Natalie Whipple - an interview

Happy Monday and Labor Day!

Today I am soooo excited to have Natalie Whipple over for an interview. Natalie blogs at Between Fact and Fiction

about writing, her journey to publication and much more.

People, her blog is full of awesomeness. Natalie's debut YA novel "Transparent" is set to be released Summer 2013.

1) Tell us about your book Transparent.

On the run from her mind-controlling father, the infamously invisible Fiona McClean hides in a small town, hoping to finally rid herself of the crime world she has always known. But playing at “normal life” with a mother she hates, a brother she can't trust, and a boy she can't stand proves more difficult than she ever imagined. Soon her father is hot on her heels, and it’s up to Fiona to protect not only her family, but the friends who’ve taught her that life doesn’t have to be as lonely and cruel as she thought.

2) What is your writing process like for a first draft?

I’m kind of in the middle of discovery writing and outlining. I don’t write out a traditional outline, but I do make notes about what I want to happen as I write. I might have 1-3 chapters planned out, but never much more than that. If I know what happens, I lose interest and end up not finishing.

3) What is the easiest part of writing a book? The hardest?

Beginnings are easiest for me. I usually get the beginning of a story when I get an idea, but rarely now where it all leads. I’m a premise girl—the problem with that is a premise can go about a million directions. So when I hit about 50 pages I slam in the massive wall called The Middle. The rest of the book is tough going, and I usually have to rewrite my endings at least once, if not more. Editing is also difficult for me. Basically, I wish I could write beginnings forever because that’s the only thing I would even begin to say I can do.

Fun fact: Transparent has the most alternate endings of all my novels. I think there are about 10 different versions of that book’s ending, complete with different villains and all.

4) You have written other books before Transparent, how have you grown as a writer from that very first book to this last one?

Oh, have I written other books. I am working on my 14th novel. Transparent was my 10th. I have grown immensely since that first novel, in absolutely every aspect you can think of—in plotting, grammar, description, characterization, dialogue, etc. I was a truly horrible writer, and obviously it took a lot of practice for me to get anywhere. But that’s the great thing about hard work: it pays off. Sometimes it even makes up for natural talent, when you don’t give up.

5) What genre do you enjoy reading the most?

I love YA, and in particular I’m a sucker for Contemporary. I know, Transparent is not Contemporary (honestly I have no clue where you’d stick my book genre-wise), but it’s probably my favorite because of the characters. I’m a sucker for a vibrant character, and Contemp is full of them.

After that, I read manga fairly often. I love reading it because I can devour a fat-looking book in a day, so it makes me feel like I read fast when I really don’t. Also, pretty pictures.

6) Who is your favorite author?

That’s like asking what my favorite food or color is—it really depends on my current mood. My favorites change constantly, but I guess today I will say Ally Carter, Holly Black, Sarah Dessen, and Julie Halpern.

7) And lastly, the question that must be asked, what advice do you have for the writer that's just starting out?

First, if you want it, keep going.

Second, you will make mistakes, so don’t beat yourself up over them. Just learn and remember you aren’t the first.

Third, if you’re in a rush, stop. It will hurt your writing and your nerves. It will be done when it’s done, and sometimes that takes two years whether you want it to or not (like Transparent).

Fourth, have fun as much as you can.

Thank you Natalie for the awesome interview :)