Blogger Birthday Bash: Valerie Thomas and Stacy Kramer- Interview + Giveaway

What's up everyone!
Today is another day of The Blogger Birthday! And Today we are celebrating From What I Remember by Valerie Thomas and Stacy Kramer! From What I Remember had it's birthday on May 15th (My Birthday!). So if you have not grabbed a copy of From What I Remember yet you must get one as soon as possible! You won't regret it! So check out this awesome and fun Interview with both the authors! And There is also an awesome opportunity for you to win your own signed copy of From What I Remember! Remember to comment so you get an entry in the giveaway!

 

WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION TO WRITE YOUR BOOK?

We both worked in the film industry for years, as producers and screenwriters, and we are passionate about movies but haven’t been seeing the kind of movies (CLUELESS, John Hughes movies, etc.) for teens that used to be a mainstay. We decided to write a book that would have the same fun, adventure and emotional resonance of those films. We hope we succeeded.

ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON ANYTHING NEW? IF SO, CAN WE GET A CLUE ON WHAT IT IS? 

We are always working on multiple projects – that way if one is on pause for some reason, we have another one or two to turn to. We hate it when we aren’t writing. So, we have two books that are works in progress right now. The first is a thriller, which is a huge departure for us. It’s not paranormal, but it does take place in a shadowy world overseas, in Berlin, that is utterly fascinating to us. We don’t want to give anything else away because it would spoil the story for you! The second is more like FROM WHAT I REMEMBER, in that it’s a comedy, and a romance, with some emotional heft thrown in. It takes place in Ohio, when a film shoot comes to the main character’s town and sets up shop for a year. Her whole world gets thrown into chaos, in the best and worst possible ways. That one should be coming out soon so, stay tuned!!

ANY TIPS FOR ASPIRING WRITERS?

Our biggest tip, which sounds simplistic, is to dive in and give it a try. So many people get scared off from writing because they have no confidence, or they think it must be perfect right out of the gate. Anyone who has written anything knows this is never the case. The trick is to begin writing, and with time and multiple rewrites, whatever you are working on will improve. And, the more you write, the more you learn to write, so over time you will get better and you will gain confidence. Joining a writers group is a great way to get you started and keep you writing as well. A group will set deadlines for you, and will critique your work, letting you know what you’ve done well, and what you need to work on.

WHAT IS YOUR WRITING ATMOSPHERE LIKE?

We have very similar atmospheres – we both work at home, in little home offices, while our kids are at school. Valerie has a somewhat cluttered desk that she tidies a bit before she begins to write. She usually has a cup of coffee or tea with her at all times, and she is often wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt. Why put on real clothes if it’s not necessary?? Stacy likes her caffeine as well, which she alternates with smoothies and Pellegrino. Stacy spends a bit of time of fashion blogs before diving into the writing. She also spends at least a half hour every day telling her dog to stop barking.

WHAT IS THE BEST PART ABOUT HAVING YOUR BOOK RELEASED IN MAY?

We are thrilled to have our book released in May – it’s Spring!!! Kids are about to get out of school and hopefully reach for a few good books, on the beach, at camp. And this is a perfect beach and/or summer read! It’s escapist fiction, in the best sense.

FAVORITE FOOD

Valerie: Dim Sum
 Stacy: Sashimi

READING OR WRITING 

Valerie: Reading
Stacy: Writing

FAVORITE BOOKSTORE

For both of us, any bookstore that carries our books! Seriously, though, we’re huge fans of independent bookstores and both like to browse the shelves of our local bookstores (for Valerie, that’s Watchung in Montclair, New Jersey and for Stacy it’s BookCourt in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn) and any and all bookstores we stumble upon in our domestic and international travels. Nothing more fun than losing yourself in a bookstore…

Giveaway

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~Fishy >O