The NEXT BIG THING Blog

THE NEXT BIG THING Blog

   I was asked to participate in this blog hop and I'm extremely honored and thankful I did.  It sounded like fun, and of course I love talking about my "baby".  I hope you enjoy!





What is the working/official title of your book?
The title is One Petal Flower and it was published July 2012.

Where did the idea come from for the book?
The idea came to me after a high school classmate died at age 30.  He left a wife and three kids, among many other family members and friends that loved him.  I immediately felt for all the people he left behind and wanted to express those feelings in the only way that I knew how:  writing.  I knew I wanted the book to be Young Adult and about a girl whose boyfriend died unexpectedly.  I liked the idea of the boyfriend (named Jonas in my book) to be a spirit/ghost that didn't cross over to Heaven until he knew his girlfriend (Darian) was okay.  This particular idea was brought on by the interest I have in ghosts.  I'm on a paranormal investigation team in Oklahoma and included what I've learned over the years in my book; little tidbits of "ghostly behavior" that I've witnessed myself or my teammates experienced. 

What genre does your book come under?
Young Adult

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
This question was the most challenging for me.  Most of the actors would be new/unknown.  Except, I could say Nina Dobrev from the Vampire Diaries would be Darian Moon.
  

 "Darian Moon"

 

 

The guys in my book are much MUCH more difficult to find celebrities.  It's because they are Native American with long hair, and honestly I have no idea which actor would come close to what I envisioned when I was writing.  So, thanks to the wonderful world of Google, I looked up Native American actors and came up with these (I'm not sure of their real names):

 

 "Chayton Swift"

  "Montana Swift"

  "Nova Swift"

  "Mr. Joe Swift"





 

 "Jonas Daley"

 

 

 

Jonas Daley is the ghost in the book.  The actor is actually from the TV show The Secret Circle.  Each picture I found captures my characters' personalities right on the money.  Now I want to start filming the movie!

 

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Two forces, motivated by different goals, wage a battle for her heart and soul, leaving Darian to decide which route to take in order to get back to the boy whose soul will not cross over until she finds another who will earn from her, a one petal flower.

 

Is your book self-published, published by an independent publisher, or represented by an agency?

I am self published. 

 

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

It took me from January 2008 to June 2012.  I published that next month.  I never want to let myself take that long again! 

 

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

Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready, and A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb.

 

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

The death of my high school classmate.  (This question I happened to answer in question #2 above.)

 

 

Thank you Wayne Harris-Wyrick for inviting me to participate!  Javier Robayo will be joining me in blogging "the next big thing" next Friday, March 8th.  His blog:  http://www.javierrobayoauthor.com/behind-the-pages-of.html