I'm amazed how well Kimberly Sabatini took me on a journey as a reader not unlike the journey Elliot, the MC of TOUCHING THE SURFACE is on as a third timer at the Obmil, a sort of afterlife sanctuary one must stop at when you're not done with the life you've abruptly left behind. For me, I reflected the loss of my mother, who passed away unexpectedly a year ago. Thus, this novel was a very personal journey for me. But, what I discovered about myself, and the loss of my mother was through the lense of Elliot.
As Elliot grew, so did I, in understanding and forgiveness of myself. Perhaps this is what Kimberly had in mind all along. TOUCHING THE SURFACE has a way of leading the reader, if you're willing, to a place of enlightenment drawn carefully and dangerously on the edge of a sharp blade, one you can dive off of into the depths, and come back up to the surface of a peace you've only imagined.
This sounds crazy if you haven't read this amazing debut, but I hope you'll take the risk and dive in. Trust me, it's worth the read. If you can survive all the twists and turns and surprises along the way.
My advice: Don't look back, you'll just see the road disappearing right behind you. Don't look too far forward down the road, it's not even there yet, it doesn't exist. Instead, be HERE. Be in the present. Be NOW.
This book is unlike anything you'll come across, and I hope you'll experience it along with me. This is one that will change your life. It changed mine. Thank you, Kimberly!
On the blog this week is an exciting interview I conducted with Kimberly Sabatini, debut author of Touching the Surface from Simon Pulse due for release on October 30th, 2012. Get your copy preordered at Amazon or B&N now! You may also add the book on Goodreads. This is one you don't want to miss!
Touching
the Surface Interview Questions
Kim, thank you very much for joining me for this
interview and giveaway as we draw closer to your debut novel’s release day on
October 30th, 2012. Let’s cozy up with a homemade cup of hot chocolate, some
chocolate chocolate zucchini bread, and a warm fireplace. Now that we’ve got
the mood set, let’s discuss your first book with my blog viewers and followers. First of all, the cover is GORGEOUS!
Touching
the Surface is a self-described heart-book, and one
that started with a question. Can you walk us through how that journey started
for you, and how it grew from a question to a full-blown book?
The biggest question at the heart of this book wasn’t
completely clear to me until after I’d finished writing it. It began as an
unconscious idea that began to surface after the death of my father. He’d died
young, at fifty-seven, leaving too many stones unturned. Because his passing
sparked my own self-examination and need to grow, it felt weird to me that
death would be a free pass to enlightenment—especially when I was left behind
to figure out so many of the same things that I knew we both needed to master.
Rather than feel alone on this scary, epic journey of becoming a better person,
I pictured him in some alternative place, working on the same types of things
that I was—growing just like me. I didn’t realize it at the time of writing,
but by creating the Obmil, I had built the place that I pictured my dad.
As I’ve read up on Touching the Surface, and
your next book The Opposite of Gravity, I quickly realized you’re pretty deep
when it comes to writing. Can you share about that? Why is depth important to
you in a book, and what do you hope will resonate for your readers as a result
of that depth?
Writing is a form of therapy and growth for me. In
order to get anything worthwhile out of the process, the work has to resonate.
I write lots of funny and light blog posts and I love that side of my
personality, but so far it seems that when it comes to novels, I need to dig
stuff up from a deeper place. I write to understand myself and my place in the
world. I usually write about the things that scare me because they don’t seem
so terrifying after I’ve addressed them. (I admire your bravery!)
I’ve learned you’re a runner, and I’m intrigued by
the way that might parallel your writing journey, and Elliot’s journey (your
main character), through Touching the Surface. How has the
exercise of running informed the writing of, and essentially the journey Elliot
must face at the heart of Touching the Surface?
Running is very similar to that feeling I get when I’m
lying in bed, halfway between sleep and awareness. Ideas seem to shift around
in different ways than when I’m looking at them head on. When my feet and
breathing find a rhythm and I let my mind go—where ever the heck it wants to—things
have a way of floating to the surface. Sometimes I’m so busy, I don’t give
myself the time to daydream—running gives me the time and space to do that. I
suspect that’s why Elliot is a hiker. :o) (Slipstream, right?)
If you haven’t already answered this above, what
might Elliot run from? What must she run toward?
The only thing we ever really run away from is
ourselves and ironically it’s really the same thing we run towards. We try to
leave our less than favorite parts behind and if we’re motivated, we go
searching to find a better version of who we are. Life is a very circular
process—no matter how much we try to straighten it out.
I’m a state certified English teacher, so forgive me
if I get a little book crazy. I am fascinated with the way many teen books and
young adult books allude to famous works of literature. Can you think of an
allusion for Touching the Surface, intentional or subconscious? You can also
draw comparisons between other YA literature, if that’s easier.
I’m not sure I can say much more than I write with
Lois Lowry’s THE GIVER sitting on my shoulder. (I love that book and only
recently learned it’s now a quartet! To the TBR pile!)
Agents often make comparisons when pitching a book
to a publisher. Was that the case for Touching the Surface? If so, can you
share with us what books yours was compared to?
When I was on submission my book was compared to IF I
STAY by Gayle Forman and BEFORE I FALL by Lauren Oliver. It’s
an honor to have my book in the company of theirs. The wonderful thing about
comparable books is that even though each one tells a very different story, it
helps you to find an audience that has a proclivity to your type of writing. I’ve
read both of these books and absolutely loved them. (I was going to mention Before
I Fall, myself. Glad to know I wasn’t far off with the connection.)
What first drew you to Touching the Surface, the
story or the characters?
They developed in tandem. That seems to be the way I
like to write—characters on one side of the scale and plot on the other side. I
can only start writing when they both have enough weight and balance.
I’ve alluded to this above, but will there be more
to the story after Touching the Surface? If so, can you tell us anything about it
(other than the title) such as what direction the story goes?
For all intents and purposes—no. There is a
possibility of a companion book or two, but there won’t be clear continuation
of Elliot’s story. When you get to the end of SURFACE I think you’ll
understand why—even though you may want one.
What is the POV of Touching the Surface? If
you could write more to the story from a different character’s perspective, who
would you pick to write about (you may pick more than one) and why?
SURFACE
is Elliot’s story and I could never have written it another way. She is the one
who whispered it in my ear. (That gave me goose bumps. I love that!)
I understand there is a triangle of sorts in Touching
the Surface. Sometimes, love triangles are overused or exploited,
especially in YA. What makes Touching the Surface different and
what can you tell us about these two boys and the excruciating choice Elliot
must make between them?
Triangles can be over used, but in my opinion they
were over used in my own life, very rarely were there only two people involved
in any particular drama. *head thunk* In my humble opinion, they are just a
form of tension and they can be well written or poorly written. I’m hoping mine
hits the mark.
Might her choice be apart from both of them
entirely? Do you enjoy “torturing” your readers?
Never for the sake of torture. What happens, happens
because it’s what the story calls for. And don’t think I’m giving you any
secrets to spill LOL! (Drat! Foiled again.)
I hope I’m not being unreasonably hard on you. I’m
sure you’ll be able to answer these questions quite well. I’ve read a few of
your other interviews.
What are your typical writing habits when coming up
with new ideas for stories? Do you research? Write a few rough scenes? Play
with dialogue or voice? Outline character traits and backstory? Please share a
typical writing day.
I incubate ideas for a very long time. I read books
that will inspire my brain to think outside the box about the topic I’m
contemplating. I also begin to develop picture boards and playlists to help jog
the story loose. I don’t outline and typically I’ve been a very slow, methodical
first drafter, but I’m going to try to shake myself up with book 3 and draft it
for NaNoWriMo this year...while revising book 2...and launching book 1. I'll
let you know how that works out ROTFL! (Eeep!)
Where do you see yourself and your writing in 5
years from now? In 10 years? Will your books be movies by then? What else might
we get to see from you? Would you switch genres?
This is a little bit daring to say, but what I’d
like you to see is an author who has stayed true to herself. I’d like to see a
me who has not lost the passion and purpose for her writing, despite the
business and social medial side of publishing. I would like to be writing the
books that I need to write, regardless of where that takes me. I want to do
this until I’m gone, and I believe that the only way to make that happen is to
follow my inner compass.
Bonus: would you like to share any ideas for a movie
dream cast for Touching the Surface? What about an app or an interactive
website/game, etc. could you envision for your stories?
For me, writing a book
feels more like crafting a movie for my mind. I’ve collected images that have
fed my imagination here on Pinterest, but if someone were making a real movie—I
wouldn’t want to inhibit the possibilities.https://pinterest.com/kimsabatini/touching-the-surface/
Thank you very much for taking the time to answer
these questions. I’m honored to share this giveaway with your fans and readers.
Thank you so much for having me and for asking such
thoughtful question. I can’t wait for you to read TOUCHING THE SURFACE.
<3
Kimberly Sabatini is super sweet and ultimately awesome, and not just because she's an author. She is a wonderful human being you should get to know better. You can follow her on her website, her blog, her Facebook, her Twitter, her Goodreads, her Google+, her Tumblr, her LinkedIn, and her Pinterest. Most of all, go get this book and read it and love it. If you enjoy it, please post a review online. Spread the love, people!
If you'd like to enter the giveaway, use the Rafflecopter entry form below. Some entries require additional steps, such as going to Kimberly's blog and posting a comment, or submitting a poem, artwork, a vlog or sculpture of something related to Touching the Surface. Failure to complete a step after claiming the points for entering will disqualify you from the giveaway. I would rather not see that happen, so keep it fun and be honest. Good Luck to all who Enter.
This giveaway is for US and Canadian residents only. The winner will receive a personalized, signed hardcover copy of Touching the Surface from Kimberly Sabatini herself, who was gracious enough to offer such a deluxe prize for my readers and blog followers. Feel free to acknowledge this below in the comments. By the way, her swag is amazing. So, get to entering already! Would you like a peek at what the prize might look like? Here's my copy and swag for an idea. Kimberly is such a genuine and giving person. The winner will feel spoiled. Take a look:
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * UPDATE: Winners have been selected and notified. Two of you have submitted poems for the additional 25 point entry, and not only has Kimberly received them, but she described them as "Amazing!" In fact, one of the two ladies is our grand prize winner of the Personalized, Autographed Hardcover Copy of TOUCHING THE SURFACE. This will be sent directly from Kimberly Sabatini herself, and is already in the works. Congratulations to Alyssa! A second surprise prize of a hardcover copy of TOUCHING THE SURFACE with an autographed bookmark will be sent out shortly. Congratulations to Vivien! Finally, a third surprise prize of a signed bookmark of TOUCHING THE SURFACE swag will be sent shortly. Congratulations to Alicia! To the rest of you, a hearty thank you for your entries. I hope you'll get a copy of TOUCHING THE SURFACE and post your reviews online. Thank you so much for your excitement over Kimberly's debut and I know she appreciates each and every one of you for your interest and your kind words. Feel free to chat with her on Twitter or Facebook. Look for the links on this blog post. Also, come back soon for a review of TOUCHING THE SURFACE and a giveaway or two in the next month. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Continuing with the theme of Gearing Up to Get An Agent is a pitch and first words blog hop. Since I wasn't available on Friday to submit during Deana Barnhart's open window , I'm participating in the second part of the Pitch Polish, the blog hop. You can read more about that here. There are several blog hops throughout the six weeks of GUTGAA, so hopefully I've got the right one. I'll put the linky below, or you can find me under Number 30.
In order to get the most benefit out of the blog hop, I'm electing to keep the same formatting as if I submitted to Deana and was one of the lucky 100 finalists selected. For those of you who were selected, CONGRATULATIONS!!
Here is my entry. I will continue responding to all the lovely "Meet and Greets" from last week, and stop by if you're participating in this blog hop part of #GUTGAA as well. Let's sharpen our editing pens and slash and polish these pitches and first words to glittery shine, my writer peeps!
Write on!!
Pitch Polish Entry #30
Author's Name: G. Donald Cribbs Title of Manuscript: The Packing House Genre: YA Contemporary Word Count: 77,000
Query:
THE PACKING HOUSE (YA Contemporary from a Male POV) When sixteen-year-old Joel Scrivener has a raging nightmare in study hall and someone records it on their phone, Joel awakens to a living nightmare where everyone knows the secret he's avoided for ten years. Reeling from a series of bullying incidents posted on YouTube and an ill-timed mid-year move thanks to his mother's loser boyfriend, Joel must choose whether to stay where he's at with the chaos he knows, or leave and forge his own uncertain future as a runaway.
Once his choice is made, Joel's past meets up with his future and lands him back with his father's family, face to face with Amber Walker, the girl he's been "just friends" with since his parents divorce. But when the cops show up and bring Joel's hidden past front and center, Joel taps into toughness he never realized he had, in order to face the investigation. He needs to be tough if he's going to steer Amber Walker away from her current bad news boyfriend. She's made it clear to Joel she doesn't want a broken boy, a façade she's hidden her true feelings behind. But unless Joel finds a way to confront his past and carve out a durable future for them both, he risks losing Amber forever.
THE PACKING HOUSE is a gritty YA contemporary stand-alone with duology potential, complete at 77,000 words. It can be described as SCARS meets BOY TOY and SOME KIND OF NORMAL, with a PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER vibe. In addition to being a proud member of YAlitchat.org, I have spent the last decade working at a boarding school for underprivileged teens, and am currently working as a Therapeutic Support Staff with clients of varying mental health needs. I am also a state certified English teacher.
It's late afternoon and not the time
for sleep. I only manage to snag an hour or so before Jonathan's loud-ass
banging wakes me from the only rest I'll get prior to the school lock-in. He
crams contraband in his backpack and slams drawers. Still, he could be quieter
if he expects me to help him pull off the elaborate score he's been lining up
for weeks.
Why'd I have to go and lose the bet?
To settle up, I'm slave to my younger brother and his list of girls for the
night. At his beck and call.
I rub the remnants of sleep from my
eyes and stretch out the aches in limbs that scream for more than an hour of
closure. The shudder takes me by surprise. Maybe he won’t notice. With any luck,
I'll find somewhere private to crash at the high school in case the nightmares
come back.
I welcome your feedback in the comments below. As a writer, I am accustomed to constructive criticism focused on making the best possible version of this story. With that in mind, I encourage you to be bold and tell it like it is. I find hearing many perspectives helpful in revising and polishing my MS, and I promise not to be offended. If you comment, I appreciate you taking the time to read and say anything at all. If you'd like to read more, I have the entire first chapter posted on the upper right tab at the top of my blog. All comments are welcome.
I look forward to reading your entries and offering feedback as well!
Fellow Blogger, Deana Barnhart has graciously hosted this GUTGAA event for aspiring writers like myself. Click the gear link above to visit the blog and learn more. Maybe you'll join me? There's still time!
Starting Monday, Sept 3rd—Friday, Sept 7th visit other's blogs and
get to know them. Have fun and visit as many as you can! Each blog will answer a series of questions and any additional things the author would like to share. My short author biography and questions are below. Enjoy!
Author Bio
G. Donald Cribbs has written and published poetry
and short stories since high school. A graduate of Messiah College in English
and Education, he and his wife and four boys reside in central Pennsylvania
where the author is hard at work on his next book. Having lived and traveled
abroad in England, France, Belgium, Germany, China and Thailand (you can guess
where he lived and where he visited), the author loves languages and how they
connect us all.
GUTGAA Q & A
-Where do you write?
Since I type 60wpm, I am either on a laptop or home computer when I write. I lurk in libraries, conspire in coffee shops, and type just about anywhere I can find time for writing. As a busy parent of four boys, that often means finding those "interstitial times" like during my oldest son's karate class each Sunday evening for reliable writing time.
-Quick. Go to your writing space, sit down and look to
your left. What is the first thing you see?
The boys' laundry hamper in the small hallway by our stairs. We have an office set up across from my bedroom since we homeschool our oldest two boys. Their homeschooling desk and computer are directly behind me. To my right is a window out into our backyard where I often send my boys to play on the playground I built (big purchase from BJ's), while I write in short bursts.
-Favorite time to write?
Any time I can steal away and hammer down that 1000 or 2500 words I'd like to reach per day. Most often this occurs during my youngest son's naptime or after I put all four boys to bed each night, around 9:20.
-Drink of choice while writing?
Water. Although sometimes it's more likely coffee, Coke, or a mocha if I'm really fancy.
-When writing , do you listen to music or do you need
complete silence?
If I put on music to drown out what's going on around me, I can tune it out. I just shuffle what's on Pandora, or my iPod. Silence is much more helpful for editing, and in particular the stage where I read every chapter aloud. You'd be amazed what this uncovers in the editing/revising process. I catch a lot of things I've missed on previous rounds of edits. Yikes! I highly recommend it. But it's hard to do with listening ears, especially with some of my books. My boys are not old enough to read/hear much about these stories. Therefore, it's when I have the house to myself or after everyone goes to bed.
-What was your inspiration for your latest manuscript and
where did you find it?
Having been inspired by CINDER by Marissa Meyer, SHADOW AND BONE by Leigh Bardugo, and STORMDANCER by Jay Kristoff, I imagined what the illegitimate love child of these three very different books would look like. It's actually a fairytale retelling in a French steampunk world of Beauty and the Beast, only the female MC is Beast, while the male MC is Beauty. There's also floating islands in the sky and submersible cities in the oceans below. I'm still in the research and rough outlining stage.
Also, it's totally different from my first novel, which I'm subbing here, a YA contemp with a male POV. That's your sneek peek posted above on the tabs or below via the link.
-What's your most valuable writing tip?
Look for inspiration all around you. Let your life inform your craft and your writing. If you've seen the show SMASH on NBC, you might understand what I mean here. If you're a writer, you've got to watch that show. If you listen closely, you'll see how each show has things going on in the lives of the characters that directly inform the craft and the creation of a broadway show from inception to birth on the stage. It's a great series to get your creative juices flowing and the music is superb. Add a musical about Marilyn Monroe and it's a WIN/WIN in my book. I don't watch much television, but that's one show I'll rewatch online. You can see all of season one here.
Click the far right tab at the top of this page to read the first chapter of my book. The first chapter is in two parts and I welcome all feedback good or bad. You are entitled to your own opinions. I use all feedback to better myself and my writing. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
That's it for me. If you have any other questions you'd like me to answer, feel free to post them below in the comments. Have a great week! Nice to meet all of you. Thank you very much for taking the time to stop by my blog for a visit!
You know that moment when summer officially hits and you go to the beach and you get a tear in your eye sand in your eye when you try to crack open your favorite beach read? Yeah. All you can do is blinkblinkblink and try to convince everyone you weren't crying overwhelmed by allergies.
When was the last time you've found and read a book you truly wanted to marry could not put down?
Since today is my birthday, I'd like to give a gift to all of you. Below, you'll find the rafflecopter entry form for a hardcover copy of SHATTER ME. This is the original cover. This is not the paperback of the new style/covers that were revealed recently on MTV's Hollywood Crush.
Speaking of the new lovelies, here are all three new covers:
This is the new cover for the paperback. I've got it featured on the sidebar, so blink twice (if you're seeing double) and click the link to preorder. It reminded me of the special eyelashes Effie Trinket wore in THE HUNGER GAMES movie. I love all the details, including the one hidden in the iris of the eye.
I also like how they link to the DESTROY ME cover which is like SHATTER ME 1.5, from Warner's perspective!! I cannot wait to read this. Seriously. Cannot. Wait.
And then there's the cherry on top jewel in the crown of these covers (so far)--UNRAVEL ME. I say that because I'm counting on Tahereh to write another "inbetween" story that lands somewhere between UNRAVEL ME and the final NAME ME book of the trilogy. I also say that, because I really love the first two covers as well. There's too much shiny all the things to stare at.
If you guessed correctly that this was the book giveaway I hinted at in my UNDER THE NEVER SKY giveaway, you were right pat yourself on the back, you smartypants! And, if you missed my review of SHATTER ME at the beginning of 2012, click the link for my gasquillion starred review (I wish I could give it that many stars! 5 stars just aren't enough.)
I did ask Tahereh to answer a few interview questions, but unfortunately, she's been on tour a TON recently, and just got back from South America. If she's able to answer my questions, I'll definitely post them here for you to see.
If you haven't seen the book trailer for SHATTER ME, click here now check it out here:
Also, Tahereh is a HOOT to follow, so be sure to follow her everywhere she lurks! She has a great blog called, GRAB A PEN, and can usually be found lurking on Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr. You should totally stalk her like a creeper engage in an ontological dialogue about Team Warner or Team Adam. Or cake.
If you didn't win a hardcover of UNDER THE NEVER SKY, you should totally enter to win a copy of SHATTER ME. I'll finish out the summer with another great giveaway in August, so please keep checking back for new and great book reviews, writerly blog posts, and giveaways. Let's celebrate!!
The contest runs for two weeks to give everyone a chance to enter, and
once the winners confirm their addresses, the winners names will be posted right
here, so keep checking back. I wish you all a great summer with
great vacation getaways, and good books to enjoy while you're
there!
This giveaway is for US residents only. There will be
International giveaways again soon.
Entries into the Giveaway will be checked for validity.
Entries that have not completed requirements will be voided. To put it simply:
please be honest.
I am giving away a hardcover copy of STORMDANCER over on my Facebook Author Page. By clicking the following link and posting a comment on that thread before October 20th, you will be entered to win. You may also choose to like my author page while you're there. Just sayin'.
I hope you are ready for the awesome and the epic. I hope, when you glanced at the title and the cover to your immediate right, you gasped and hurried over to GoodReads to add this to your TBR pile as the not-so-subliminal messaging suggests. DO EET!!
Okay, I see you need a little nudge, a bit more convincing. Well, I've got all the convincing you'll need. Let's start with the first 3 chapters preview posted on TOR. Go ahead and read it and tell me you're not salivating to read more, and why can't it be September already, and damnit, why'd you have to show me that and make me WANTS THE PRECIOUSSSSS?
I tried to warn you. I did. Never doubt me again.
You want more? I've got more. Go back to TOR and see the related article that shows how the artist and author and publisher dialogued back and forth to come up with the cover art. Warning: it's a bit *ahem* graphic in the "yep, he went there" kinda way. Just sayin'. Still, it's worth the read and you get to see all the gorgeous artwork of Jason Chan.
One of the things I loved about this article is how each element was carefully weighed and featured on the cover. For example, the title, STORMDANCER is given a "steampunk" feeling. Having lived in central China for a year teaching English after college (yes, I lived in Zhengzhou City, the capital of Henan Province, and I speak basic Mandarin), I'm down with all things Asian, and I noticed right away that the "M" in the title looks like the character, "Tian" (As in, Tian An Men, literally "sky safety gate", the famous square in the capital of Beijing.) I thought this was a cool easter egg to find, since the griffin is from the sky and the title is heavily related. Well done, Jason Chan!
So, now that I've whet your whistle, here's a peek at the full cover artwork, courtesy of Jay Kristoff and Jason Chan for your viewing pleasure. If you click on it, the link goes to all the other versions and sizes of this coverart. It's truly breathtaking. Seriously. I get way too fanboyish about this cover. Thankfully, it's the first of a SERIES, so we'll have more cover art to love and fan art, and other lovelies, which brings me to the reason for my post.
This post is my official submission to WIN the VERY LAST ARC of STORMDANCER by Jay Kristoff, Mr. Badass himself. The BAWWSSMAN threw down and said if we make something awesome for him, he might Quid Pro Quo and swap out the annotated, autographed and possibly doodled copy of STORMDANCER for our troubles.
And, since the contest runs until the end of July, 2012, I guess you'd better get yourself a beret and a set of paints or some hotness to knock my entry off its shiny pedestal. Just kidding. Don't you dare, or I'll have to kill you. Sadly, I'm not kidding. Nor am I above bloodshed when it comes to a book, and Mr. Kristoff's is one that only comes around once in a very long time, and I am not going down without a fight. I will get out my Tanto if I need to. You've been warned.
Okay, so here's the deal: It's a YA Japanese style Steampunk blah blah blah blah blah blah blah....
What's that, you say? You stopped listening after you heard "Japanese" and "Steampunk" used together in the same sentence? Your jaw literally dropped to the floor, and you may have whacked your head on the underside of your desk/table/whathaveyou on the way back up, and you thought for a moment, why didn't I think of that???
Well. I've read the first three chapters repeatedly, and it got me all pumped up and stoked and I was all: I could do a picture of the moment when the griffin (Baruu) and Yukiko (the MC) first meet. Too bad there's two oni (Japanese blue skinned demon) lurking and one just threw Yukiko into a...go read it for yourself! Then come back here and finish reading.
Okay, so I did draw a sketch of this scene and it turned out okay. I know it's totally amateurish and there are problems with the sketch, but I spent a long time on it, and I knew I could clean it up more once it was in full color, too. But, without further ado, here's the first sketch:
Now, if you want to see that in different sizes, click on the "My Flickr Account" tab at the top of this page and you can click through all the sizes and see all the details. Enjoy! While you're there, you might have noticed the full color version, my final draft using colored pencils as my medium of choice. (read: because I totally suck at photoshop) You can see the color version here:
What motivated me to draw this was when I read the three chapter excerpt posted online and while I was reading, I visualized the moment Yukiko and Baruu first meet and their eyes catch one another. It's easier to see in the full sized version. What was powerful to me was the way that Yukiko had just been thrown against a tree trunk and had cracked her skull and was ragdoll tossed on the ground beneath the oni demon. Baruu swoops in and is all, "oh, no you dih-ent!" and attacks the oni. I had to draw this moment. I hope you like it.
I was especially pleased with the oni's loincloth being a tiger hide, which adds tension in the scene and motivates Baruu to more fiercely avenge Yakiko's injury. Read the first three chapters to see how he kicks oni demon ass. Here's a hint: his eagle beak and claws come in handy, coupled with his tiger fierceness...well, you should read it and see for yourself.
But, wait, there's more! I knew I'd have to do more than toss a friggin' bag of sand on the pedestal and snatch the ARC and beat a path out of the temple before the walls come crashing down all around me. I've got more STUFF to share with you. More things that might get you to thinking you might just be able to best me with a Tanto, given I'm only a white belt in karate, or you can totally rock photoshop, or you write poems and songs like a BAWWSS, or you can promote STORMDANCER like nobody's business, etc. etc. You get the idea. Right? Well, peruse the rest of this post and see if it doesn't inspire you to crack out a set of charcoal sticks and your favorite artpad or some such nonsense. After all, it's the LAST ARC and it's all MINE!!
At least, I sure hope it is. Please, please, Mr. Kristoff! I'm not beneath begging. Plus I'll totally review it and post reviews all around the internet and blogosphere and tell all my followers to do the same and click the like button on your Amazon preorder page right here, like I already did on both versions, too.
I thought a recipe would get us all in the mood to read a few poems of mine with strong connections to STORMDANCER, and traditional music for your listening pleasure. By the way, if you listen to the music while reading the first three chapters, it's like, BOOM! There it is. The music is the famous "Butterfly Lovers," A tragic story of ill-fated lovers. Check it out:
As for the recipe, I've scrounged jasmine tea and jasmine shortbread cookies to fill you while you read. And, afterward, let's discuss ideas for awesome Steampunk themed weaponry, shall we? Yes, we shall!
So, one of the great aspects of this novel has had my mind whirring with anticipation over the idea of weapons in feudal Japan (how I picture the setting of STORMDANCER) and the descriptions I found in the first three chapters. The one that springs to mind:
I practically ran to the store to buy out their entire supply of Depends Undergarments. So, it got me thinking. Perhaps Mr. Kristoff wants to use this for an upcoming giveaway. Design your own ideas for steampunk meets Japanese weaponry. And, GO!
I had a few ideas of my own. My top favorite is like a portable, hand held helicopter blade that looks vaguely similar to this, only motorized, of course:
Also, the handle would be at a 90 degree angle to the blades to make the motorized part functional. What, you're still here? You want to read my poems? Seriously? Wow. I'm flattered. Okay, so here they are:
Phaedrus
Throws Stones
“For beauty is nothing but the beginning of terror.”—Rainer Maria Rilke
In China, I busied
myself with Tang Dynasty poems
writing
no words to you in English for six months.
Now
leaves in their death-brilliance blow cold against the door.
I
hear you calling from the sky—the face of God—you with your clouds
carved
in granite, volcano bursts in suspension over Praetorian eyes.
I
am digging my toes in the last green grass before spring, thankful
for
another chance to try and find what Phaedrus searched for in all
his
travels—something about pleasure in the journey, not the destination.
You
take steps which seek the dust shaken from the sandals of the apostles
while
I read about the drunken state Li Bai sought before writing
his
elegant bambooed verse. I can see him in his boat cursing at the moon
whose
cycle refuses to turn the tide or fit itself neatly into dynastic poetry.
Of
course you know how fickle a woman the moon is, her orb a granite breast
reclined
across the sky. If you would listen to Phaedrus, you would hear
the
word of his testimony bleeding like stones draped in moonlight.
I
think of Stephen, the first martyr, who cried out crimson as stones
laid
down prostrate before the sky, whose gentle kiss raised him to paradise.
The
Root of Supplication
I
wake with the taste of jade
in
my mouth. The monk has returned
to
his mountain, fingertips stained with questions.
In
the countryside the lotus root grows,
rows
of graves alongside vast fields of rice.
Echoes
rise, prayers the root has spoken for centuries.
What
is your reason for existing here and now?
I
try to teach myself to speak
another
tongue, drunkenly stumbling from
the
mouth of this towering pagoda. When will you listen
for
the wind passing through this shadowed
valley,
bending each grain prostrate in the thickening mud?
I
cannot find another sky or peak from which I may shout questions to God.
Perhaps
you know His answer already.
And, for those of you who stuck with me to the end of my very long (read: desperate for this ARC) blog post, I think you deserve something truly mindblowingly awesome, and there's already been a lot of that, so I've got to really BRING IT here at the end:
Here's artwork done by the amazingly talented GENZOMAN. You can see more here.
Okay, so what did you think of the first three chapters? Are you hooked? Did you think "meh" and ran for the hills before I take you down? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Also, if you've got an entry, or an idea or inspiration, share it in the comments as well. I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you'll all be just as blown away as I was by this amazingly fresh read I can't wait to get my hands on.
If you'd like to enter a challenge, click the link here and do so by the end of July. Good Luck!
It's summertime! The perfect time to get away, take a quick vacation to your favorite beach, with a few good books to read UNDERTHENEVERending summer SKY. See what I did there? Well, I just recently finished reading this gorgeous love story of how opposites might repel at first, but if you flip them over, sometimes they attract in a way that cannot be separated. I think you'll find that with Veronica Rossi's debut, Under the Never Sky, and I'm so convinced, I thought I'd offer you a chance to have this book for your very own, just in time for a summer getaway!
For those who are just here for the contest, scroll on down to the rafflecopter entry form below. Skip right on past the exclusive new interview Mrs. Rossi was so kind to do for this giveaway. Pay no attention to the gorgeous video clips, book trailer, or concept art on your way down the page. Just get to the good stuff and ignore all the amazing details Veronica Rossi and I cooked up for you.
For those who want more, or don't know much about Under the Never Sky, please sit back and enjoy the content I've gathered for you and be sure to take advantage of all the Under the Never Sky goodies that are here. Believe me, after you read this, you'll be salivating for Through the Ever Night, Book 2 in the series, and Into the Still Blue, Book 3 of the trilogy.
To begin, take a look at this video interview that explains where she got the concept for Under the Never Sky. It's a pretty neat story, and her inspiration is definitely near and dear to her heart:
Veronica Rossi graduated from UCLA and studied Fine Art at California College of the Arts in San Fransisco. When she began researching for Under the Never Sky, she gathered pictures, images, music, and other elements to experience the world she created in a very hands-on, kinesthetic approach. She commissioned artwork for her world from Richard Dumont, the most riveting of these being the Aether Sky and Perry image below:
When I came up with the idea of hosting a giveaway at the beginning of summer, I wanted to make sure it was a good one. In fact, I've got another one planned shortly after this one is over, and it's an equally gorgeous book from an equally gorgeous writer, one who's close friends with Veronica Rossi. Oh, am I not giving you enough hints? Well, if you follow them on Twitter, you'll see them gushing over each other and the next giveaway is also the first book in a trilogy. Still can't guess? Well, I guess you'll have to come back and find out for yourself.
If you haven't had a chance to read my review of Under the Never Sky, check it out HERE.
I contacted Mrs. Rossi and asked her if she'd be willing to answer a few questions with me, and I could include a new interview along with the giveaway. Since Mrs. Rossi was gracious enough to respond to my inquiry, here is the interview we had about her writing and thoughts on Under the Never Sky. Of course, for the most up-to-date information, you should visit her website: http://www.veronicarossi.com/
INTERVIEW WITH VERONICA ROSSI
Under the Never Sky almost immediately reminded me of Lord of the Flies, by William Golding. It has the same gritty, harsh quality as the outer wasteland coupled with the aloof boredom of Reverie. Would you agree with this allusion? What other connections to classic literature might readers make, especially pertaining to Aria and Perry?
Thank you, Donald. I read Lord of the Flies many years ago but it left an unforgettable impression on me. I’m so flattered that UTNS reminded you, in some way, of this timeless classic. There’s a lawlessness and just-beneath-the-surface aggressiveness to the Outsiders that might bear some similiarity to that great classic (I feel utterly presumptuous saying that, I have to let you know.) I do think there are themes in UNDER THE NEVER SKY--star-crossed lovers, societies at war, sibling rivals—that can be found in stories through time.
Having thought on this point a bit more, I would also add that Under The Never Sky is a futuristic dystopian cocktail of Beauty and the Beast (minus the fairytale) meets Taming of the Shrew. Regardless, it's an amazing book, and an amazing read!
What first drew you to the story of UtNS and in particular, to your characters?
I knew I wanted to tell a story about contrasts … about opposites. Boy/Girl. Advanced/Primitive. Authentic and sensory/Synthetic and simulated. I think that was the initial interest for me: putting these opposing forces right next to each other, and seeing what would happen.
Will there be more to the story in another book or two? And, if you could write from a perspective other than Aria or Perry (as you did in the book), which character would you want to explore more? Why?
There will be two more books. Book Two, THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT, will be released in January 2013. Book Three, INTO THE STILL BLUE, does not yet have a release date, but is expected to be published some time in 2014.
I have written extensively from Cinder’s POV, and Roar’s. I like to know what it feels like to be inside the heads of my secondary characters. If I had the time, I’d write from all of them. It’s terribly fun, and very useful.
What are your typical writing habits when coming up with new ideas for stories? Do you research? Write a few rough scenes? Play with dialogue or voice? Outline character traits and backstory? Please share a typical writing day.
I’m actually developing a new series right now. The development stage is one of the most frustrating and exhilarating parts of the writing process for me. I spent weeks just reading, taking walks, brainstorming, free-writing, and generally alternating between feeling like, Ah ha! I’ve got it! to What the heck is this story about?
The genesis of every story, for me, has been different. With NEVER SKY, the characters and world evolved simultaneously. With this new project, I’ve got a great handle on the characters, but the story is still murky. I wish it were a similar process every time, but I suppose that’s part of the fun—not knowing exactly how things will unfold.
A typical writing day involves procrastination. That’s just about the only constant for me. I’ve found that if I can write first thing in the morning, I’m happiest. Middle of the day is the worst for me. I’m at my most productive early and late. And, yes, I do all of what you’ve listed above!
Where do you see yourself and your writing in 5 years from now? In 10 years? Will your books be movies by then? What else might we get to see from you? Would you switch genres?
In five—and ten—years, I’d like to still be challenging myself. I’ve always needed to feel like I’m changing, learning, stretching as a person, writer, artist, so I’m reasonably sure that will still be true then. And I absolutely could see myself switching genres. Anything is possible ☺
It would be wonderful if my books were movies, but that’s not up to me. The folks over at Warner Bros. are in charge of making that happen.
Bonus Question: would you like to share any ideas for a dreamcast? What about an app or an interactive website/game, etc. could you envision for your stories?
I’ve been asked about dream-casting UTNS a few times before and I always struggle with this question. For me, the characters are VERY clear in my mind. Because of that, it’s really difficult for me to think of actors who I think “fit” Aria and Perry. The one thing I WOULD like to see, if the film was made, is the roles be given to serious actors—to artists with strong vision. I’d love to see Aria and Perry played by actors who took risks, and really made the characters their own.
Thank you very much for taking the time to answer these questions. I'm honored to share this giveaway with your fans and readers.
Thanks so much for having me! This was fun!
For those who have not seen the book trailer for Under the Never Sky, check this out. You won't be sorry you did! It's amazing, and I can already start fantasizing about who might be in a movie version, which is, as you know from the interview above, optioned for film by Warner Bros. I sure hope they bring Veronica Rossi along to assist with the creation of the movie version in the same way Suzanne Collins was involved with Hunger Games. Here's the book trailer:
To catch Veronica Rossi on her book signing tour, she'll be signing books at San Diego Comic Con on July 15th.
Giveaway: 2 Hardcover Copies of Under the Never Sky to 2 Lucky Winners!
The 2 Hot 2 Read 2012 Summer Reads Giveaway is for 2 Winners, who will each receive a Hardcover copy of Under The Never Sky. If Veronica's swag shipment arrives in time, she'll throw in a surprise swag gift as well. She might even sign it if you ask her nicely!
Just enter using the Rafflecopter widget below, and good luck!
The contest runs for two weeks to give everyone a chance to enter, and once the winners confirm their addresses, the winners names will be posted right here, so keep checking back.
I wish you all a great summer with great vacation getaways, and good books to enjoy while you're there!
Thanks to Veronica Rossi and HarperCollins for the great giveaway!
This giveaway is for US residents only. There will be International giveaways again soon.
Entries into the Giveaway will be checked for validity. Entries that have not completed requirements will be voided. To put it simply: please be honest.
Winners have been notified and confirmed via email. I'll be sending out their books asap. Thank you to everyone for reading the blog and entering. I appreciate those who tweeted and came back often to spread the word. I appreciate each of you for following me and I hope you enjoy this blog.
As I hinted above, a new giveaway starts before the end of July, and it's for one of my TOP READS OF 2012. Plus, I'll be featuring a post all about STORMDANCER, including my entry for an autographed copy of THE VERY LAST ARC directly from Jay Kristoff, the author himself. Oh, and I drew a sketch as part of the entry...will you throwdown and enter for your chance to win? I warn you, I'll fight hard for this one!
Touching the Surface by Kimberly Sabatini
