Next Big Thing

The inimitable Carrie Cuinn tagged me in her Next Big Thing blog, and it looked like fun. The goal is to answer ten questions about your current work in progress. That might be a novel, a short story, an anthology … whatever. I’ll be honest, I was afraid to talk about this project. It’s been my sekrit thing for a little while now, and it’s been magical, but it’s what I’m working on right now! I’m also working on AOG, but it needs a complete overhaul so I’m finishing this one up before I can really dive into it, so here goes.

1. What is the title of your book? The Echo of Souls
   
2. Where did the idea come from for the book?  I’m not a music person. I like it but I don’t listen to it by choice often, I prefer silence. But this book came to me as a feeling, largely inspired by music – Barber’s Adagio, Shostakovich’s 7th, and just this haunted sense, this mood. No, really. I’m writing a book based on an atmosphere. 
   
3. What genre does your book fall under? Literary Magical Realism? Ish.
   
4. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? I would want completely unknown actors cast! That said, for appearances, check out my pinterest board for likenesses of the main characters, Eve, Rozier (the old man), Jacob (the soldier), and the boy (and a sense of that atmosphere the book is based on).
5. What is a one-sentence synopsis of the book? When a mysterious musical prodigy and his guardian come to the city in the wake of its bombing, Eve is convinced the boy is a godchild whose music can bring her lover back to life.
6. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? I will not be self-publishing but that doesn’t mean anyone else will buy it. 
   
7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript? About 8 weeks, but this is while also revising other projects. This book writes itself.
   
8. What other books would you compare this story to in your genre? I’m woefully underread in adult fiction, having focused on more commercial fantasy. 
   
9. Who or what inspired you to write this book? I’m leaving Carrie’s answer because it’s perfect, then elaborating as to why this book specifically: “I’m writing it for the same reason that I write anything – the story is in my head and I’d like it to get out. As for who – anything great I do in my life, I do for love. What else is worth making yourself better for?” – Carrie. Now, for why THIS book? As you know from the blog, my life has been a mess for the past year and change. It’s not completely settled and won’t be for another year at least, but I’ve made huge progress, part one of the transition (my divorce) is behind me. I’m not the same person I was when I last saw a book through the writing process, and I’m not the same writer. This is what wanted to be. The feeling that it’s based on is dark, moody, uncertain, questioning, unrelenting… yet hopeful. Essentially, I gave myself permission to see who I was becoming, to write my transition. The story is NOT a therapy book (AOG is, which is why I’m having so many problems with it), but it is its own catharsis.
   
10. What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest? Else? This presumes I have piqued anyone’s interest already! I would call all my books explorations almost more than stories, the exploration of ideas and people comes first and then I have to make sure it tells a story. Not the best process, but it’s mine. This book explores war, love, family, acceptance, power, but especially the dichotomy of life and death…. but what I love most about it is the characters themselves. They’re special people. They’re interesting.  Eve thinks she can talk to Jacob, her lover, who’s dead. Can she really see ghosts or not? Could the boy bring Jacob back to life or not? If he can, will he or not? And why? Eve especially fascinates me. She’s pregnant, but she’s so caught between life and death, and her struggle breaks my heart. For a long time I wasn’t sure which she would choose. 
    

I’m supposed to tag people but I hate picking because I don’t want to slight anyone, so if you want to answer these questions, please do! Thanks so much for asking me to play, Carrie.

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