Thursday, March 11, 2010

Author Uncovered: Kimberly Derting (Author Interview)


Hi guys! Today, I have the completely and utterly awesome Kimberly Derting! She's THE best author I've ever talked to, and she wrote THE best book ever!!! Here's a little more about her! Enjoy!

Why did you choose to write Paranormal YA?
It wasn’t actually a decision, it was just the story I ended up telling. My husband was actually the one who came up with Violet’s ability (kind of…) when we were driving one day and he said: “What if there was someone who could find dead bodies?” Of course, my imagination took over from there, and by the time we got home, I had already worked out most of the details of Violet (and her creepy ability).

What do you see as your strengths and weaknesses as an author?
My strength is probably that I can become totally obsessed when writing, which sounds kind of like a bad thing. My husband calls it single-mindedness. I like to call it passion. I truly love what I do!
One of my big weaknesses is that I’m not an outliner, which makes it nearly impossible to synopsize a novel in advance (which agents and editors tend to like). But I really enjoy working on the fly. I pretty much know where my story is going (in fact, I usually have a really good idea how it’s going to end), I just don’t know exactly how I’m going to get there. But that’s half the fun…figuring it out as I go.

Who is your favorite character from The Body Finder?
I love them all, they’re kind of like my babies. But I do have a special soft spot for Chelsea of all people. You’ll get to see more of her in Desires of the Dead, the sequel to The Body Finder, but I just really like her smart-ass (can I say ass?) sense of humor. And in Desires, she reveals (just a little) of her softer side as well.

What's the most interesting thing a reader has ever said to you?
Interesting, hmm? I recall a reader emailing to tell me that she dropped her copy of The Body Finder in the bathtub when someone walked in on her.
Wait! Was that you…???

How does it feel to be anticipating the release of your debut book?
Honestly? Terrifying. I mean it, the closer it gets to my release date, the more I’m freaking out [insert eye twitch here]. It can be a little crazy-making, but I’m kind of loving the ride!

Is being a 10'er fun?
Fun doesn’t begin to describe it. The Tenners are hilarious, smart, and just an all-around supportive group of extremely talented authors! In other words, they’ve got my back! What more could a girl want?

Book you've faked reading:
I usually don’t fake reading. I did, however, pretend to be reading on the plane one time just to avoid talking to the guy next to me. When the book wasn’t enough to make him leave me alone (he actually said to me: “So, you like reading?”), I tried my iPod (headphones and all). Eventually, he got the hint and I got some peace.

That’s still one of the funniest pick-up lines I’ve ever heard!

Book you've bought for the cover:
Wicked Lovely. I was perusing Amazon one day, when I came across it and fell in love with the colors, the image, just everything about it. I’d never read a fairy book before, and thankfully it delivered…I can’t wait for the next installment in this fabulous series.

Book you're an evangelist for:
LEAVING GEE’S BEND!!!!!!! Did you hear that, people???? Here, let me try again: LEAVING GEE’S BEND by Irene Latham.
I loved this book so much that after I read it I emailed the people that run the Scholastic Book Fairs (you know, the book clubs in schools?) and told them they should include it in their lineup. I still don’t know if my begging suggestion had any impact, but it really is a beautiful story of hope that everyone should pick up!

Anything else you'd like to add? Are you working on any new projects?
I’m almost always working on something. I just finished revisions on Desires of the Dead. And I have a super-secret project that I just turned in to my agent. I have no idea what will happen with that one…it’s completely different than anything I’ve done before, but I will say that I’m completely in love with it! Hopefully I’ll be announcing something soon (which in publishing lingo means in the next year or so!).

Oh, and the next time you’re reading THE BODY FINDER in the bathtub, don’t forget to lock the door!

Haha! That's one of the most hilarious interviews ever! Now you know the reason why I dropped my ARC in the bathtub!
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21 comments:

Ellz March 11, 2010 at 10:20 PM  

Great interview. That was very funny. I will be watching for the exciting project! I can see why outlining would be hard, seems like it would stifle the creative process.

CHRISTIE March 11, 2010 at 11:39 PM  

Fun interview! Can't wait to read this one. You're brave reading in the tub. I'm so clumsy I know I'd drop the book if I tried.

Valerie Kemp March 11, 2010 at 11:58 PM  

Great interview. She sounds really cool. I've been wanting to read The Body Finder forever. So excited it's finally coming out next week!

Maria March 12, 2010 at 12:23 AM  

Great and funny interview, I learned a lot from it :) Too bad about your book, haha :D

Just Your Typical Book Blog March 12, 2010 at 12:35 AM  

Great interview! I cannot wait to read this book!

j March 12, 2010 at 1:36 AM  

Awesome interview! She is really funny. So want this book!

Cackleberry Homestead March 12, 2010 at 1:56 AM  

Great interview - I have to agree about Wicked Lovely's cover. And I just finished Leaving Gee's Bend earlier this week and so agree that it is amazing.

Can't wait to read The Body Finder - it's on my wishlist.

Annika March 12, 2010 at 1:57 AM  

awesome interview, made me happy just reading it!

Nikki @ Bookizzle March 12, 2010 at 2:38 AM  

Ooh, a super-secret project...those are the best! Really cool interview - I can't wait to get my hands on this book!

ally March 12, 2010 at 3:36 AM  

She seems so nice :)!
*can't wait, can't wait!*

Dahlia (TheBookShopaholic) March 12, 2010 at 4:00 AM  

You dropped your ARC in the bathtub! that's funny.... =)

Catie S (Book Bound) March 12, 2010 at 4:22 AM  

Poor ARC! I'm glad to hear there's a sequel!
I cringe at the thought of a soaked book.

Little Miss Becky :) March 12, 2010 at 6:10 AM  

Oh no! Did you get yourself a new copy? I couldnt read in the tub..I would have a collection of water-logged books! Great interview---she sounds like she has so much energy. I really can't wait to hear what the secret project is!

Michelle Santiago March 12, 2010 at 7:25 AM  

Great interview! all the stuff i'm hearing about the body finder and reading this post, makes me want to pick up the book asap! :)

Mandy March 12, 2010 at 8:32 AM  

Aw, you're poor book. I agree about the Wicked Lovely cover.

Anonymous,  March 12, 2010 at 9:54 AM  

Glad to hear she's talking about Leaving Gee's Bend. It looks awesome!

Nina March 12, 2010 at 6:09 PM  

Wicked Lovely is great and the cover is fantastic..so I totally agree. Yes great interview! I need to get myself a copy of that book.

Mari - Escape In A Book March 16, 2010 at 8:49 PM  

This was an excellent interview, Reggie and Kimberly! Well except for the fact that it made me add yet another book on my wishlist LOL

I already want to read The Body Finder but now I had to check out Leaving Gee's Bend as well and it sounds like a good story.

Kelly March 18, 2010 at 8:22 AM  

Awesome interview, Reggie! Kimberly, you have a humorous side. Congrats on all of your success!

misskallie2000 March 29, 2010 at 12:25 AM  

Terrific interview.. I like her post where some reader said she dropped her copy into the tub when someone walked in on her..LOL
What was she doing?? besides reading?? LOL

for some reason I have the book front as my twitter pic.. Don't know how..Can't wait to read.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

misskallie2000 March 29, 2010 at 1:02 AM  

Are you on twitter? I went to tweet and could not find you in my list and can't find your twitter button?? What happened?? Another name?


misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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