The Next Big Thing (Ahem)

Want to hear about my latest WIP (Work in Progress)? I’ve been a bit tight-lipped about it since it’s a departure from both my bestselling humorous essay collections, A Walk In The Snark and The Mancode: Exposed. Now I’ve been tagged by the awesomely talented and kinda hot Mark Souza, so there’s no backing out now. I can only hope it will live up to the title of this post (which I did not come up with, but I appreciate the motivation).

Here are the rules: 

***Answer the ten questions about your current WIP (Work In Progress) ***

Tag five other writers/bloggers and add their links so we can hop over and meet them, and link back to my page (http://www.marksouza.com/2012/08/the-next-big-thing-zombiesaurus-rex/).

Ten Interview Questions for The Next Big Thing

1. What is the working title of your book? The working title is Broken Pieces, which I’m pretty sure I’m going to stay with it. I’ve already got a cover graphic image in my head and my designer is starting preliminary concepts.
2. Where did the idea come from for the book? As I wrote Snark, an ex-love killed himself. I included four or five essays regarding loss and grief in that book, but did more delving into our past relationship after publication, via journals and memories. I found myself unearthing not only grief, but also remembering my journey from loss, to love, and back to loss.
3. What genre does your book fall under? Essays, non-fiction.
4. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? It’s always hard to pick other people to play yourself. Someone mentioned Jennifer Aniston once (probably because she played ‘Rachel’ on ‘Friends’ (everyone knows I adore that show). But I’d love to see someone like Julianne Moore or Christina Hendricks — hot redheads, baby (though did you know Hendricks is actually blonde?) 
5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? A woman’s real-life journey of desire, love, loss, fear, pain, and ultimately, trust.
6. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? Self-pub’d. I’m happy with where I am right now (both my books are Amazon #1 bestsellers). I’ve been approached by agents but so far, nothing has been interesting enough for me to jump. A friend in publishing suggested I create a proposal for my book after this one, Chickspeak: Uncovered, which I’m just starting to write now. We shall see.
7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? About six months. I work full-time (I founded my own social media and book consulting company, BadRedhead Media last year) and I’m a full-time mom also. Wearing all these hats is tricky!
8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? Hmmm….there are lots of memoirs out there by many amazing women. I read as many as I can and find each one inspiring because every woman’s journey is so unique.
9. Who or What inspired you to write this book? I’ve been fortunate to have lived a full and complicated life, with different men, friends, jobs, and as a mother. I tend to be pretty honest with regard to my own past, so hopefully I can be a voice to other women who can’t, or won’t, speak about the difficulties they’ve experienced.
10. What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest? I seem to be a sort of magnet for controversy (based on the feedback and reviews of my last two books). People either love them or hate them with a passion, which rocks. I imagine readers should expect nothing different from me here — I cover dark, taboo subjects that many people, women especially, can relate to.

Now, since all is fair in love and um, tagging, here are my five nominees:

 

1) Gabe Berman, author, Live Like A Fruit Fly: The Secret You Already Know

2) Joe Hefferon, author, The Seventh Level: Designing Your Extraordinary Life

3) Melissa Huie, author, The Broken Road Series

4) Justin Bog, author, Sandcastle and Other Stories

5) Pandora Poikilos, author (and owner, Orangeberry Book Tours), Frequent Traveller.

 

If you have any questions for me (or about any of my fab nominees), please let me know!

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