The GCC Presents Kelly Parra author of Graffiti Girl
I think the premise and cover for Graffiti Girl is really fresh and fascinating. If you’re interested in the graffiti culture, this is the novel for you.
Q. What’s the backstory behind your latest novel?
A. I started out writing Romantic Suspense when I got the idea to also write Young Adult fiction. With the ups and downs of the publishing industry, I felt it might be safer to write in two genres. I sold the two projects within a couple of months of each other. The idea for Graffiti Girl came about because during high school I was into art and I had friends who were into the graffiti style. I thought graffiti could be a strong idea for a teen novel and thankfully my agent and MTV Books felt the same.
A few months later the RS line where I sold my Romantic Suspense novel closed and I discovered my first book wouldn't be published. I still had my YA novel to complete, and oh boy was I glad I had made the decision to write in two genres!
Q. How much do you get involved with promotion? Are you doing anything special with your latest release?
A. I am constantly spreading the word about books and I guess bringing my book along with it. I have three main blogs I constantly update: My Words of an Author blog where I interview authors on their latest writing, my YA Fresh blog (yafresh.blogspot.com) with author Tina Ferraro where we chat up YA books and authors, and my myspace page (www.myspace.com/kellyparra) where I also list my latest YA interviews. I've always felt new content will keep readers coming back, and well, my book is also around when they do come back and might interest readers enough to pick it up if they see it on-line or on the shelf.
Since this is my first book I don't have any special promotion for Graffiti Girl besides on-line interviews, signing stock at book stores, contests, and a virtual blog tour. :)
Q. Where do you see yourself as a writer in five years?
A. Hopefully with five books under my belt, and still coming up with interesting enough story ideas to keep writing and selling books.
Q. What’s the most satisfying part of writing a novel/book? The least satisfying part?
A. The most satisfying part of writing a novel is that after all the hard work you put into a book, you get to finally have the finished product in your hands. There is nothing like holding your own published book, knowing you created these characters from your head, that these are the words you wrote. I'm still adjusting to the reality of it. :) The least satisfying for me is outlining a novel in advance. Oh, it's tough for me. I'd rather work with the story as I go along. If I write to an outline sometimes that doesn't leave room for much creativity.
Q. What are the three most important pieces of advice you’d give an aspiring writer?
A. Read. Read the genre you would like to write in, but also outside your genre. 2) Take on-line writing courses or classes whenever you can manage it. There is always room for learning and growing. 3) When you feel your book is at its best and ready to be read by agents or editors, learn as much as you can about the publishing industry and the dos and don'ts of the submission process. Believe me, it pays to be in the know.
I think the premise and cover for Graffiti Girl is really fresh and fascinating. If you’re interested in the graffiti culture, this is the novel for you.
Q. What’s the backstory behind your latest novel?
A. I started out writing Romantic Suspense when I got the idea to also write Young Adult fiction. With the ups and downs of the publishing industry, I felt it might be safer to write in two genres. I sold the two projects within a couple of months of each other. The idea for Graffiti Girl came about because during high school I was into art and I had friends who were into the graffiti style. I thought graffiti could be a strong idea for a teen novel and thankfully my agent and MTV Books felt the same.
A few months later the RS line where I sold my Romantic Suspense novel closed and I discovered my first book wouldn't be published. I still had my YA novel to complete, and oh boy was I glad I had made the decision to write in two genres!
Q. How much do you get involved with promotion? Are you doing anything special with your latest release?
A. I am constantly spreading the word about books and I guess bringing my book along with it. I have three main blogs I constantly update: My Words of an Author blog where I interview authors on their latest writing, my YA Fresh blog (yafresh.blogspot.com) with author Tina Ferraro where we chat up YA books and authors, and my myspace page (www.myspace.com/kellyparra) where I also list my latest YA interviews. I've always felt new content will keep readers coming back, and well, my book is also around when they do come back and might interest readers enough to pick it up if they see it on-line or on the shelf.
Since this is my first book I don't have any special promotion for Graffiti Girl besides on-line interviews, signing stock at book stores, contests, and a virtual blog tour. :)
Q. Where do you see yourself as a writer in five years?
A. Hopefully with five books under my belt, and still coming up with interesting enough story ideas to keep writing and selling books.
Q. What’s the most satisfying part of writing a novel/book? The least satisfying part?
A. The most satisfying part of writing a novel is that after all the hard work you put into a book, you get to finally have the finished product in your hands. There is nothing like holding your own published book, knowing you created these characters from your head, that these are the words you wrote. I'm still adjusting to the reality of it. :) The least satisfying for me is outlining a novel in advance. Oh, it's tough for me. I'd rather work with the story as I go along. If I write to an outline sometimes that doesn't leave room for much creativity.
Q. What are the three most important pieces of advice you’d give an aspiring writer?
A. Read. Read the genre you would like to write in, but also outside your genre. 2) Take on-line writing courses or classes whenever you can manage it. There is always room for learning and growing. 3) When you feel your book is at its best and ready to be read by agents or editors, learn as much as you can about the publishing industry and the dos and don'ts of the submission process. Believe me, it pays to be in the know.
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