Stop by tomorrow for a live chat with the authors of Sirenz tomorrow at 7-8 CST.
| Char: Twitter
C: 2 girls, 1 pair of designer shoes, a freak accident, and a Greek god looking for trouble.
N: Oooo that's good. Hmmm... How about, “Fashion and feathers fly when Hades sees killer potential in two apparently mismatched teens” ?
MTR: Why did you decide to co-write and how has this relationship helped you craft the novel?
C: We had worked on a previous project. I was taking care of Nat's evil bunny Rosebud when she went on vacation and he bit me. I 'made' him confess to Nat in an email. She responded back, in the voice of her cat who was home alone and telling Rosebud to stop complaining, she had it worse. The concept, called E-Meow, was hysterical, a lot of fun, and went no where. We realized though, that we're both a little twisted and together we knew we could write a book. Whether it would sell was a different story, but it did!
N: Funny how things like this come about by accident—but that's exactly what happened with us. We didn't plan to co-author a book, but the joke that started it all got us thinking that we COULD. Even with the bunny (who is much maligned) and the cat, our individual voices came through in the writing. The first thing we were certain about when we started Sirenz was that there had to be two voices—one for each of us. In that way the relationship directly influenced the book.
MTR: One of the driving forces behind this book is their love of material items, e.g. they are fighting over shoes when they get sentenced to being sirens.
C: Kids this age tend to be that way; whether it's the newest phone, or clothes they want, living out of Starbucks, etc. It was fun to poke at that trend, especially when we see it in ourselves...
N: When the story started out, both girls were total fashionistas, and even though they had different styles, they were too much alike. Now the girls are foils to each other—but still, the “stuff” remains. Char is right—to some degree everyone—kids and adults love their stuff. It's a human thing and we're no exception... bags, shoes, sparkly pens...
MTR: What's up with the bird feet and feathers? I thought sirens where beautiful women of the sea?
C: That's the misconception!! In our research, we discovered that in true Greek tradition, Sirens were more half bird-half woman. There are mermaid stories coming out, or out already, so ours will surprise people. Makes it funnier to shock people-and the main characters. Hades explains it in the book.
N: Research for Sirenz led us to all sorts of discoveries about not only the sirens, but other myths we thought we knew so well. There are many obscure tales that inspired us to give the gods in the novel interesting traits and depth. So many gods are related to each other as siblings and half siblings...
MTR: What is your current WIP (Work in Progress)? Can you tell me a little about it?
C: Which one? Besides the Sirenz series, we each have our individual projects. I have a an MG I'm working on revising with my agent Natalie Fischer of Bradford Lit (she represents us together and separately), plus another YA that isn't finished, and now at the suggestion of our agent, we are planning an MG series. This new series will be funny like Sirenz, but for a younger grade.
N: Together we're working on the Sirenz series; we're waiting on our editorial letter for Sirenz Back in Fashion, and we're about ¼ done with Book 3 (this one doesn't have a title yet) but we don't want to get too far ahead until we see if there are going to be big changes to the second installment. We actually proposed four books, but the last is tentative right now. On my own I'm in revisions with Natalie (the agent one—and yes, it's kinda strange—I sometimes feel like I'm emailing or talking to myself...) for my YA Victorian Fantasy—quite a departure from Sirenz...
MTR: Do you have a favorite place to sit and write? Where is your favorite place to read?
C: My favorite place to write is where ever I don't get distracted. I don't like to write with music on, phones ringing, being interrupted, although if the mood and the deadline strike me I can write anywhere. I do have an office and the family knows not to bug me if I'm in there. Not that they obey that rule. I can read everywhere except in my pool. Kindle, are you listening? Waterproof reading device!!!
N: I'll write whenever and where ever I can. I do have an office, but its open to the world. When I need to I run out to the library or Starbucks, or outside if I can. That's one way that Char and I differ in our process. I LOVE having music (or even a movie) playing in the background as I write :) I also read whenever and where ever I can, so I'm always carrying books with me. I'm building up some dangerous muscle. Am seriously considering buying a Kindle. Kindle? Nook? Ipad?
MTR: If your house was on fire (everyone was safe), what one book would you rescue?
C: Forget books- they can be replaced and boost sales for authors. I would save my laptop with all my works, my books and notes.
N: Totally agree with Char on that one. Save the unfinished unpublished WIPs (Writers—always keep an off site backup. Quick-n-dirty method—email your documents to yourself). Oh and if you ever have to buy (or re-buy) books—do it at an indie bookstore!
MTR: As a reader do you write in the same genre as you write? What is your current paranormal obsession?
C: I love almost all genres except political stuff or anything really depressing (hence I don't read a lot of Nobel/Pulitzer stuff.) I'm waiting on the paperback version of Sherrilyn Kenyon's Retribution. She's one of many authors that I like. I go by the description on the back of the book. If it sounds exciting, dangerous, has a different take on something familiar, (she has Greek mythology, vampirism magic and romance) then I buy it. I try to read as many authors as I can, especially debut authors to give them a chance.
N: I like to mix it up when it comes to reading, although I have a thing for history—especially British history when it reads like fiction. Some of my fave authors in this area are Simon Schama, Allison Weir and Antonia Fraser. Fiction-wise I have a thing for Neil Gaiman and Phillip Pullman, but currently I've been gushing over Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone. OMGosh do I love this book! I was lucky enough to snag an ARC at BEA and I read it whenever I can (see above). I'm almost done and it is AMAZING.
MTR: Besides Hades, what is your favorite ancient mythology tale?
C: Oh, tough one. Depends on the mood I'm in. I like our twist on the Persephone tale (please, like she didn’t know he was hot for her. She manipulated him. Probably wanted to get away from her overbearing mother). But Hera, queen of the pantheon is brutal and not to be toyed with. Then there are the tales of those innocents who tangle with the gods.
N: Hmmmm... if we're sticking to Greek, I would have to say (today) that it would be Arachne. Am revisiting future Sirenz installments in preparation for our editorial letter and I really like her tale and what we've done with her >:)
Thanks for being with us today! And I can't wait to hear more about Sirenz and your writing process during the live chat tomorrow night at 7-8 CST here at Mission to Read.
I can't wait to read Sirenz... I mean, it has a RED STILETTO on the cover... WIN.
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