The Next Big Thing

A few weeks ago, the lovely Debra Kristi tagged me in her post about The Next Big Thing.

Does this mean I’m writing the next huge, blockbuster novel? One can only hope this will be the case, but most likely it will just be a good book. Or at least that’s the goal anyway. But hey, if the fates want to be kind, I’ll accept blockbuster novel status. No problems!

Anyway, back to reality.
So what is this thing I got tagged in? Well, its sort of like an interview, where tagged authors get to answer 10 questions about one of their works-in-progress or WIPs.  I should have posted sooner, but I couldn’t decide which WIP to talk about. I’m bouncing between three of them lately, and they all excited me.

So after a coin toss (or two, or three) I finally chose one. So here’s my 10 questions and the answers. Hope you enjoy!

What is the working title of your book?

Retribution

Where did the idea come from for the book?

It came from the “protective mom” side of me. I was shopping one day and say a poster for a missing child. I felt so bad for the parents because most of those children aren’t found alive, and from that point I thought about how I would have handled the situation if someone had killed one of my girls. There’s no doubt I would do anything I could to find the person responsible. And then I had to wonder what I would do if I found them? Would I turn them over to law enforcement? Would I take the law into my own hands? Just how far would I, or any loving parent, go to make sure justice was served? I’d like to think I’d do the right thing but if I were filled with grief and rage, would my perception of “the right thing” be skewed?

What genre does your book fall under?

Paranormal thriller

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

OH, wow, this is a tough one.
After seeing Anne Hathaway’s performance as Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises, I think she could pull off my protagonist, Allie, with no problem. I could totally see Tom Hardy as Jack, and Channing Tatum would work as Brad. Yep, sexy dangerous men – gotta love that combination!

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Fighting to prove her sanity, a regional federal investigator of paranormal crimes must delve into the world of dark magic to find her daughter’s killer.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

I plan on self-publishing. Though, I’d seriously consider representation if approached, I’m not actively out there seeking it right now.

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

So far I’m about 20% of the way through and I’ve been working on it for a month.

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

Another tough question! I’m terrible at comparisons like this. I think I’ll have to wait until the manuscript is finished and then decide.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

I write because I love to create characters and hear the stories they have to tell. I find inspiration for that all around me. Just the slightest comment or interesting person can trigger a “what if” thought that could turn into a book.

What else about your book might piqué the reader’s interest?

For me, writing this is challenging and fun. Its taking me into new depths of the human psyche I’ve never examined and into darker territory. I’ve always tended to walk the fine-line with my characters being inherently good or bad with an occasional slip up but never really crossing over. I think this time I dive head on into that gray area where motives and intentions are twisted and complex.

That was fun! I know I’m supposed to tag other people now, but I think I’m going to break the rules. I love hearing about what everyone is working on these days. How about anyone working on a WIP pick one question above and answer it in the comments? And if you aren’t a writer, then tell me about the characters in your favorite novel and what you like about them. Come on, peeps, don’t be shy. Share with me!