Blog Tour: Shelley Workinger Interview + Giveaway

Shelley Workinger is the author of the Solid series.  The first book, Solid, was released on July 9, 2010 and the sequel, Settling, was just released on July 4.

KBB: Why did you decide to write a novel for young adults?
SW: I first decided to write YA because it’s my favorite genre to read! But I also feel strongly that the early teen years are when required reading starts becoming so overwhelming that kids are at risk of losing the love of leisure reading. I wanted to create a fun, fast read that would appeal to even reluctant readers, and something that I would’ve wanted someone to write for me when I was younger. I just met with an amazing group of eighth graders this week that confirmed for me again that the YA audience is absolutely who I want to write for.
KBB: What do you consider the hardest part of writing?
SW: For me, writing is all-consuming. I get so caught up in unraveling the story that I can’t sleep and I even lose interest in food, which is crazy for me. So, as much as I will miss the characters, I will be happy when the “Solid” series is complete and I get my life back.
KBB: In what ways do you relate to your MC, Clio? In what ways do you think teens will relate to her?
SW: The main trait of Clio’s that I can relate to is the unfortunate breakdown between the mind and the mouth – having deep, eloquent thoughts, but for some reason saying goofy and embarrassing things instead. And I think that “I wish I’d said…” feeling is a very human and not just teen experience.
KBB: What do you think makes your book stand out in today’s market?
SW: When I added “Settling” to the Amazon catalog, I ran into the same problem I had with “Solid” – what genre does it belong in? There’s some mystery, love, friendship, fantasy, sci-fi, coming-of-age, and even comic relief. I think my efforts to bring together a little bit of everything help to set the series apart.
KBB: Can you tell us anything about what you have planned next? After “Settling”?
SW: I have two strong ideas that are VERY different from this – one future/dystopian and one about ghosts and football. But I can’t really develop anything until I finish “Sound” (book 3 of the “Solid” series), and working on that has made me see that the series may need a fourth installment!
KBB: Just for fun: What is one YA book you would like readers to check out?
SW: “The Book Thief,” by Marcus Zusak. I recommend it so often, you’d think I was being paid to!
KBB:  Thanks so much for stopping by today, Shelley!  I can’t wait for the third book in the series and I would be even more happy if you did decide to write a fourth book.  =)
Readers, if you would like to know more about Shelley and her books you can check her out a couple different places online:
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4115952
Solid website:  http://solidnovel.com/
                                                                                                 

Giveaway!
Details:
-I have one copy of Settling to giveaway to a lucky reader!
-This giveaway is open internationally.
Requirements:
-You have to fill out the form to enter.

Fill out the form here!

This giveaway will end July 14.
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5 comments

  1. Good interview! I love the line: “having deep, eloquent thoughts, but for some reason saying goofy and embarrassing things instead.” How true is that! I think I was born with chronic foot-in-mouth disease. 🙂

    Smiles!
    Lori

  2. It’s so true what she said that in high school there’s such a heavy workload with homework that it’s hard to read for fun, and I’m glad she’s trying to write things that really are for fun!

    It’s awesome her books are genre defying 🙂

    She seems super sweet 🙂

    Lovely interview!! 🙂