The cover:
Pretty right?
The author:
Kelly loves life in the foothills of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. When she’s not reading, being doted on by Mr. S, or pressed for attention by the wet nose of her beefy bull terrier, she can be found huddled over her little laptop writing whatever catches her fancy — mostly Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror stories for Young Adults.
Kelly Said will now take your questions …
Hi Julie! Thank you so much for inviting me to appear on your blog, I’m so excited to be here! 😀
Q. Great to have you. Tell us about your story!
PETRIFIED is about how a mysterious storm has replaced summer with winter, devastating crops and smothering Castle lands in snow. Prince Sterling August stands alone as a leader, lost in personal grief as well as a desire to help his people, but with an inability to do either. The answers he needs await him, but without Lochlyn, a woman who’s just as isolated as Sterling, he’ll never see what stands before him, cloaked in illusion.
Q. How did you come up with the idea?
The cover for Make Believe was the prompt for each story, so I studied the image very carefully and just let my mind wander to all the possible reasons why a girl would be out in the middle of a snow coated field. I figured she had some deep connection to nature, to be able to withstand the cold wearing only a cape over her bare arms. Then, once I figured out who lived in that “castle” in the background, the rest of the story just unfolded, leaving my fingers to keep up typing with the speed of my thoughts, hehe! 🙂
Q. What’s your main character’s greatest strength, biggest flaw?
I think Sterling’s greatest strength is his loyalty to friends and family and his biggest flaw is that he probably overthinks things (like me, shh! hehe!)
Q. What is the hardest part of writing for you?
The hardest part of writing for me is getting past the first draft phase, allowing myself to suck for sake of getting the story out, hehe!
Q. What one question do you wish an interviewer would ask you but never has?
Whew! I’m not sure about this one, I’ve been asked so many great questions, things I never thought to ponder on before.
Q. What are you working on now? Do you tend to work on multiple projects or one at a time?
I’m working on revisions for my 2012 National Novel Writing Month novel, as well as writing a short story with a deadline for submission in March — however, I’d like to get that subbed earlier than the deadline, just so I can find out a “yes or no” sooner rather than later, hehe! 🙂
Q. What is your favorite line from this book (short story)?
Holding tight to her satchel and Tash, Lochlyn stepped through the portal, into the bitter winds of strange winter, with only the the memory of summer’s warmth on her back.
Q. Did you always want to be a writer?
I’ve always been a writer, but not one who necessarily shared her stories, hehe! Not until I got older did I find the bravery to actually put myself out there and let someone read what I wrote. It takes a lot of courage to be willing to subject yourself to rejection and criticism, but the readers who enjoy what I write make it so worthwhile. 🙂
Q. Was there any part that you struggled with or avoided writing?
The scenes with Estes and Lochlyn were especially difficult to write, I had just lost my precious little pookie dog and was dealing with trying to write a final farewell scene, and, well, it was just super emotionally sad to for me to sit and write it.
Q. What are you reading right now? Do you read a book at a time or more than one?
I do read more than one book at a time, usually in different genres. Currently I’m wrapping up a beta read on a fantastic YA Dystopian novel, I just finished reading YA contemporary novella, TWIN SENSE by Lydia Sharp, and I’m looking forward to diving in to THE DIVINERS by Libba Bray and PAPER VALENTINE by Brenna Yovanoff.
Q. What do you like to do when you’re not writing? Any hobbies?
I like to draw (my bachelor’s degree is in drawing 😉 ), I also knit and crochet and do my best to make my husband laugh with daily shenanigans, hehe!
Q. What was your favorite book/who was your favorite writer as a teen?
My favorite book as a teen was THE OUTSIDERS by S.E. Hinton.
Q. Who is your favorite writer now?
omgosh, picking a favorite author now is an absolute impossibility! I love all the books! hehehe! 🙂
Q, What is the best young adult book you’ve read so far in 2012?
Shadow and Bone by L. Bardugo took me pleasantly by surprise, I checked it out from the library and am wanting to buy it for my shelf now. 🙂
Q. What do you see emerging as the next big trend in young adult literature?
Seeing as I’m still wearing shoes from high school, I’m probably the worst person to ask about trends of any sort. I hope that good writing and good storytelling stay trendy forever.
Q. Have you ever wanted to quit writing? Why? What made you keep going?
I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to quit writing, I mean, I’m too excited by the prospect of seeing something that was once just a thought in my head become real, that’s what keeps me coming back to my characters and their worlds, every day.
Q. If you could have a career besides being an author, what would it be?
I think being a racehorse jockey would be cool, I definitely have the height advantage for it, hehe! 🙂
Thank you again for being such a wonderful hostess, I can’t wait to see what YOU are working on next! 😀
Aw, thanks Kelly. We have so much in common. We both love to write and draw, and the books on your list to read are on mine, too. How cool is that?
Want more? You got it …
LINKS:
add MAKE BELIEVE to your to-read shelf: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13640234-make-believe
twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Kelly_Said
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKellySaid
So what about you? What ideas come to mind as you look at the cover of this book?
