THE NEXT BIG THING BLOG HOP

Welcome to the NEXT BIG THING Blog Hop.

A blog hop is like a giant game of tag to help readers discover authors who are new to them. For this hop, authors are answering questions about what we’re working on now. This week, I’m it.

I was tagged by Leanna Ellis (http://leannaellis.com/news.html). Visit her blog to see who else she tagged. Follow the hop long enough and you’re bound to find books you’ll love!
Here is my Next Big Thing!

1: What is the title of your upcoming book?

My next release, THE SHADOW GIRL, will be available in April from Harper Teen.

2: Where did the idea come from for the book?
I think an experience I had long ago in 5th or 6th grade might’ve planted the seed for the idea. I was at school and alone in the girls’ restroom while everyone else was in class. At the sink, I glanced up and saw myself in the mirror, and for just a brief, startled instant, I thought, “Who is that girl?” Of course, I realized it was my reflection, but even so, it was a little unsettling! During that instant, I had sensed that my reflection was another person, someone apart from me. After I finished writing my last book, THROUGH HER EYES, and was ready to start something new, I thought about that long-ago experience and wondered what it would be like for a girl if she sensed the presence of another person with her all the time. THE SHADOW GIRL — Lily’s and Iris’s story — grew from that, I think.

3: What genre does your book come under?
Like my last book, THROUGH HER EYES, THE SHADOW GIRL is a Young Adult novel. It’s a mystery with a light science fiction element and some romance, too.

4: Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Another tough question! Let’s see… Rupert Grint, best known for his role in the Harry Potter movies, would make a great Wyatt — Lily’s best friend. That is, if his hair was more strawberry blonde, rather than red. He might be getting a bit old for the part, though. But he’s cute and looks like he’d have Wyatt’s great sense of humor. Then there’s that look of mischief that fits, too!

Liam Hemsworth, from The Hunger Games, would make a perfect Ty. He’s so good looking, plus he has the tormented look down pat, doesn’t he?! He’s probably getting too old for the part, too. Dang… But with a good makeup artist, anything’s possible.

As for Lily … I’m thinking Sarah Bolger, who played Princess Aurora in the Once Upon A Time television series. She is very pretty, and can pull off Lily’s wholesome, fresh, outdoorsy look.

5: What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Hmmm. I can’t do it in one sentence! How about 7? : For as long as Lily Winston can remember, she has never been alone. Iris, a shadowy figure who mimics Lily’s movements and whispers in her ear, is with her always — but invisible to the rest of the world. Iris is Lily’s secret. But when Lily’s father is killed in a tragic accident, his cryptic final words suggest that he and Lily’s mother have been hiding secrets of their own. Suddenly, Iris begins pushing Lily more than ever, possessing her thoughts and urging her to put together the pieces of a strange puzzle her father left behind. As she searches for answers, Lily finds herself drawn to Ty Collier, a mysterious new boy in town. Together, Lily and Ty must untangle a web of deception to discover the truth about her family, Iris — and Lily’s own identity.

6: How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
The first draft took 11 months to write. But I wrote many more drafts after that before arriving at the final version.

7: What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I always have a difficult time comparing my books to other writers’ novels. However, my publisher thinks THE SHADOW GIRL will appeal to fans of BEFORE I FALL by Lauren Oliver and IF I STAY by Gayle Forman. I’ll take that as a compliment, because I absolutely loved both of those books!

8: Who or what inspired you to write this book?
The Spanish Peaks of Colorado were one inspiration. My husband and I own a cabin in the Spanish Peaks, and I wanted to set a story there. It’s a beautiful, remote setting in the mountains, and the Peaks are rich with Indian legends and folklore. I was able to incorporate much of that into the storyline.

Below are two authors who will be joining the blog hop next Wednesday. Be sure to bookmark and add them to your calendars for updates on WIPs and New Releases! Happy Writing and Reading!

Lindsay Cummings is a very young, very talented young woman who recently made her first two book sales! You will love her and I predict you’ll also love her books! Here’s the link to her blog: http://lindsaycummingsblog.blogspot.com/

Jenna Aucoin Mills (who also writes YA as Ellie James) is one prolific, talented lady! She has a YA series you’ll love, as well as writing wonderful adult romance novels. Here’s the link to her blog: http://elliejames.net/blog/