Thursday, June 10, 2010

Blog Tour: Rock This! Thursday Interview with Shannon Delany

Welcome to Shannon Delany's Start Your Day with Serial Tour! Shannon's debut novel (and first in her YA paranormal series) 13 to Life started as a winning cell phone novel written in serial segments. During the tour you can read bits of the book in order. Miss a day? Hop to Shannon's blogand check the link to the blog tour calendar in her sidebar.

And now we're going to kick back and discuss some music and books with Shannon!


How does it feel being a debut author?

Being a debut author is all at once exciting, terrifying and mind-blowing. You never know what's going to happen next and most of the time you want to scream (for me that's equal parts out of thrill and horror)! It's like having a five year old child. VERY much like it. ;-)

When writing 13 to Life were there any songs that you felt fit the theme of the story? If so you could share a couple with us?

YES! Music is always playing in the deep, dark recesses of my brain and each of my main characters has his/her own playlist. There are a few songs I think fit one of the themes and some of the emotional background of this series... Nickelback: "If Today was Your Last Day," 3 Doors Down: "It's Not My Time," and Spill Canvas: "All Over You."

You're walking down the street - what song is following you?

The Middle by Jimmy Eat World --It's on my author's playlist for the mornings I'm dragging my way to coffee and writing.

Let's say your character Jess gets two tickets to see whatever band she wants. What band is it and who would she take with her?

Wow. She'd either go with Pietr to Snow Patrol or with Amy to Linkin Park. (Geez, I know I'll totally change my mind on both of those in five minutes...)

Who is your favorite singer/band? Why are they you're favorite?

I *so* can't choose a favorite. My taste is actually freakishly eclectic. I listen to everything from musicals (Les Miserables, Wicked, Phantom of the Opera and Jesus Christ Superstar being favorites currently) to the Gorillaz, My Chemical Romance, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Taylor Swift, Bon Jovi and Metallica. (Yes, I'm old. LOL) I can even enjoy classical music from time to time. In small doses. Otherwise I start to twitch. ;-)

Tell us a song that you think would make an interesting book?

Wow. There are so many that would make great scenes for any number of books! A whole book from one song? Can't come up with a single single! I guess I always think of a book with a soundtrack of music (like a movie). Different songs for different scenes and emotions.

We're always up for new music. Care to share five songs we should be listening to

Yikes! I should totally be asking *your* readers that question... So, gang, what five songs would you say give insight to the current teen experience? Like, if I wanted to be better educated musically (having been a teen mumble-mumble years ago) what should I be listening to? OR. When YOU think of werewolves and paranormal mayhem, what songs play in the back of *your* heads? I'd say (just for rounding out a listening experience) listen to Imagine by Lennon, In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel, Face Down by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Zombie by The Cranberries, Desert Rose by Sting, and Whenever Wherever by Shakira. Crud. That's six. That's why I have an agent--don't like the counting. ;-)

Have you experienced any 'rock star' writing moments?

Heck yeah! When we were first preparing for contract negotiations for this series we got contacted by a movie producer. Since then we've heard of a couple other production companies expressing interest in 13 to Life. Who knows what'll come of it? But stuff like that makes you feel like a rock star as a writer *just* because someone noticed it. Heck, getting signed for a three book deal with a NYC publisher first time out was definitely a rock star moment for me. I kept waiting for them to look around and go, "Hey! You're nobody. Forget it. We thought you were somebody else." LOL (Refer to #1's answer regarding such neurotic writer moments. ;-)

If you weren't an author what else do you think you would be doing?

I'd still be freelancing in art and writing and working to make my farmstead self-sufficient. *shrug* Still writing--always writing. :D

If you could meet any musician - living or dead - who would it be?

I'll be greedy and choose two--Sting and Bono. They're both diversely talented and have done amazing stuff for other people. *That* rocks!

Shannon's hosting several contests during the Start Your Day with Serial Tour. The big contest will award one lucky winner with a royal amber pendant, pietersite jeweled bookmark, stuffed wolf, 13 to Life mousepad, pen, tote, signed poster, personalized copy of 13 to Life and both of the 13 to Life pins. All you need to do is comment at 13 of the blogs hosting Shannon during her 30 day tour. Everyone who does so will be entered into a random drawing. Winner may be international.


As part of her tour, Shannon's also giving out sneak peeks throughout the month from her book:

For information on the previous section, visit He Followed Me Home...Can I Keep Him?

13 to Life: Chapter 3, part J (used with the author’s permission)

My eyes must have gone saucer-wide at the insult. Amy's hand grabbed my wrist, my fingers tight around the fork I was ready to launch at my newest nemesis. "What?" I demanded, narrowing my eyes.

19 comments:

Cecelia said...

I hope the stuffed wolf that's up for grabs is a toy stuffed wolf? And not like, a REAL stuffed wolf?

Great interview! I like the music focus.

Tynga said...

HAHA Another great interview Shannon, I really the "Hey! You're nobody. Forget it. We thought you were somebody else." moment lol

Erin said...

Really, really good questions! I LOVE how most of them are music inspired. I also have a very eclectic taste in music. It's not freakish Shannon it just means you can find something to appreciate in all genres of music :-) It makes us cool ;)

Great interview!

*Erin Leigh*

donnas said...

Great interview. Thanks for sharing! And Sting and Bono would both be awesome to meet.

Unknown said...

This was great interview, awesome music choices. I think Green Day would give insight to teen experiences.

Jessy said...

Thanks for the interview. I always love to hear what kind of music inspires an author.

Anonymous said...

Cheryl and Amber, thanks so much for hosting me--you girls totally rock!!! I have to admit your questions were some of the most unique to answer so far!

Celi.a Yes, it's a stuffed animal (plush) wolfie--I'm not playing Roy Rogers and Trigger here. ;-)

Tynga--I think most authors go through that. It's like staying at an amazing hotel and waiting for the bell boy to go "We don't take *your* kind here!" It just feels too good to be true most times. :-)

Erin--I agree. It *does* make us cool. :D

Donnas--Yeah, Sting and Bono would be awesome to meet, but I'd turn into an absolute idiot in their presence! ;-)

Jen--agreed. Jeri Smith-Ready also appreciates Green Day a lot.

Jessy, always glad to share. for different stories and characters (and goals) it's different music. Listen to a little of everything and keep a big library of music if you can!

Thanks again!
~Shannon

Erika Powell said...

The Middle by Jimmy Eat World is one of my all time fav songs! great choice!

sports[dot]erikalynn[at]gmail[dot]com

SiNn said...

i Love Zombies! is one of my fav songs for me tho

im all about Lady A lately and of course J rock but thats just me cant wait to read this book another good snippett

Jessica said...

Loved the rock star moments! :) I have a feeling you will have a lot of those now!

Loved this sneak peak too!! I really can't wait to read this.

girlsinthestacks.com said...

Hey Shannon we like the same music! Great interview and really looking forward to reading your book!!

Anne said...

Loved the interview. I am looking forward to reading this book. The snippits are killing me a little lol

Jenny N. said...

I really liked this interview. Shannon has great taste in music.

Anonymous said...

Great interview! You're definitely going to be experiencing more rock star moments soon!

Alessandra said...

It looks like Shannon and I have similar taste in music!

Jessica @ a GREAT read said...

I liked a lot of the music that was listed too! Not a real big fan of that kind of music, but I do really like some of the songs here and there. Some classic rock too!

skyla11377 said...

I love Nickelback and 3 Doors Down they rock. I Love Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera. So kool we have that in common. Bon Jovi is great, Taylor Swift Has some good songs and Metallica's Black album was really good. Music is a big part of my life.

skyla11377(At)AOL(Dot)Com

Llehn said...

I've seen this book around! Am excited to read it!

Anonymous said...

Awesome interview.. I have heard nothing but great things about this book. I can not wait to read it.