Book: Candy Sky Tells A Lie
Q1. Hello Ma’am, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
I’m a coffee-addicted writer with too many cats and too little space for any more books in my house. When I’m not reading and writing, I’m chasing around my two-year-old son.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Candy Sky Tells A Lie’?
The biggest challenge while writing ‘Candy Sky Tells A Lie’ was my sagging middle. For a while (and a couple of drafts), Act 2 was this boring middle grade drama that didn’t lead anywhere. In fact, it had nothing to do with lying! Even my first developmental editor wondered why the title was “Candy Sky Tells A Lie” if it was mostly about two girls doing horrible things to each other. After serious brainstorming and joining The 60 Day Novel Writing Challenge, I FINALLY realized how to fix my dragging plot. I scrapped 80% of my book and rewrote the middle and ending. Best decision ever!
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
Oh gosh, that’s a long list. I wanted to be an author since preschool, so every book I’ve read stroked that passion. If I had to narrow the scope of authors who influenced me, I would have to say Darren Shan, Christopher Paolini, Lisa Greenwald, and Jessica Brody. I’ve had the pleasure to meet each author, except Greenwald, in person. Jessica Brody even hung out in my high school creative writing class while on a book tour!
Q4. Whatās your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
I read about the massive sequoia trees of the Redwood State and National Forest in a middle school science textbook. For years, it had been my dream to visit the colossal trees. When I was in college, my husband and I roadtripped to northern California, and we camped for a week among the giants. I felt like I was in a fantasy book! The forest was magical!
Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?
I’m a huge planner. I have to outline, research, flesh out characters, and find reading inspirationsāall before committing to a story idea.
Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Candy Sky Tells A Lie’ book?
I forget when I started, but I’ve worked on Candy Sky Tells A Lie off and on for a few years now. Only in 2020 did I become serious about finishing and publishing my book.
Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘Candy Sky Tells A Lie’ book to buy?
Candy Sky Tells A Lie is set for release on September 20, 2022. Readers can find my book on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and my website. It can also be found in bookstores local to my area.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Candy Sky Tells A Lie’?
I actually came up with the title before I fully fleshed out the idea of my book. Candice “Candy” Sky was inspired by someone I knew (as well as the lying phase we all go through in adolescence). I wanted readers to know what Candy’s flaw was right off the bat. The title itself evokes tension!
As for the cover, Angelique of the Tally Ink team brought to life my vision of Candy and her BFF Maggie. The girls are drawn with colored pencils, and the title was done with pen art. Fun factāon the back cover is a friendship bracelet with charms symbolizing key moments and lies in my book.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
I try to have some sort of twist or surprise at the end of each chapter. Knowing what I’m building up to definitely keeps writing exciting. I also write each scene using plot beats (setup, catalyst, break into Act 2, and so on). This compartmentalizes each scene into doable tidbits that I can accomplish each day even with my busy schedule.
Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that arenāt in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
This is a hard question because the answer would spoil the plot. The only thing I can say is there may or may not be magical creatures other than Mrs. Gulligan. Read and find out!
Book Is Available On Amazon
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