This month, we have debut author Tiffany Schmidt as our Twitterview victim. Send Me A Sign, reviewed here, came out in October. She’s answering questions about the “c” word, about how she handles writing with two two-year-old boys, and much more. I’ve also got a signed copy of Send Me A Sign to giveaway to one winner.
Without further ado, Tiffany:
Pitch Send Me a Sign in 140 characters.
A superstitious 17 yr old girl is diagnosed with cancer & decides not to tell anyone. OR: Love, Life, Luck, Leukemia, Lies… & Alliteration
What inspired Send Me a Sign?
I started w/ a character who could lose herself in superstitions & then pushed her to her limits. PLUS, this song: http://tinysong.com/mWAe
So, a cancer book?
It’s NOT. The book contains cancer, but I’d never define it as A Cancer Book–anymore than Mia would define herself as A Cancer Patient.
How do you feel about the cancer genre and having your book categorized within it?
I completely understand & simultaneously feel sad that some of the people who might relate the MOST are those who avoid the whole category
Superstitions and signs play a large part in Mia’s story. Do you personally believe in any more so than others?
I swear I wasn’t superstitious BEFORE working on this book, but I’m becoming more like Mia every day.
Does Mia?
Mia is very good at finding signs and superstitious signals that reinforce what she WANTS to believe.
Choices — and the consequences thereof — play a huge role in your book. What do you think Mia’s biggest choice is? Her toughest?
Mia’s biggest AND toughest choice is to choose to steer her own life–regardless of where that takes her & who she might disappoint
Mia has a choice between two guys who are both good AND bad for her on some level. Do you think she makes the right one in the end?
YES
YES
If you had to give your book a “____ meets _____” pitch, what two (or three! or four!) books/films/shows would Send Me A Sign be a meeting of?
I fail so hardcore at this. Um, if you tilt your head & squint, it’s almost: BRING IT ON meets MY SISTER’S KEEPER (except, not really).
Send Me a Sign is your debut novel. Want to talk a bit about your publication journey?
Pretty typical: Write. Revise. Query. Revise. Submissions to editors. Revise. Fret. Snuggle finished book:
Before writing, you were a teacher. How did that influence your writing?
My former students are always in my head as potential readers. I constantly ask: what would ring real to them? What stories do they need to hear?
Who or what do you write for?
Myself! I absolutely can’t outline–I write because I want to know how the story ends & what happens to the characters in my head.
What was your most influential read as a teenager?
I loved Kate Chopin’s THE AWAKENING so much that I rewrote the ending as my college application essay.
Who are your top three writing influences?
Stephanie Perkins, Sarah Dessen, & Courtney Summers
Who do you believe is breaking ground in YA right now?
Libba Bray reinvents herself with every book. I’m in awe of her talent and versatility… and just generally in awe of HER!
What’s the best writing advice you ever received?
Don’t feel guilty about Being Human – meaning, yes, this IS a dream come true, but it’s still okay to feel stressed & not enjoy every second
Don’t feel guilty about Being Human – meaning, yes, this IS a dream come true, but it’s still okay to feel stressed & not enjoy every second
What’s your best writing advice to give?
Don’t you dare ever, ever, ever give up. Take risks. Challenge yourself. Read a lot. Also: There’s no such thing as too many kissing scenes.
What is your writing routine?
This is a picture of how my books get written:
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Or maybe it’s during The Schmidtlets’ naps. One of those is true
What gets you jazzed to write?
Reading something spectacular… or reading something AWFUL. Also, songs with great lyrics.
Do you have a writing soundtrack? Care to share a bit?
Each book has its own soundtrack. (SMaS has several — they’re built into the book) The main one can be found here:
What’s next for you?
Bright Before Sunrise (Winter 2014). After that??? I guess you’ll have to wait and see!
Tell us a little bit about your 2014 book, Bright Before Sunrise.
One night. Two perspectives. Brighton’s a people-pleaser who NEEDS to be liked… and Jonah hates her.
Favorite ice cream?
ALL of them. Or maybe peanut butter with kiwi, I’ve heard that’s delicious. Right, Kelly?
Peanut butter with kiwi? Where do you get that from?
YAY for Stephanie Perkins, Sarah Dessen, & Courtney Summers!! Love those three! That Naked and Famous song is awesome 🙂
Peanut butter with kiwi sounds strangely delicious, haha!
Love that picture of how Tiffany's books get written! I'm really looking forward to reading this one.
Is this an international giveaway?