One Four Kid Lit: Gettin' Lucky

There are quite a few post-apocalyptic stories these days, but yours has an incredibly unique twist. What inspired you to write about about water of all things?

The idea of a water shortage is something that sounds ridiculous – how could we run out of water? But, unfortunately it’s not that far out. I watched a documentary called BLUE GOLD which planted the seed of an idea. I went to bed that night ridiculously grateful for the small pond in my backyard. I dreamt about teaching a young child how to operate a rifle to help me protect the pond. I woke up knowing I had a novel there.

Lynn is a very willful main character. Yet at the same time, she still retains a sense of empathy. What was your favorite thing about writing from Lynn’s perspective? What surprised you about her?

Lynn is very tough, but that doesn’t mean she’s cold. She has to learn how to be not only a survivor in a brutal world, but also a human being. She was raised entirely by her mother, and had never even spoken to anyone else in her life, so there are some things she’s completely unaware of, like humor or flirting. What surprised me about her was how quickly she realized she couldn’t make it alone – protecting the pond, harvesting food, gathering water and cutting wood – without trading labor with her neighbor Stebbs once Mother is gone. She isn’t *happy* about admitting that, but she’s put common sense above pride, and I was glad I didn’t have to waste pages talking her into it.

I’ll admit it – next-door neighbor Stebbs was my favorite character. His wry humor provided a wonderful counterpoint to Lynn. What was it like developing the side characters of NOT A DROP TO DRINK?

Here’s where I admit Stebbs is my favorite character too! Man, I love that guy. The best thing about Stebbs was that I didn’t have to develop him at all – he simply was, from the beginning. Any time Stebbs walked into a scene, he owned it.

Lynn and her mother have a complicated relationship. They’re very close, but combative at the same time. How did you go about creating Lynn’s family life?

It was hard to imagine what teenage rebellion would look like when the only person you’ve ever met is your mother! I knew like all teens Lynn was going to question Mother’s choices at some point, but they’ve lived a life where Mother’s choices have kept them alive for years. Lynn literally owes her life to Mother, many, many times over. The sacrifices that Mother has made for her are without count, yet Lynn’s still going to wonder if there’s another way at some point. She couldn’t idolize Mother, yet she couldn’t question her overly — obviously the woman knew what she was doing. It was a fine line, but I think Lynn could alter some of the perspectives Mother had taught her without losing respect for Mother.

One of my favorite things about the book was the vivid struggle for survival. The dangers, human and environment alike, felt very real. What research did you do for this book? Did you draw from any real life experiences?

I did do some research, mostly about the very real threat of water shortage and cholera. One thing that I needed was a way to purify water without using any technology, and I was lucky to have remembered an article I’d read years ago in a National Geographic issue regarding the SODIS method. Using plastic bottles and the suns UV-A rays, you can get clean drinking water in 6 hours. Nice, huh? In the realm of real life experiences I can say that I didn’t need to research growing and canning your own food, or about rifles. These are both things I’m familiar. And, much to many people’s surprise, I also didn’t need to research how to field dress (gut) a a deer. I know how. 

You really didn’t pull any punches with the story. There are some tear-jerker moments, including quite a few I didn’t expect. How did you decide this was the story (gritty tragedies and all) you were going to tell?
That’s the thing about any story I write — I’m not actually writing it. All my stories write themselves. I’m just a conduit. One moment in particular (involving Neva) I wasn’t expecting either. It happened and I pulled my hands away from the keyboard and said, “What did you just do?”

What are you currently working on? Any future projects for us to be excited about?
Right now I’m working on a revision for a Fall 2014 release from Katherine Tegen Books, and I recently signed a contract for two more YA novels with Katherine Tegen slated for 2015 and 2016. So, I’m pretty busy!

As this community is All for One and OneFour KidLit, we’d love to know two or three books that inspired you as a kid!

I loved A Wrinkle In Time (the entire series), and The Black Stallion books. I read them obsessively.

Mindy McGinnis: Author of Not A Drop to Drink

What would happen if our entire water supply was contaminated? Author Mindy McGinnis tackles this question in her debut, NOT A DROP TO DRINK. Teenage Lynn has been taught to defend her pond against every threat: drought, a snowless winter, coyotes and most important, people looking for a drink. Lynn has no use for the world beyond the nearby fields and forest. But when strangers appear, the mysterious footprints by the pond, the nighttime threats, and the gunshots make it all too clear Lynn has exactly what they want, and they won't stop until they get it...

In this interview, Mindy McGinnis explains the inspiration for her environmental dystopian debut, confirms how fun it is to write a character completely inexperienced with social interactions and reveals how she'd fare in a survival situation.

What was your inspiration to write this book?

I watched a documentary called Blue Gold, which is about a projected shortage of potable water on our planet due to overpopulation. It was a horrible thought --- we all need water to survive, and it's something we can't make. I went to bed very grateful for the small pond in my backyard, and that night I dreamt I was teaching a young girl how to operate a rifle so that she could help me protect the pond. I woke up and thought, "Hey... I wrote a book in my head just now."

The setting of NOT A DROP TO DRINK is in rural Ohio -- why did you choose this location to set the story?

The setting is very dear to me, as it is more or less my own backyard. I also think though that there are a lot of kids that live in rural areas that need to read something they can really relate to. There are plenty of excellent books set in big cities and exotic locations. I figured it was time for something fresh!

The dystopian society that you create doesn't have zombies, aliens or many of the other supernatural aspects many do. Why did you choose this story to be environmentally based, with the issue of water supply?

Zombies and aliens are a TON of fun...and pretty difficult to write with a unique twist these days. In order to stand out in a crowded genre I needed to do something different. I decided to work outside in the box in kind of a backward fashion --- by going as simple as possible. Boiled down, this story isn't about the apocalypse or even water. It's about human nature and our decisions translating into actions that define who we are as human beings.

Lynn is tough, strong-willed and strong. She knows how to survive, and she knows she can survive on her own -- even after her mother's death. Did you base her character on anyone that you know?

No, I never base characters on real people. I think it gives me a lot more freedom to put them in harrowing situations without feeling guilt because I'm seeing a familiar face as I write it. Likewise, I think it would be uncomfortable to write romantic scenes when you're seeing a familiar face from everyday life. That might just be me, but I definitely don't pattern on people.

Lynn doesn't go to school but instead performs required and taxing daily chores such as sterilizing water, finding fuel and then also keeping watch during the night. If given the choice, would you choose high school or protecting the pond?

Protecting the pond! Always! In all honesty, Lynn's mother does a good job of giving her a decent education because it's important to her as an educated woman to pass something of the past civilization down to her daughter. Lynn is in school --- life school.

What struck me about the novel was how Lynn had to think through every social situation because she had only ever socialized with her mother. How much fun did you have writing Lynn's social interactions with the few others she comes into contact, especially between her and Eli?

They were the most fun scenes to write, definitely. Lynn is so cautious and careful all the time, so accustomed to being the queen of her own little realm. But you put her out of element, like just trying to have a simple conversation with a cute guy, and she's completely floored. She can't read body language, doesn't even know certain words (or have a clue about flirting) because it's just not anything her mother thought was important. She gets a crash course in humanity when she steps off her own property.

How would you hold up in a survival situation like the one Lynn is faced with?

I'd like to think I'd do okay. I'm a pretty good shot, and I actually do know how to skin and dress a deer, and I build a decent fire. So if I had to survive in that manner, I think I could make a solid attempt. Could I kill someone else? That, I don't know. And I don't think anyone can know what they would do in a life threatening situation until they are actually in it.

What would you like readers to take away from NOT A DROP TO DRINK?

That there's a very gray area between right and wrong and that the decisions we make shape our character --- especially the big ones.

What are you working on now? Will there be a sequel to the book?

I just wrapped up the revision for my 2014 release, and I recently signed a contract with the same publisher (Katherine Tegen Books) for YA releases in 2015 and 2016. DRINK is a standalone though in the sense that the storylines are tied off. There are no loose ends and no cliffhangers here!

In A World Without Water

The seed that grew into Not a Drop to Drink was planted nearly fifteen years ago as I sat through a required geology class in order to get my liberal arts degree. Yes, rocks are important. Yes, air is nice. I didn’t expect this class to rattle me, but I’ve found that inspiration usually strikes out of nowhere.

Even though I was bored, I’m a good girl and I did all the required reading. One chapter in particular sat me back on my ass—hard. It was about aquifer depletion, and you’ll notice that the article I linked to is from July. Yep, it’s even more of a problem today than it was when it first scared the crap out of me.
It wasn’t aliens, velociraptors, demons, or even a natural disaster that had my attention. It was something very simple—there were too many people and not enough water. I sat through the next class waiting for someone to jump up and say, “Oh my God! Did anyone else go out and buy a bunch of bottled water yesterday!??!” But that didn’t happen.

It seemed that I was the only one absolutely terrified by my geology book.

A few years ago the fear was reawakened when I watched a documentary called Blue Gold. The numbers hadn’t improved. There were still too many people and not enough water. The seed that had been planted in college was rejuvenated. I went to bed absurdly thankful for the small pond in my backyard.
That night I dreamed about teaching a young girl how to operate a rifle so that we could defend our water source. I woke up and thought, “Hey . . . I wrote a book in my head just now.” The book made the journey from my head to paper, and soon it will get to travel from paper (or screens) into your heads. Just keep a glass of water nearby while reading. . . . Early reviewers claim that paranoia made them thirsty.

How likely is it that the world of Not a Drop to Drink could happen? Despite the A in my one geology class, I really don’t know. But keep in mind while reading this piece of fiction that the inspiration came from a college textbook and a documentary.

Also, buy bottled water.

—
 

5 Quick Tips for Surviving in the World of Not a Drop to Drink

1) Purify your water! Cholera is not a pleasant way to die, plus you’ll smell like diarrhea in the afterlife. Be familiar with the SODIS method. No boiling, no chemicals—let the sun’s UVA rays work for you.

2) Grow your own food! Seeds want to turn into plants. Stick them in the ground and stand back.

3) Can it! Even if you aren’t expecting to be killed any day, eating your garden vegetables in the dead of winter is incredibly satisfying.  The Ball Blue Book is a must have and appropriate for beginners.

4) Girls, want to even out your chances? Yes, being a chick is hard; it’s even harder in a lawless land. Wear Carhartts to hide your body type and jam your hair up in a hat for a quick gender disguise. Walk with confidence. You look like a dude now.

5) Practice with flint! It’s not as hard as you think, but it’s also not as easy as it looks. Sure, you can get a book of matches at any restaurant or bar for free . . . today.

The Bookshelf Sophisticate: Interview with Mindy McGinnis

As a fellow blogger, you focus a lot of the interviews on Writer, Writer Pants on Fire, on the publishing process. Do you have any tips for the aspiring writers out there?

I think my biggest tip is to be realistic, and I don't mean that to sound haughty. Quite the opposite. It took me ten years of writing, improving, learning, revising, etc., to get an agent. The overnight success stories are the ones that make headlines, but Aesop didn't write about the tortoise winning the race because it's sexy.

Name three things you loved about writing Not a Drop to Drink

The research - it was life-changing. The story itself - It wanted to be told. Writing Stebbs - he took charge of every scene. He didn't need me at all.

What's your best advice for someone that wants to be a writer?

Be diligent and realistic. I love being a librarian and will never give it up. I made sure I had a day job that I could conceivably perform for the rest of my life and be happy if the writing gig didn't pan out. If I'd said, "I'll settle for McDonald's until I hit the writing jackpot," I'd be overweight and disillusioned.

Your debut novel is coming out soon, how does it feel? What was your favorite part of this whole process?

I had the kick in the chest when I held my ARC in my hands, the "real" feeling, but it wasn't until the other day when DRINK was on the Indie Next List (sandwiched between Patrick Ness and Elizabeth Wein) that I went - "@#$*@(#@#!!"  

My favorite part was totally getting my cover. Just flat out awesome.

You recently signed a two-book contract with Katherine Tegen Books of Harper Collins which are scheduled for 2015 and 2016....any hints or teasers you want to give your readers on what to expect and look forward to?

I honestly can't because I have no idea what those books are about.

You not only write, you're a YA librarian, maintain your own personal blog as well as contribute to at least five others on a regular basis. How do you juggle and manage it all?

Well, obviously I'm completely insane. No, the truth is that I don't sleep much. When I do sleep it's one of those disorienting, drool-on-yourself things and then I'm good for like, 18 hours.

What's in your reading pile right now? Any recent favorites you'd recommend or tell us to steer clear of?

I'm actually ripping through the titles of my fellow Dark Days tour authors - Rae Carson, Michelle Gagnon, Sherry Thomas, Madeleine Roux and Amelia Kahaney. By the looks of it I'll be finishing up Sherry's book - THE BURNING SKY - and jumping into Madeleine's - ASYLUM - tonight!

If you could travel anywhere you wanted, where would you go and why? If you could only take three things with you, what would they be and why?

Ireland. But I don't want to go until I've traced my ancestry back to when they came over (looks like early 1700's) then traced that line *forward* to find living Irish relatives.

Um three things I'd take with me - clean underwear, tampons and more tampons. Just because I'm practical.

Feature Friday: Mindy McGinnis

A.L.:
What piece of advice would you give to a budding author?

Mindy:
Write whatever story is resonating with you the most. Don't chase trends, and definitely don't write something just because you think it might be marketable. If your heart isn't in it, it will be obvious. 

A.L.:
What's your favorite book and why?
 
Mindy:
I don't have a particular favorite book, but THE STAND by Stephen King is up there. I've read it three or four times and I get a horrible cold every time. When something is so strong that it produces psychosomatic symptoms, that says a lot. 

A.L.:
Where did you get the idea for Not A Drop to Drink?
 
Mindy: 
I watched a documentary titled Blue Gold, which is about the predicted freshwater shortage for our planet. It was very frightening, and made me grateful for the pond in my backyard. That night I dreamt about teaching a small child how to handle a rifle, so that we would be able to protect our water source from other people. I woke up and said, "Hey, I think I wrote a book in my head just now." 

A.L.:
Did you hit any snags while writing Not A Drop to Drink?  What were they and how did you fix them?
 
Mindy:
Not really. I often tell people that the story literally fell out of me. And it did. I wrote it in a little under six months, I believe. There were no stalls, no periods of wondering what happened next. I just knew. Or rather, the characters did. They acted, I narrated. 

A.L.:
Which one of the characters in Not A Drop to Drink is your favorite and why?
 
Mindy:
Geez. Favorite books, favorite characters! You're killing me! They're all good (and bad) people in their own ways. A lot of the story focuses on that exactly- they live in a world where good and bad don't exist the way we think of them now. There's survival, and there's what you do to stay alive. 

A.L.:
Can you tell us a little bit about your journey as an author?
 
Mindy: 
Sure. It was long and horrific. I'd been writing and querying for ten years before landing Adriann Ranta as an agent. I have three trunked (as in, probably forever) adult mss, and one (and 1/2) YA mss that will probably never go anywhere. DRINK was a whirlwind in its own right - I think I only sent out 10 queries and I had 8 full requests and 2 offers of representation off of those. But there was a decade of doubt before that. 

A.L.:
What are you working on now?  Sequel?  Something new?

Mindy:
Right now I'm giving myself some downtime. Lots of reading. A little brainstorming but nothing I'd call an active WIP. 

A.L.:
You're a YA librarian!  Of course, we're going to pick your brain:  

Mindy:
Favorite YA author. Why?  Rick Yancey - he's not afraid to just go there.
Favorite YA novel.  Why?  THE MONSTRUMOLOGIST by Rick Yancey. Because it goes there.
Whose book did you just order for your YA department? Why? Sadly, we've done zero ordering this year. Yeah. We have no money. It breaks my heart. I've got kids coming in wanting sequels and new releases, and... I don't have them. It sucks. I hate it. 

A.L.:
So -- because I'm dorky and get super excited when I find out other people also studied religion in college -- not counting your own religion (if you have one) what's the most interesting religious figure you've ever studied and why?
 
Mindy:
Oooooo I like this question. Honestly all religious figures are fascinating. But, I won't give you a non-answer -- I think any nuns or monks (anytime, anyplace) are just amazing. I'm not Catholic (in fact, I'm a Lutheran) but I think anyone who gives themselves fully over to a life commitment like that is admirable. And for the record, Martin Luther is also very kickass. There's a great example of - Hello, I have a very unpopular opinion, and I'm going to make that very clear, in a very public way.

A.L.:
You can your own food.  Do you also grow your own food? What's your favorite canned food and why?

Mindy:
Yes, actually I do. Between what I grow and can and what the boyfriend hunts, we could probably live entirely free of grocery shopping. But we'd have no dairy. And I do love yogurt.

Tomatoes. Yum. There is nothing quite like popping the lid off a jar of tomatoes in the dead of winter and smelling the tomatoes that I canned in August. Just... yum. 

A.L.:
Have YOU ever been deprived of water? 

Mindy:
Not to the extent that I thought I was going to die, no. But I am an athlete, and I know what it's like to have to run past your endurance and then have that NEED for water. It goes beyond thirsty. 

Eater of Books

Alyssa: Describe Not a Drop to Drink in seventeen words, to someone who has never heard of your book!

Mindy: It’s a post-apoc survival tale set in a world with very little water. Three more words.

Alyssa: Name another post-apocalyptic novel (recent or not) that you really enjoyed and/or influenced you or your book? 

Mindy: THE STAND by Stephen King was probably the first post-apoc book I ever read. It blew me away. I’ve read it four times now, I think.

Alyssa: How did you choose character names in Not a Drop to Drink?

Mindy: I don’t choose their names, they do! I refer to them in my own head very generically, like Girl Character, etc, then when it’s time to name them in the text I just rest my hands and ask them their name. They come up with good stuff.

Alyssa: What’s one song that really represents this book?

Mindy: Rocks and Water by Deb Talan fits it very well, also I had a songwriter / singer friend of mine write an original song for the book, but it’s on the downlow for now!

Alyssa: I'll have to look up that one! What kind of research did you have to do for this book?

Mindy: I learned a lot about SODIS, a natural way to purify water using the sun’s UV-A rays. Other things in the book like gardening, canning and hunting are things I already know how to do, and didn't require research. Even skinning a deer. Yes, I know how to gut a deer. It’s really not that bad.

Alyssa: How do you like your romance? Are you a fan of “love triangles”?

Mindy: Ugh. Honestly I’m just not into romance at all. It’s just so not my thing.

Alyssa: Forgive me for not knowing… but is Not a Drop to Drink a standalone? (If no, do you think you could write more books to make it a series? Or are you finished with this world?)

Mindy: I forgive you. DRINK is a standalone in the sense that all the storylines and plots here are tied off and finished by the end of the book. No cliffhangers, no teases. Lynn’s story ends here. However, it’s a big world, and we only explored a tiny corner of it in DRINK.

Alyssa: :D What are you currently working on in terms of Young Adult projects - something new? Anything contracted? 

Mindy: I recently signed another two book deal with Katherine Tegen books, and I will have YA releases in 2014, 2015 and 2016!

Alyssa: YAY CONGRATULATIONS! Although I did know that one :D But woohoo! And that’s it from me! Thank you so much for stopping by my blog, Mindy!

Mindy: Thank you for having me – I’m so glad I could be here. You’ve been a “fan” of mine since before I even had a cover!!

Fiction Freak: Get Your Debut On

There are two different reactions to telling someone you write for a living. They are:

1) Wow. I'd love to sit at home all day and get paid to make stuff up.

2) OMG. That's amazing. How do you DO that? I can't even write two pages!!

The truth is somewhere in between, nestled snugly between the impossible and the improbable. Yes, it is incredibly hard to put word after word in a sensible, aesthetically pleasing manner over 60,000 times (or over 100,00 times, depending on your word count). But I have to admit that I totally have days where I sit down in front of the laptop and say to myself, "Dude. You get paid to tell stories about things that never happened to people that don't exist. That is soooo cool."

But - I have to actually sit down and DO IT first.

Welcome to every writer's worst enemy - themselves. 

Procrastination is the the monster under my bed, and he's got nasty sharp teeth. Actually that's a lie - those teeth aren't sharp at all. They're very small and have rounded edges. They don't slash into me, they grind me down over the course of the day and tell me I need to do the dishes, mow the yard, take a shower (Ok, that one is important), read, watch TV or (gasp) take a nap. Those teeth wear at my motivation and tell me it's OK, I can add to the word count tomorrow when the dishes are done and yard is mowed and I don't smell bad anymore.

And I can, technically. But what about that little spark of motivation that is unique to today? The one that might fire a scene in my pantster brain that won't have a chance to exist tomorrow, because tomorrow's spark of motivation is it's own individual flame, one that wants to do something else entirely and completely neglects yesterday's inspiration?

I remind myself of this every time I think about that nap - even if it's well-deserved. My non-events happening to people that don't exist might ACTUALLY never happen if I don't make use of the synapse that is firing today, right now, in this moment. I'm not perfect - I cave to the temptation of my nap, or a longer shower than usual fairly often. And there's a little scene that dies every time I do.

So yes, there is that space in between the amazingly easy job of getting paid to write, and the impossible task of ACTUALLY doing it. I reside somewhere in there, dodging some responsibilities while accepting others, and performing CPR on yesterday's ideas when I indulge myself in a little procrastination.

Not A Drop To Drink Playlist

While I don’t listen to music while I write, I definitely find inspiration in certain tunes. Very often I’ll hear a song and think that it fits a certain character’s personality, or that it stands as a good mood setter for the book in general. If a song resonates deeply with me it can even serve as a tool to help fill in backstory for a character.

NOT A DROP TO DRINK has a rather varied playlist. The first example will help illuminate a character that some readers might find hard to connect with. Mother is the only human Lynn has even spoken to, and Mother’s entire life revolves around teaching her daughter to survive – no matter what. She’s a feral mother, a no-holds-barred guardian of her young. The song Rocks & Water by Deb Talan set me back the first time I caught it on Pandora. The refrain particularly applies to Mother:

I will be rocks, I will be water

I will leave this to my daughter:

Lift your head up in the wind

When you feel yourself grow colder

Wrap the night around your shoulders

And I will be with you even then

Even when I cannot see your face anymore.

Another song I want to mention in connection with NOT A DROP TO DRINK is Thistle & Weeds by Mumford & Sons. So much about this song fits my story. The imagery is bleak, there’s a not-so-subtle plea for rain throughout, along with the allusion to bullets falling from the sky- something Lynn herself has been the source of for more than a few thirsty travelers over the years. But hope is also threaded throughout the song, a feeling that redemption might be out of reach right now, but won’t be forever. These lyrics in particular grabbed me the first time I heard it:

Look over your hills and be still

The sky above us shoots to kill

Rain down, rain down on me

But I will hold on, I will hold on…

And lastly I want to mention Waiting For The End by Linkin Park. It has a very defiant feel to it, something that Lynn understands perfectly. She spends everyday assuming that she could die any minute. She controls every element of her life that she can, but her world is a violent one, and no one knows what the next day will bring.

Waiting for the end to come

Wishing I had strength to stand

This is not what I had planned

It’s out of my control.

These three songs together do a great job of painting both the setting for my book and the personalities of two of the main female characters, Lynn & Mother. I hope that hearing them gets you geared up for the release of NOT A DROP TO DRINK on September 24!

Debut Author Bash

Mindy McGinnis is an author by night and works in a school library in Ohio by day.  She cans her own food, which should come in handy should the apocalypse ever come. She does have a pond in her backyard.  You can read more about her at her blog Writer, Writer, Pants on Fire (where I stole this picture from). Her debut YA novel is Not a Drop to Drink, coming this month from Harper Teen and I totally recommend it, but since my word has less weight than say author Michael Grant, you should know that he also really recommends it: “A brutally beautiful debut, not to be missed.”

Did you always know you wanted to be a writer?

Yes! I distinctly remember telling the lady who administered our career assessment tests in 8th grade that I wanted to be a writer. Then my results came back and said I’d be a great cop. Or a museum curator.

How did you come to write a YA novel?

Originally I wanted to write for adults. I have four very miserable and horribly written adult manuscripts under my bed. After years of failing at that I looked around one day and realized that as a YA librarian I was surrounded by my audience 40 hours a week and immersed in the market… why WASN’T I writing YA?

What do you hope teen readers take away from your novel?

There are different levels of NOT A DROP TO DRINK. Someone who comes to it looking for an adventurous read with a strong female protagonist will be thrilled, someone who is looking for big questions about what it means to be human and the cons of isolation will be happy too. J

Would you survive a post apocalyptic world like your book is set in? Have any tips for the rest of us?

Read My Earlier Review

The question of whether or not I’d survive is basically asking if I’d be willing to kill someone else in order to ensure my own survival. And, I just don’t know. I don’t think that’s something you can know about yourself until you’re in the situation. Tips? Learn self-defense, know how to grow your own food, and learn methods of purifying water with natural energy – (hint, SODIS method).

What visions of the future have scared you the most?

This one. It’s an entirely plausible scenario. All of the research I did for DRINK told me to be concerned… very concerned.

Here is a true but funny story.  When I lived in Ohio, it turns out that Mindy lived in the town right next to mine.  We never knew each other.  Ironically, we met after I moved to Texas.  Texas is in a drought, has been since I moved here two years ago.  Everytime I see the dry, cracking grown I think of Not a Drop to Drink, so I made this graphic for Mindy.  You can see it and more on her Pinterest page.

Why do you think post apocalyptic fiction is so hot right now?

I think there’s a lot of doubt in the world right now. I feel like people are questioning and resenting the government, corporations, and political figures more than ever. Seeing characters that stand up to “the man” always makes the little guy feel empowered. In my own book, there is no ruling power – it’s all about straight-up survival. And those stories resonate because I think we all wonder if we could live in a situation like that.

What are you reading and loving right now?

THE GIRL OF FIRE & THORNS trilogy by Rae Carson. Good God, she can write.

What’s next for you as a writer?

Right now, mostly promotion for NOT A DROP TO DRINK. It’s my debut, and I’ve had a TON of support from HarperCollins. I’m throwing myself behind the marketing aspect and focusing on that right now.

What book did they make you read in high school that you simply hated? Loved?

Honestly I didn’t care for To Kill A Mockingbird. I truly didn’t understand what the big deal was. I read it again as an adult and was like, “DEAR GOD this book is AMAZING!!” I think in some ways that book is taught too early. A book I loved… Um, I’m a big nerd. I loved The Odyssey.

What IS your favorite drink?

Truly and honestly, it IS water. I’m an athlete and an outdoors girl, and there is NOTHING like cold water when you need a drink.

Chat With Mindy McGinnis

1. Please start by telling us a little bit about yourself.

I’m a YA librarian and I live in a very rural community. I have a pond in my backyard, but I’ve never shot anyone. Yet.

2. When did you know that you wanted to write professionally and how did you take the leap to get into the business?

I’ve pretty much always known that I wanted to be a writer, but I never wanted to take the time to learn how to do it properly. I wanted to be that aloof, creative person who made magic and let other people be practical. But that’s just not how this is done. I figured that out a few years ago and joined the excellent writing community at AgentQueryConnect.com There I learned everything I know about the industry, about querying… everything you need to know as a writer to succeed.

3. Can you tell me a little bit about  your book and what inspired it?

NOT A DROP TO DRINK is a post-apoc survival tale set in a world with very little water. I watched a documentary called Blue Gold, which is about a projected shortage of potable water on our planet due to overpopulation. It was a horrible thought – we all need water to survive, and it’s something we can’t make. I went to bed very grateful for the small pond in my backyard, and that night I dreamt I was teaching a young girl how to operate a rifle so that she could help me protect the pond. I woke up and thought, “Hey… I wrote a book in my head just now.”

4. What do you hope that readers take way with them after reading your book?

That just surviving isn’t always the answer. You have to live.

5. I find it interesting to know what environment authors find most productive… Do you use a pen and paper or laptop? Quiet room at home or bustling café? Basically, what gets your creative juices flowing?

I type into the laptop, but if I’m doing a major revision I will work with paper and pen. I always write in bed, lying down. I’m just that lazy.

6. What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?

Hard to pin down! All the criticism hurts (but it’s necessary) and all the compliments send me onto cloud nine. I think the best compliments have been my blurbs from Michael Grant, Ilsa J. Bick, Jodi Meadows and Kendare Blake. When writers whose books I love are willing to lend their name to mine, it’s a special kind of feeling.

7. What book is currently on your nightstand? And who are some of your favorite authors?

Um, my nightstand literally has about 30 books on it right now. The currently warm from my hands book is BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA by April Tucholke. Some of my favorite authors would be Stephen King, Donald Ray Pollock, Chuck Palahniuk and Diana Gabaldon. That last one threw you, didn’t it?

8. What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Read  But I’m also an athlete and an outdoors girl. Basically, I like a lot of stuff. Except heights. Heights are bad.

9. Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Do your homework. Learn the industry. Find excellent critique partners and listen to them.

10. What can we expect from you next?

I have YA releases coming from Katherine Tegen in 2014, 2015 an 2016!

11.  Do any animals share your life? Please tell us about them.

Um, that’s a resounding YES. One massive pure black Turkish Angora cat named Don Gato, a tiny bottle-fed rescue kitten named Samuel Wilderness, a German Shepherd mix rescue, a cranky old Australian Shepherd and four barn cats of vastly oscillating personalities.

The Broke & The Bookish: The Dark Days Are Here

Describe your book in six words or less

Dog eat dog. But more awesome.

The idea of a world with very limited water and what it could devolve into actually quite scared me because it seems so plausible! What was your inspiration for this premise?

Well, not to freak you out further but it is very plausible. I originally was introduced to this concept in a geology class in college. I was immediately stunned -- RUN OUT OF WATER? HOW CAN THAT BE?! But the idea slipped to the back of my head, only to be resurrected when I saw a documentary titled Blue Gold, which is about the frightening real numbers behind this scenario. That night I dreamt about teaching a young child how to operate a rifle so that she could help me defend my backyard pond. I woke up and thought... "Hey, I wrote a book in my head just now.”

After reading Not A Drop To Drink I'm so curious about all the research you did for learning how people would survive like this, the plausibility of water wars like this, etc. Can you tell us one or two of the most interesting/scary/gross bits of information that you learned while researching? 

The funny part is that I didn't have to do a ton of research about basic survival, because in some ways I do live that way by choice. My house is heated entirely by wood, most of which I try to cut myself (although my dad helps me), I grow and preserve the majority of my own food, and as I revealed at ALA - much to the shock of the room - I can, in fact, gut a deer. I don't however, have a clue how to preserve meat without a freezer so I had to read up on that!

I did have to research methods of naturally purifying water, though. I remembered reading an article in National Geographic about an effective method that uses the UV-A rays of the sun, so I Googled that and learned about the SODIS method.

What I loved about this story was that very raw, survivalist feel to it. What do you think the hardest aspect of Lynn's life would be for you if you lived in this novel?

Constant awareness. She can't go for a walk or just enjoy being outside for a second, because that could be the second that someone takes her down.

I loved that you explored the mentality and the morality behind what it takes to survive. We see two very different mentalities in this novel -- one person is all about the survival of the fittest and taking care of yourself and your family and then we see another character emerge who believes that maintaining our humanity and helping one another is how you are going to survive. What kind of inspiration or research helped you to explore both of these sides so authentically? Do you think it would be very black or white for you if you lived in this situation?

Fantastic question. There was no research involved, but I definitely relied upon my degree in Religion & Philosophy when it came to addressing these two different methods of surviving. I don't think it's black and white at all, which is part of the larger question. I think in these situations, almost everything is gray. Killing people is bad, yes. Killing someone in self-defense is excusable, so how do we define self-defense? Technically, Mother kills to defend the pond - and she'll die without it, as will her daughter. Yet... it's not that simple, is it?

As far as what I would do in that situation, I don't think any of us can know what we would or wouldn't do until we are in that place, and the choice is forced upon us. I do believe that every human being is capable of killing, if the right things are threatened. For some people it's their favorite baseball hat, for others, their children.

If you could pick a theme song for Not A Drop To Drink what would it be? 

A talented musician friend of mine named Jack Korbel did an original song for me based on the book. So, definitely that one!

I know it's hard to pick favorite characters for authors but do you have one? Which character did you find yourself attached to the most after you finished writing it? 

Oh man, it's actually a really easy question. Writing Stebbs was a breeze. Anytime he showed up on the page he just started talking and took over, the words flew out. He wrote himself, yet I will miss not writing him.

The story ends in a very satisfying manner and from what it looks like it is not part of a series. Are there any plans to continue Lynn's story or write in this world but create a whole new set of characters?

Glad you liked the ending! I felt like it was important to give this story some closure, to have it be a complete reading experience. But Lynn's world in DRINK is a very small one, and I do think it would be interesting to know what's going on in the rest of the country....

This is your debut novel so I'm curious to know what has been the most surprising thing about the publishing process?

It is my debut novel, but I've been writing for ten years. Quite honestly the most surprising part for me after a decade of getting nowhere is that I'm published at all!

What are 3 skills you possess that would help your chances of survival in Lynn's world?

Gardening. Target Shooting. Common Sense

For some quick fun:

If you could do a mashup of any two shows/books/movies what would they be? 

I would love to see THE WALKING DEAD meets ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA.

Name 3 luxuries you feel like you'd miss the most living in Lynn's world? 

Technology, Electricity, Media

Name a world, besides the one in Not A Drop to Drink, that you'd NEVER want to live in? 

Any world that has dinosaurs in it. BEJESUS!!

If you were in Lynn's shoes what is one thing you would scavenge for in other houses? 

Oh good question... um - books!

Since we are talking about survival here, what's one thing you can't survive without as a writer? 

My laptop. I type everything out, zero longhand for me.

Banned Books Month: When Rape Becomes a Bad Word

In addition to being a YA author, I’m also a librarian in a public high school. In that role I have carefully taped back together multiple much-loved copies of SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson. When a copy is so tattered that it can’t remain in circulation anymore, I toss it out on our plentiful Free Books table, and it quickly, quietly disappears despite its ragged condition. In my tiny high school that graduates under 100 students each year, we have 10 copies of SPEAK. Yet we can’t keep it on the shelves.

This is not only because it circulates widely, but also because I unfailingly have a few “walk away” from the library without being checked out. And I don’t mind. If a kid needs to read a book about rape but is too embarrassed to come up to the desk with it, I understand. I’ll buy another one.

But the fact that they don’t feel like they should be reading it, or even worse – that they’re ashamed to be reading it – bothers me greatly. In a sense, it’s directly in opposition to what the book is about. These girls (and boys!) shouldn’t feel awkward about wanting or needing to read an important book about a social condition. If it were about starvation, shop-lifting, or drinking, they wouldn’t respond in this way.

Katherine Tegan Books, September 2013.

Sadly, they’ve been taught that rape is a bad word. When they come up to the desk asking for books on the topic, they drop their voices, blush, whisper, or even talk around the word because it’s too difficult for them to pronounce the one simple syllable. SPEAK is about exactly the opposite – they should be able to say it, loudly and confidently, accusingly or sobbing, in whatever way they can squeeze it past their throats. It needs to be said.

Despite being banned in some places, SPEAK continues to be a cornerstone in my library, and many others. I always take the opportunity to tell the kid on the other side of the desk when they’re stumbling through their request that it’s OK – you can say it.

And if that means something to them on multiple levels, SPEAK just opened up the conversation.

Authors Are Rockstars

Mindy McGinnis didn't hold back in her YA Debut novel, Not A Drop To Drink. She didn't shy away from the cruelty her characters' faced and I LOVED that about her book! She wasn't afraid to "go there."  Mindy is a fearless ROCKSTAR.

We are so excited to have Mindy on the blog today as part of the Authors ARE Rock Stars blog tour!! She was gracious enough to answer a few of our questions =) Take a look!

Favorite book when you were a child:

That's a tough one. I'm going to go with A WRINKLE IN TIME. Although, if I may fudge the question a little, my favorite book from that *series* is A SWIFTLY TILTING PLANET.  I think I read those books at least four times apiece.

What do you like to do when you’re not working/writing?

I'm an outdoorsy girl, and an athlete. So if the weather is good you can find me in the woods, the garden, the softball diamond or the pool. If the weather is bad I'll be reading.

Do you have any unique hobbies or talents?

I'm a knitter. And because of this I've learned that I have really acidic sweat and / or skin. Whenever I use a crochet needle, a stitching needle, or a knitting needle I rub the enamel off in fairly short order and am down to the actual metal. I don't really know that this is useful information, or even considered a talent. Also I have very fat thumb pads.

Your top five authors:

      1.Stephen King

      2.Diana Gabaldon

      3. George RR Martin

      4. Chuck Palahniuk

      5. Donald Ray Pollock

Favorite line/quote from a book:

"Wild nights are my glory." - A Wrinkle in Time

What was the hardest part of writing Not A Drop To Drink?

Honestly the book pretty much fell out of my head, which I realize is an attractive visual. It was a breeze to write. I really can't complain on this one!

What was your favorite chapter to write and why?

Any time the character of Stebbs has a monologue or trades barbs with Lynn was fun to write. He was the easiest character in the world, because he produced natural dialogue all by himself and the other characters *wanted* to interact with him. 

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Don't be so confident. Do your homework. Realize you're not done when you type THE END.

What can we expect from you in the future? 

I'm calling for a nervous breakdown in 5 to 10 years.

Amaterasu Reads: Interview with Mindy McGinnis

Where did you get the idea for writing Not a Drop to Drink? I've read in your bio that you have a pond in your backyard. Was it because of that?

The inspiration for NOT A DROP TO DRINK actually came from a dream I had, although the pond played a part. I watched a documentary called Blue Gold, which is about the shortage of water on our planet. That night I dreamt I was teaching a small child to operate a rifle, so that she could help me defend the pond. When I woke up I thought, OK - I just wrote a book in my head.

Of all the elements to remove for a post apocalyptic setting, why the absence of fresh water?

Again, the documentary played a big part. It's really a horribly frightening premise. Water is something we all need to survive - every single one of us. And we can't make it. Sure, we can desalinate, but that takes a lot of energy and money. And what about people nowhere near the sea? Rain can only go so far...

Lynn sounds like a fierce character, one who can survive on her own without anyone's help. Was her character patterned from/molded to resemble/influenced by a real person?

No, not really. She's just a prototype of one way you could choose to live in order to survive. Killing is all she knows. The idea of mercy is not in her worldview at the beginning of the book. While I can say that the character isn't based on any person, she is in some ways patterned after the little girl I dreamt about. I had to ask - what kind of adult would this child grow up to be if she's killing so young in order to survive? The answer I came up with was Lynn.

If you were Lynn and you have one of the few ponds left with freshwater, how would you defend it? Would you rather share it or save it for yourself?

Tough question. Let's go ahead and assume I'm willing to kill to survive. Deep down I think we all are perfectly capable of killing someone else in order to ensure our own survival. If it came down to it, are we moral people or are we base animals? I'm not sure, and a lot of DRINK is about trying to figure that out. 

Are there any particular challenges you encountered while writing Not a Drop to Drink? How did you tackle that?

Not really. This book completely fell out of my head. I honestly wasn't writing so much as just dictating what my brain had to say.

Why dystopia? What is it about dystopia that you like? 

Technically, DRINK is not dystopian. There is not over-arching society or rage against the machine involved here. DRINK is survival at its most basic. You need water. You have water. What will you do to keep it?

What I like about it is how it cuts right to the chase. There's no questions about who likes who, or what to wear, or how your hair looks today. The question is - will you kill someone in order to live through the day? That tells you a lot more about someone's character than what label they're wearing.

A short message for the readers, please?

It's perfectly acceptable to read DRINK for a romp, an adventure about living one more day just to face hardship the next. But it's also a novel about the human condition, who we all truly are when it comes down to it. So I'd like people to read it with that in mind.

On the Trail with Author Mindy McGinnis

BC:  Hi Mindy! Before we jump into yipping about your shiny new book with the stunningly beautiful cover, can you give us the skinny on where we’d be hiking if I actually had the cashola to fly out and conduct this interview in person?

MM: We’d be going for a walk in my parents’ woods in Ohio. I pretty much grew up under the canopy there. The second I was off the school bus I headed for the woods and stayed until Mom called me for supper. I built a little shelter, played “survival games” and everything. My little makeshift home is completely gone now, but I returned to the spot to film some of the footage for the trailer of NOT A DROP TO DRINK (coming soon), so there was a nice full circle thing going on there.

BC: I love the premise of your book. Talk about high stakes! Just reading the bio makes my throat feel all dry and parchy. Did you get thirsty writing it?

MM: No, because my dirty secret is that I have a backyard pond. I’ve got no worries. 

BC: Let’s talk marketing and promotion – something I haven’t covered before in my author interviews. So much goes into launching a new title, both from the publisher’s perspective and the author’s. The paradigm is shifting, and now so much of the responsibility rests on the author’s shoulders. Can you help us understand what your publisher provides, and what is expected of you, the author?

MM: That’s a tough one because it’s different for everyone. What the publisher provides is different from house to house, sometimes even imprint to imprint. And through talking to my fellow debut authors it’s clear that everyone handles their relationship differently.

In my own case, I’m a go-getter. I started my blog (thanks for the shout-out!) as soon as I was agented by Adriann Ranta, then followed up with a Facebook page and a Twitter account when NOT A DROP TO DRINK was sold. Recently I jumped into Tumblr (although I’m still a noob there). I have a G+ account as well, and participate in Circles there. I actually like G+ a lot and wish more people were active there.

Beyond social media, I printed up my own swag – bookmarks, water bottle stickers – and promotional postcards to send to libraries and bookstores. I also printed up little tent cards with a brief bio of myself on one side and the book on the other, for shelf displays in bookstores and libraries. As a librarian, I know sometimes you want to showcase certain books and you’re like… but what do I DO?!??! Answer: Tent cards.

So that’s my end. On the publisher’s end I’ve been fantastically blessed with an imprint that is backing me tremendously. They’ve implemented a Goodreads giveaway (20 copies of NOT A DROP TO DRINK available) ARC mailings and e-ARC availability for reviewers and librarians, plus I’ll be on the Fall leg of the Dark Days tour (dates and locations to come).

There’s also a lot of what’s called “invisible marketing” at work – title placement in bookstores, word of mouth among the industry and buzz that’s created by people in your publishing house talking up your book. Yes, we as authors are definitely expected to promote ourselves, but my arena of influence is only so big. They still do all the heavy lifting!

BC: Like many writers, you have a blog. I have to say, your blog is one of the best out there. I’m amazed at how you crank out content five days a week, and it’s always entertaining and informative. How do you manage this, plus all of the other responsibilities of life? Not to mention writing your next book! Maybe you’re secretly a mad scientist and have created a Mindy clone in your basement?

MM: Thank you! I’m always so pleased when people compliment Writer, Writer. It truly is a work of the heart. Blogging isn’t something you get an immediate return on. Is every reader of Writer, Writer going to buy a copy of DRINK? Probably not. But, I’m OK with that. I use the blog to promote writing, fellow authors, and literacy in general. I work full time as a YA librarian, so the blog is an outlet for my other passions as well – not just a promotional tool.

I also contribute to the group blogs From the Write Angle, Book Pregnant, Friday the Thirteeners, The Lucky 13s, The Class of 2k13 and The League of Extraordinary Writers. Yes, I’m insane. A lot of these blogs are writing blogs geared towards helping the un-pubbed, or newly pubbed on their path by sharing our own experiences. I’ve had some amazing help from people more than a few rungs ahead of me on the publication ladder, and I believe in paying it forward.

Also, this is where networking comes into play, and how I’ve met some amazing people. For example, The Class of 2k13 has a panel at ALA 2013 moderated by Veronica Roth. Yeah. I would’ve missed out on one hell of a promotional opportunity (plus meeting new author friends in real life and working out with Debra Driza at 6 AM in a hotel) if I weren’t involved with the group blog. Is that payoff worth blogging once a month? Um, yeah.

BC: In addition to the blog, you have an author presence on Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr. Does a certain medium work better than others for reaching readers, in your opinion? What advice would you give to aspiring writers regarding the plethora of options out there?

MM: Only do what you like and want to do, and do it often. If you set up a Twitter and never use it, or only hop on sporadically it looks like you’re not very interested in connecting with your readers. I think no presence is better than an absent-minded one when it comes to social media. The same is true of blogging and your site. If you’re not going to be updating (and often) don’t do it.

The other thing is that different avenues attract different crowds. My blog is very writer-centric. I use G+ to promote literacy in general with giveaways and what I call Librarian Book Talks of books that I’ve enjoyed. Twitter is more personal for me – I use that to say something silly about what I’m doing, or eating, or something my pets did. It’s a way to show people that you’re a real person too, not some mysterious writer with a persona that encourages them to keep their distance. Tumblr I use for bite size digestibles – quotes, pictures, random funny crap. I also have an AMA button (Ask Me Anything) on my Tumblr, which I hope will be utilized by fans once DRINK has dropped.

BC: You’ve waited two years for your book to come out. That’s not counting the time it took to write the blasted thing, procure an agent, get a book deal, etc. What will you do in September to celebrate? Can you share what you’re working on now, or is it top sekrit?

MM: I have been waiting a long time- but I was writing and failing for ten years before that, so I’m not complaining. Right now I don’t have any concrete plans for release day. Knowing me, I’ll forget that it’s my release day and be out mowing the yard while my Twitter stream explodes and I’ll come in at 11PM and slap myself in the head.

I’m not actually working on anything right now. I had eye surgery recently (voluntary) and it’s made reading and writing both pretty difficult. So I’m mowing. And mulching. And going to the gym.

BC: Mindy, thanks for the inside scoop. Folks, you can learn more about Mindy and where to buy the book here. Can’t wait for your novel to come out!

Interview with a SLOB: Mindy McGinnis

Most of you probably know about Mindy McGinnis through her fun, informative blog Writer Writer Pants on Fire or because her awesome-looking debut NOT A DROP TO DRINK hits bookstores this September. (Enter to win a copy on Goodreads here) But when she's not writing or blogging, she's a school librarian aide. Once I sold THE BREAK-UP ARTIST, I realized that the library world is totally foreign to me, even though I use libraries all the time. I spend time thinking about selling books, but getting your book into libraries is also important. People check out library books and get recommendations from their librarians every day. But what happens before that?

So today, Mindy is taking off her writer hat and putting on her librarian fedora to answer some questions about how libraries buy books. And in the tradition of her SAT, SHIT, and CRAP series, I'll call this interview with a SLOB (School Librarian on Books).

How do libraries buy books? 
That really depends on the individual libraries. My own library is a public school in a rural area, and we've recently had to go through some serious funding cuts. When I first started, we had three full time librarian aides (one in each building) and one district librarian. Right now I'm the only full time librarian aide, and the District Librarian is also a part-time English teacher. So, our method of buying books has changed. We used to have the time to browse through School Library Journal, Horn Book, the YALSA site, read reviews, and hit up major book blogs. With our time so restricted now we use a service through Junior Library Guild where they send you an age appropriate selection every month.

How far in advance do they order them? 
In my own library we typically don't pre-order unless it's an anticipated big-demand sequel or series addition. Most of the time we rely on JLG [Junior Library Guild] to stock our shelves and then we do buy single titles through word of mouth or titles that our own browsing have led us to.

How do you decide what to buy? 
Our budget is restricted, so we buy what we know will circulate. Sequels and series additions are easy choices when we know the first title circulated well. Also we pay attention to the trends of what our kids are reading - which may not necessarily be what's trending in the industry. Right when zombies were going hard, all our kids wanted to read were contemporary issues books. So hey - we found them.

What do you think makes kids at your school pick out the books that they do? 
Two answers on that:1) The cover2) UsCovers are HUGE for teens. I can't tell you how many great books with bad covers have totally tanked with my kids because they don't want to be seen carrying them around. Our kids have learned to trust us though, and it's such a great compliment when a kid comes up to me and says, "Pick a book out for me. You know what I like."

Do authors ever reach out to you directly to pitch their books? 
In different ways, yes. I do have people approach me as a blogger for help with a signal boost, but also I've had quite a few YA authors (Simone Elkeles, Liz Norris and Lenore Applehans to name a few) donate copies of their books because they know I'm a school librarian. It also never hurts when I pick up a copy of a book and hand it to a kid and breezily say, "Yeah, I know her." ;)

Is there anything content-wise (language, violence, sex) that restricts you from stocking a book in your library? 
Tricky question. I don't enjoy censorship, but I do enjoy having a job. My library currently serves grades 7-12 and next year due to a building closure it will be serving grades 5-12. Obviously there are some content that is perfectly acceptable for seniors that a seventh grader shouldn't be near, let alone a fifth grader. Typically, because it's a small town, we know the kids, and usually we know the parents, too. We know their maturity levels, but we do make sure there's nothing too terribly shocking going home with someone who shouldn't have it. 

I've always said it's possible to have everything from Doctor Seuss to Cory Doctorow to E.L. Doctorow on the same shelf in my library... and that's pretty much the case.

Book Addict 24-7 Welcomes Mindy McGinnis

1. Not A Drop To Drink has a pretty interesting theme that touches on the very real fear modern society has of running out of water. Of all the global issues at hand, what attracted you to the topic of decreasing water resources?

“I actually have the boyfriend to thank for the inspiration. 

He’s an avid documentary watcher, and he happened to have one rolling called Blue Gold when I was at his place one time. It focused on this topic precisely, and it left me thankful for my own backyard pond. 

After seeing the film, I dreamt that night of teaching my little niece how to operate a rifle so she could help me defend our water source. I woke up and told the b/f - 

“Hey, I think I wrote a book in my head just now."”

2. Your debut’s cover is stunning! Can you explain to us the process in which that particular cover made it onto your book? 

“I have the amazingly talented Erin Ferdinand at Harper to thank for my cover. 

It is lovely, and I’m so happy with it. There really wasn’t much of a process. I was asked what ideas I might have, and I gave them a list of things I *didn’t* want - no faces was a big one for me. 

I want my readers to see themselves as the characters. 

I also didn’t want any ball gowns, but given the topic, I didn’t think that was likely. 

My only feedback was that DRINK felt like a very blue / green book, and if we could make that happen it’d be cool. And they came back at me with that, and I said, "Um… good job."”

3. If given the chance, what other global issue would you write about, or feature in a future novel? 

“Not sure, honestly. 

To me I think water is just THE BIGGEST all pervading thing. We ALL need it. We CAN’T create it. It’s insane to me that more people aren’t freaked out about it, to be honest.”

4. Can you tell us the book that turned you into a young adult fan? 

"Ha. No, I honestly can’t. 

I’ve been a YA librarian for about ten years so I can’t even begin to answer that. I will say that when I began working as a YA librarian I made the mistake of being a little dismissive of it as an art form. I still thought of it as easily digestible, watered down forms of "real” books. Then I picked up THE KNIFE OF NEVER LETTING GO by Patrick Ness and was thrown onto my ass by it. 

OK, never mind. I guess I *can* answer the question.”

5. Can you tell us how you planned Not A Drop To Drink when you first came up with the idea? 

“I’m a complete pantster. I just start typing. 

I know generally where things are going to go, but I just let the story happen. DRINK totally just fell out of my head. I know that’s really attractive, but that’s pretty much what happened.”

6. There are a lot of fantastic debuts coming out in 2013, how does it feel to be part of such a fun and exciting year? 

“It’s pretty awesome. 

I’m a member of three groups that are all 13 debuts - The Lucky 13s, Friday the Thirteeners, and The Class of 2k13 - and they’re populated by wildly talented (and highly entertaining) people. 

As a lifelong reader and complete book geek, I’ve been having the best time going into book stores and airily declaring, “Yeah, I know her. And her. And him. And her. And oh yeah… that person? We totally tweet."”

7. The publishing world is growing and expanding beyond the conventional forms of publishing (i.e. physical vs digital)–do you have any specific opinions on how this change in publishing might affect your writing career? Do you think it is an exciting change, or do you think that the publishing world has a risky future ahead? 

“Personally I’m a paper person. 

I like holding a book. I do use an iPad to read occasionally, but mostly I like paper. However I know plenty of people that love e-books, and who cares what the medium is? Audiobook, hardcover, paperback, e-book - whatever! It’s still a story being delivered to someone in THEIR preferred manner. So more power to them. I’ll give it to them however they want it.”

8. Can you share three of the most important things a writer needs to remember when sending out query letters and finished manuscripts to agents and/or publishers? 

“1) You’re not perfect. 

You did not just write the best thing ever written. Seriously, if I’d not been so ridiculously self-inflated and refused to look for critique partners, I probably could’ve been published a lot sooner. Instead I was convinced of my genius and stuck in the query trenches for a decade. 

2) Subjectivity. 

It never ends. At every level there will be people that don’t like your book. There will be agents that don’t like your book. There will be editors that don’t like your book. There will also be people that love your book, AN agent that loves your book and AN editor that loves your book. Now, the thing to remember here is that if YOUR MOM doesn’t like your book, you are totally back at square one and need to rethink everything. 

3) Homework. 

Do it. Know your market. Know your agents. Know what you’re doing and be professional.”

9. What are some of your favourite genres and books in the young adult age group, and which genres do you think will gain more popularity in the future? 

"I like a fresh dystopian or post-apoc, I lean towards post-apoc. 

I declare that straight, hard-core SciFi will be the next thing to blow big. At least I hope so. 

Also, I’d love to read some great, non-creature, straight-up ghost stories.”

10. What do you think is the biggest global issue that we, as consumers, should keep an eye on (besides the depleting sources of water)?

“Nope. Water. It is everything. Without it, we are so stinkin’ dead.”

Remembering the Challenger

I was only in kindergarten when the Challenger exploded, but I remember it clearly because it was my first experience of chaos. 

When you're five, you believe that adults know everything, control everything, and can fix anything. I got off the bus on January 28, 1986 to find my mother crying, which was shocking enough on its own. The worst thing my child-brain could conceive of was that one of our pets had died, but she explained what had happened over my snack.

I remember what kind of jelly was on my PB&J. I remember what my juice box looked like. I remember that my tiny tummy folded up on itself and refused to eat anything else. 

I suddenly understood that adults could die. Even worse, a teacher - a type of adult I thought of as being super-human - was just as susceptible to a random accident as anyone else. I peeked at the TV while the Challenger exploded over and over, at a complete loss to wrap my thoughts around what had happened. There was nothing to recover, no one to save. Nobody could do anything to help.

For the longest time this is what space meant to me - danger, chaos and helplessness. I couldn't believe that anyone would ever try to go into space again, after seeing the shuttle explode.

But people did... and my perception of space began to change. As I grew older it represented amazing courage and human ingenuity. It meant that there were people brave enough to strap themselves onto a rocket in the name of science, secure in the knowledge that the people who had built it were confident that it was safe.

I'm still never going to get on a shuttle, I admit. Even if that option were open to me, my fear of heights has ruled space travel out. I think the experience of seeing our planet from space would be so surreal that my mind couldn't grasp it in any case, and so I'll settle for subscribing to National Geographic...

... until we use up all our freshwater and have to go find another blue planet.

Inspired Openings: The Truth about Opening a Novel with Life or Death

As writers there’s nothing more terrifying than File>New Document - except maybe that big white space underneath the words “Chapter One.” Filling that space with something meaningful, gripping, and full of voice will be our biggest challenge, much greater than finally being able to type “The End.”

So how do we do that? There is no magic formula or easy route that any writer can point another one to for instant success. But what I can do is tell you what I’ve done wrong in the past, and some of the most common well-intended trip-ups I see.

InstaAction – We’ve all been told that we need to grab the reader’s attention with our first line. That doesn’t mean you squeeze their trachea shut and hold tight. Way too often writers take opening action so seriously that the reader is instantly dropped into a life or death situation. And while that’s definitely action, the question remains – is it compelling? 

Think for a second about flipping through channels. In any given moment you can probably land on a handful of scenes where someone is dying, someone is being killed, or violence is being threatened. Do you care? Do you instantly stop on every single scene just to see if the character is going to make it? Um… probably not, or else you’d still be sitting in front of your TV right now, having wet your pants and died of dehydration.

Now think about your favorite character in your favorite show. Is Dexter on his own table? Does someone have a gun to Daryl’s head in The Walking Dead? Did you just grab the arm of the person next to you and say, “Dear God, go back to that!! I have to know what happens!!” And why is that? Because you care about the characters, you’re invested in them before we get to this point in the narrative.

Opening with a character that nobody cares about yet in a life or death situation doesn’t mean much.

Wrong Place, Wrong Time – Wow! You’ve got a stellar opening that cuts to the chase and grabs your reader right away. It’s snappy! It’s original! It’s… the beginning of Chapter Three. 

I can’t tell you how often a merciless self-edit has shown me that I wrote two chapters worth of not-so-helpful drivel before I got to the point. Sometimes our beginnings are already written, but not located in the right place. Take a hard look at your first 10-20 pages and see if you need them, then look at page 21 and see what it has to offer.

The opening for NOT A DROP TO DRINK worked that way. Even though my opening line remained the same from first draft to copyedits, (Lynn was nine the first time she killed to defend the pond) everything following went through some pretty serious surgery. The final version of my opening has cut and pastes from as far forward as Chapter Four, with bits of Chapters Two and Three sprinkled in, then I passed through with a narrative needle to stitch it all back together.

My favorite opening lines:

I’m sharing three of my favorite openings. They encapsulate voice and grab me. I want to know what the heck is going to happen next. 

The first thing you find out when yer dog learns to talk is that dogs don’t got nothing much to say. – THE KNIFE OF NEVER LETTING GO by Patrick Ness (Candlewick, 2008).

I've buried nearly everyone I love. – DUALED by Elsie Chapman (Random House, February 26, 2013).

Simon Glass was easy to hate. I never knew exactly why, there was too much to pick from. I guess, really, we each hated him for a different reason, but we didn’t realize it until the day we killed him. – SHATTERING GLASS by Gail Giles (Simon Pulse, 2003).

Ruminations of A Non-Psychic Librarian

Being psychic would be so useful. I would know what detours to take when roads are out. I would know without looking if the milk in the fridge expired. I could win the lottery and maybe even talk to animals.

Clearly I’m interpreting “psychic” quite loosely. If I stick to conventional parameters and say that I’d have the ability to know what’s next, then yeah, still useful. Grab the umbrella on a sunny day, make sure the spare tire is along for the ride, and be acutely aware, every moment, of what’s going to pop next in YA literature.

 Oh, man. If only.

 I’ve been doing this librarian thing a little over a decade. We went all vampires, werewolves, zombies dystopian, fairy-tales, classics re-invented, and dystopian. Some think the dystopian ship has sailed. I personally disagree because I think there’s always a market of people who want to read tales of humanity boiled down to it’s essence, but the question is will it always be booming?

 Probably not.

 Hopefully NOT A DROP TO DRINK can slide in with one last big boom.

So what’s next? Wish I knew, ‘cause I’d write it. As it is, I can look at what’s warming up and just on the verge of boiling, and give you my opinion. TWILIGHT was actually out a while before it blew up, as was THE HUNGER GAMES. I read both before either one of them had a movie cover and had spawned legions of vampire and dystop books.

 My opinion? Science Fiction is about to blow up. I spotted it first with THE KNIFE OF NEVER LETTING GO by Patrick Ness and ACROSS THE UNIVERSE by Beth Revis, but since then it’s been getting aggressive with titles like CINDER and my own crit partner RC Lewis’ recent success with STITCHING SNOW being sold.

 So yeah, that’s what I think. Look out for aliens and robots, space stations and droids. But don’t go writing that just because of my opinion. If you’re heart isn’t in it it’ll short circuit faster than Wookie vomit on a control panel.

 Write what your heart wants. And if that’s a contemporary romance, so be it.