Thursday, June 16, 2011

HOURGLASS Book Tour


So, let's just go ahead and get this out of the way: I FREAKING LOVE HOURGLASS.
So, yeah. Safe to say: I effing love this book.

Which is why, when Mundie Moms were like, "Yo. Want in on this blog tour?" I was like, "Heckyeah!"  (Please note: Not direct quotes)

Just in case you don't know Myra, you can check her out here. And in case you don't know HOURGLASS, you can check it out here. Long story short: HOURGLASS has a cool heroine, a hot hero, a sassy friend, time travel, and MORE.

 And now, without futher ado, here's Myra on herself, her book, and her writing:

YOU
We can read all about your fascinating life from your bio in the jacket flap of your book. So, what's a completely random fact about you that most people don't know?

I can't go underwater without holding my nose. I think that I should've tried to come up with something that made me look cool, but nose holding it is.

As a kid, what was your favorite book? Have your tastes changed since growing up?

I ADORED The Wizard of Oz. It explains a lot, I think. And no, I still love fantastical stories with heart.

There may or may not be (but definitely is) a reference to DOCTOR WHO in HOURGLASS. So, here's the definitive question: which doctor is the best, and why? Give a detailed analysis of the dreaminess of David Tennant's eyes in your answer.

You didn't really give me a choice, there, did you? When it comes to The Doctor, I am Switzerland. I'll watch you and Rachel Hawkins cage match over ten and eleven ANYTIME, though.

In HOURGLASS, Em slips through time. If you could slip through time to meet anyone or do anything, what/when/who would you visit? Give a detailed analysis as to why you're not going to be popping up in David Tennant's shower RIGHT NOW.

I won't be popping up in David Tennant's shower RIGHT NOW because I don't want to go to jail before my book releases. And ... I'd definitely try to meet Lord Byron. I'd pop up in HIS shower. Because back then there were no phones, and I could possibly run away before the authorities were summoned.

YOUR BOOK
It's the inevitable question: what inspired HOURGLASS. (Was it David Tennant's perfectly sculpted biceps? I think it probably was.)

Beth. Beth. Beth. David Tennant doesn't HAVE biceps. And LOTS of things inspired HOURGLASS. I think I'm going to start a Tumblr to post all my research.

One of the great things about HOURGLASS is that it deals with time travel--one of my all-time favorite themes. There are hints, such as with Em's best friend and Kaleb's empathy, that there is more to HOURGLASS and the world you've created than just time travel. Can you divulge anything else about this?

I can divulge that anyone involved with the Hourglass has an ability that is related to time. EVERYONE. You might not see the connections, but they're there.

Speaking of, why not just go ahead and tell us as much as possible about Book 2? Or, even better, send me a copy of it RIGHT NOW?

Book two is all about Em and Michael in the Mesozoic era. They discover the origins of the Barbie doll and the true story behind unicorns. Also, they run into REAL The Doctor. He looks remarkably like David Tennant.

OK, OK, I'm backing off (FOR NOW). Can you tell us a little bit about the process--particularly the timeline--of writing HOURGLASS?

Before I signed with my agent, Holly Root, I rewrote the second half three times. When I signed with Holly, I rewrote the second half again. When I sold to Egmont and got my editing letter, I rewrote the second half ONE MORE TIME. The good news is, I think what I've got now is probably going to stick.

If your reader could only take away one emotion, theme, or idea from HOURGLASS, what would you want it to be?

HOPE, and that broken can be beautiful. That was two. You'll get over it.

YOUR WRITING
What's the most surprising thing you've learned since becoming a writer?

You never stop telling stories. Ever. When it grabs your soul, you just can't stop.

Beyond the typical--never give up, believe in yourself--what would be the single best advice you'd like to give another writer?

Treat it like a job. Be a professional. If you even THINK you might write someday, do unto others as you'd have them do to you. Not because you want something, but because it's the right thing to do.

What do you think are your strongest and weakest points in writing?

Strongest - plot and voice. Weakest - beautiful language. I tell stories plainly, and if I get any gorgeous, lyrical sentences, it's because it was an accident or I worked really, really hard for them. Like BLED and stuff.

And finally...if you could write an ode for David Tennant, would you write an epic ballad, a sonnet, or a limerick?

Oh, Beth. I wouldn't take it upon myself to do a job that was clearly meant for you. (And I'm pretty sure you'd write a limerlick. Ick. Limerick. Not lick. Noooooo.)

*creepy grin* "Liiiiiick."




To check out the rest of the HOURGLASS book tour, click here! Here's the schedule of events:



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Don't forget: to enter to win a signed copy of HOURGLASS, click here!
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To find out what the other Bookanistas are reading this week:

8 comments:

Claire Dawn said...

So, do you like David Tennant, Beth? lol.

Nice interview. I'm looking forward to the book :)

Natalie Aguirre said...

Great interview Myra & Beth. Love the theme you want us to take away from the book.

I'm like dying to read your book. It sounds awesome.

Mundie Moms said...

I love this interview!!! Thank you so much for sharing it with us and being on the tour!!

JenWriter said...

Haha, awesome interview! And can't wait to read this book! I'm a sucker for time slip stories.

Veronica Rossi said...

I loved HOURGLASS too. Especially Kaleb. And Myra is wrong. There are gobs of beautiful phrases in her story. Gobs, I tell you. Thanks for a great interview!

Jessi said...

Such a fun interview! I kinda wanna take you two out for drinks now and just watch whatever conversation you have!

Melissa/welachild said...

I'm with Jessie! Great interview. I'm getting really excited about Hourglass!

Unknown said...

What a gorgeous interview, I love it!