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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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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