As I type this, I'm in the midst of packing for a road trip up to NJ to spend time with family for the holidays. Then it hits me...The Promise of Amazing will be out in four days. I panic and squee momentarily...then I realize I still need to pack socks.
Yep, that's about how it feels. I know it will hit me all at once, but if I had to choose one word to describe my journey this past year it would definitely be: Surreal.
So while I'm angsting it out over here, I thought I'd share some of the fabulous blogs I've visited in the past week or so. Several have giveaways for a signed hardcover of The Promise of Amazing!! (and one blog will be giving away an annotated copy!) I hope you check it out, there are some really fun interviews ranging from what food I love to the inspiration behind TPofA.
Dear Teen Me - In which I talk about the trials and tribulations of being a cheerleader (complete with embarrassing photo of really bad hair)
Reading is My Treasure - I'm part of the What's In The Snow Scavenger Hunt!
Feature Friday with A.L. Davroe - Find out what Southern food I like!!
Adventures of a Book Junkie - Win an annotated copy of The Promise of Amazing! I chat a bit with Stacee about the inspiration behind TPofA! I know I talk a lot about what inspired Wren's portion of the story, but here I give a little insight into Grayson's part!
And I have some really exciting, fun tour news I've been wanting to share but can't yet...soon!!!
Happy Friday!!!
Friday, December 27, 2013
Monday, December 9, 2013
December...ALREADY?!
I swear it feels like yesterday we were handing out Halloween candy and now BAM - Christmas is only a few short weeks away. For me this year, it also means I get to say MY BOOK COMES OUT AT THE END OF THE MONTH! (sorry for shouting!)
It's been a wild, wild year both professionally and personally for me - highs, lows and everything in between. I'm so excited that The Promise of Amazing will actually be OUT THERE. Where you can get it!! In the meantime, if you'd like to find out even more about it, I've been out and about online doing a couple of interviews with some really awesome book bloggers. Here are just a few of the places you will find me:
November
Pandora's Book Blog - An interview where I share my biggest writing quirk and some of the books I'm looking forward to in 2014!
The Bookshelf Sophisticate - Guest post about the siren song of bad boys! I dish a little about my male MC Grayson Barrett, and why I think he's really not so bad after all. (November 20th Post)
December
The Unofficial Addiction Book Fan Club is hosting a really fun blog tour featuring The Promise of Amazing!! I am so thrilled that TUABFC and A Reading Nurse put this together. The interviews have been so much fun - I got to cast Wren and Grayson, make an 80s playlist and talk a little bit about real life inspiration for the book!! There are different stops along the way, so make sure to check out the links on the main TUABFC page...and you can also enter to win a signed copy of The Promise of Amazing, along with some swag!
I'm also over on The YA Book Butterfly. Em runs YA author interviews every Monday in a feature called "Get to Know the Brain Behind the Book"! Want to know which fictional character I'd like to be? You can find out here!!
I'll be around more in December too, including Dear Teen Me and Adventures of a Book Junkie!! Links to follow!!
And I LOVE these social media tags B+B came up with, with quotes from the book. THANK YOU!!!
xoxo
Robin
Thursday, August 29, 2013
The Next Big Thing Blog Tour
So excited to share in The Next Big Thing blog tour.
TNBT Blog Tour is a series of questions for authors to talk about what they have in the works. Thank you Kathryn Rose for tagging me! I had so much fun with this. You can see which awesome writers I'm tagging at the end of my post.
What is the title of you book?
THE PROMISE OF AMAZING.
Where did the idea come from for the book?
TPofA is definitely a mash-up of a lot of ideas. I'd wanted to write a story about a shy girl who was thrust into the spotlight after saving a local celebrity's life. It was one of those ideas that burrowed into my brain while I worked on other things. I'd fool around with it every so often, but I'd never get very far.
Then we moved. While researching my current area, I was alarmed to find that home invasion was the biggest part of the crime pie. So even though I loved the idea of a sprawling, green suburbia after being a city gal for so long, the home invasion statistic bothered me. I asked the realtor about it and she explained that while yes it was alarming (indeed!!) the break-ins usually weren't random - more like a rash of crimes. She then went on to describe a crime spree involving a group of teens who would scope out shopping centers, take garage door openers from cars, get the address off the registration and then go to the target's house while they were still out shopping. I thought three things after hearing that:
1) I was not going to leave my garage door opener in my car.
2) That was a pretty thought out (well, sort of) crime.
3) That would make a great story.
But - it was nothing I could see myself writing. When the time came to work on something new the idea kept stalking me. I ran a rough outline by my agent and she told me to go for it and offered some suggestions. I took Wren's story, changed the 'local celebrity' to 'former thief' and put a different spin on a break-in and it fell into place.
In what genre does your book fall?
Young Adult Contemporary Romance
What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in the movie rendition?
Fun question, but tricky since one of the most magical things about books is that the reader gets to decide what a character looks like. I'm not sure I have a good idea of who I would cast - that said I definitely had certain types in mind as I was writing.
Wren - I imagined Wren as someone quietly pretty - a person you might not notice at first, but once you take a closer look and get to know her, you can't help but be drawn to her. She feels more comfortable in jeans than a prom dress but can pull off both looks and totally be a knockout. Saorsie Ronan is pretty close to the way I imagined Wren.
Grayson - I thought of Gray as hot but quirky. A guy who could look slightly dangerous but someone who doesn't take himself too seriously. Tyson Ritter circa the "Move Along" video is sort of the Grayson in my mind.
What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?
Splutters.
Um...I...
Girl saves boy, boy pukes on girl's shoes, after a series of complicated events they realize they are perfect for each other? Confession: I hate one sentence elevator pitches. As I said to a writer pal recently - If I were ever pitching you a story in an elevator, I'd end up following you out the door, down the hall and onto your destination and even then wouldn't be able to describe it sufficiently.
It's also a story about finding your place in your family and in a bigger sense, the world.
Who is publishing your book?
TPofA will be released on December 31st, 2013 by Balzer +Bray/HarperCollins. I will never forget the moment my agent called and told me that Donna Bray loved my book. Outwardly I kept my cool, inwardly I was... OEMGEEEEEEDONNABRAYLOVESMYBOOK. I am so grateful to be working with such an innovative and awesome imprint. It's really a dream come true.
How long did it take to write the first draft of the manuscript?
Six months.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I've had some crit partners tell me TPofA reminded them of Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles which is supremely flattering.
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
A guidance counselor did say "None of you are going to Harvard" to my honors lit class. I always thought that was an odd way to inspire someone to action but I guess in a roundabout way it did inspire me to write this story! So maybe I should thank her.
I also liked the idea of a love interest being someone who is far from perfect. Grayson started out as a character in another book I'd been writing and when I shelved that - I took him along with me. He's definitely not the boy next door.
Oh, and I wanted to write a kissing scene in a dressing room!
What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?
The place where Wren and Grayson work, The Camelot Inn, is loosely based on a catering hall I worked at during college. It was one of those jobs that was fun and horrible at the same time!! Lots and lots of characters.
And now for the tagging!! Meet these awesome writers and hear about their Next Big Thing:
Susan Adrian
Ariel Zeitlin Cooke
TNBT Blog Tour is a series of questions for authors to talk about what they have in the works. Thank you Kathryn Rose for tagging me! I had so much fun with this. You can see which awesome writers I'm tagging at the end of my post.
What is the title of you book?
THE PROMISE OF AMAZING.
Where did the idea come from for the book?
TPofA is definitely a mash-up of a lot of ideas. I'd wanted to write a story about a shy girl who was thrust into the spotlight after saving a local celebrity's life. It was one of those ideas that burrowed into my brain while I worked on other things. I'd fool around with it every so often, but I'd never get very far.
Then we moved. While researching my current area, I was alarmed to find that home invasion was the biggest part of the crime pie. So even though I loved the idea of a sprawling, green suburbia after being a city gal for so long, the home invasion statistic bothered me. I asked the realtor about it and she explained that while yes it was alarming (indeed!!) the break-ins usually weren't random - more like a rash of crimes. She then went on to describe a crime spree involving a group of teens who would scope out shopping centers, take garage door openers from cars, get the address off the registration and then go to the target's house while they were still out shopping. I thought three things after hearing that:
1) I was not going to leave my garage door opener in my car.
2) That was a pretty thought out (well, sort of) crime.
3) That would make a great story.
But - it was nothing I could see myself writing. When the time came to work on something new the idea kept stalking me. I ran a rough outline by my agent and she told me to go for it and offered some suggestions. I took Wren's story, changed the 'local celebrity' to 'former thief' and put a different spin on a break-in and it fell into place.
In what genre does your book fall?
Young Adult Contemporary Romance
What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in the movie rendition?
Fun question, but tricky since one of the most magical things about books is that the reader gets to decide what a character looks like. I'm not sure I have a good idea of who I would cast - that said I definitely had certain types in mind as I was writing.
Wren - I imagined Wren as someone quietly pretty - a person you might not notice at first, but once you take a closer look and get to know her, you can't help but be drawn to her. She feels more comfortable in jeans than a prom dress but can pull off both looks and totally be a knockout. Saorsie Ronan is pretty close to the way I imagined Wren.
Grayson - I thought of Gray as hot but quirky. A guy who could look slightly dangerous but someone who doesn't take himself too seriously. Tyson Ritter circa the "Move Along" video is sort of the Grayson in my mind.
What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?
Splutters.
Um...I...
Girl saves boy, boy pukes on girl's shoes, after a series of complicated events they realize they are perfect for each other? Confession: I hate one sentence elevator pitches. As I said to a writer pal recently - If I were ever pitching you a story in an elevator, I'd end up following you out the door, down the hall and onto your destination and even then wouldn't be able to describe it sufficiently.
It's also a story about finding your place in your family and in a bigger sense, the world.
Who is publishing your book?
TPofA will be released on December 31st, 2013 by Balzer +Bray/HarperCollins. I will never forget the moment my agent called and told me that Donna Bray loved my book. Outwardly I kept my cool, inwardly I was... OEMGEEEEEEDONNABRAYLOVESMYBOOK. I am so grateful to be working with such an innovative and awesome imprint. It's really a dream come true.
How long did it take to write the first draft of the manuscript?
Six months.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I've had some crit partners tell me TPofA reminded them of Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles which is supremely flattering.
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
A guidance counselor did say "None of you are going to Harvard" to my honors lit class. I always thought that was an odd way to inspire someone to action but I guess in a roundabout way it did inspire me to write this story! So maybe I should thank her.
I also liked the idea of a love interest being someone who is far from perfect. Grayson started out as a character in another book I'd been writing and when I shelved that - I took him along with me. He's definitely not the boy next door.
Oh, and I wanted to write a kissing scene in a dressing room!
What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?
The place where Wren and Grayson work, The Camelot Inn, is loosely based on a catering hall I worked at during college. It was one of those jobs that was fun and horrible at the same time!! Lots and lots of characters.
And now for the tagging!! Meet these awesome writers and hear about their Next Big Thing:
Susan Adrian
Ariel Zeitlin Cooke
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
What's Up Wednesday?
What's up Wednesday is a weekly meme started by Jaime Morrow and Erin L. Funk. This awesome blog hop is a fun way to keep up with what your writer and reader buds are doing. If you wish to participate you can find the link near the bottom of Jaime and Erin's blog posts. LOVE this idea!!!
WHAT I'M READING
I am giggling my way through Lauren Morrill's MEANT TO BE. This book is so much fun. "Wooooooo!"
WHAT I'M WRITING
Well...not much at the moment but I'm thinking a lot. I know this sounds a lot like procrastination, but truthfully the thinking/dreaming part of my process is just as important as any other. Although I do get really impatient with it - especially when I go on Twitter and see the amazing word counts some of my writer pals have been clocking. I have to remind myself that I'll be there soon. I will. I just came off of two months in the revision trenches and always find the transition from revising to drafting a little challenging. I also have to remind myself to have fun with the first draft. Play. I will tell you this. It's YA. And told from the POV of a character I adore and a new character I'm falling in love with and I'm really looking forward to it!!
WHAT INSPIRES ME RIGHT NOW
Being in New Jersey. The night-time sky. The chance to see the Atlantic Ocean up close and personal again. Oh, and pizza.
WHAT ELSE I'VE BEEN UP TO
My small, all-girl, private high school is closing its doors after 88 years. In order to raise funds to settle some still outstanding bills, the alumni association had a multi-year class reunion. Class reunions are not my thing. I'm still besties with a handful of girls from my school so there hasn't been any reason to go back. It's amazing though how all those old insecurities appear when the word 'reunion' pops up but the timing was right, so we decided to go for it. I am soooooooo glad I did this!! The reunion was held at the school and walking those halls, as an adult (with a glass of wine in hand) was oddly dream-like. And so much FUN.
Here's me at my senior year locker:
I've also been to the Jersey shore doing my bit to boost the economy after Superstorm Sandy...
And putting my toes in the sand....
What have you been up to??
<3 Robin
WHAT I'M READING
I am giggling my way through Lauren Morrill's MEANT TO BE. This book is so much fun. "Wooooooo!"
WHAT I'M WRITING
Well...not much at the moment but I'm thinking a lot. I know this sounds a lot like procrastination, but truthfully the thinking/dreaming part of my process is just as important as any other. Although I do get really impatient with it - especially when I go on Twitter and see the amazing word counts some of my writer pals have been clocking. I have to remind myself that I'll be there soon. I will. I just came off of two months in the revision trenches and always find the transition from revising to drafting a little challenging. I also have to remind myself to have fun with the first draft. Play. I will tell you this. It's YA. And told from the POV of a character I adore and a new character I'm falling in love with and I'm really looking forward to it!!
WHAT INSPIRES ME RIGHT NOW
Being in New Jersey. The night-time sky. The chance to see the Atlantic Ocean up close and personal again. Oh, and pizza.
WHAT ELSE I'VE BEEN UP TO
My small, all-girl, private high school is closing its doors after 88 years. In order to raise funds to settle some still outstanding bills, the alumni association had a multi-year class reunion. Class reunions are not my thing. I'm still besties with a handful of girls from my school so there hasn't been any reason to go back. It's amazing though how all those old insecurities appear when the word 'reunion' pops up but the timing was right, so we decided to go for it. I am soooooooo glad I did this!! The reunion was held at the school and walking those halls, as an adult (with a glass of wine in hand) was oddly dream-like. And so much FUN.
Here's me at my senior year locker:
And a photo of the hallway - I swear I still have nightmares, err, I mean, dreams where I forget my schedule and I don't know what class I"m heading to, but suddenly remember I'm not in high school anymore so I don't have to worry about detention...
I've also been to the Jersey shore doing my bit to boost the economy after Superstorm Sandy...
And putting my toes in the sand....
What have you been up to??
<3 Robin
Thursday, June 20, 2013
COVER REVEAL: THE PROMISE OF AMAZING
Shortly before my wedding, my best friend’s mom
pulled me aside and gave me some advice.
She told me that every so often I needed to stop and take in the moment,
like really take it in, live it, breathe it, and create a mental snapshot
because my wedding day would go by so quickly. It’s advice that I love and use
frequently, because there are some moments in life that need to be savored.
This is how I feel about these months before my debut. There are so many non-glamorous moments in
writing, heck, most of writing is fairly non-glamorous — hours spent clicking
away at the keyboard, personal hygiene taking a backseat to edits, yoga pants — that when a glamorous moment pops up, well you want
to grab it and hold on for dear life.
This is one of those moments. The
one I’m going to grab and hold onto.
My COVER!!!
And jacket flap:
Wren Caswell is average. Ranked in the middle of her class at Sacred Heart, she’s not popular, not a social misfit. Wren is the quiet good girl who’s always done what she’s supposed to—only now in her junior year, this passive strategy is backfiring. She wants to change but doesn’t know how.
Grayson Barrett was the king of St. Gabe’s: star of the lacrosse team, top of his class, and on the fast track to a brilliant future—until he was expelled for being a “term-paper pimp.” Now Gray is in a downward spiral and needs to change but doesn’t know how.
One fateful night, their paths cross at Wren’s family’s Arthurian-themed catering hall. What follows is the complicated, awkward, hilarious, and tender tale of two teens shedding their pasts, figuring out who they are—and falling in love.
The cover designer is Erin Fitzsimmons and I know I’m biased but I could look at this cover all…day…long.
So happy I can finally share it with you!!!
In
honor of my cover reveal I’m giving away two advanced reader copies to two
lucky winners! (US only, sorry!!) There are also iTunes gift cards and The
Promise of Amazing bookmarks!! The
contest runs through next week! So make
sure you enter with the link below!!
ARCs will be sent out as soon as they become available. Thank you for stopping by!!
<3 Robin
Thursday, April 25, 2013
WELCOME
Hi! I'm Robin. Thanks for stopping by my little acre of cyberspace. Here's where I'll talk about writing, life and share news about my upcoming debut THE PROMISE OF AMAZING. Stay tuned...
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