Friday, January 29, 2016

Author Interview with
ALI B:
 
BOOK ONE:
Iris Brave isn’t as courageous as her name suggests. That’s about to change. Iris doesn’t take risks. Heights make her dizzy and she prefers to swim in the shallow end… with nose plugs. On a summer visit to her grandpa’s farm, a mysterious stranger shadows Iris, leaving her cryptic messages. When this outsider turns out be a phantom from her family’s past, Iris sheds her timid ways to uncover the truth and protect the family she loves. Along the way Iris discovers family secrets and enigmatic figures that lead her to question everything she’s ever thought was real.
BOOK TWO:
There are people out there who don’t die with their bodies. Their souls live on in the bodies of others. Some good, some bad—they are soul jumpers. Nothing in Iris Brave’s world make sense anymore. Her father, Micah, is still alive—his soul survives in the body of a teenage boy. It is up to Iris and a group of soul jumpers called the Sixteen to save Micah. To do so Iris must take on the unscrupulous leaders of the Council. Can she save her father? Will she survive?

I'm so excited to speak with the Author of  THE SOUL JUMPERS SERIES - Ali B. CHECK OUT HER INTERVIEW WITH ME....

HI ALI - TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR BOOK. 
I am a primary grades teacher in San Diego. In addition to darling students, I share my life with my handsome husband, two beautiful children, and three spoiled dogs. I am lost without a good book to read. My other great passion is basketball.

WHEN AND HOW DID YOU BECOME A WRITER?
I’ve always been a writer. I loved writing stories when I was a kid. I’ve shared my writing with my students, but not until Iris Brave, my first novel, did I think about publishing.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST WRITING ACHIEVEMENT?
My first fan letter in response to Iris Brave.

 WHAT IS THE HARDEST THING ABOUT BEING A WRITER?
Finding time in a busy life to sit down and do it.

 WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
I’m working on publicity and mapping out book three.

 WHAT GENRE(S) DO YOU WRITE?
Middle Grade Fiction

DO YOU EVER SUFFER FROM WRITER’S BLOCK?  IF SO, HOW DO YOU GET PAST IT? 
Yes. Doesn’t everyone? If I can’t move forward in my story, I back up and edit for a while.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE PLACE TO WRITE?
Anywhere that has limited distractions. Coffee houses are great. My bedroom with the door closed. In the car if my husband is driving. Anywhere.

 WHAT’S THE GREATEST COMPLIMENT YOU EVER RECEIVED FROM A READER?
Many of my readers have told me they identify with Iris, the main character in Iris Brave and The Sixteen. That’s what I wanted. Connection. Identification.

WHAT WAS THE WORST COMMENT FROM A READER?
My fans are honest, but they are also polite. I haven’t had my feelings hurt. I take their comments and suggestions as compliments. If they can critique, it means they were engaged.

THAT'S A REALLY GOOD POINT FOR OTHER WRITERS TO REMEMBER. HOW DID YOUR BOOK COVERS COME TO FRUITION?   
I had an idea, but no talent for explaining it. Luckily, I have the best book designer ever. Gregory Smith took my scribbles and made them into beautiful covers.

DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN ANY OF YOUR CHARACTERS?
All of them. There’s a little part of me in each of my characters – good and bad.

HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE ‘SUCCESS’ AS A WRITER?
When my fans ask when the third book is coming out – that’s success. 

THAT'S THE BEST FEELING! DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR NEW WRITERS?
Join a critique group. Hire an editor. Get beta-readers to critique and offer suggestions. Listen.

ANYTHING YOU’D LIKE TO ADD?
What ever you attempt, do it with bravery!


Like it! And now for the Speed Round of Questions...

ALI's BLONDE” BASICS:

FAVORITE FOOD?  Papaya
FAVORITE MOVIE? The Princess Bride
FAVORITE BOOK? Just one? Okay. To Kill A Mockingbird
FAVORITE SUPERHERO?  Mr. Incredible
FAVORITE AUTHOR?   J.D. Salinger

PRINCESS BRIDE, YESSSSSSSS! :) ALI, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING THE BLONDE BOOKIE BLOG TODAY!

NOW, HERE'S WHERE YOU CAN FIND ALI AND HER BOOKS:
@alibreidenstein
facebook.com/alibbooks

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