Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen! This is stop #11 (my favorite number) on Liz Reinhardt's DOUBLE CLUTCH Blog Tour, hosted by Missy's Reads & Reviews. This blog tour runs from November 13 - December 4 and includes Reviews, Interviews, Giveaways and even Guest Posts from Liz herself. If you have not been following the tour well now is your chance to catch up, just click here.
This is an exciting day at O'Boyled Books because you are about to read my very first author interview post, plus a bonus for you - she is giving away a copy of Double Clutch. I think I scared my puppies when I got the email then screamed like a little girl with happiness. Later I found out that not only do I get to learn more about Liz herself, but she generously shared her book with me as well. You will have to come back though for my review later this week because this post is all about Liz. Alright, I think I have sufficently pumped up you for the interview so let's get this show on the road.
SHORTENED BOOK BLURB
What happens when you fall for the perfect guy...twice...in one day?
Brenna Blixen spent her freshman year homeschooling in Denmark; now that she's back in the States, she's determined to make her sophomore year unforgettable. And by unforgettable, she imagined awesome classes, fun friendships, and maybe a little romance.
What she got was a whole lot of romance, and all at once. (From Goodreads)
MEET LIZ REINHARDT
Liz Reinhardt was born and raised in the idyllic beauty of northwest NJ. A move to the subtropics of coastal Georgia with her daughter and husband left her with a newly realized taste for the beach and a bloated sunscreen budget that exist right alongside an intense longing for the bagels and fast-talking foul mouths of her youth. She loves Raisinettes, even if they aren't really candy, the Oxford comma, movies that are hilarious or feature zombies, any and all books, but especially romance (the smarter and hotter, the better), the sound of her daughter's incessantly wise and entertaining chatter, and watching her husband work on cars in the driveway.
THE INTERVIEWWhat is your interesting writing quirk?
Since I have to write with little kids running around at my feet, I am pretty addicted to music. I need it to drown out episodes of Max and Ruby and repeat viewings of Alice in Wonderland! I keep Pandora running constantly, and when I find a song I really, really love, I search it on Youtube and make a huge mix. When payday comes, I buy the songs and load them on my iPod. I have the longest, craziest playlists for every one of my books!
My Side Note: I know what it is like to have to drown out Alice in Wonderland, I know my sister is probably reading this, but she ruined the movie for me. Anytime it was her turn to pick the movie we just had to watch that one like the world depended on it for survival.
Did this book come naturally (from personal experience) or was it a struggle at times?
More than any other book, Double Clutch just poured out of me, no problems, no issues! I even found myself falling asleep over the keyboard because I had so much more to write and say! And this book really felt like the characters just took over and decided what to do and when and how. So if there's anything you don't agree with, I swear it's not my fault! You can totally blame Brenna, Saxon, and Jake though ;)!
My Side Note: I am always happy to hear when authors have to keep their characters in line because it is so cool to be able to channel so many different personalities.
What does your family think of your writing?
Any time I ever have my laptop out, my daughter is like, "Oh, are you working hard? Are you writing a book?" That makes me feel so bad if I'm fooling around on Facebook! My husband is very proud, but always paranoid that I'm writing about him and making him look bad. My sister and sister-in-law read all my stuff and are my best cheerleaders. My parents think it's brilliant that I've self-published, and they brag to everyone and give me lots of strange advice about what I should be doing, even though they don't know all that much about self-publishing. So, all in all, I have a really awesome, supportive family!!
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
I know this is really weird for a YA author, but I would choose Maurice Sendak, who wrote Where the Wild Things Are among other amazing books. He had a passion and a vision, and he went with his gut, even when people complained that his work pushed the boundaries for what kids should be exposed to. But he didn't push boundaries just to do it; he had amazing respect for the children he wrote for. As a writer, anyone can pick up your work and judge it. People can say really hurtful things about what you pour your heart into. I hope I can be like Sendak; focus on the art, on the readers who I know will love what I do, and ignore the naysayers.
What is the message you hope your readers grasp from reading Double Clutch?
I hope they come away with the idea that these three (Brenna, Saxon, and Jake) are so crazily complex and still growing. I hope that they see that teenage years are a time for exploring yourself and your interests, and also a time when you're going to make mistakes and face situations that feel impossible. It's only by facing those kinds of situations that you find your true strength and build your character.
THE WRAP-UP
A big thank you to Liz Reinhardt!! I threw a few tough questions at her today, but she answered them all with grace and style points for choosing Maurice Sendak who is also a personal favorite of mine. I think Liz is well on way to being remembered for her art of writing like Sendak, especially by me since she my first author interview post and no one else can take that honor away from Liz. :-) The fact that her family sounds wonderfully supportive always makes me smile. It is always easier to achieve your dreams when you have people cheering you on.
If you would like to learn more about Liz, then you should check out the very funny interview done by Liz's sister over at Team Unpubbed. You can tell that interview was done with love. In addition, don't forget that there are more stops on this wonderful blog tour! Up tomorrow is a Special Guest Post by Liz over at Vicky's Books, Biscuits, & Tea. Also be ready for my review of Double Clutch coming soon!
THE GIVEAWAY
I do hope you will go out and pick up a copy of this great contemporary YA romance, Double Clutch. It is currently available at Amazon as an ebook. Although, you could just be lucky enough to win a copy.
Rules are simple:
- Name you want announced when you win.
- Your email address or twitter handle. (So I can contact you when you win)
- Answer to one of the following questions: Who inspired you to read? OR Which author made you love reading again?
Contest ends 12/11/2011. Winner announced 12/12/2011. International Giveaway.
Thank you again to Liz for joining us today. It was lovely to have you!
Happy Reading,
Michelle
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