Today, I’m excited
to have Tara Tyler, author of POP TRAVEL, on the blog for an interview! (Tara’s in bold). Welcome, Tara, pull up a chair and
pick out some baked goods (I recommend the chocolate chip cookies, baked them
this morning). As you know, November is National Novel Writing Month
(NaNo). Are you participating this year?
Chocolate Cookies are
my absolute favorite - no kidding (brownies are a close second)
I am not doing Nano
this year - I'm slowly but surely editing the sequel to Pop Travel (first
draft is done)
As many readers know, I’m a big fan
of the “just get it down” draft. Followed by the edited forever and ever draft.
Was POP TRAVEL one of those novels with a million different drafts, or did you
nail it in one?
I think like you. I
started with an outline, but then I write the scenes, just getting it all
down, and they develop as I write. First draft usually gets most of the
best points - the meat. Then with the editing, I cut it up and add gravy,
maybe some mashed potatoes as a side story!
Tell us a little bit about your
publishing experience with Curiosity Quills (LOVE their slogan!). How did you
find them? How did they acquire POP?
I was submitting
queries like crazy, no bites at all. Then I sent my query to THE Janet Reid and
she gave me the kick my query needed. As soon as I spiced it up, I entered a
contest through Unicorn Bell and one of their editors was a judge. He loved it,
requested a full, and that was all she wrote!
What is your favorite part of being
published with Curiosity?
Being published! Ha
ha. CQ is a small, but growing, family and does its best to take care
of the authors. They are growing and don't have the big pub experience, but
they are learning and doing their hardest to work with us. I ask and
usually get quick feedback.
I know a lot of writers get to the
part of their journey where it seems like everyone just says “No.” Do you have
any words of wisdom or inspiration to keep other writers going?
Finding an
agent/publisher is like finding your soulmate. You may not find that special
someone who clicks with you and your work right away (usually not!) I believe
when you and your work are truly ready for that step, the right situation will
arise. My advice: Do it for yourself. Ask for help from a new source. Write
something new if you are tired of working on one thing and come back to it
later if you miss it. Don't get stuck in a rut! But don't give up either!
And because it is NaNo, do you have
any advice for our writers struggling to get their word count down?
Dedicate a certain
amount of time and hopefully have an outline to guide you. If you can do that,
mathematically you will be able to get the words in. I did Camp Nano last year
because August was better for my real world schedule and I finished my first
draft of Broken Branch Falls.
If you get stuck,
write character bios or settings or history - I think anything you write during
nano toward your MS counts! Just don't edit anything! Add only for Nano, edit
later!
BTW, why is NANO in
November? It's too busy for me! Travel for Thanksgiving and my bday and
all! Good luck to all of you taking the challenge! May your work count ever
rise!!
Ha! Why is NaNo in November? I think it's so the procrastinators can use Thanksgiving weekend to send a hail Marry to their word count. Clearly not thought up by the mothers in our communities!
Thanks again for stopping by, Tara!
Thanks to you, my
friend, for having me! Great questions!
For all you NaNoers, just remember
that reading a book counts as writing research, so it’s completely allowed in
the month of November, so go read Tara’s book.
Tara
Tyler started out as a math teacher. After having a hand in everything from
waitressing to rocket engineering and living up and down the Eastern US, she
finally found some roots, writing and teaching in Ohio with her three active
boys and Coach Husband. In addition to her novels, she has published short
stories and poetry in Science Fiction, Fantasy, Thriller, and Humor. So many
stories to tell!
In 2080,
technology has gone too far for J. L. Cooper. He is happily hidden in his
simple, secluded life as a private detective in a small town, far from any pop
travel laser teleportation stations. Until he takes on a client who insists pop
travel made his fiancé disappear.
When
Cooper investigates, he finds evidence of pop travel's deadly flaw, sparking a
series of murders, attempts on his life, and threats to his brother. He’d like
to pass off the evidence but knows he’s being watched and can’t trust anyone.
And who would believe him?
The only
way he can save his brother is to fool his observers while looking for a way to
expose the problem. He decides to go to the source and confront the Creator of
pop travel. On his way, Cooper meets Southern siren, Geri Harper (an undercover
FBI agent) who tags along despite his protests. When they reach the Creator, he
has plans of his own and leads them on a wild detour.
