The Next Big Thing

I'm excited to announce that I'm a part of The Next Big Thing Blog Hop. Lots of aspiring writers (and some published authors) are doing this--the idea is to answer ten questions about a work in progress or newly published novel, then pass it on to five more authors the following week. Two weeks ago, I was tagged by Eliza Green. Since I'm a bit late to the party on this, I will be passing my baton to two aspiring authors instead of five.

I'm excited to feature my completed novel, TRISKELEON, especially now that it's a finalist in the MARA Contest.

What is the working title of your book?
Triskeleon. It's derived from the Triskele symbol found in ancient Irish relics.

Where did the idea come from for the book?
My protagonist, Marnie, existed long before the idea for the book did. In my early twenties, she came to me in a dream, fully formed: a fifteen-year-old redhead with curly hair, braces, and glasses. A few years later, I pictured her getting whisked into a story book. That idea had already been done, so I adapted it and made it my own. A few years after that, I stumbled upon a photograph of a bracelet with Triskele designs inside a book on Celtic Mythology, and the rest of the book and world-building ideas came like wildfire--there were so many that I've managed to stretch them into two sequels (Stolen Sieve, and Erased Enclave, respectively).

What genre does your book fall under?
YA sci-fi/fantasy with some romantic elements.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Not sure about the first book--I think David Hyde Pierce would make a good Weatherby (the mentor warlock), and perhaps Sean Connery would make a good soothsayer. As for the love interest, Quinn, I'm thinking a younger version of Aaron Paul. And for the second book, there's a character I hope Peter Dinklage would play.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
When a Triskeleon bracelet transports Marnie to the magical land of Anderli, she must use her Momentan powers (abilities to manipulate time and space) to save Anderli before surrounding worlds begin to unravel.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
The hope is for an agency. I'm currently querying.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
April 2008-December 2009 (I got married inbetween there, which cut into the time considerably). Subsequent drafts were ironed out from 2009 to the present.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I'd categorize it as a YA version of Outlander mixed with A Wrinkle in Time. I'd also add a sprinkle of Inkheart.

Who or What inspired you to write this book?
My friend Brittany--an excellent writer in her own right.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
Main themes include magic and chaos vs. logic, as well as how awkwardness is an advantage rather than a detriment (particuarly for teen girls).

So who's next? Stay tuned for posts from:

MittensMorgul

Sera Rivers