Greetings! For those of you interested, I’ve been ‘tagged’ by Cathy Olliffe-Webster to answer ten questions about my work in progress. After my answers, you’ll find the names of the three people I’ve “tagged” to answer questions – as well as links to (the other) Cathy’s answers. If the taggees choose to answer, I’ll try to post links to those posts too.
Ten Interview Questions for The Next Big Thing
What is the working title of your book?
Pegasi Don’t Sleep
or
Bobby Stalwart Saves the World
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Where did the idea come from for the book?
Honestly? I’m not sure. I have always been a big Greek myth buff, and I wondered what the world would be like if the gods of Greek mythology were a reality today. I might have also been watching FlashForward on Netflix at the time, but I’m not sure. So if the gods had always meddled in human affairs, their existence wouldn’t even up for debate. Natural occurrences would have godly explanations.
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Anyway, I meshed the idea of the world falling into a deep sleep with one about this isolated boy who is the only human still conscious. He spots a Pegasus flying over the horizon and seeks him out – and later the gods themselves – in order to save the world.
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What genre does your book fall under?
Young Adult Fantasy
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Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
I haven ‘t a clue. I pictured the boy, Bobby Stalwart, as an older version of my son – physically, but not emotionally. So I’m not sure who would fit that role.
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What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Would you settle for an elevator pitch?
Bobby Stalwart was a normal kid until the day he woke up and the world had stopped. Now he must journey to Olympus with a Pegasus to face the gods and save the world.
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Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
I would like to try the traditional route first, but I’m willing to self-publish if that doesn’t work out.
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How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
Less than a month, since I wrote the first draft for Nanowrimo 2010. Between other projects, I have been editing this manuscript off and on for the past two years. My goal is to finish this round of edits by the middle of 2013.
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What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Maybe the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series or the novel, Gods Behaving Badly? FlashForward, probably, though I’ve only seen the television series.
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Who or what inspired you to write this book?
I can’t name one person as an inspiration for this book in particular, but my writing inspiration has always been my son. I began writing with Nanowrimo of 2007, because I wanted to create a momento for him of the stories I’d told him as a little boy. I enjoyed it so much, I kept it up – especially with the weekly support of the Friday Flash community. My son listens to most of my stories and lets me know what he thinks. He frequently gives me ideas. He’s my little muse.
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What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
There’s lots of humor, interpersonal conflicts between the gods, and (of course) the Fates make an appearance. If you like Greek mythology, coming of age stories, as well as books that don’t take themselves too seriously, you might enjoy this. I think Pegasi Don’t Sleep will be a really fun read.
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And now I’m going to tag… (drum roll, please)
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You’re all IT.
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To see Cathy Olliffe-Webster ‘s answers, click here.
6 comments
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Annie
October 22, 2012 at 3:23 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
ok.. I’d better get my answers ready then huh???
Tony Noland
October 22, 2012 at 6:46 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thanks, Cathy! I love it when what goes around comes around – Helen Howell tagged me when she tagged Cathy Oliffe-Webster. My take on the Next Big Thing is right here: http://www.tonynoland.com/2012/10/the-next-big-thing.html
Cheers!
Icy Sedgwick
October 23, 2012 at 7:35 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thanks for the tag but you spelled my surname wrong
admin
October 23, 2012 at 5:19 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
What misspelling?
Seriously, sorry. I could have sworn there was an “e” in there!
admin
October 23, 2012 at 5:22 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Now I know what to read next!
Cathy Olliffe-Webster
October 27, 2012 at 9:03 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Great answers Cathy! Your book sounds like a LOT of fun and your son is adorable (what a sweet picture). I love that he’s your “little muse.”
Can hardly wait to see the finished book!