beautiful boy on the island, but also because Helen is so achingly shy she suffers physical pain whenever she is given too much attention.

Making matters worse, Helen is beginning to suspect she’s going crazy. Whenever she’s near Lucas or any member of his family she sees the ghostly apparitions of three women weeping bloody tears, and suffers the burden of an intense and irrational hate. She soon learns that she and Lucas are destined to play the leading roles in a Greek tragedy that the Three Fates insist on repeating over and over again throughout history. Like her namesake, Helen of Troy, she’s destined to start a war by falling in love. But even though Lucas and Helen can see their own star-crossed destiny, they’re still powerfully attracted to each other. Will they give up their personal happiness for the greater good, or risk it all to be together?

 Why? Gorgeous cover, starcrossed lovers and interesting concept involving Greek mythology.  Sounds like an awesome read.

What are you waiting on?

The DUFF by Kody Keplinger

Goodreads Description - Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn't think she's the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her "Duffy," she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren't so great at home right now. Desperate for a distraction, Bianca ends up kissing Wesley. And likes it. Eager for escape, she throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with Wesley.

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out that Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.


My Review:-

My Favourite Quote: "No matter where you go or what you do to distract yourself, reality catches up with you eventually".

I have never heard of the term The Duff (The Designated Ugly Fat Friend) before I bought this book.  I thought maybe it was just a term used in the States.  But apparently not. It is even used here in Australia.   As I was paying for the book at the counter, the owner of the bookstore said  'we used to use the same phrase 20 years ago.  Every group has a DUFF'.

It got me thinking about what role I played in my group.  Was I The Duff? But after reading this I realised it is not a bad thing thanks to Keplinger.  As Bianca says "I was the Duff.  And that was a good thing .  Because anyone who didn't feel like the Duff must not have friends.  Every girl feels unattractive sometimes.......I should be proud to be the Duff.  Proud to have great friends who, in their mind, were my Duffs."   That is just one of the reasons why I loved this book.

The DUFF is funny, smart, honest, and a heartwarming.  It is about all the important issues that all teens deal with - love, friendship, family and insecurities.  Sounds like an emotional read but it is not really.  It had that lighter fun feel to it.  A book that you will want to pick up and read again just to feel good.  And I am amazed this is Keplinger debut novel and she was only 17 when she wrote it.  It is a effortless read that had a nice pace and was always entertaining.  

Bianca, is instantly likeable character that cause me laughter and heart ache.   I think Wesley sums her up perfectly "What you are is an intelligent, sassy, sarcastic, cynical, neurotic, loyal, compassionate girl". She is confused at times and definitely has some family issues but completely relatable.  Bianca doesn't deal with her issues and rather bottles them up inside and looks for other ways to escape them.
 
Now on to my dear Wesley.  He makes a great distraction for Bianca.  I have to admit at first I disliked him with a passion but as he grew on Bianca, he grew on me too.  Definitely a sweetheart (well kind of) hiding as a bad boy.   And when you put Bianca and Wes together sparks fly.  These two would have to be one of my favourite literary couple because of their witty banter.
 
The only tiny issue I had with this book was the ending.  I liked Bianca and Wes' ending that wasn't the problem.   But rather the secondary characters - all there issues seemed to be resolved perfectly especially Bianca's Dad and Toby.  It was just a tiny bit too perfect because we all know not everybody gets happy endings.

Overall, The DUFF is a fantastic debut that you shouldn't miss.

Rating: 4.5/5

Note: Lots of colourful language and sex scenes.  So if you are sensitive to this maybe this book isn't for you.

Want more info: Check out Kody Keplinger website.

Keplinger is working on her second novel called A Midsummer's Nightmare.   Here is what Keplinger says in an interviews about it  "I had a story about a girl who has a one-night stand with a boy who later becomes her stepbrother. My next project is very much inspired by the dark, twistedness of my favorite movie EVER–Cruel Intentions"  Check out Old people writing for teens interview with Keplinger.

In My Mail Box #4

In My Mailbox was created by Kristi at The Story Siren and inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie.

The Year of Secret Assignments (aka Finding Cassie Crazy) -

Three female students from Ashbury High write to three male students from rival Brookfield High as part of a pen pal program, leading to romance, humiliation, revenge plots, and war between the schools.

I found a second hand copy the other day.  Jaclyn Moriarty is an Aussie author and I love her books.  So I can't wait to read this one!


Other than that it was a quite book week.  I didn't have a chance to go book shopping which helped me save some money for Christmas which is fast approaching and also because I have a huge reading pile.

 I was actually looking through my books and realised I have some amazing books hiding there.  Here is a pic of just some of my books in my reading stack:

I have a few piles like that.  Some I am actually afraid to read like Some Girls Are and Sweethearts.  I know they will be awesome but they are going to make me cry and be completely gut wrenching. 

So I have a question -  Do you put off books you are dying to read because you know they are going to be heart breaking read?

Cover Crazy: Pretty Faces

I love making lists and voting on all the different ones on Goodreads.  So I have created my own meme highlighting Aussie authors and also debut authors.  This week it is also about pretty faces which was inspired by my current read, The DUFF.   Here are some of the best Aussie titles that are all about pretty faces:

                                         

I like the artistic touch on A Little Waiting Song, it really draws you in.  Scout is pretty (I have it in my reading stack) but it doesn't stand out as much as the other titles.  The Sweet, Terrible, Glorious Year I Truly Completely Lost It reminds of The DUFF with the whole bubblegum thing and definitely is a cover you look twice at.  But for me Posse is my favourite.  It is just gorgeous with the light and the hair blowing across the picture.  I also like the placement of the font.

Which is your favourite cover?

Goodreads Links:-

The Sweet Terrible Glorious Year I Truly Completely Lost It

Posse 

A Little Wanting Song

Scout