Marybeth Smith: FALL GIRL

Right, folks. ‘Member that series of promo posts I talked about last time? Well, here it goes. And first in line is the gal who induced me to abandon my non-YA policy, Marybeth Smith!

I mean, look at that face. How could I not host her? 

You may be wondering what Marybeth did to change my mind. No, she didn’t bribe me with vodka (though perhaps I should’ve asked). Rather, it’s that somewhere beneath my calloused, stony, alcohol-soaked shell, I have a soft spot for people who’re passionate about worthy causes. And if you’re curious which cause Marybeth is passionate about…read on. You’ll figure it out soon enough.

Now, then! On with the interview.

So, Marybeth (I totally dig that your first name is two names in one, btw), why'd you decide to write FALL GIRL?

I wanted to make a point that mental illnesses affect more than just the person suffering from it. I wanted to show that it affects the entire family. Especially the siblings.

Your main character doesn't suffer from bipolar disorder, but members of her family do. Is there a reason you chose to write the story this way?

Well, I kinda tried to consider what it will be like for my daughter as a teen. I wondered how my son's bipolar would affect her and her social life.

The YA writer mother was awesome, but you can come clean: were you poking fun at yourself a little when you wrote her? ;)

Um ... I may or may not ... okay totally may have based the mom around me. The first scene I ever wrote was the kitchen scene in chapter two. The one between her and her mother. I totally pictured my daughter as a teen and what she would think of me with my Harry Potter T Shirt and my awesomesauce talk. I couldn't help but play it up a bit. To be honest, every family member of the Jones' family is a bit like each member of my own family. It's what keeps me entertained as the writer!

Admittedly, it's been a while since I was in high school (er...way too long, actually), but one thing I noticed was that all the drama felt very real, very adolescent. How much of your own personal experience went into the writing of this story?

Is it possible for me to plead the fifth on this one? Alright, admittedly, there are certain scenes and certain characters similar to those of my (way too long ago) high school days. Each character has a wee bit of of my past weaved into them. That's probably why I like them so much though!

How do you feel about the self-publishing experience so far? D'you think you'll follow that same path for future books?

Ah ... self publishing ... there's a whole tale in its own. Well, it's had its ups and downs. I started out with the agent route ... but when the agent I REALLY wanted and really fit my story said, "I love your writing, but I just signed someone with a similar story," I kinda decided to make my own path. I didn't really care if the book sold, I just wanted to get it out there. I needed to make my story known and let people going through these things know that they are not alone.

However, after my sales hit almost 50K, I'm not gonna lie, I was a tiny bit giddy!

As I am currently working on the sequel, I keep going back and forth on the agent vs. self publishing bit. I've learned so much through this experience, made tons of mistakes, fixed them and learned more ... I feel a slightly overwhelming (yes there is such thing as slightly overwhelming ... it's my interview, right?) urge to do it even better this time. However, I know it will be easier to get my books in actual stores if I go the traditional route.

I suppose I will know more once I finish the first draft, but as of right now, I'm leaning toward self publishing. It's the ambitiousness that is pushing me to do it bigger and better than the first book. I'm kinda crazy like that ;)

So...do Annabelle and Tony end up together for the long haul? C'mon...you can tell me. I won't tell anyone else....

Wouldn't you like to know! :D Well, they are definitely in for some VERY large challenges in the near future. I'm not even sure how I am going to come to terms with everything that happens next. But yeah ... um ... totally ... they find a way to make it work ... maybe.…

Oh, fine. Be coy like that. Pfft. ;)

*

So that’s Marybeth, folks. Nice, isn’t she?

And, because I’m technically competent like that, here’s an image of her book cover that links to her author website. Why not go see what she’s about, huh?

 

Oh, and if you’re curious about her book (yes, I read it—I’m allowed to read YA every now and then, even if i don’t write it, aren’t I?), you can find links on Marybeth’s author site. Or, y’know, just follow the ones I’ve posted below. That’d work too.

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Powell’s

There we go, folks! My very first YA-promoting post. Whaddya think? Should I do more in the future? Should I insist on Skype interviews next time? With tequila shots?  I bet that’d make for some interesting viewing, ne? Do tell; I’m waiting with bated breath for your thoughts.

Till next time, y’all. Be well, and have an extra vodka for me.

Cheers!