Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Can You Write The Way Fruit Stripe Gum Tastes?


Every so often I walk a few blocks from my office and enter Dylan’s Candy Bar, the best candy store in New York City. It has several floors of current and retro candy in all sizes, shapes, and colors. One of the items I enjoy buying is Fruit Stripe gum.

With each stick of gum that makes its way into my mouth. I get to relive, even if just for a few precious seconds, a flashback to my childhood. Suddenly, I can taste the 1970s and 80s all over again. I have a fondness for the past, e4specially my own.

Each piece of gum is colorful and filled with vibrant flavor that sets off a mouth orgasm. Unfortunately, each slice only retains its flavor for all of a few minutes. Its burst of awesome taste quickly gets replaced by a feeling akin to chewing wax. To keep the party going one must shove another piece in, and another, and another. I could go through a pack of 17 slices in 30-40 minutes and still feel wanting for more.

Not too many candies can satisfy me the way this gum can. Even at $2.50 a pack, it seemed to be worth every penny. But it made me wonder if books can be out there that are similar to this gum – where every page has something really good to say or reveal – but then at some point loses its flavor. What can make an author addicting to the reader? What will make a reader a fan who comes back for more installments of an author?

Maybe if a book came with a pack of Fruit Stripe gum I would buy it up in a minute.


Interview With Young Adult Author Kimberly Sabatini


TOUCHING THE SURFACE is her debut young adult novel. It will be available for sale on October 30, 2012 from Simon Pulse, an imprint of Simon & Schuster.

  1. What inspired you to write it?  My dad passed away about seven years ago and it really motivated me to make sure that I didn't lead a life of regrets. I realized that I had too many un-chased dreams. Being scared of everything wasn't going to improve the quality of my life, but being brave just might. Writing was a dream of mine that I'd always been to afraid to pursue, but it also ended up being a way for me to grow and change by exploring my questions and feelings. The whole process has brought so much to my life and while I miss my dad everyday, I like to think that he'd be very proud of me right now.
  2. What are the rewards/challenges to the writing process?  By far, the most rewarding thing I've experienced is all the amazing people I've gotten to know in the world of writing. I think of my writing and book friends as my tribe and I don't know how I'd lived so long without them in my life. The biggest challenges for me are being a mom of three boys while trying to write. (They always want to be fed and although they don't demand it, they really do need clean underwear. LOL!)  Additionally, I find it's tough to hold steady with my writing process. I've finally learned what works for me as a writer, but it's hard not to compare myself to all the other highly successful authors out there. I have to focus hard on following my true north because I know that's my journey.
  3. Any advice for a struggling writer? Besides following your own "true north," I think it's really important to act professionally and to start building your platform long before you are ready to sell a book. Many people feel uncomfortable with this, but when you build a platform, you are actually inserting yourself into the writing community. The best way to sell your book is to help promote the books of your peers, support book bloggers and be involved with publishing community. If you become someone who gives more than they take, I can assure you that when it is your turn to shout your good news from the rooftops--there will be a very supportive group of people yelling with you.

  1. Where do you see book publishing heading? I believe good stories will never go away and the method of delivery doesn't really matter. 

For more information, consult:  http://www.kimberlysabatini.com

Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer, the nation’s largest book promoter. You can follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the third-person.

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