Monday, October 15, 2012

Miranda Kenneally Author Interview


Book Nerd Interview

Growing up in Tennessee, Miranda Kenneally dreamed of becoming an Atlanta Brave, a country singer (cliché!), or a UN interpreter. Instead she writes, and works for the State Department in Washington, D.C., where George W. Bush once used her shoulder as an armrest. Miranda loves Twitter, Star Trek and her husband.
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Was there a defining moment during your youth when you realized you wanted to be a writer?

I think it was when I was about 11 years old, and I spent nearly every recess writing stories instead of playing with others.

Why is storytelling so important for all of us?

It’s a way for us all to relate and not feel alone.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received from another author?

Becca Fitzpatrick told me once, “If you don’t agree with a suggested change to your story, don’t implement it, because chances are it won’t work and no one will like the end result. You have to feel what you are writing.”

In your newest book; Stealing Parker, can you tell my Book Nerd community a little about it and why they should read your novel?

After Parker Shelton’s mom comes out and moves in with her girlfriend, kids at school begin teasing her and questioning her sexuality. Parker’s best friends and the people at church in her small, conservative town turn on her. Thus Parker begins changing her lifestyle to make people think she’s not like her mom. She quits the softball team, loses lots of weight, and starts kissing many guys, to seem as feminine as possible.

When the hot new 23-year-old coach of the school baseball team is nice to Parker, she feels like she’s found a friend, someone who won’t think poorly of her for what her mom did. Their friendship becomes a physical relationship, but it’s not the real relationship she wants and needs. People question Parker’s behavior, believing she’s the kind of girl who gets around with every guy she sees.

This isn’t what Parker wanted people to think at all, and she realizes that even if you want people to think a certain way about you, it doesn’t mean they necessarily will. The overall theme of the story is that teenagers should be who they want to be, regardless of who makes fun of them or questions their lifestyle. The only way for people to truly understand who you are is to be yourself.

What part of Parker did you enjoy writing the most?

Her evolving relationship with a long-time acquaintance. You’ll have to read the book to find out which character this is! Also, I enjoyed the scene where she makes the baseball coach play MASH with her on the bus.

Why do you feel you had to tell this story?

To show teens that the best solution to any problem is to stay true to yourself and your beliefs.

If you could introduce Parker to any character from another book, who would it be and why?

Taylor from Jellicoe Road. I think they would get along well and help each other heal from the pain of missing a parent.

What are some of your current and future projects that you can share with us?

My third book comes out in spring of 2013. It is a companion to CATCHING JORDAN and STEALING PARKER, and it involves the main character falling in love at a summer camp.

When asked, what’s the one question you always answer with a lie?

Aren’t you tired?

What’s the best advice you can give writers to help them develop their own unique voice and style?

Don’t try to emulate other writers. Just sit down and write in your own voice. Chances are, if you like what you’re writing, someone else will too. You just have to stay true to you.

Who is the first person you call when you have a bad day?

My husband. Or Trish Doller, another amazing contemporary author!

What is the one, single food that you would never give up?

French Fries.

Where can readers stalk you?
www.mirandakenneally.com
@mirandakennealy



Red-hot author Miranda Kenneally hits one out of the park in this return to Catching Jordan's Hundred Oaks High.

After her family's scandal rocks their conservative small town, 17-year-old Parker Shelton goes overboard trying to prove that she won't turn out like her mother: a lesbian. The all-star third-baseman quits the softball team, drops 20 pounds and starts making out with guys--a lot. But hitting on the hot new assistant baseball coach might be taking it a step too far...especially when he starts flirting back.



Miranda Kenneally’s Stealing Parker tells the story of Parker whose life is not the way it was before. Her family has changed for the worse and she does not know how she can fix it. Although she is this strong and likable person, she makes some stupid mistakes. She has a good heart and is a valuable friend to have. But her friends are decreasing because of her mistakes and she ultimately gives up. She tries as much as she can to get some kind of control back in her life, mainly her love life. She’s the type who always looked for a relationship but since her trust in people has diminished, it has come down to one night hookups. Her view in the matter changes when she meets someone that she might actually want to spend more than just one night.

This was a fast-paced book but Miranda writes in a way that readers will get a full dosage of her remarkable story. Nothing is rushed as the writing is very descriptive. The interactions between characters are absolutely amazing. They do not seem fabricated at all and it is one attribute of this book that I love. Between the family, relationship and church drama, there are plenty of events that push the plot along. Just like Miranda’s Catching Jordan, Stealing Parker is originally fresh, funny, daring, and touching with totally unforgettable characters.

You can purchase Stealing Parker at the following Retailers:
          


And now, The Giveaways.
Thank you Miranda for making this giveaway possible.
1 Winner will receive a Signed Copy of Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

50 comments:

  1. Hmm...I don't even know....A few years ago, I had this one friend that turned out to be someone who wasn't who I thought she was. That wasn't fun.
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  2. Pfft, yesterday maybe? haha I'm a crybaby.

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  3. I cried reading a book.Thats something.

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  4. It's been a few weeks. :) What can I say, I love a good cry! Thank you for the interview & giveaway!

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  5. its been a while i seen my boyfriend cry like a month ago when he heard they found a blood clot in my dads brain...

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  6. I don't like to cry for a person, I don't know, I feel weak.
    Ileana A.- rafflecopter

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  7. Well, I cried last week because I had to get on a train without my girlfriend back to my school 8 hours away.

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  8. Last week because I got pretty mad with my dad over a silly argument. hahaha! And I usually cry when I'm mad. ;)

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  9. As far as I can remember I never cried for anyone else... I only cry for my self... Sorry cause I really can't remember when I cried for someone else...

    Thank you for this giveaway!!!

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  10. I remember crying over a love that didn't work out. Not because I wasn't loved, but over the loss of a great relationship. It's never easy---but it opens you up to better things. :D

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  11. Congratulations for the giveaway, actually I don't know what to say, but I really like you work and waht you are doing here.

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  12. I don't remember. I think a few years ao when my grandma died

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  13. When my aunt died a few months ago

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  14. Recently over someone close who just won't accept our differences.

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  15. Last month, when my best friend moved to London... not exactly next door.

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  16. Today. I cry everyday about my dad. He has 6 months to live.

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  17. Last week when I watch a really touching movie.

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  18. last week while i remember my friends,,^^

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  19. I don't know.. I did cry over a book a few days ago.

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  20. Mmmm I really can't remember, probably last year.

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  21. Hmm, as long as I recall.. never! :D

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  22. I cried yesterday.. I am a huge crybaby. I will probably cry tonight too... hahaha.

    Thanks for the giveaway.

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  23. A few weeks ago, someone broke my heart...

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  24. A few weeks ago, when my sister in law died.

    Thank u for this awesome giveaway.

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  25. My grandfather. He passed away sometime this summer.

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  26. last week, when my friend's father died

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  27. The last time I cried was a few months ago. My father was going in for surgery and was really worked up and nervous over it. It broke my heard.
    I also tweeted but it didn't allow me to send the link so here it is.
    https://twitter.com/_Kristin315_/status/259323266194362368

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  28. The last time I cried over someone was last year when my grandfather passed away.

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  29. when my friend's dad died. All her friends cried that day...

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  30. I'm generally a cry baby ,but I don't remember exactly :)

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  31. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  32. I'm just cried few days ago when i realized that my friend can't walk anymore and have to sit on wheelchair, i've a mind to contact one author that she really like her book and tell the author that she is a fans of her and hope the author can send my friend her signed book, but i'm fear the author will not send the book to her
    :(

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  33. I while back a few months maybe

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  34. I cry over someone pretty much every day...

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  35. I think six month ago... yeah. But I cry a lot alone :P

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  36. A few nights ago. My grandpa passed away in August and after we left from visiting my grandma, on the way home my 5 year old daughter was really upset about not being able to see grandpa anymore. It was a tough night

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  37. I cried over someone when my grandma died six years ago, but I don´t like cry for a person because I then feel too weak :D
    Thank you very much for the giveaway! :)

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  38. I cried over my aunt over 6 months ago when she was killed during a home invasion in the Philippines, and they brought her back so that we could lay her to rest next to her husband.

    Thank you for this awesome giveaway!

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  39. i can't remember when, it was few months ago, i think..

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  40. At my aunts funeral 10 days ago. Thanks for a giveaway!

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  41. When my cat Mars died this years September, he was so young, but got a fatal concussion when he fell from the windowpane

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  42. I cry really easily, so basically last week during a fight.

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