CONTRARY to the title of this anthology, working with such a talented cast of writers is an opportunity that usually comes once in a lifetime. From best-selling to greenhorn, independent or traditionally-published, the authors in this anthology span all ranges in addition to spanning the globe—from England to Australia and all over the United States. I've had the privilege of getting to know each and every one of them, and they have become a part of my extended family. I've even caught a glimpse of a secret side of them that only another writer...editor...is privy to witness through their words.
Through this series of posts, I plan on introducing you to my new family through a mini-interview of each. You may not get a chance to see their secret side, but you'll get a sneak-peek into their minds, their passions and inspirations, and what made them the writers they are today.
..The Mini Interview..
1. At what age did you start writing?
When I was in first grade, I was asked for a classroom yearbook what I wanted to be when I grew up. I replied, "a writer." I think if it started anywhere, it was there.
2. Which book introduced you to Speculative Fiction?
Hard question, but the first speculative fiction book I remember is
The BFG by
Roald Dahl, which my teacher read to our class in fourth grade.
3. Do you have an all-time favorite book? What about it makes it your favorite?
As a librarian, I would like to register that this question is not fair!! I adore the
Saving Mars Series by
Cidney Swanson for the absolutely glorious combination of flawless world-building and unforgettable characters. They're smart, fun, suspenseful—just all around fabulous.
4. Which author and/or book inspired you to start writing?
I began writing
Swan Song after meeting author
Joelle Charbonneau of the
Testing Trilogy. At this signing,
Joelle encouraged me to write 100 words a day for 100 days. I had to tweet her my word count every day, and if I missed a day, I would have to start over. And so it went. Every day I wrote, every day I tweeted. Every day she tweeted back.
Joelle is an amazing cheerleader and a wonderful author. I couldn't have done this without her. And if you're a fan of dystopian fiction, the
Testing Trilogy is top-notch.
5. What would you say is the most important lesson all writers should learn?
Draft the whole story out before you edit. The little things that become important in the end will shock you.
6. Of the entire publishing process, which would you say is the most difficult aspect to endure?
As stated above, drafting without editing is really difficult for me. I tend to be very critical of myself and want to pick things apart and over analyze them. During bad writing days, I sometimes wanted to scrap the whole thing. Sometimes I didn't know where the story was going. It was hard on my inner critic, but we got there in the end.
7. If applicable, did you have a favorite character (to write) from your story? If so, what sets them apart from the others?
My main man, Luc, was easy to write but hard to have in my brain. He's already been through the mill by the time we meet him, and I could feel all his pain acutely. I had the most fun with Nik, though, because he surprised me all the time. He's much more complex than we get to see in this story and I would love to revisit him someday.
8. On what projects are you currently working?
I have ideas for both a prequel and a sequel for
Swan Song, which are in early plotting stages.
..About the Author..
ELIZABETH J. NORTON has been the Teen Librarian the Commerce Township Community Library since 2007. An avid reader, writer, knitter, coffee addict, and the Assistant Editor (a.k.a. Head Minion) of The Bearded Scribe Press’ blog; she also reviews young adult and professional books for Voice of Youth Advocates Magazine. She lives in metro Detroit with her cat, Bianca, and too many books
..Connect with the Author..
Uprooted by Naomi Novik
The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler
Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella
Forged From Silver Dollar by Li Feng
Avery by Charlotte McConaghy
TARRAN JONES works at Collins Booksellers Edwardstown. She lives in Adelaide, Australia with her partner and young daughter. Tarran has been in the book industry selling other people’s books for over 10 years and thought it was about time she started thinking about her own. She has finished her first novel, Stones of Power, and is now writing the second. Tarran has previously written articles, reviews, and blog posts for her bookstore’s blog and has written a great many short stories and one unpublished novella. She has had three short stories published online and was a finalist in the Australian Literature Review short story competition for one of her works. She loves writing all kinds of speculative fiction and thinks that it fires up the imagination. Gardening is one of Tarran’s passions and when she isn’t writing she can be found out in the vegetable garden talking to the plants.
