The Next Big Thing Blog Hop Week 15

Today, I'm sharing info here on my latest project as part of The Next Big Thing Blog Hop.


Google the title and lots of cool authors and books will come up.
  * I was tagged by author Stephen D. Sullivan who talks about his FROST HARROW horror series (cool title!) Be sure to check out his work. 
    Next: See Gail Farrelly's post about her story in THE KILLER WORE CRANBERRY, A SECOND HELPING - and Peg Herring talks about her new mystery, KILLER SILENCE....

Rules:
*** Answer the ten questions about your current WIP (Work In Progress) *** Tag five other writers/bloggers if you can and add their links so we can hop over and meet them. It’s that simple.

Ten Interview Questions for The Next Big Thing:

I'm focusing on my latest work, a YA novel which will come out next year from Intrigue Publishing. 

What is the working title of your book?
GIRL Z: My Life as a Teenage Zombie (follow link for short synopsis)

Where did the idea come from for the book?
Besides the weird recesses of my brain? Ha! Well... I’ve been working on this so long, over the past year, that I actually have forgotten the initial inspiration. But I love horror and wanted to write something I enjoyed reading as well. So my zombie girl was born – with a touch of humor, of course.

What genre does your book fall under?
YA- zombie – paranormal – with a touch of romance and humor

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Ooh, hadn’t thought of that.... My main character, Rebecca Herrera Hayes, is part Hispanic. I think Miranda Cosgrove (Despicable Me) has the perfect look... Zac Efron (High School Musical) could be a good choice for her love interest, Gabe. Selena Gomez (Wizards of Waverly Place) could fit the role of Becca’s cousin, Carm.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
How about two short ones? Life can suck when you’re sixteen. It can suck even worse when you’re not-quite-dead.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
To be published by a traditional publisher, Intrigue Publishing

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
Forever? Well, it felt like it sometimes. I was working on it the previous year and was sending it out to publishers during the last eight-plus months.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I didn’t read any zombie books until I was done writing so I wouldn’t be influenced. I think it has a little love interest like in Rusty Fischer’s ZOMBIES DON’T CRY, a strong family relationship as in Jonathan Maberry’s ROT AND RUIN, and some of the classic zombie action and battles as in Amanda Hocking’s HOLLOWLAND. At least these were all books I enjoyed reading.

Who or What inspired you to write this book?
I’m a longtime fan of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, and find the whole recent literary and social fascination with zombies fascinating. So I had to give it a try. The topic also lends itself to discussion of many areas beyond just the zombies and horror angle.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
Let’s say I give the term raw foods a whole new meaning. And no, it I don't mean the traditional zombie diet.  

I gave my character a different diet and way of approaching her new 'life' as she adjusts to being infected....  I also added humor when I could. I wanted it to be a fun story and not all 'yuckiness.'