Friday, August 21, 2009

HOW IT ENDS: INTERVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED!
HOW IT ENDS

BY
LAURA WIESS

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Laura Wiess, the acclaimed author who once brought us "a girl to walk alongside Harper Lee's Scout and J. D. Salinger's Phoebe" (Luanne Rice), brings us another memorable young woman, this one at the center of an extraordinary novel of how love ends, how it begins, and what it's worth to protect it...

All Hanna's wanted since sophomore year is Seth. She's gone out with other guys, even gained a rep for being a flirt, all the while hoping cool, guitar-playing Seth will choose her. Then she gets him -- but their relationship is hurtful, stormy and critical, not at all what Hanna thinks a perfect love should be. Bewildered by Seth's treatment of her and in need of understanding, Hanna decides to fulfill her school's community service requirement by spending time with Helen, her terminally ill neighbor, who she's turned to for comfort and wisdom throughout her life. But illness has changed Helen into someone Hanna hardly knows, and her home is not the refuge it once was. Feeling more alone than ever, Hanna gets drawn into an audiobook the older woman is listening to, a fierce, unsettling love story of passion, sacrifice, and devotion. Hanna's fascinated by the idea that such all-encompassing love can truly exist, and without her even realizing it, the story begins to change her.

Until the day when the story becomes all too real...and Hanna's world is spun off its axis by its shattering, irrevocable conclusion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Laura Wiess is the author of the critically acclaimed novels SUCH A PRETTY GIRL, chosen as one of the ALA's 2008 Best Books for Young Adults and 2008 YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers, LEFTOVERS, and the recently released HOW IT ENDS. Originally from central Jersey, she traded bumper-to-bumper traffic, excellent pizza, and summer days down the shore for scenic roads, bears, no pizza delivery and the irresistible allure of an old stone house surrounded by forests in Pennsylvania's Endless Mountains Region.

For more info, visit www.laurawiess.com.

MY INTERVIEW WITH LAURA WIESS

Thank you for agreeing to visit BOOKIN' WITH BINGO and answer a few questions, Laura. So let's start with this:

  1. What have you just finished reading?

Amy Tan's The Opposite of Fate, and I enjoyed it very much. Definitely a keeper.

  1. What books would you say have made the biggest impression on you, especially starting out?

Back when I started the annual Writer's Market and Children's Writer's Market books were godsends, and I practically wore out the pages studying the writing info and markets listed. They helped me no end, along with stacks of other library books on writing and crafting compelling fiction.

Two of my alltime favorites are Stephen King's On Writing and Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird.

I also have a small stack of favorite novels I pick up when I'm in between manuscripts and craving not only a good read but an unofficial refresher course on things like characterization, plot, tone, pacing, and storyline.

  1. What gets you started on a new book? A character or story idea or….?

Usually I see or hear something on the news or in a passing conversation that disturbs and intrigues me, and a vague question forms in my mind. After a while, if the question sharpens and becomes compelling enough, and the subject makes me passionate, a character is born in response. The thing is, she has to be someone I very much want to spend time with, as without a character I care about, someone with alot at stake, there is no story. Give me a character to love and I'll follow them anywhere.

  1. What is something about you that you would want people to know about you that we probably don’t know?

Well, let's see: I love Betsey Johnson shoes, my best friend and I are celebrating our 30th year of friendship this year, and that there's nothing I enjoy more than asking people questions, and hearing their answers. Unless it's being asked questions, of course!

  1. What is your best advice to anyone, including young people, who want to be writers?

Keep writing and learning, and don't give up. It's an ongoing, never-ending process and it's different for everyone. Learn to trust your process. Write what you're passionate about, fall in love with your characters, don't be afraid to rewrite. Just keep going.


HOW ABOUT A GIVEAWAY?
WANT TO WIN?



I have one copy of this exciting book to give away.
Please follow the simple rules and the book
could be yours very soon!

RULES:
--U.S. Residents Only
--No P.O. Boxes, Please
--Email address must be in your comment
--ALL comments must be separate to count
or they will count as one instead of possibly two.

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: Comment and one thing you found out about the story or author by reading the post

+1 MORE ENTRY: Blog or Tweet about this giveaway and leave link in your comment!

+1 MORE ENTRY: Follow on Google Connect (see left hand sidebar) or tell me how you do follow

DEADLINE TO ENTER IS AUGUST 31!


HERE ARE OTHER GREAT BLOGS WHO ARE DOING
THE HOW IT ENDS BLOG TOUR

GO VISIT THEM AND ENJOY!

My Book Views: http://my-book-views.blogspot.com
Book Soulmates: http://booksoulmates.blogspot.com/
A Journey of Books: http://ajourneyofbooks.blogspot.com/
Just Jennifer Reading: http://justjenniferreading.blogspot.com/
Debbie’s World of Books: http://debbiesworldofbooks.com/
All About {n}: http://www.bookwormygirl.blogspot.com/
Chick with Books: www.chickwithbooks.blogspot.com
Bookin’ with Bingo: http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com/
Starting Fresh: http://startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com/
Booksie’s Blog: http://booksiesblog.blogspot.com/
Readaholic: http://bridget3420.blogspot.com/
Blog Business World: http://www.blogbusinessworld.blogspot.com/
Books and Needlepoint: http://booksandneedlepoint.blogspot.com/
Bella’s Novella: http://www.bellasnovella.com/
Frugal Plus: http://frugalplus.com/
Eclectic Book Lover: http://www.eclecticbooklover.com
My Own Little Corner of the World: http://molcotw.blogspot.com/
Chick Loves Lit: http://www.chickloveslit.blogspot.com/
Poisoned Rationality: http://lastexilewords.blogspot.com/
So Many Books, So Little Time: http://purplg8r-somanybooks.blogspot.com/
Beth’s Book Review Blog: http://bethsbookreviewblog.blogspot.com/
Park Avenue Princess: http://aparkavenueprincess.blogspot.com/
Half Deserted Streets: http://www.halfdesertedstreets.com/
Power in the Blog: http://jesharris.wordpress.com/
Metroreader: http://metroreader.blogspot.com/
Crazy for Books: http://crazy-for-books.blogspot.com/
Angieville: http://angieville.blogspot.com/

57 comments:

Tea said...

1.Thank you for the interview with Laura Wiess. Laura Wiess is a very interesting person. So no surprise that "How It Ends" seems like a very good novel. What struck me about the novel is the fact that illness can change our personalities. I don't think we talk about the character changes as much as we talk about the physical changes in a person: loss of weight, hair, sunken eyes, etc. This is what impressed me about the relationship between Helen and Hannah. I would love to read the book. My email is

teakettle58@yahoo.com

Jo-Jo said...

I would love to be entered for this book. I have never heard of Betsey Johnson shoes before, but that is probably a good thing!

joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

Jo-Jo said...

I also follow you through google.

joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

Rebecca C said...

http://twitter.com/ccqdesigns/status/3453716536
Here's my tweet.

rebecca[dot]cox[at]charter[dot]net

Rebecca C said...

I didn't know she loved Betsey Johnson shoes, matter of fact I didn't even know they made Betsey Johnson Shoes!!!

rebecca[dot]cox[at]charter[dot]net

tea said...

+1 I have blogged about the "How It Ends" giveaway on my blog sidebar and linked back here.

Rebecca C said...

I am a long time follower on Google Reader.

rebecca[dot]cox[at]charter[dot]net

bermudaonion said...

I learned that Laura Wiess believes in friendship and is a loyal friend. milou2ster(at)gmail.com

Libby's Library said...

I'm a follower on Google Connect.

Thanks

libneas[at]aol[dot]com

rhapsodyinbooks said...

I love author interviews! How neat that she and her best friend are celebrating 30 years!

Please enter me!

nbmars AT yahoo DOT com

Debbie F said...

Book sounds great! The one thing that stuck with me was in the interview and how the author and her best friends have been friends for 30 years! Wow! Hope I can stay friends with my BFF that long!

Thanks for another great giveaway!

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Sue said...

Great interview and the book looks so good. Thanks for sharing it.
Two of Laura's alltime favorite books are Stephen King's On Writing and Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird

Debbie said...

I bet her inquisitive nature is what makes her a good writer!
fourkidsrgreat(at)gmail(dot)com

Debbie said...

I'm a google follower.
fourkidsrgreat(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

What a nice interview. I thought it was great that a previous book of Laura's won an award for reluctant readers--she must be a great writer to draw people in like that.

JHolden955 (at) gmail (dot) com

holdenj said...

I follow through Google Connect.

JHolden955 (at) gmail (dot) com

minishoes1 said...

I would love to read this book! I learned she likes Betsy Johnson shoes and her and her friend are celebrating 30 yrs of friendship. Thanks! jacquecurl1@gmail.com

minishoes1 said...

I am already a follower on google connect. jacquecurl1@gmail.com

Debs Desk said...

I found out that she love Betsey Johnson shoes. Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9(at)verizon.net

Debs Desk said...

I am a follower..
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9(at)verizon.net

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

She loves Betsy Johnson Shoes!

dancealert (at) aol (dot) com

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

I'm a follower!

dancealert (at) aol (dot) com

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

I entered the information from your blog to mine -- Directing them to come back here to enter of course:
http://dancealertreads.blogspot.com/

dancealert (at) aol (dot) com

Steph Su said...

Ooh, On Writing and Bird by Bird are definitely two of my favorite nonfiction books about writing! And Laura's a Jersey girl on the inside, which is where it matters. :)

stephxsu at gmail dot com

Steph Su said...

I've linked to this giveaway in my sidebar.

Steph Su said...

And I've already been following you. Thanks for the opportunity! :)

traveler said...

What an impressive and wonderful interview. I am captivated with this book. Laura Wiess certainly is talented. Her 30 year friendship is a wonderful testament to her as a person. Thanks for this lovely giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

starryann2000 said...

she likes Betsey Johnson shoes and loves to ask questions and get answers. Tells young people keep writing and learning.

please enter me for the book would love to read it.

starryann2000@yahoo.com

nfmgirl said...

She mentions Stephen King's "On Writing". I just read an intro by Stephen King last night where I believe he mentioned "On Writing" when he referred to the "BS" factor, and to read that for more about it. He's got me intrigued now.

I like that Laura mentions falling in love with her characters. I've always thought that if I ever wrote, it would probably be a very personal relationship between me and the characters that would drive it.

Please count me in. Thank you!

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

Natalie A. said...

The author loves Betsey Johnson shoes!
coolnatty12@yahoo.com

Kim said...

I learned that she digs Betsey Johnson shoes - love them myself!

mrsshukra said...

Laura's favorite fiction include Stephen King's On Writing and Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird.

delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

CherylS22 said...

I learned that 2 of the author's favorite books are Stephen King's On Writing & Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird.
Thanks ~ megalon22{at}yahoo{dot}com

CherylS22 said...

I follow on Google Connect
megalon22{at}yahoo{dot}com

DarcyO said...

Who doesn't love shoes? Laura said she loves Betsey Johnson shoes!

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

DarcyO said...

I follow with Google Connect.

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

Rebecca N. said...

First off...Thanks for the great interview post and giveaway!

Laura Wiess wrote a book called, SUCH A PRETTY GIRL, which was chosen as one of the ALA's 2008 Best Books for Young Adults!!

imsosweepy { at } gmail { dot } com

Rebecca N. said...

I tweeted!

http://twitter.com/Sparkleglow/status/3569063668

imsosweepy { at } gmail { dot } com

Rebecca N. said...

I follow your blog on google friend connect and I subscribe via google reader!

imsosweepy { at } gmail { dot } com

mrsshukra said...

Laura Wiess loves Betsy Johnson shoes like my niece!

delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

Valerie Kemp said...

I'm following you!

shouldbewritingnow at gmail dot com

Valerie Kemp said...

I learned that Laura Weiss likes the book Bird by Bird. I had heard of On Writing by Stephen King, but not this one. I'm going to check it out now.

shouldbewritingnow at gmail dot com

A Bookshelf Monstrosity said...

This was a great interview, and I learned that we both enjoy King and Lamott's books on the writing process. I also enjoy Lamott's other essays on life in general.

Amanda
fitz12383(at)hotmail(dot)com

A Bookshelf Monstrosity said...

I also follow.

Amanda
fitz12383(at)hotmail(dot)com

Natalie A. said...

I tweeted!
http://twitter.com/natdey/status/3639015518

coolnatty12@yahoo.com

Ms. Cindy said...

Two of the authors alltime favorite books are Stephen King's On Writing and Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird. Thanks!

monkeyami1@yahoo.com

Ms. Cindy said...

I'm a new follower! Thanks!

monkeyami1@yahoo.com

Ms. Cindy said...

I tweeted!
http://twitter.com/monkeyami/status/3646428553

monkeyami1@yahoo.com

L said...

Laura Wiess is one of my favorite authors. I loved all of her previous books and I can't wait to read this one as well. I never knew that she won any awards for her writing, but she definitely deserves them.

I posted a link on my sidebar:
http://hookedonyabooks.blogspot.com/
I'm a follower.

lovinfitch(at)aol(dot)com

Lost Without a Clue said...

She was originally from central jersey but moved to PA, where she gets no delivery... To me that's a big deal lol, I'm from NYC and I can not imagine my life without delivery.

Marimasiel@gmail.com

Lost Without a Clue said...

I also follow through google.

Marimasiel@gmail.com

Bianca said...

+1 I can see why she loves Betsy Johnson shoes. I LOVEE the dresses, although I can't afford to buy any of them!

+1 http://twitter.com/Bianca1946/status/3658980561

+1 I follow you!

infinitemusic19 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I found out that two of her favorite books are Stephen King's On Writing and Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird.

Your interview was terrific.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Nancye said...

I learned that one of Laura Weiss' favorite writer's is Stephen King.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I follow on Google


nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I Tweeted about this Giveaway

http://twitter.com/
NancyeDavis/status/3660954609

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

rubynreba said...

I found out she has had the same best friend for 30 years!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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