GRAFFITI WALL: Riv Re (pen name) an On the Horizon Writer

It's my pleasure to introduce a young, feisty go-getter with a passion for writing. She also loves helping others--like me. She'll be a new beta for me soon. I'd like to thank her for giving the GRAFFITI WALL some more teenage splats!!

 Riv Re, a YA teen writer

Being a younger teen, what do you find most intriguing in a young adult novel: romance, adventure, life-lessons?

I'm not a major romance fan, especially love triangles. They get on my nerves. (Because I feel so bad for the girl who has to pick between two people/vampires/werewolves that love her.) Life lessons hold no interest either. I'm all about the adventure. That's why fantasy is my love. Of course, as any love-lacking teen, I am interested in romance. That's why I've lately started looking at Harlequin teen; adventure with romance at the sidelines. If I had to choose, I'd take action over love any day.

What about teens in general. What do you think is most intriguing to them?

As a Blogspot lover, I've seen many different teens interested in different things. If all teens were forced to choose action or romance I think a slightly larger percent would take romance. But for many, a mix is important. Maybe around a quarter of teens are also interested in a deep book, that makes you think a lot.

We met on Inkwell, a writing community, where you belong to the Teen Group with Graffiti Wall ALUMNI, Jacob Milhouse. How has that helped your writing? 

Well, Inkwell introduced me to many wonderful writers, to start with. I've collected some useful tips there, and gotten critiques on some of my work. I've also hooked up with some great bloggers and possibly an editor.

Would you recommend writing communities to other teenage writers?

Yes, I would. Definitely. Besides for picking up tips and people, communities sympathize when you're in the Denial Stage and will always be there when you feel alone. It's a comfort.

Do you have a critique partner? How does that work for you?

Well, I sort of do. We have both been very busy and haven't spoken much, but I have picked up some useful tips from her. I also have a fellow teen writer that I met on Agent Query Connect that I chat with on iGoogle every now and then.

What strengths do you feel, as younger writers, you bring to the publishing table?

A fresh and knowledgeable voice. We know exactly what we're talking about. Adults may say that teenagers are not intelligent, but we can give you the teen voice better than any adult. We are the teen voice. As for freshness, we're young, innocent, and new. We read YA and we are YA. It's all crystal clear and fresh to us.

During our pre-interview, you mentioned Harry Potter over Twilight. Why? Is it the setting, storyline, characters, writing, etc..?

*laughs* I don't dislike Twilight, I just don't love it. It's multiple things. I mentioned before that I dislike books in which the main character has to choose between two loves, for starters. And, the characters aren't likeable. Edward is controlling, Bella is helpless, Jacob can be forceful and selfish. The writing, in my opinion, was okay. Not incredible, but okay. What I did like about the writing was one of the ideas of Jake. I mentioned this on Fantasy Fanatic, when I reviews the Twilight saga, but I like the way Stephenie channeled all her humor into one character, keeping the book serious and light at the same time. It was a definite page-turner. I read both series around the same time, and I liked HP better. It didn't have creepy imprints, and was very original with a very active plot and no girls pining over their boyfriends for almost a year.

Where do you write? What inspires such a young person to write?

I write almost anywhere; when in school I'll write if I'm bored (it looks like notes!), or now that it's summer and I'm working in a day-camp, I write sometimes when I have free time. I used to write at night in bed, but my notebook is very tattered, and I write almost daily on Microsoft Word.

Why I write. Ah, what a question. I get asked it every now and then by friends. It's several things. I'm able to write as a genetic thing; my mother wrote very well, as does my sister. The idea for Eberheardt, my main WIP, came to me in pencils and a dream, but that's a story for another time. Eberheardt entered my head, and I decided to write it. Writing is something I've loved for several years. It puts me in charge, it lets me express myself. A friend of mine and I agree that, another aspect of writing, is you can put bits and pieces of yourself in different characters, and no one will ever know.

Are there any topics in YA that you believe should be avoided? If so, what and why?

Hmm; this question is a bit difficult. Although I mentioned depth before, I think that teens don't want to spend a whole book being a deep thinker. Nor do we like plot-driven books. I've recently read several plot-driven books, including Percy Jackson which I am halfway through (and have been halfway through for a while), and they get on my nerves. We notice when an author runs out of stuff for the character to do and makes something happen. A friend recently suggested an earthquake for a scene in Eberheardt, and I refused straightaway. I do my best to keep it all character-driven.

What would you like to see more of in the young adult genre? Less of?

I'd love to see more unique fantasy. I finished an ARC of Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel a very short time ago, and I'm still wowed by how you unique and individual it is. I think YA needs more of such raw emotion. Also on raw emotions, I find that the Wolves of Mercy Falls Trilogy by Maggie Stiefvater is full of it. I recently reread the ending of an ARC of Linger, and was wowed again by the prose of the ending. YA needs more emotion like this.

I think we need less vampires. The vampire craze is slowly lessening, and I think it's time for something else. Kersten Hamilton wrote about goblins, another bit of originality. Vampires are over. Let's bring something else to the paranormal table.

As I suspected, Riv Re you've put a magical spin on the teen perspective of YA literature. You've given us a ton to ponder and I'm sure to blog about. Thank you for signing my Graffiti wall.

Feel free to visit Riv Re on her Blog, Write Here, and Inkpop.

A Splat Alert!! Um...keep me in your thoughts this morning. After my rowdy weekend with 3 lovely ladies from my past tranquil getaway (results to be shared in a later post), I'm off with child #3 for her dreaded dental impressions--the prelude to her braces. Yikes. And...take a gander over to Carol's Prints. She's having a massive ARC giveaway!!

GRAFFITI WALL: S. Kyle Davis, an On the Horizon Writer

Today, the GRAFFITI WALL welcomes a young writer, father, and all-around good guy. His writing career began in high school, where he elected to take a creative writing class to 'enhance' his poetic cells. This, however, turned into a passion for narrative fiction. 

S. KYLE DAVIS

You began writing in high school via being a band rat. What musical artists inspired you at that time?


The band I was in during high school was a Christian punk band called 2tonFish. I mostly listened to Christian music at the time, so many of the artists I really loved at the time would probably be unknown to you. When I got to college, that's when my song writing really took off, and some of the bands that influenced my writing were The Beatles, Dashboard Confessional, and Blenderhead.


Do you think that somehow influenced your move to writing stories? 


Oh, definitely. It was a process. I went from writing songs to writing poetry, but everything was very obtuse. I wanted to explore concepts and themes, and really, it's just too hard to do that in the way I wanted in that short of space. So I moved to screenplays and then finally novels. Still, I hope my love for the flow of words has translated somehow, at least in a small way, into my prose style. I love poetics, so I take scantion of my narrative very seriously. 

Having read some of your work, I know you are a descriptive writer. How do you filter through the descriptions in your head and transfer them to paper?

Well, as I said, I started writing (or trying to write) screenplays before I moved to novels. So, I tend to think of the scenes in my book like a scene from a movie. I try to move the "camera" and focus on what the reader "sees" or "hears," but also in what order. Of course, one of the many advantages novel writing has over screenwriting is that I can use all five senses. So, I try to add those in as much as I remember. The smell or feel of a moment can really capture the scene. I think about what would stand out to me if I was there. Is it humid? Can you smell the gasoline from the nearby highway? Is it noisy? That sort of thing.

What about that writing class in high school gave you the confidence to embrace writing a novel?

For me, the writing class was great. It was the first time anyone helped me appreciate the way poems flow (the "feet," etc.) and helped me understand the difference between good descriptions and purple prose. It was also the first time I ever tried my hand at narrative writing in any real serious way, and I found I loved it.

Why do you think writing short stories wasn't your arena?

I tend to think "big." My plot ideas would never fit into anything that short. That was the whole problem with poetry for me. In fact, I often think in a book series. I have written a single novel (or about 70% of one anyway. I'll be surprised if it ever sees the light of day), but I like big ideas. A good three-book series is a minimum, I think. I'm exaggerating, of course, but only slightly.

Your family is quite young. How are you handling it all?

It's hard. I try to find a balance. I want to keep writing, because I love it. However, I tend to not write when everyone is up, because if it's nighttime, that's family time. Having a young family is stressful on everyone, but especially my wife who is a stay at home mm and thus is Mommy 24/7 with a 12 month old. Of course, it doesn't help when she's pregnant in her 2nd trimester. She's such a hard worker (and a great encourager and helper of my writing), so I try to help out as much as I can when I'm home. I love my wife and baby so much, so they come first. 

Tell the readers about your current project.

I've written a book called The Ledger Domain, which is the first in a YA fantasy series called The Dowered Three Series. The shorthand version of the premise is Harry Potter meets James Bond, but as I've said in a recent blog post, such comparisons are by definition fraught with peril. The book is about a teenage girl who trains to become a magical spy. In the first novel, a spy from the field appears at the school near death. Despite her teacher's assurances that they meant nothing, Taylor researches the spy's final words, which leads her and her friends on a daring journey that could save the magical world. There's also an elvish prince with gorgeous blue eyes who would be Taylor's perfect guy if he didn't blame her for his sister's death. Romance, intrigue, a healthy dose of cyber-punk spy stuff... and a traitor known as "The Teacher." It's a lot of fun!

I know you've been submitting and have received requests for material. From your experience now, what advice can you give to other writers out there waiting....?

The biggest thing I can say is be professional and have a good perspective on the whole thing. You have a book that you are trying to get published. You're going to find someone to help you do that. It's just a matter of getting it in publishable shape and finding the right person. A rejection just means that either the agent isn't right for you or your manuscript just isn't ready for primetime yet. Either one is ok. Be like Whitman, and work on that baby until you die. Also, remember it's not "their loss" if you get big, because they weren't the right person for you. I've learned a lot from rejections. My manuscript is TONS better than it was when I first started submitting because I learned that my book was too long and didn't flow right. My book is better now, and sooner or later I'm going to have the perfect manuscript in front of the right agent. I have faith. That's really what I'm trying to say. It's all about having faith.

Lastly, you and I met in a writing community, Inkwell. Although, we've all been busy lately and haven't been able to connect, you and I--along with three others--are critique partners. How do you think writing communities and critique groups are helpful? Recommend them?

Yes, for sure. It's great getting advice from other writers. It's different than getting advice from family or friends, because they have a different perspective. It's good to have varying types of perspectives on your manuscript. However, you also have to learn to balance your time and the amount of feedback you receive. If you spend too much time relying on others' opinions, you'll never develop a writer's instinct. At some point, you have to stop worrying about what others think is good and trust your own opinion. Really, with anything like that (blogging is another good example), your writing should come before the other stuff. I try to do both, but if you don't have time for it all, you should know which one to cut out. And I'm sorry we've been so busy and haven't been able to connect lately. We've got to do that!


I had to italisize a few of your words. So, so true. Take them to heart, everyone. ";-) (me included) This was wonderful, Kyle. Thanks for joining us and I know we'll be seeing more of you in the future. 

For more on S.Kyle, visit his website or follow him on Twitter.

GRAFFITI WALL: Jacob Milhouse, an On the Horizon Writer

As most of you know, the GRAFFITI WALL was created not only for the published author but also and mainly for the up and coming writer. Today we have another On the Horizon Writer.

JACOB MILHOUSE, an On the Horizon Writer

(artwork by Jacob's brother)

Could you tell our readers something about yourself: your age, what you write?

I am 17-years-old, and I write a lot of different things. It’s hard to pinpoint a specific genre. My primary focus as of now is edgy urban fantasy, bridging the gap between YA and adult fiction. I’m becoming of age, and I’d like my writing to do the same so my readers—regardless of their ages—can witness the growth as well.

What first motivated you to move from reader to writer?

The number one reason: my highly overactive imagination. I was the kid growing up with too much creative energy, and I had no way of letting it out. It even came to the point where I acted the ideas out in my head, which amounted to some seriously embarrassing moments. I’ve always been a reader so one day I decided I’d give it a try. It worked perfectly so I kept at it.

Do you have a favorite writer who you feel has influenced you? Maybe a friend or a teacher? Someone who’s really supported you.

I have a lot of supporters ranging from friends to classmates and teachers to family members. The main people are my 6^th grade teacher who introduced to me the world of publishing. I learned I could turn the stories in my head to books, and turn that into a career. Second, is my older brother. Artistic ability runs in the family, and he’s one heck of an artist. His drive to make his dreams come true inspires me to do the same.

As far as favorite authors go, I definitely have to say Kelley Armstrong, James Patterson, Ellen Hopkins, and (of course) J.K. Rowling. Each of them have kept me absolutely enthralled with their storytelling, and I can only dream of captivating my audience like they have captivated me.

I know you've completed your debut YA urban fantasy novel. Could you tell us something about it?

Oh, the big plug, lol! I’d love to tell about my book.

Split is a novel about a vampire-witch hybrid named Sage McHale who has a killer split personality—literally. Not only is she a criminal for being interbred, but now her alter-ego has murdered a supernatural political heavyweight. To make matters worse, her boyfriend is a psychotic terrorist, the people who she’s been hiding from her entire life are on their way to capture, if not kill her, and the secret weapon everyone keeps going on about is her. With blood on her hands, a sardonic alter-ego in her conscious and two warring enemies pursuing her for leverage against the other, Sage must choose a side in an upcoming war where she is the ultimate weapon.

Hmm...sounds intriguing.

Where do you think your ideas come from? I find this so interesting because your a teen writing for teens.

For Split, I wanted to do something edgy and supernatural, and walk the thin line of being risqué. I love my YA novels, but sometimes I have to venture over to the “older” books to be thoroughly entertained. I don’t think I’m the only teen seeking more interesting themes in books, so I decided to kind of merge YA with adult fiction.

I’m easily inspired when it comes to ideas, but I wanted to keep what I stated above in mind. Music definitely fuels my imagination as well as movies that I think have a great idea but wasn’t carried out as well. I can take the smallest of details, brainstorm, and birth a new idea.

We met on Inkwell, a community of writers. How do you think working with other writers has helped you?

It’s given me a sense of comfort as well as the need to persevere in my writing career. The road to writing and editing a novel can be a lonely one, not to mention looking for an agent and a publisher. It’s comforting to talk things out with other writers who are going through the same things. It makes me not feel so alone on the journey. Oh, and it definitely makes you want to perfect your craft!

Social networking is such a huge part of our world and you being a teen are right in the thick of it and all its changes. From a young perspective, how do you think this helps a writer and/or hinders them?

The benefits: having all the needed resources for educating ourselves on the publishing industry and how to get an agent, etc., via the internet.

Drawback: With FaceBook and Twitter and MySpace, technology really distracts us from everything when the one thing we should be doing is writing! I say it from personal experience. It takes discipline to know when to lay the cell phone down, stop texting, and start writing.

Well said, Jacob. 

As a young reader, are there any subjects that you think are taboo for a YA manuscript? Any subject matter that you feel needs to be addressed more?

Well, it depends on what kind of YA manuscript it is. I actually love books with taboo topics as well as the bold authors who discuss them. Sex, drugs, and violence of any kind are the main taboos. Parents don’t want their teenagers reading these things! As a young adult, I feel as though we could learn the consequences of these actions through the books we read. Plus, we're growing up, and not oblivious to these things. We know what is happening and reading a book won’t magically force us to do the acts we read about.

I'm sure the readers are as inspired as I am listening to your younger view of writing and the world of publishing YA. Thank you Jacob.

Although, Jacob doesn't have his blog up and running yet he's been working on it. I'll highlight it for him and all of you when he's ready.

Thanks for reading and supporting young writers Alleywalkers and visitors alike.

GRAFFITI WALL: Casey McCormick of LITERARY RAMBLES

After having to postpone our interview for a week--Phew, what a long wait--the GRAFFITI WALL is pleased and honored to present to you a fabulous writer, mommy, major blogging icon, sage of agent/editor director, and probably a candlestick maker. (Just joshing you about the last one.)

Casey McCormick of LITERARY RAMBLES

For those of you who don't know her--Where have you been?--Casey is a fantastic person, who readily gives of herself to the writing community. She is the creator of LITERARY RAMBLES: a well-known, well-established, and well-run blog filled with a smörgåsbord of agent bios, craft/technique sites, and the simple love of writing.

What was it that first attracted you to writing, storytelling, and reading as a adult?

As an adult? Hard to say.  The HARRY POTTER series was definitely a huge inspiration for me.  They’re the kind of books that leave you desperate to write, to create something even a fraction as good and absorbing.   

When did you know you wanted to write?

I knew I had it in me after I finished my first novel at 17. I was about 20 when I decided to dedicate myself to writing as a craft and to learn about the industry.   

What characters, scenes, or plotlines tap your heart? Do you believe those same qualities exist in today's literature? 

Fantasy has always appealed to me.  I wanted to be special so bad as a kid that I was pretty withdrawn from normal life.  Later on, as a teen, I felt that same obsessive pull with love and romance.  The funny thing is, I think my desire for a fairytale childhood only served to make me that much more normal!  So yes, I think these elements still exist in today’s literature and I strongly believe they’re timelessly successful.   

It must be said. A LOT of bloggers recognize your name. Literary Ramblings, for those who don't know, is a well-know, well-established, and well-run blog filled with a smorgadborge of agent bios, craft/technique sites, and simply your love of the writing community. 

You were the first blog I started following. I was such a newbie, scared and meek, afraid of the teeny cyber shadow I was casting. And despite the size of your shadow, I was not afraid. Totally the opposite. You made me--even though you didn't know me--feel comfortable. YOU have a way of blogging. It really is an art form. 

Thank you so much!  Hearing your experience with my blog reaffirms what I’m doing.  I really strive to be helpful and approachable, so it means a ton to me that you view Literary Rambles and me in that light.  

When did you decide to start Literary Rambles? 

I started Literary Rambles in 2008 after I joined AbsoluteWrite.  I saw that a lot of other writers had blogs dedicated to their writing, so I decided to start one as well.   

At what point did you know that it was going to be a meeting ground for agents and the mast of hopeful writers in need of them? 

The idea for Agent Spotlight came to me in March of 2009, but I didn’t know it would become popular until it was well underway.

What is best thing about blogging for you? Hardest?

The best thing about blogging has been the community. Next to that, it would probably be the sense of achievement I have. The hardest part is definitely the time-consuming nature of it.  I’m painfully aware of the hours I dedicate to my blog and how much time I’m not putting toward writing because of it.      

As with every Graffiti Wall interview, I must veer the course and ask a silly question. Are you a dog or a cat person? 

Dog person.  Are you shocked?

Hah...Nope.

You are a mother, wife, writer, and pretty much tap upon all other aspects of the writing world. Alleywalkers click HERE to read more. How do you keep it all together?

Sometimes I don’t keep it all together.  Sometimes I want to scream at myself for piling my responsibilities so high.  But here’s the thing, even if I shook everything off (but my family, of course), I’d start stacking stuff on again after a week or two.  That’s just the way I am.  I like to be mentally stimulated, to feel like I have a purpose and a plan.  So I play a little game of Jenga with my life, rearranging things the best I can.  Yes, occasionally I crash and burn, but I get back up and start stacking again, determined to get higher and more organized.   

I am a HUGE fan of short stories. I love the idea of your Flashy Fiction--a tab off of Literary Rambles. Could you tell the readers a little about the 411.

  

Flashy Fiction is a place just to practice, play, warm-up, whatever!  There are seven of us posting prompts, one for each day of the week.  The only rule is that comments on other people’s writing be nice and supportive.  Flashy isn’t a critique site.  It’s a place just to write and be read.

What has been the most gratifying moment for you since you started blogging? Started Literary Rambles? Started writing?

Gosh, there have been sooo many.  It seems like I keep reaching new heights.  One of my favorite days was definitely when Jenny Bent linked to me on Twitter and then Janet Reid gave me a mention on her blog the same day.  That allowed me to take a deep breath and finally feel confident in what I was doing. 

What are your hopes for Literary Rambles? Where do you see it going in 6 months? A year?

I have a lot of ideas for Literary Rambles. I’d love to do more agent interviews to compliment the spotlights, particularly with the agents I have the least info on, and I’d love to incorporate a forum.  I’ve nearly reached a breaking point with time as it is though, so I’ve had to put those goals aside for a while.  Right now, I see myself focusing on what I have, keeping it going, and getting some of the older spotlights updated. Within the next couple of months, I am hoping to redesign my layout.    

Free time--yeah, I know...laugh, but when you find some, what is your most cherished thing to do?

Read!  Definitely.  Nothing is more relaxing to me than letting everything go and getting lost in a book.

On behalf of myself and the GRAFFITI WALL, thank you for sharing your splats of graffiti with us!! Best always to you, Casey.

Want more of Casey? 'Course you do.

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GRAFFITI WALL: Cathy Xie, An On the Horizon Writer

Today the GRAFFITI WALL is thrilled to introduce another On the Horizon Writer. 

(Sure, I few of you Alleywalkers who have been with me since the beginning are thinking 'On-the-Horizon what?' It's a name I've dubbed talented writers who are on their way. I like thinking of them as what's to come.)

How many neuroscience majors who minor in creative writing do you know? Me. Not many. But I know one now, and you do too. Some of you know her as Lily Maiden.

Cathy Xie, an On the Horizon Writer

She's a college sophomore who loves her Superdog, Jenny. An aspiring neurosurgeon by day, young adult writer by night, she loves to play the piano and violin but despises celery. She also has a love of cows. Yup cows. When I asked her why, this is what she answered.

^_^ Because I love ice cream, butter, yogurt, cream cheese, creamer, milk, milk chocolate, and did I mention ice cream? This devotion to bovines has spurned me to learn how to say cow in 48 languages (ask me, I dare you!) and a large assortment of cow paraphernalia.

Isn't she a hoot?!

If you can narrow it down, what one ingredient in life turned your ear to writing?

Back pain. I’m not even kidding. I came to America from Shanghai, China when I was 3 years old. In order to trick me into learning English, my parents took me to the library and told me if I read enough books, I would get a gold library card. Even then I loved shiny things (I have magpie qualities), so I started reading, in bed, which led to leaving books in bed, which lead to hard lumps in weird positions under my back, which lead to back pain. After my mom discovered the bruises on my back and made sure I hadn’t been beat up by bullies, she confiscated my books. I suffered major withdrawal (as much as a 4 year old could suffer anyway), and I decided why not write my own stories? Paper was much softer on my back too. ^_~ By the time my back recovered and my books returned, I was thoroughly hooked.

It must be tough with your busy schedule to find that time to write.

Thank you for understanding that it’s hard! My week is not complete without a practice MCAT exam, a new revelation about the brain (which will be affirmed in a quiz of course), a piece of literature thoroughly examined (which will also be affirmed in a paper), and an exercise forcing me to think in a new way. In between all this, I relax by writing what I want. There. The truth is out. I use writing to calm down instead of drugs.

Any advice for your fellow college student writers? 

Don’t hold back. There are many wonderful experiences in college that don’t include getting drunk, high, and locked in a cell. Join organizations, study abroad, get internships, take classes you’ve always wanted to take. Even though I’m a pre-med student (meaning my course curriculum is very rigid), I like reading and writing so I’m going to take those classes. If it’s something you enjoy, it doesn’t feel like a chore. This summer I’m going to be a student ambassador at the World’s Exposition in Shanghai, and I’m also an RA for my building. It is a lot on my plate, but I’ve met so many people and had so much fun on the way it’s well worth it. As a writer, I know all of these new experiences will make my writing more powerful.

Is your family involved in your writing process?

My parents are often too busy to read for pleasure, but they both support my writing efforts. They tell me to go for what I want, and remind me when I spread myself too thin to spend sometime chilling. My mother actually printed 5 copies of my 113k word, 400 paged manuscript for me, which saved me a hefty bundle at Kinko’s. Probably the most encouraging person of all is *gasp* my little brother. He’s a freshman in high school right now. I forced asked him to read it, despite the female protagonist and occasional splashes of love. He called me back the very next day and told me he really liked it and when book 2 was coming out. Of course then I asked him his favorite part and he said “The fighting scenes.” Typical.

I have to tell you, when I read your goal in your bio I just fell in love with it. Can you share it with our readers and elaborate a tad more?

My dream is to be a neurosurgeon by day and a young adult writer at night, and then moonlight as a paraglider. I knew I would be good at surgery because in anatomy class, when everyone else including the big manly students looked like they were about to vomit, I was digging in (literally!) and going “COOL!!!” The brain has to be the most interesting organ in the body because we understand so little of it, yet it does so much. I want to be a doctor to help society, and I want to be a writer for myself. The writing is to keep me sane after hours of being submerged in guts, and I really enjoy paragliding. It’s more relaxed than sky diving, but I still get that adrenaline rush.

Phineas & Ferb? Granted, I love them, but why do you watch?

Hahaha, originally, I always had the TV on Disney channel when I was doing homework. One day, I heard a really catchy song … “Just the two of us, in an esophagus, time to get this mission rolling. Not gonna make a fuss, but that was the pancreas, let’s stop before we hit the colon.” And I was hooked. I loved how creative the songs were, and how ingenious Phineas and Ferb were. It’s just an overall hilarious show. ^_^

I know you received a partial request for your manuscript. Could you describe how that felt?

First came absolute ecstasy. I was really worried that I wouldn’t get any requests for partials, much less find representation, because my word count is pretty high for a YA (113,000). So when I saw the request, I screamed and happy danced for about 3 minutes. Then reality sank back in and I checked QueryTracker and AbsoluteWriteWaterCooler to see if the agent was the type to ask partials from everyone who could write decently, and then only ask for fulls from 1% of those partials. I know it’s a little bit of a downer way to think, but in the publishing business, I think it’s important to know the statistics. The agent was not that type, so I allowed myself a microscopic bubble of potential hope, and sent off the partial.

Thank you Cathy for joining us today, and for coloring the GRAFFITI WALL with your awesomesauce!!

This was my first interview, so thank you for making it super fun!

Want more of Cathy? Check out Cathy's Thoughts where she posts author interviews, writing advice, and general rants about life.

And don't forget to come back for 100+ Followers CONTEST-O-RAMA!! announcement later this week.

GRAFFITI WALL: Candace Ganger, Rockin' Writer with Heart

As most of you know, I opened up my Graffiti Wall last week. The place where any writer/illustrator can sprinkle the dankness of an alleyway with the color of their story and wisdom, sparking it with life. Well, we have our second guest. So exciting!


I'd like to introduce to you the voice behind Candyland, Candace Ganger.


Everyone welcome, Candace. Woots and applause echo the hall.


Candace, say hi. She graciously bows, taken by her audience.

Candace Ganger

aka The Misadventures in Candyland

Candace, it's wonderful to have you here. What made you start writing? Was it for fun or like journaling at first? When did writing professionally come into play?

I've always written, like most writers. My childhood was tough. Two things got me through: music and writing. Without them, who knows where I'd be now. Of course I had like five journals, then started writing song lyrics and poems once I learned guitar, and went on to stories. I didn't think “I have to be a published author” until a couple of years ago. The story of 9:59 Rewind always haunted me, because in part, it's based off of my life. So I'd write pieces here and there, but I was a musician then, so that came first. Finally after giving birth, I decided it's now or never.


So I take it 9:59 Rewind is your current project?


Yes.  I'm currently polishing/submitting it to agencies. It's my dark, edgy novel. She smiles.

Any special pre-exercises to start your writing? Coffee?

LOTS OF COFFEE. Procrastination seems to be my biggest motivator. Ironic, I know. With a 3yo in my face all day, it's hard to get in the zone unless I force myself to sit in front of the computer and write something—anything—every day. Usually once I start, you have to pry the laptop from my cold, dead fingers.


Hah, nice visual.

What do you enjoy writing about most and why?

I really admire paranormal/fantasy authors because I don't have the thought capacity for it. I tend to write contemporary and real. I like gritty, dark, disturbing stories that I think about long after.

Are you working on any other projects currently? 

Other than 9:59 Rewind, I have two other WIP, one a companion to 9:59 Rewind, and the other which is super top secret called Fumes.

Sounds interesting.


Having a child usually changes so much about us. How does your personal life come into play with your writing?

My daughter is my whole world. Everything I do, it's to show her the power of perseverance. One day, I hope she can look back and say “My mom never gave up and she made it.”

What has been your biggest lesson learned since you started writing? How can others apply that lesson to themselves?

OMG, the BIGGEST thing is NEVER query too soon. I've lost out on a lot of amazing agents because I was too eager. Make sure your work is in the best possible shape before you send it off. Otherwise, you might as well prepare for the rejection.

Bacon or sausage? Just mixing it up.

Funny. I don't eat pork! I was a vegetarian for years until I got pregnant. Now I eat chicken and beef sparingly.

Something else now we've learned, not just what you look like. Hah. For the main audience out there who doesn't know, Candace has kept most of her personal appearance a secret until today. I feel honored that she's revealed herself here.


What’s your take on social networking? Tell me about your personal blogs/websites, etc… and how they affect you, good and bad.

There's so many opportunities out there to network these days, it's insane. I think it's good and bad, though. It definitely gives the typical new author more chances to connect, but on the other hand, what happened to phone calls and personal visits?! It's all online now. And I can't talk because my main form of communication, even with my husband (!), is text and email. Yeah, I know...

Any advice for the novice out there reading this and thinking ‘Man, that sounds like a ton of work’?

Um, yeah. It IS a ton of work! I've rewritten 9:59 Rewind four times in the past year but I just want to make it better. It's what drives me. To write something people want to read. All the hard work, rejections, revisions, headaches, insomnia, worth every second.


I'm sure, a lot of writers would agree with you. 


Well Candace, as expected, it has been a pleasure, and we look forward to seeing your name on your first book jacket!! Thank you for sharing yourself with us. 

Want to see more of Candyland? Check out her blog and her profile forever here on the GRAFFITI WALL. 

(Interested in an interview? I'd love to have you. Email me: salarsen71@gmail.com.)