I have a lot of fun making people up and if it’s fun, then it must be easy.
Kimberly G. Giarratano – 20 July 2014
The Back Flap
Parted by death. Tethered by love. Lainey Bloom’s high school senior year is a complete disaster. The popular clique, led by mean girl Wynter Woods, bullies her constantly. The principal threatens not to let her graduate with the class of 1997 unless she completes a major research project. And everyone blames her for the death of Wynter’s boyfriend, Danny Obregon. Danny, a gorgeous musician, stole Lainey’s heart when he stole a kiss at a concert. But a week later, he was run down on a dangerous stretch of road. When he dies in her arms, she fears she’ll never know if he really would have broken up with Wynter to be with her. Then his ghost shows up, begging her to solve his murder. Horrified by the dismal fate that awaits him if he never crosses over, Lainey seeks the dark truth amidst small town secrets, family strife, and divided loyalties. But every step she takes toward discovering what really happened the night Danny died pulls her further away from the beautiful boy she can never touch again.
About the book
What is the book about?
Grunge Gods and Graveyards is the impossible love story between a girl and a ghost set against the backdrop of the mid-1990s. It’s equal parts murder mystery and love story with fun 90s pop culture and song references. It’s a timeless story, perfect for teens, with enough nostalgia for adults too.
When did you start writing the book?
Years ago, before my oldest son was born and he’s four-and-a-half now. I started and stopped the project multiple times. Finally when I was pregnant with my second son, I just sat my big butt down and wrote a really awful rough draft in only a few months. Then I spent six months revising it before sending it to beta readers. Then I revised it some more. Some people rush to get a nursery finished when they’re pregnant, I had rushed to finish a book.
How long did it take you to write it?
When I actually committed to writing…..12 months.
Where did you get the idea from?
I had an idea to do a YA version of The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. I find it incredibly romantic for a girl and a ghost to fall in love because it can’t end happily…or can it? I originally set the story in present day. Lainey was from Hoboken and she went to Ash to live with her aunt and uncle while her sister was recovering from a mental breakdown. Danny had been one of many ghosts haunting the local cemetery. I scrapped that idea and decided to set the entire novel in 1996 because I was feeling nostalgic for my youth, plus the 90s are cool. X-Files. Radiohead. Doc Martens. Come, on. Awesome.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
I struggled a lot with organization and scene building. It’s a mystery so I needed a tightly-woven plot. I also struggled with building the romance between Lainey and Danny. I didn’t want their love to be sappy or cheesy. Luckily eight months of revision can fix anything.
What came easily?
For me, the easiest part of crafting a novel is character building. I have a lot of fun making people up and if it’s fun, then it must be easy. Or at least, it felt easy.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
My characters are entirely fictitious. I do like to borrow real people’s names though.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
My favorite YA author is Holly Black who writes edgy YA urban fantasy. She is a beautiful writer and storyteller. Her descriptions and imagery are amazing and I try to model her style a bit. I also love Maggie Stiefvater who I think is a master of characterization. I really try to create an interesting cast of characters so there is always someone to love and someone to loathe.
Do you have a target reader?
Teens! And adults who like YA and those who think they don’t, but love a good story.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
My initial problem when I wrote Grunge Gods was that I didn’t have a writing process. I was in a race against the clock, me vs. baby, so I just wrote the manuscript as fast as I could because I needed something finished. Then I spent a long time in revisions. Now, I have a writing process. I use the Snowflake Method developed by Randy Ingermanson. His method focuses on understanding the big picture first (the story sentence) and then whittling it down to details (scene lists). And he insists on building characters first, since most writers would agree, characters drive plot. So now I use his method (and software) to draft and the process is much easier.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
I create a scene outline. I work on scenes only and then group them into chapters later.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I wait until I’m done. For me, editing is the prize of finishing.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
No music for me, which might surprise some people since a big theme in my novel is 90s alternative music. But I need monastery-like silence to work. I get distracted too easily.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
Yes. I had submitted my manuscript to 25 (ish) agents. I had two full requests, many rejections and quite a few no responses.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
I did a lot of research on small presses, including examining their cover art, before considering them. Everything I read from authors who published with a reputable small press was positive. (The key word is reputable, so do your research.) Since this was my first book, I wanted to work with a publisher who would guide me, who knew my name, who would support my marketing efforts and who put out quality books. Red Adept is such a publisher. The editors are amazing. The cover art would make any author envious. And the communication has been excellent. I can get on the phone to my publisher and hash out anything at any time.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did it you do it yourself?
Streetlight Graphics does all the cover art for RAP and it’s off the hook. I love my cover. Luuuuurve it.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
I’m definitely not winging it, but I’m not sure I have a plan either. RAP has set up this jazzy blog tour. I’m also contacting book bloggers for reviews. I’m asking anyone who has every read the novel to review it on Amazon, Goodreads, etc. I’m setting up a creative writing workshop for teens at my hometown library. I bought bookmarks. All of this is marketing and fun. Win-win.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Research. Research. Research. Whether you decide to self-publish or go with a small press, please do your research. Talk to other authors about their experiences. Check out writer forums like Absolute Write and QueryTracker. Get references. And if you self-publish, please invest in quality people to help you.
About You
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Monmouth County, New Jersey. That’s Central Jersey (inside Jersey joke).
Where do you live now?
I live in the woods of Northeastern Pennsylvania. It’s very rural here. My kids and I see baby deer, moments after they’re born, right in my backyard. It’s pretty special. And pretty isolating.
What would you like readers to know about you?
I gave birth to my third child in my car. Yup, that actually happened. It even made the papers.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on a YA ghost story/mystery set in Key West, Florida. Key West is the perfect place for a ghost story. It’s one of the ten most haunted cities in America. It’s told in dual POV and it features a haunted bed and breakfast, a snarky ghost from the 1970s and lots of kooky characters. Plus a killer mystery and page-turning scenes. It’s fun to write.
End of Interview:
For more, visit Kimberly’s website or check out her Goodreads page.
Get your copy of Grunge Gods and Graveyards from Amazon US (paper or ebook), Amazon UK (paper or ebook), or Barnes & Noble.
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