Blog tour stop: Rain by Christie Cote (Review, Q&A, Guest Post and giveaway)

Series: Rain #1

Publication date: May 6, 2014

Publisher: CreateSpace

Genres: YA Contemporary, Realistic Fiction

Format: eArc

Source: Christe Cote 

Pages: 188

Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Taylor Sullivan took her life for granted until she received news that would change her life forever. In a state of denial she met Kyle, who didn’t end up being what she expected. She wasn’t able to escape her new reality, but with his friendship, just maybe she could survive it.

The summary is pretty vague when it comes down to what this book is actually about, but when you read the first chapter everything is revealed. I had no idea that this book was about a girl with cancer – and before you think The Fault in Our Stars, stop, this book is nothing like TFiOS, it’s great but please don’t compare it to it. The opening paragraph is so

beautiful you really have to read it for yourself: I watched the rain hurl itself against my window. Every so often I would see a flash of light in the darkness. The weather seemed to know how I felt and was displaying my sorrow outside. I felt compelled to go out and feel the rain against my skin. It felt like the sky was crying for me, even though I knew in reality that wasn’t true. When I read those lines I knew this book was going to be great. It’s so beautiful and somehow so poetic.

 Lengthwise Rain is not that long, it’s a little less than 200 pages but it feels so long – and that’s not meant in a bad way. Somehow Christie has written a 200 page book that feels like 4-500 page book – that is indeed a skill. I loved every part of this book, there wasn’t really those dull moments that generally seem to be in books. This was packed with emotional moments; sweet, sad, uplifting, depressing, hopeless, loving, intriguing – you name it.

 I don’t know if it’s sad that I could relate to Taylor, but I felt for her or rather; I felt with her. I could relate to her feelings, her thoughts, her actions – it felt as if I was her. The conversations with Kyle, the Stranger from across the road, made me laugh and whenever they were together I couldn’t stop smiling. I loved them together and I adored how he treated her.

 Even though this book is about a girl with cancer trying to live it’s also so much more. It’s about friendship, first love – and second, family and life in general. I can’t wait ‘till the sequel comes out – even though this could be a phenomenal standalone. On that note I think I’ll wrap up. If you hadn’t guessed already I gave this book the fantastic 5 heart rating. As I’ve said a couple of times I love every part of this book, and it deserves no less that 5 hearts!

Q&A with Christe Cote

Q: Where did you get the inspiration for Rain from?

A: I had to start a new realistic fiction story for a fiction writing class in college. I decided to write about a character with an illness and then a scene with rain came to my mind. The rain aspect was very strong and I just went with it. I never expected to write an entire novel, I had never finished writing a book before.

Q: Why did you choose to write about a girl with cancer? 

A: This probably sounds morbid, but I have been interested in cancer since I was in middle school. I have done researched and read a lot about it. I was interested in nursing so I could help people with cancer, but writing about it and spreading awareness that way might be my way to make a difference right now.

Q: How did you create your characters?

A: As I was writing the characters just appeared in my mind, and over time as I wrote the story, they developed.

Q: Have you always wanted to be a writer?

A: I have wanted to be a writer since eighth grade, or that is when I believe I developed the idea. The want grew stronger over time and I was pretty intent on becoming a writer when I was a senior in high school.

Q: Was it your own choice to become an indie author, and why?

A: Yes, it was my choice to become an indie author. I thought about trying to get traditionally published, but I really liked the idea of having full control over my book and making all of the decisions. It is a lot of work, but has been a rewarding process and I have learned a lot.

Q: What is your favorite book by another self-published author, and why?

A: Slammed by Colleen Hoover, but she is now traditionally published by Atria. She has a wonderful success story from self-publishing Slammed. It is a fantastic book, I highly recommend it!

Q: Is there a book you wish you had written?

A: All of them. HAHA. Honestly, I’m not sure if I really wished I had written someone else’s story, especially one of my favorites. I mean the success would be nice, but I also would miss out on the reading experience for the book. When you write a story, you don’t appreciate it or love it the same way as when you read an awesome story for the first time. Does that make sense?

Why Christie chose to be a writer

I’m not sure if I chose to be a writer, or if it is something that I just am. I love to write, and since I began writing my passion for it has exploded. There is something so personal and intimate about writing, and it is the most magical feeling I have ever experienced. When I write, I get lost in the world I am creating, and I just can’t imagine never experiencing that. So I guess in short, I am a writer because I can’t imagine not writing. Without it, I would have a major hole in my life.

To win an e-copy of Rain all you have to do is answer a single question as usual: What is your favorite book by an indie author? (remember to leave your email address in the comment so I have a way of contacting you in case you win). 

Q&A with Claire Farrell

About Claire

Claire Farrell is an Irish author who spends her days separating warring toddlers.  When all five children are in bed, she overdoses on caffeine in the hope she can stay awake long enough to write some more dark flash fiction, y/a paranormal romance and urban fantasy.

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Q: Have you always wanted to be a writer?

A: I’ve always wanted to be a writer. I wrote my first (awful) song when I was three, so it’s always been the one big dream. I thought sound engineering would be the most realistic choice though.

Q: Was it your own choice to go indie and why did you go indie?

A: Nobody else can make that choice for you. J Writing has always been my first love, but the idea of the publishing industry put me off. I didn’t want to be tied into contracts or genres, and the thought of book tours and the like gave me hives. For my personality, that was never ideal for many reasons, so I haven’t pursued that route. I decided to self-publish four years ago because I put in some research and thought it was kind of perfect for me. I had to wait a while because, at first, there weren’t many avenues open to Irish writers – even the Google Playstore has just recently opened its doors to us.

Q: Where do you find the inspiration for your books?

A: Inspiration isn’t something I wait on. The more I write, the more ideas come to me. But anything can trigger a story – a song, a book title, etc. A six book series of mine came from an offhand comment my partner made.

Q: What do you think is the best thing about being an indie author and what is the worst?

A: The best and worst parts are complete control. I get to do my thing without restrictions, but I also have to keep on top of every aspect of the business. It’s a lot for one person, and sometimes, I feel like I spend more time chasing freelancers than actually writing. J But the freedom makes it worth it.

Q: What is the most important thing to keep in mind if you want to be an author?

It’s hard work. You have to really love writing, and you have to treat it as a job if you want it to be your job. If you’re self-publishing, you’re unlikely to be qualified enough to do every job yourself, so be prepared for expenses.

Q: Favorite book by a fellow indie author?

A: If I have to pick one writer than probably something by Thea Atkinson, but I’ve greatly enjoyed self-published books by writers like Scott Nicholson, RJ Keller, and Stacey Wallace Benefiel, to name a few. There are a lot of amazing writers out there.

Q: Any advice for aspiring writers?

A: Keep writing. Finish stories. It’s all about finding your style and what works – that can only happen with practice. And don’t forget to read. It’s important for a number of reasons, but it definitely helps you figure out what works and what doesn’t. Apply what you learn to your own manuscripts.

quick fire: 

coffee or tea: Coffee unless we’re talking green tea.

physical books or digital books: Digital, purely for the space-saving.

indie or regular: All I want is a good story with characters I can care about. It doesn’t matter who writes it. J

I have a giveaway going on where you can win either a whole series by Claire or a single book (your choice). You can participate here. In that post you can also read an excerpt from Soul (by Claire obviously). 

There's a bunch of free reads by Claire on amazon, just click on the titles: Verity (Cursed #1), Adversity (Cursed #2.5), Thirst (Ava Delaney #1), Stake You (Stake You #1) and One Night with The Fae (a Chaos series Prequel Companion)

Q&A with Maximillian Timm - author of The WishKeeper

Max is a risk averse, blindly ambitious, forcefully sure-footed writer who continuously laughs at his ability to avoid confrontation. It is, however, equally comical that he chose a profession within the world of the arts and entertainment since his aforementioned 'misbehaviors' are constantly challenged.

Q: Describe yourself in 3 wordsA: Committed. Stubborn. Methodical (These could easily be considered “negatives”, and in some ways inter-related, but it sums up my personality quite well. I do these things with inspiration and love, of course, and always keep my values at the top of my priority list. In such a competitive artistic field such as writing, one must keep a balance!)

Q: 3 funny facts about youA: A) I have driven across the United States, from Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA, 10 times - nine of those times by myself, and in eight different cars. That is a total of roughly 22,000 miles. That’s about 10% of the distance between us and the moon.

B) I have held 14 different jobs since January, 2000 (none of them include any freelance writing assignments I’ve worked…which are many).

C) I grew up in a tiny town (population of about 6,000) that was the circus capital of the U.S. in the early 1900’s. Directly across the street from my house was the Clown Hall of Fame, and less than a block away was the town park…which had a statue of a giraffe, and a statue of a an elephant with a clown between its legs. All of the drinking fountains in town were the open mouths of lions. All of these monuments are still there today.

Q: Why did you choose to become an author?A: Because I couldn’t play professional baseball for the Chicago Cubs. I am kidding of course, but in some ways it is partially true. I grew up as an athlete and really didn’t focus on the arts until I was in college. Telling stories, though, always came naturally to me. Storytelling never felt as if I was being artful or creative; I was simply being myself. My father has always been a gifted storyteller and listening to him telling stories around the dinner table was always a highlight of the week - it still is.

By the time I made it through my first year of college, I could tell I was coming into my own a bit. Most 18 and 19 year old kids go through this life affirming stage during college, and while I didn’t feel as though I was suddenly breaking free from any bindings or boundaries, I did at least feel more comfortable with who I was and therefore my creative and artistic side slowly emerged. It’s fascinating how awkward the stages of growing up can be, and as clichéd as the butterfly metaphor may be, it truly does feel like you’re a worm during your freshman year. By the time your junior or senior year rolls around, you’re spreading your wings and showing people what you can and were meant to do.

So, why did I choose to be an author? It wasn’t a conscious choice as if, one day, I sat up in bed and exclaimed, “I will be a writer!” I do remember sitting in my tiny dorm room watching Braveheart for the first time and having a realization that people make these things called movies for a living. “I want to do that!” I had no idea what “that” was, but I knew I wanted to be a part of it. After years of whittling down the movie and TV-making process, I realized that telling stories was at the core of any movie or show. After a while, I just naturally gravitated toward the writing process and finally made the decision, because I loved every bit of it, that I didn’t want to be anything else. Any other job or assignment I get that has nothing to do with the writing process is just a way to pay my bills. Writing is and will always be at the forefront of my goals and wishes.

Q: Was it your own choice to become self-published? (Why / Why not)A: For a long time I thought self-publishing was really just “vanity publishing”. It was something for people who just wanted to see their writing printed in a book. After I researched the self-publishing world and noticed how it was booming, I started to wonder why it was suddenly so popular. Like I usually do before making a decision, I did a ridiculous amount of research and compared the pro’s and con’s between the self-publishing world and the “normal” publishing world.

While it is a huge accomplishment to be published by one of the big publishers, it is not necessarily a guaranteed success story. There is an immense amount of work that goes into releasing a book - marketing, social media, book fairs and conventions, signings, advertising. What most people don’t realize is that whether you are with a major publisher or not, you will end up doing most of this work yourself regardless. Yes, a publisher will cover the cost of printing the books, and yes, they have a team of editors on hand to work through your book and make it the best it can possibly be (hopefully…and truly, the editor aspect of a big publisher is the most important element), but in the end, you are spending time publishing your book just as much as your publisher is.

People are taking self-publishing a little seriously now. By no means is it widely accepted within the literary world and for reasons I completely understand, however if approached with an extremely professional eye and with an incredible amount of patience, self-publishing a book can be extremely rewarding. I self-published The WishKeeper because it crosses genres a bit. How does a publisher market a traditional, Tinker Bell type of fairy to a young adult audience who just finished reading The Hunger Games? It is an issue a lot of agents raised when they rejected my query, actually. I have a steep uphill climb ahead of me, but I love the marketing and business side of the industry.

Q: Which authors do you turn to for inspiration?A: In a very general, open-ended answer, I turn to all authors as a source of inspiration. I know you are looking for a specific list of authors, and I definitely have that list, but every author is an inspiration. We are all in this together. We all know how difficult, and lonely, and painstaking, and heart-aching it is. The amount of energy it takes to work at something until you hate it, and then drag your slouched spine up from the floor and learn to fall in love all over again - it’s exhausting. But when you finish - especially when you have a true, doubtless feeling that what you’ve just written is actually good - the reward is monumental.

To specifically answer your question, I am a fantasy and adventure fan. I gravitate toward the big ones, of course - J.R.R. Tolkien (he is at the top of the list, for me), Neil Gaiman, J.K. Rowling. Most recently I fell in love with a fellow Wisconsin-based writer named, Patrick Rothfuss. He wrote the most beautifully written fantasy I have read since Tolkien. His series is called The Kingkiller Chronicles. Book one is titled The Name of the Wind, and book two is Wise Man’s Fear. I marvel at how epic his story is, and yet he pushes the reader to be so intimate with his characters. It is a rarity for a fantasy author to create such a character-based experience within a massive world. Most fantasy adventures are about the adventure, the story, the concept and backdrop. Pat’s books are all of the above.

And because he caused me to fall in love with fantasy as a kid, I have to thank James Howe for writing the middle grade (possibly a couple years younger than middle grade) series called, Bunnicula. It is easily my favorite middle grade series of books.

Ultimately, I read Lord of the Rings every year for fun, so I think that basically answers your question.

Q: Why did you choose to write about fairies?A: This could be a very long-winded answer, but I will try keep it concise. I first wrote 12 drafts of The WishKeeper as a screenplay. For years, The WishKeeper was simply called “Paragonia”, and it had nothing to do with fairies or wishes. It was, at first, centered around the human character in the book, Grayson. Grayson was the long lost prince of this fairytale world called Paragonia, only he didn’t know it. It was far too basic and the story just wasn’t “popping”. After a few rewrites and killing off characters by adding new ones, a particular minor character appeared. Her name was Shea. Shea was a fairy with a chipped wing and she was Grayson’s companion in early drafts.

After I continued rewrites, Shea kept getting louder and more prevalent (possibly, “obnoxious”) and I couldn’t shut her up. I had an issue of wanting to focus on both Grayson and Shea as main characters, but it just wasn’t working - still! I finally scrapped everything and made the decision that all of this “Paragonia” business had to go. I started from scratch. Shea turned into a broken-winged rebel hell bent on proving her worth. The wishes and the system of wish granting came later, but once I had Shea fit within that system, everything started to click.

I didn’t set out to write a story about fairies. The fairies wanted me to write their story…it took me a long time to finally give in.

Q: Describe The WishKeeper in 3 wordsA: Emotional. Unexpected. Relatable.

Q: Favorite book by another self-published author?A: I most recently read a book by Jeff Mudgett called, Bloodstains. It isn’t a fantasy adventure, or even a fictional narrative (though it has those elements). It’s a true story about how the author came to find out that he is the great great grandson of America’s first serial killer, H.H. Holmes. What is so intriguing about the book is how much research (an absurd amount of research) Jeff did about Holmes, and how the author believes (and proves, in my opinion) that H.H. Holmes was actually Jack the Ripper. It’s a fascinating read. I highly recommend it.

Max recently wrote a guest post about what it means being an indie author, you can read it here. Back in April I received a copy of The WishKeeper for review and I absolutely loved it and couldn't do anything else than give it 5 hearts - my review will be up tomorrow and who knows you may get a book or two yourself!