Saturday, October 06, 2012

Chicken by Chicken -- The Next Big Thing

Hi folks, My friend Vijaya Bodach tagged me with "The Next Big Thing." I'm going to use this as a springboard for some insider stuff from the world of working writer. I hope that my personal journey will give you some needed encouragement for the days ahead.  My title "Chicken by Chicken" is a play on Anne Lamott's book title, BIRD BY BIRD, a helpful writing book. Chicken by chicken is how I roll as a writer. 

So here is my current project, it's sucking up a huge portion of the hard drive of my brain. Normal stuff for me when I'm polishing a book: family members talk to me and I don't answer until they physically shake me, I see people at the grocery store and don't remember to say hello until five minutes later after they are gone, and I forget to eat until I have a pounding headache.

"The Next Big Thing." 

What is your working title of your book? PROFIT

Where did the idea come from for the book? Off the top of my head, from a blue marble with a story to tell, an eight-year-old boy cursing in the middle of a street, a vision of a ghost trapped in a well, and a deep desire to make some sense out the travesty of war -- the idea for PROFIT sprang out of some weird and wonderful places.

What genre does your book fall under? Space Opera with a dash of cyberpunk thrown in, YA

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?  Ah, nothing like casting your own book. Right now, I'd like to see Chloe Moretz as Sarai. I'd like to see Jaden Smith as Terb. For Zilard, maybe Keegan Allen. Cody Simpson might work for Krish. Magine? Clarice Pempengco. My movie will require some voiceover actors too.  Mosi the Rat, I think Jonah Hill.  Risat the Oracle, I think Carrie Fisher. Yes, something like this cast would work.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?  In the far-flung future on the lush world of Poeia, fifteen-year-old Sarai Corren cares for shopping and snagging a hot guy; she never thought she'd have to go to the ends of the Milky Way and pay a terrible price to get what she wants.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? My hope is it will be published traditionally.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?  About a year, but spread that over four years.

May we see an intro? Here is my first line: "You’re the goddess of avoiding bots." Krish's lips touched Sarai's ear. His raven hair brushed her cheek. "How did you know it was coming?"

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?  I think some comparisons could be made to these books: THE STARS ARE OURS by Andre Norton, Orson Scott Card's ENDER'S GAME, William Gibson's NEUROMANCER with a slice of Douglas Adams' HITCHHIKERS GUIDE TO THE GALAXY.

Who or what inspired you to write this book? I was inspired by (of all things) the story of David, the books of Mark Twain, Robert Heinlein and Madeleine L'Engle, and the sacrifices made by peacemakers.

What else about your book might pique the reader's interest?  I'm asking big questions about war, literacy and technology. I say: rattle the cages!  I'm letting the idea of identity roar within my pages. You might be challenged and comforted  at the same time by my vision of our galaxy.

This is an informative exercise. You might try it even if you don't want to publish it on a blog. Oh, yes, one of the rules is to tag some authors and ask them to tag five more authors(only if you have time and inclination, of course): Candilynn Fite, Andy Sherrod, Ellen McGintyKathleen Ruth, Katherine Bond. Thanks for dropping by and letting me spend some time chatting about my current project. Come back next week

Here is my doodle:  I call it: "Chick out of Control."



Here is the quote for the week:

I don't know which is more discouraging, literature or chickens.  E. B. White

9 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow, we finally got a peek into the world that's kept your mind occupied for quite some time now. I love your phrase "In the far-flung future". I wish great things with this project!!

I recently participated with the Next Big Thing meme, last month I think. But I'm completely honored to have been recognized here!! If I may do so, I will probably use this in a couple of weeks when I do my big reveal on the blog. It'll be a nice way to introduce my new project. :))

Molly/Cece said...

Hi Candilynn -- I rarely do these meme things (chain letters in the old days). Anyway, I'm also done and I will return to my almost a extrovert self. I've done 4 read throughs in the past two weeks. I believe I'm officially a burnt socket.

I really do believe you are the next big thing. :) Keep working.

Janet Lee Carey said...

Go Molly!! To the Stars and the Far-flung Future! I'm cheering that you're done with Profit.

Molly/Cece said...

Thanks, Janet!!!!
It's this mind-blowing feeling. This is my biggest magic trick to date. Hugs.

Andy Sherrod said...

Prophet is AWESOME. Those of you that know me realize I don't throw that word around like a high-schooler. I reserve it for things that are...well...awesome. I say it's the next big thing...really.

Vijaya said...

I am so impressed you could boil this to a sentence. I'll put FEED in that category ...

Thank you for playing Molly. You know I've always thought you're the next big thing ... and all those folks who passed you up are going to cry ...

Love the chicken ... peep

Molly/Cece said...

To be fair, Vijaya, the wonderous Kathy Whitehead boiled my story down to that one sentence. Sometimes the eyes around us see better than our own!

Molly/Cece said...

Hi Andy!!! Thanks for believing in Profit. The high praise is much appreciated.

Unknown said...

You're sweet, but I think this is yours and Profit's time. I'm still piddling around.