C. Lee McKenzie
Today on the blog we had a chance to interview C. Lee McKenzie, author of YA and MG fiction. Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us!
What is your favorite book that you've read? Why
is it your favorite?
This is the most difficult question in the world. I have a zillion favorite
books in all kinds of genres. However, I'll name one book that never fails to
pop up in my head as memorable. It's Catch-22. I loved the irony in this book,
and there are so many days that I come up against that Catch-22 and laugh. This
book captures the tragi-comedy of life.
In what category/genre do you write? Why?
I write Young Adult-Crossover novels
that are contemporary and realistic. I do have one YA speculative piece, but it
hasn't been published yet. I also write Middle-Grade fantasy/adventure. I love
this combination of genres because they're so different. I'm afraid I'd
become stale if I only wrote in one genre.
What part of one of your stories was
the most fun to write? The most challenging? (And which book/s are those in?)
I loved writing the dinner scene in Double Negative. It was a chance to
show all of the boys out of their troubled settings and give the
acerbic-witted Miss Maggie a chance to shine. I suppose the most challenging
part to write was in Shattered when Libby starts her climb out of self-pity to
self-reliance.
Would you please, in 160 characters (not words) or less, give a #WriteTip?
Take chances
Do you draw from specific life experiences or influences to inform your
writing?
Yes, of course. I've used a lot of my life experiences to write my books: loss
of a parent, self-harm to cope with a harsh world, false accusations, and
homophobic treatment of friends. These are a few life experiences that I've
gone to and used. In general, I've explored the grief, the fear, the happiness,
the love I've had in my life to put my stories together.
What do you love and hate most about
being a published author?
I can't think of anything I hate about being a published author. It has been an
interesting and rewarding experience. I guess I love it because I did something
that I really didn't think I could do.
Do you publish traditional,
self, hybrid, other? Why?
I've done all three, and I do what suits me at the time. As to why... it's
because the business now allows me those choices. In the past, there was only
one route to publication. Now there are several, and how great is that?
What question are you dying to answer (about your writing, life, or even a fun fact)? What's the question and then answer.
What's your next book about?
Well, since you want to know...It's a
real departure from my contemporary/realistic Young Adult-Crossover books. It's
a speculative novel about witches and revenge. In it, I still do explore a
theme close to my heart, and that's discrimination, the mistreatment of those
who are different from us.
Would you please ask our audience an intriguing question to answer in the comments?
What is most likely to make you follow and read a specific author?
Which book would you suggest readers
start with?
I'd suggest The Princess of Las Pulgas. It's one of my early books, but it's
still reviewed well and I get letters that tell me people have enjoyed reading
it. I think it's an example of what I like to write about and the way I develop
characters.
Lee is offering signed copies of DOUBLE NEGATIVE, THE PRINCESS OF LAS PLUGAS, and SHATTERED! To enter this 3(!) book giveaway click on the rafflecopter link below:
Thanks so much Lee! It was fun getting to know you and learn about your work! And thank you for such a great #WriteTip, definitely something I needed to hear today. I can’t wait to check out your new story- witches and revenge are my jam!
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Please check out the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge
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That was a lovely treat to hear Lee's thoughts on everything. I love the spec fic with witches... looking forward to that!
ReplyDeleteAnd you made me realise that I follow the authors I do because I love their characters. Some people's characters are great, but I don't love them. I don't wonder what they are doing when they aren't in their books... It's probably why I'm still writing short stories with my own characters. :)
Jemima
What is most likely to make me follow and read a specific author? Mm... I follow a lot of authors (on social media and via newsletter); most of their books are on my TBR, too. But actually reading the books? The book packaging (title, blurb, cover) should draw me in and the genre should be what I'm in the mood for -- and having a reason beyond just wanting to read a good book should be present. As for actually finishing reading a book: loads of reasons. Enjoyment being paramount.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview!
Ronel visiting for M:
My Languishing TBR: M
Mystifying Muse