Something extraordinary is lurking in the deep ocean waters off the coast of Aptos, California. Just a few weeks after moving to the beach town, sixteen year-old Marina has nearly drowned twice, enchanted the hottest guy in high school, and discovered a supernatural creature. If she can manage to survive her increasingly dangerous encounters with unpredictable mermaids, she might just be able to unlock the mystery of her past and learn how to appease the mysterious forces that seem to want something from her... and maybe even find true love along the way.
Mickey: Welcome to the blog, Derrolyn! Please tell us about yourself.
Derrolyn: Hello everyone! I’m the author of a new YA series, “Marina’s Tales”, which I’d describe as a sweet romance set against a backdrop of paranormal suspense.
A privileged girl who’s had an unusual upbringing, Marina’s life is changed forever in the summer of her sixteenth year, when she is sent to live with her Aunt Abby and cousin Cruz in the lovely seaside town of Aptos, California...
Mickey: Your series sounds very interesting. Where did you get the idea for the novels?
Derrolyn: I used to live in the area the book is set in. It’s often foggy in Aptos, with a pier leading out to a spooky old wrecked cement ship- a very moody setting. When I decided to write a YA romance and place it there, the location kind of screamed mermaid!
Mickey: There are already three books, so readers don't have to wait for sequels yet. I know you're working on the fourth, but how many are planned for the series right now?
Derrolyn: I might be able to wrap the story up in the fourth book, but I’m a seat of the pants writer, and I never know where the story is going to go when I start. Right now I’m working with a very loose outline... so we’ll see!
Mickey: Do you have any plans to write in a different genre or age group?
Derrolyn: Yes, someday, and I have a few ideas for some more adult thrillers. I used to tend bar at a hotel where the cocktail waitress was having a secret affair with the hotel owner (bartenders know all the dirt), and I have an idea to spin that little scenario into a pretty cool little murder mystery. Not exactly a young adult tale!
Mickey: Do you have a specific place you like to write? And do you have any rituals or need for background noise while you write?
Derrolyn: I keep lots of little yellow notepads handy, and I daydream and jot down ideas throughout the day. When I can find the time, I like to slip away to lounge on my bed with my laptop and make sense of it all. I put a nice moody music mix on my iPod, and I do my best to tune out my three teenagers and husband who seem to barge in on me every five minutes.
Mickey: I'm a big listener of audio books. Any plans for those in the works? Who would you choose to read your novels?
Derrolyn: I really haven’t given any thought to going audio, but it’s definitely something to consider. The voice- that’s tough! It’s written in the first person, so it would obviously have to be a girl. A girl with a nice light, sweet voice. I have a gravely, husky voice, so I’m totally out! Maybe one of my daughters...
Mickey: I see on your blog that you're a multi-talented person! You also paint and make sculptures as well. How do find the time to do all of these things, and how did you come to find that you loved working in all these different ways?
Derrolyn: My husband and I run a small business, and our work never stops, so finding the time to do anything can be difficult. First, I do what I must, and then I scratch out the time to do what I want! When you don’t make the time to do something it’s usually just another way of saying you don’t really want to do it! I’ve been making art for as long as I could remember, but it’s just recently that I’ve started to write. In many ways, writing, painting and sculpting are very similar; you start with a vision that you do your best to get across using words or paint or clay. I’m constantly frustrated by my own limitations - I feel like I can never quite realize things just the way I see them, and that’s what keeps me striving to get it perfect. I know I never will, but I won’t let that little detail stop me from trying!
Mickey: If you could pick someone to star in a movie about you, who would you pick?
Derrolyn: I asked my daughters and they picked Sandra Bullock. She seems like a nice, easygoing, down to earth sort of gal, so I’ll go with that.
Mickey: What idea (book/painting/movie/song/etc) do you wish you'd thought of first?
Derrolyn: Harry Potter, of course! I also wish I could paint like Klimt and sing like Adele. I haven’t seen any really remarkable movies lately, but I love love love AMC’s “Breaking Bad”- SHEER GENIUS! I’m so sad the season just ended.
Mickey: Thanks so much for being here on the blog today. Any final words to the readers?
Derrolyn: If you have a minute, please pop over to tell me what you think: Mermaid Poll!
Find Derrolyn: website | goodreads
Giveaway Alert!
I have a fantastic prize to give away, courtesy of the fabulous Derrolyn Anderson. One lucky winner will receive all three of the current novels in the Marina's Tales series!!! How cool is that?! This is ebook only, and the winner's email address will go to the author for Smashwords coupons. Know what that means? INTERNATIONAL! So fill out the Rafflecopter form for your chance to win. Ends 10/31. Questions? Comment here with a way to get back to you! Thanks so much, and good luck!!
Great interview! I love Derrolyn's idea for the murder mystery; sounds intriguing! I'm on my way to take mermaid poll. :)
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