Wednesday, August 29, 2012

The Next Big Thing


I was tagged by Jacquie Rogers to blog about my Next Big Thing. Here goes...
Ten Interview Questions for The Next Big Thing
  1. What is the working title of your book?
Fly Away Heart
  1. Where did the idea come from for the book?
This story takes place in 1932 during the Great Depression. The hero, Robin Pierpont, survived the Titanic when he was 10 years old along with his mother but his father went down with the ship. Robin has a dreaded fear of deep water but a love for the sky and airplanes. He and his mother make their first appearance in For Love of Banjo. I love the era of the Great Depression and Prohibition. Exciting times. Of course, Robin gets involved with rum running and is about to lose everything including the love of his life, Lilith Wilding.
  1. What genre does your book fall under?
Historical Western Romance
  1. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Boy oh boy, I wish it would become a movie. I would choose Liam Hemsworth from The Hunger Games as Robin PierpontAmy Adams would play Lilith Wilding.
  1. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
In the time of the Great Depression, Robin Pierpont must choose between the love of his life, Lilith Wilding, or saving his friend and his family from a rum runner’s wrath.
  1. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
I intend it for my publisher , Western Trail Blazers
  1. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
I finished the synopsis. I’m presently on Chapter 4 of the first draft.
  1. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Thunder Road  I didn’t read the book but I saw the old movie on the late show with Robert Mitchum and one of his sons.
  1. Who or What inspired you to write this book?
While I was writing For Love of Banjo, I fell in love with the English kid, Robin Pierpont who had suffered so much. Banjo saved him and his mother from a factory fire when Banjo was in New York City. Maggie took Robin and his mother, Jane home with her to Hazard, Wyoming. Jane worked for Maggie on the ranch and Robin took to ranching as if he had been doing it since birth. In Fly Away Heart, Jane has married Banjo’s uncle, Teekonka Red Sky who, like Banjo, is a genius with mechanical things. He and Robin own a garage and work on cars but Robin yearns to fly a plane. In the Great Depression people didn’t have a lot of money so they bargained and bartered. As payment for some work Robin did on a man’s car, the man pays Robin with a broken down biplane—and the dream begins.
  1. What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
Fly Away Heart is part of a western series in which Harmonica Joe’s Reluctant Bride and For Love of Banjo are presently published. The characters from both previous books resurface in Fly Away Heart. I think readers might enjoy a visit with them and an update on what their lives are like fourteen years later.

Tagging Members:
Meg Mims
Toni Sweeny
Alison Henderson
Alison Bruce
Kat Flannery
http://katflannery-author.com/


6 comments:

Linda Swift said...

Hi Sarah,
I love this title! And the story sounds equally enticing. I think this book will be another success for you. Happy writing! Linda

Jenny Twist said...

I love the period before and after WW2. My next novel is set largely in 1945. And I love your title, too. Another winner, Sarah

Sarah J. McNeal said...

Linda, such encouraging words. Thank you so much for coming by and leaving such a sweet comment. I really apreciate you.

Sarah J. McNeal said...

Jenny, thank you so much for your compliments. England really suffered during both WWI and WWII. They ran out of food during WWI ran out of and spirit from the constant bombing in WWII, but Prime Minister Churchill bouyed the English pride and courage with his memorable speeches. One thing I really admire about the English is their stiff upper lip. They do not whine; they take action.
And I loved the music and movies from WWII--all classics now.
Thank you so much for coming by and leaving a comment. You are such a sweety.

Jacquie Rogers said...

What rich characters. I love how you've built them up over the books and created a complex story world with them. This sounds like a wonderful addition to your series!

Sarah J. McNeal said...

Jacquie, what a kind compliment about my work. Building unique characters who live in the fictional town of Hazard,Wyoming with their own story to tell is my goal. I enjoyed moving forward through time with them as they grow into the next generation. Of course, Lola who appeared in the time travel western, Harmonica Joe's Reluctant Bride, knows where the future will take them but she doesn't interfere, only encourages with her advanced knowledge.
I am so happy to hear your uplifting words. Thank you for coming by and leaving your positive comment.