Isn’t this an eye-catching cover? And here’s Mindi Scott our Debut author of the week. She’s offering some super swag for the best comment, so be sure to check out her contest below.
Welcome, Mindi and tell us about your novel, FREEFALL.
Seth McCoy was the last person to see his best friend Isaac alive, and the first to find him dead. It was just another night, just another party, just another time where Isaac drank too much and passed out on the lawn. Only this time, Isaac didn’t wake up.
Convinced that his own actions led to his friend’s death, Seth is torn between turning his life around . . . or losing himself completely.
Then he meets Rosetta: so beautiful and so different from everything and everyone he’s ever known. But Rosetta has secrets of her own, and Seth will soon realize he isn’t the only one who needs saving . . .
The book sounds intriguing, Mindi. How did you start writing for young readers?
Almost everything I’ve ever written would be classified as “Young Adult.” In 2004, when I decided that a big focus in my life would be writing and trying to get published, it just felt like the obvious and best fit. One of my writing instructors that year told me, “The YA market is really hot right now!”
I was like, “Oh, is it? Well, that’s cool.”
Which, of course, it is cool. But it had nothing whatsoever to do with my decision. I’m just lucky that what I love to write happens to be in a market that’s selling!
Is there anything you’ve learned in writing this story, selling it, seeing it published that you’ll share and perhaps help aspiring writers reach their goal of publication? (Some things to do or avoid or surprises, good and not so good, that you can share?)
I’ve always been told that my writing has that mystical thing called “voice.” Looking back, though, I think I used to rely too much on my own voice and point of view when writing female narrators. In Freefall, my protagonist is a sixteen-year-old guy, and writing him really forced me to stretch. I could never take the easy way out—not for one page, one paragraph, one sentence, one word. Everything had to be about how Seth would see it/think it/say it, otherwise the slip in voice was obvious and jarring. I feel that writing him flipped a switch for me and has permanently changed my approach to voice and point of view for all of my characters moving forward.
Now, I don’t think that the answer for everyone is to write a different gender or anything like that! But I do think that finding ways to challenge yourself in your writing can help you improve your craft in unexpected ways and make your work stand out. 🙂
Mindi Scott says
Hi everyone!
Thanks so much for reading and for all your great comments here! 🙂
Best,
Mindi
DazyDayWriter says
Hello Mindi and Lee … I like the idea that writers should challenge themselves. So very true. Taking skills to the next level is all about saying "yes" to the challenges that await in the next writing project. Great book title and cover art. A freefall experience, hmmm. The most recent example (and it's not that bad, really!) was when I tried to upgrade my blogsite to wordpress 3.0 and the entire site vanished! Luckily, the site is hosted and a backup was readily available; problem fixed in less than an hour. But … for a few moments there, I'm sure my heart hesitated and lost a few beats. Take care and best wishes to both of you!
LM Preston says
Wow, that cover is gripping. Love the interview and meeting Mindi!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Our children do often come at just the right time. My dad always said they were sent by the angels. He might have been right.
Theresa Milstein says
This book sounds interesting.
The first manuscript I ever wrote was from a male POV, but I had a lot to learn about writing. Since then, they've all been female protagonists.
Jessie says
oh – Love Sheri's comment. The time when I felt like I was free falling was before my kids were born. I was working LONG hours in a big law firm, my creativity was totally stifled, and all I wanted to do was quit and open a bridal boutique after years of schooling and a large hill (not quite a mountain) of debt. Then I had my first daughter and was able to work part time and focus on something more than work. I often say that little baby saved me.
C. Lee McKenzie says
There are some great Freefall stories here. Mindi has her work cut out for her.
Anonymous says
mindi this was an excellent interview it sounded just like u as i read it im so happy for u cant wait to read it
emily
salarsenッ says
The book sounds wonderful, and I love the cover. Makes me think.
My freefall moment was when I gave birth to our third child, a daughter. We already had two boys, and I was sure I'd fall victim to 'My Three Sons'. As strange as this will sound, the moment she was fully born I heard a voice as plain as day. A voice, not in my head, but in my heart. It said, "See, I love you." I have never been the same.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I love the idea of FREE FALLING. It makes my stomach do loops, but it's so exhilarating.
Lisa Gail Green says
Sounds like an awesome book! I look forward to reading it. But, I'll leave the contest to others. It wouldn't be fair, since I already won something from one of your interviews!
Julie Musil says
The book sounds great! Thanks for the interview.
Freefall moment…this was my worst! I was bagging groceries at our local grocery store. A jar of relish slipped out of my hands and crashed on the floor. I went to clean it up and slipped in the relish. Ugh! Teenager slipping in relish in front of the whole store. FAIL!
Susan Kaye Quinn says
This sounds great, and is going on my TBR list!! There is a great discussion going on about male POV in YA, so it is wonderful to see another example of a male POV making it to the bookshelves.
For a freefall moment … hmm, when I found out our third son was expectedly on the way. That emotional freefall was brief, but our lives were upended by this unexpected blessing.