The next big thing

Finally, my CP Anabel picked me as "the next big thing" (there are a lot of us, don't worry. the fun is in waiting and finding who really will be published, and where it takes them!) I already knew about this cool little thing going around the blogasphere (how do you spell that?)  I think it's pretty cool because we really could be THE NEXT BIG THING. Wouldn't you like to say you know the writer back when? (Well nows your chance, don't forget to read the others too. The ones I tag and the ones who were tagged before me, like Anabel and Stacey Nash :-) 

So I was super excited when it made its way around to me! Yay, I'm in. 

 Yes, this is me... okay not really. Guys,

sometimes its really hard to find good pictures...

don't judge me! lol
And as always, the pic came from freedigitalphotos.net

Ten Interview Questions for The Next Big Thing:

P.s. I've decided to choose my nano wip for this since I already answered pretty much these exactly questions for another hopping interview for my finished YA fantasy WHISPERS OF DISASTER-- find it here
 

1. What is the working title of your book?

NAKED
It's about a teen prostitute so it works, and I love it's simplicity. This title will stay until an industry professional tells me otherwise.

2. Where did the idea come from?

Well, I've been fascinated by the idea of human trafficking since the movie Taken came out. I've done research and considered a few different things. I knew I wanted to tell a story about a teen prostitute, I just wasn't exactly sure how. As my research grew, so did my idea. I decided to tell it, not about a girl kidnapped and forced into it, but a girl who ran away and somehow or another found herself on the streets working as a prostitute. She's not forced physically, but emotionally (this is a lot harder for most people to understand). But the story was still unfinished in my mind, something was missing.

I don't remember how it happened but one day I thought of a new twist-- make her go back to her old life. I love this because it makes the story a little less dark (but not less compelling) and much more relatable to the intended audience. So I ran with it.

3. Genre?

It's definitely YA, which isn't technically a genre, but still important. I think I'm going to consider it a split between a contemporary and an issue book. It has elements of both.

4. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

Anna:Nicola Peltz

 

 

Andre-- her pimp-- Manny Perez

 

 

 

 

Arney-

 

 

5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

16-year-old prostitute, Anna, is busted and sent back home to the suburbs and her old life of homework, soccer practice and homecoming, but Anna can’t even pretend to be normal when everyone knows her secrets. No one wants to be friends with the town whore.

6. Will your book be self-published or published traditionally?

I'd like to publish it with a big publisher if possible. I hope to start querying agents in the spring.


7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

I'm still writing it. I'm at 25k after about 15 days and I'll write another 25 in the next two weeks (it's a nano novel). Not sure if it will be finished then, but it will be pretty close to it. I don't write long, my word counts are always on  the short side of things. I can't even imagine writing a 100k novel. 65k is my record so far, this could hit that, but it might not even get close either.

  8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen, but with an edgier concept.

  9. Who or What inspired you to write this book?

The issue of human trafficking  and teen prostitution. It's such an amazing story, from an interesting perspective.

10. What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Part of the setting is New York City, which was very fun to write! There is also a bit of romance with the cute geeky guy (Arney, see picture above). It's relatable but incredibly interesting, and about an issue that is very real in our world but barely ever talked about.



I tag

Katherine Ambel

and

Diana Long