The Next Big Thing

by Marcy Collier

The Next Big Thing is a global blog tour to showcase authors and illustrators and their current work. I was tagged by the very talented Kate Dopirak.

I’ll answer the interview questions based on my current work in progress.

1. What is the working title of your next book?

ADMIRE

2. Where did the idea come from for the book?

My second son was a newborn. I can remember sitting on the chair nursing while my husband read the newspaper online and played an audio clip from the article. The story was about a woman from our area (graduated from the same high school as my husband) who became the first female commercial airline pilot. I knew nothing more about this amazing woman except that there was a local park named after her. I spent the next year researching her life.

3. In what genre does your book fall?

The book began as a picture book biography based on one amazing endurance flight. After the Rutgers-One-On-One Plus conference last year, my mentor convinced me to write it as a YA novel.

4. What actors would you choose to play the part of your character in the movie rendition?

I would choose Jennifer Lawrence for the part of my main character.

5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Fifteen-year-old Alana Mills dreams about becoming the first female to skydive from space, but first she must learn from her ancestors on how to triumph over tragedy.

6. Who is publishing your book?

This is currently a work in progress.

7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

I wrote the first draft during Nano-Wrimo last November. I had never participated before, but completed a solid rough draft during the contest. Rewriting has been a much longer process.

8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

That’s a tough one. My novel is kind of a mash up between fiction and nonfiction. I’m not sure who’s work I would compare it to since every author has such a distinct, unique voice.

9. Who or what inspired you to write this book?

Reading about the courageous woman fliers and their journeys to do what they loved.

10.What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?

The book is built around strong female characters who learn to overcome adversity when faced with tough situations.

Thanks for stopping in and sharing my “Next Big Thing.” Now, I’ll tag my good friend and amazing author Kitty Griffin and the talented Angie Azur. Check out their blog entries after Monday, July 28^th to hear their answers about the Next Big Thing!