Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Part II Scott Cramer interview and international giveaway of his book

Update: I reopen for review requests on 8/26. You can email me before then, but I will not be able to read anything until that time.

Welcome back to part II of Scott's great interview!

Blurb about Scott:

Scott has written poetry and published many feature magazine articles and optioned a screenplay. He figures he has tackled every type of writing project except a stage play. He and his wife reside outside Boston in a soon-to-be empty nest/zoo/suburban farm/art studio with too many surfboards in the garage.

Part II of Author Interview
1. Which character did you most enjoy writing about and why?
Well, I really like all four of my main characters, but what I found most challenging and interesting was to write from the points of view of Abby and Emily. I am not a girl. But I am very observant and we have two incredible daughters who continually impress me with their many strengths and minds and hearts. They are way tougher and smarter than I was at their ages. I asked them and my wife lots of questions.

2. How did you come up with the idea for the disease behind your novel?
I put on my thinking cap and tried to discern the differences between children, tweens, teens, and adults, young and old. Some of the biggest changes in a person’s life happen during adolescence, and the physical part behind that is puberty. The production of hormones--estrogen and testosterone--kicks things off.  That was the magic “ah ha” moment, and it got better when I learned that in old age the levels of these hormones decrease. That meant that when the space bacteria attacked those hormones, very old people might hang on a few more hours or days than younger adults. And, of course, those who had yet to reach puberty would be immune—until they started growing up.

3. Do you have any tips for new writers as to how to deal with feedback? What's the most helpful feedback you have gotten as a writer?
I figure that someone who really wants to be a writer is going to write. And they will continue to write after they discover the likelihood of making a living as a writer is very difficult. And they will continue to write after they start to share their work and receive rejection and more rejection. And they will continue to write after they conclude the process of writing is largely a solitary endeavor of hard labor. And if they are still writing by this point, they will have surely experienced some of the incredible joys that come from the craft and from being able to make a reader laugh or cry or root for a character.
P.S. Reading a lot, helps, and when you find someone on your wavelength who loves to edit as much as you love to write—be really nice to that person.

4. What do you have on the horizon?
Charley Echo. That’s the working title for the sequel to Night of the Purple Moon. And maybe someday down the road I’ll attempt a stage play.

Don't forget to enter to win his terrific book, Night of the Purple Moon!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

And don't forget to enter to win a signed copy of Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake!
Giveaways

8 comments:

  1. I love what he said about being nice to people willing to beta or edit your work. I would wash their cars! That has been the most valuable thing for me in my writing, pre published editing and feedback! :) Thanks for the interview!

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  2. Great interview! I love how he talks about how he came up with the specifics of the disease. How creative! :D

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  3. Nice interview!! I really like the answer to question 3 :)

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  4. Very interesting interview. I love the way he answers each questions!

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  5. Thank you for a fantastic interview and a great giveaway! x

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  6. I think some war or virus will be the cause of apocalypse
    Thanks for this giveaway!

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  7. Great giveaway! And zombies or deadly virus, or something like that. Reminds me just of Resident Evil in a way!

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  8. I live the virus idea.I have read a few books with that scenario and I loved them.However,the scenario of all adults dying and kids living doesn't always sound plausible.Zombies are pretty cool way to go too.Nicole mentioned Resident Evil and I am a big fan of the movies so yea I think zombies or deadly virus.Of course it isn't what I really think will happen but they are cool scenarios for book or movie.

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