THE NEXT BIG THING
Author, Elizabeth Egerton Wilder, recently invited me for a ‘chain’ blog entitled ‘The Next Big Thing’ where I answer a few questions about my current work-in-progress, then I invite other authors to do the same. A bit like a chain letter, except it is only focused on an author’s work-in-progress. One of the authors who participated earlier is author Darlene Foster. I included a link to her blog so you can explore her answers to the same questions.
The Questions:
What is the working title of your next book?
Emilia
I just got the cover from my designer friend.
Where did the idea come from for the book?
This is the third volume in my Family Portrait series. The seeds of the novel began to sprout when I was writing the first novel, LOVE OF A STONEMASON, which became the second book in the series. LOVE OF A STONEMASON deals with two young artists, a painter and a sculptor/stonemason, and takes place in the south of Switzerland, in Italy, and Peru. Having lived with these characters for several years, I couldn’t let go–or they couldn’t let go of me. So I continued and explored their past as well as their future.
What genre does your book fall under?
Ah, genre. I hate that word. EMILIA as well as my other books cross genres and I always scratch my head when I have to come up with one for the different book sites that require such a narrow definition. You could call my novels “family dramas involving artists with a touch of romance in an international setting.” How about that for a genre?
What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?
I have to pass on this one. I am terrible when it comes to names of actors and I’m not a frequent movie goer (in spite of the fact that I live in the Los Angeles area). However, if my books ever make it to the big screen, I want to be part of the actor selection team. I’m sure the producer/director would value my opinion?
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
EMILIA deals with the struggle of a family of artists who are trying to keep the flame of love and creativity alive through difficult times.
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
Independently published. I have my own micro publishing company, called Bookworm Press. So far, it’s only for my own books. Self-publishing is a lot of work, if you take it seriously. For the most part, I enjoy the experience of being in control of every aspect of the publishing process–choosing the cover, picking the editor and the proofreaders. I have met many wonderful and helpful people in the process and made some great friends. I have also learned a lot and am still learning.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
Somewhere around 8 or 9 months or so.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Not sure. I can only name a few of my favorite authors, but they don’t necessarily write in my genre: Joanne Harris (Chocolat), Carlos Ruiz Zafon (The Shadow of the Wind), Audrey Niffenegger (The Time Traveler’s Wife), Olaf Olafsson (The Journey Home), Ann Patchett (The Patron Saint of Liars), Harriet Doerr (Consider This Señora), etc. etc. etc. I am an avid reader and I hope I learned something from these wonderful writers.
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
The characters I created in the first two books wouldn’t leave me alone. They kept bugging me to continue. I created them and so I owed them a future (at least that’s what they claimed).
What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?
EMILIA takes place in particularly beautiful part of Switzerland as well as in Paris and Peru. It deals with artists, children, puppies, lots of espresso, Merlot del Ticino, the smell of paint, the fragrance of jasmine and honeysuckle, and thunderstorms (emotional as well as weather-related ones).
Here are the authors I invited to participate:
We want to include a hashtag (on Twitter) so we can see where this goes from here. #BlogNextBigThing.
Linda Cassidy Lewis
Susan Dormady Eisenberg
John Cammalleri
Annie Acorn
Darlene Foster
March 1st, 2013 at 3:37 am
Very exciting to see the cover! When will it be available?
March 1st, 2013 at 3:57 am
Thanks, yak, yak! Soon, I hope.
Christa
March 1st, 2013 at 4:05 am
This book sounds great! I look forwrad to reading about Switzerland Paris and Peru. Thanks so much for mentioning me.
March 1st, 2013 at 4:10 am
Thanks, Darlene!
Christa
March 1st, 2013 at 1:49 pm
Looking forward to this third book in the trilogy. I loved the first two. Lindsay
March 1st, 2013 at 2:07 pm
Thanks, Lindsay. I hope you'll like the third one as well!
March 1st, 2013 at 6:03 pm
Hi Christa, I have been looking forward to your next novel so I am anxiously awaiting the release of Emilia. The cover looks as if it might attract young readers. Is the content suitable for all ages?
March 1st, 2013 at 6:19 pm
Hi Anonymous,
It's not a YA novel but it's about a family. And it's "clean" enough to be enjoyed by younger readers as well.
It should be out very soon and I'll announce it once it's available.
Thanks for dropping by! You are one of my loyal readers but I can't remember your name. If you want to, you can log on as Anonymous and still leave your name underneath the post.
I hope you'll like this book as well.
Christa
March 1st, 2013 at 10:30 pm
Hi again, Christa! I could not figure out how to sign on and I put my name at the end of my anonymous message but it did not show up in the message! It is your facebook friend, Joyce, who went to Switzerland! Best of luck with EMILI !!!
March 2nd, 2013 at 5:03 am
What a darling cover image!
Thank you for tagging me to participate in The Next Big Thing.
March 2nd, 2013 at 5:40 am
Thanks, Linda, I look forward to your post!
Christa
March 4th, 2013 at 4:39 am
Hi Christa,
Love the post 🙂
Cheers,
Trace
March 4th, 2013 at 2:30 pm
Hi Tracey, thanks for dropping by!
Christa
March 14th, 2013 at 6:29 pm
Christa, I am so excited about EMILIA. I am reading it on my Ipad and loving it…again. It's a wonderful finale for the Family Portrait Series! I like your blog about it, too. Kudos!
March 14th, 2013 at 7:23 pm
Thanks, Susan! This makes me very happy!
Christa