I feel so bad that I didn't see the interview was ready for my post on Sunday, so I am going to give the author's interview its very own special post today. She did a lot of fun answers and I really want to share them! My original post is HERE. And I've included a link to the giveaway down after all of the interview questions.
1.
What
does your writing process look like? Do you know the whole story when you
start? Or do you just start writing and go with it (seat of the pants
writing)? If you plan it out, how do you do that? Outline, notecards,
post-it-notes, etc.?
*laughs* Truthfully? My writing process is a bit of a hot mess –
but five books in, it’s a routine of a mess at least! (Right?)
Step 1: Start with a character
and story idea in mind.
Step 2: Go for lots of drives to
develop creative thoughts.
Step 3: Drag sister, Kati, out
for three hours of chips and guacamole, and hash out a workable plot. Eat more guacamole than chips.
Step 4: Drag the husband out for
food and force him to help fill in plot details.
Step 5: Start writing book.
Step 6: Go for more drives to
develop thoughts.
Step 7: Get 80 pages into book
and realize you need to re-plot, so, call
your sister in a panic, to which she says, “Oh good, you’re at the
panic spot. About time.” And then you spend 2 hours replotting said book over
the phone.
Step 8: Finish writing book.
2. How do you come up with your
ideas for your stories?
I’m forever fascinated by people and the world around me, and
I’m particularly inspired by the stories and struggles of the teens I work
with. Their courage and determination are always the defining heartbeat in each
of my books. With The
Evaporation of Sofi Snow, they particularly inspired the characters of Sofi
and Miguel.
3.
How long have you been writing?
Nine years. Which is incidentally the amount of time I’ve been
drinking my weight in coffee.
4.
What tips do you have for aspiring writers?
(1) Do iiiiiit!
(2) Read and write – even when
you’re not in the mood.
(3) Join a good critique group.
(4) Dig into your soul until you
find your own story and voice—the one that’s scared of what people will think
or tries to put on the grown-up shoes so no one will know you’re secretly
insecure. Because we’re all insecure. But when you tap into the dreams and
fears, and give that hidden self a voice? It’ll begin to sing. And that is
where I believe our stories take on heart. And your heart is one the world
needs to hear from.
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5.
How important are names in your books? Do you
choose the names based on liking the way it sounds, or the meaning? Do
you have any name choosing resources you recommend?
Okay, so I ultimately choose character and location names based
upon sound. However, I spend a lot of time beforehand researching their origins
and meanings to narrow the selection down. I’ve used everything from historical
books, myths, baby name sites, and science journals to find them. Also? It is
not beneath me to go through my kids’ school books. ;)
6. What are your favorite:
Books/authors/genres – Anything by Robin LaFevers, Marissa
Meyer, Maggie Steifvater, and Dorothy Sayers.
Movies/TV Shows – Movies - Lord of the Rings & Babe (yes,
the pig movie – I love it so much) / TV Shows – Psyche & Stranger Things
Music – I’m currently enjoying
Jaymes Young
Food/Writing snack – Well, my daughter just walked in with this,
so… (true story!)
About the Author:
Mary Weber is the multiple-award-winning
author of the bestselling young adult Storm Siren Trilogy, and The Evaporation
of Sofi Snow series (all by HarperCollins). An avid high school, middle school,
and conference speaker, Mary's passion is helping others find their voice amid
a world that often feels too loud. When she's not plotting adventures involving
tough girls who frequently take over the world, Mary sings 80's hairband songs
to her three muggle children, and ogles her husband who looks strikingly like
Wolverine. They live in California which is perfect for stalking L.A. bands,
Comic-Con, and the ocean.
Mary's debut, Storm Siren, was
featured in the Scholastic School Book Fairs, and her novels have been endorsed
by bestselling authors Marissa Meyer, Jay Asher, Wendy Higgins, CJ Redwine, and
Jonathan Maberry.
You can also find Mary's fun
interviews in the paperback of Marissa Meyer's NYT bestselling, CRESS, and in
Jay Asher's 13 REASONS WHY movie tie-in edition. Most recently, you can see her
and her family as extras in the NETFLIX Original Series, 13 REASONS WHY.
She gets nerdy at @maryweber.com,
FACEBOOK , INSTAGRAM, TWITTER, and GOODREADS. Come say hi!!
Giveaway:
Prize: Everything in the picture—
Backpack, earbuds, hardcover copy of the book
•
US/Canada only
•
Starts: 12/11
•
Ends: 12/29
Check out the rest of the tour stops HERE.