Quickie Interview + Jamie's Thoughts on The Edge of Falling by Rebecca Serle

The Edge Of Falling by Rebecca Serle
I received this from the publisher for an honest review.
Publisher: Simon Pulse

I really liked The Edge of Falling and my heart just kind of hurts a little bit to think about Caggie's story. Her little sister drowns and she really blames herself because she should have been watching her. The grief really tears at Caggie and her family causing Caggie to really pull away from everyone -- including her (SO PERFECT) boyfriend. Then Caggie becomes thrust into the spotlight because she allegedly saves a girl from committing suicide and she is deemed as a hero. But there's more to the story and that's not exactly what happened on the rooftop and it eats away at Caggie.


So when we meet Caggie we see this intense pain within her from these events and we know she is hurting and we see these signs that she's really having a hard time dealing with it -- the withdrawal from people and then hanging out with this kind of bad boy who has his own problems. Caggie was hard to connect with a lot of the time until closer to the end, where I feel the story really picked up, but I just could feel the weight of everything just weighing her down and the fact that she wasn't dealing with it.

ASTOR. I didn't know whether we were supposed to like him or not but I DID NOT. I kept feeling very nervous for her with Astor around. I got the allure for Caggie in her present state of mind-- he didn't care about talking about their past and so she didn't have to think about things or confront them -- but he was bad news for me. You could tell he had his own issues and together they were just going to implode.

The reveal didn't really surprise me at all but I think hearing Caggie finally say it out loud did affect me. I just felt very emotional towards the end and MAN was that quite the dramatic ending. The second half of the book was definitely my favorite because things REALLY start to come to the surface. It's hard to watch Caggie really go down a path that's not so great and you just really start rooting for her to snap out of it and confront the grief and the rooftop incident before she spirals out of control. You just keep waiting for that moment that you KNOW has to happen. The build up to that moment just really kept me reading. 

Bottom line: The Edge of Falling was a solid read that was emotional and really made me feel the weight of Caggie's grief and pain. It really become quite gripping about half way through and that's where I felt I become way more invested to Caggie's story despite her pain just dripping from the pages from the start.

INTERVIEW WITH REBECCA SERLE

1. If you could describe The Edge of Falling in 3 words, what would they be?
Grief. Family. Flying.

2. What is the most important relationship in The Edge of Falling?

Wow, what a great question. The Edge of Falling is a book about relationships—the one Caggie has with her mother, her brother, her father, her ex boyfriend, her best friend—and the hot new guy at school. But I think the most important relationship in The Edge of Falling is the one Caggie is trying to protect, let go of, forget, and simultaneously keep forever: her relationship with her little sister who has passed away. It is only in coming to terms with that tragedy, and its aftermath, that Caggie can move on to begin to love herself.

3. What is your favorite section of the book?

The climax. I can’t say too much about it because it would give a lot away (and I hope you’ll read it!) but it’s a very intense scene. Caggie is finally admitting out loud what really happened on that rooftop last spring when she supposedly saved a girl’s life, and even though we’ve had hints of it, this is when she really confesses. It was a challenging scene to write, and it’s one I’m really proud of.

4. Describe your writing process for aspiring readers.

Well, first it must be exactly 68 degrees in my apartment and I must have a skim latte made exactly seven minutes prior and there must be no noise, whatsoever, and only direct light overhead…KIDDING. I’m not very precious about my process. Seriously, if you want to do this as a job, you can’t be. I write on the fly, when I can, how I can—that is how my books get written. But when I have a new idea I’ll do something that I think will be helpful for you to know. I sit down and “write my way in.” This means I free write for about 30 pages. Just whatever comes. The characters, the universe, whatever. After those 30 pages I sit back and look at what I have. It’s then that I determine what the story I want to tell really is.

Lori Reviews North of Supposed to Be

Title: North of Supposed to Be

Author: Marcia Ferguson

Published: Franklin Hancock Press 2012

Where I Got It: The author contacted me and asked me to review the book and she sent me a copy.

It's really difficult to summarize this action-packed book without going into too much detail.  This is because of all of the twists and turns the novel takes and all of the colorful and unique characters that Ferguson creates.  The basic premise is that Bronwyn McCall--an orphan with a good, trusting, and generous heart--inherits a vast tract of land, a lot of money, and a retired MI6 agent named Ernest Rose, whom she calls Jeeves.  She sets about creating an impressive compound in Maine, which she populates with a cast of characters in need of a second chance or a bit of luck.  Yet not everything is as idyllic as it seems.  Throughout the novel--which takes readers from the East Coast to the West Coast and across the Atlantic--themes of second chances, loss, loneliness, betrayal, and friendship are explored in a very fast-paced plot.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  Admittedly, I got off to a rough start because there was so much going on, but once I discovered the typical format of a Jeeves novel--that is, the "layers pile up thickly . . . with a character getting into multiple dangerous situations by mid-story" (taken from Wikipedia's article on P.G. Wodehouse)--I was a lot clearer, understood that it was supposed to be so complex, and had smooth sailing.  The plot and the overall narrative pull in several interests of mine and the author's, which include Hollywood, food, and fashion.  Plus a bit of intrigue.  

The best part of the story are the characters Ferguson creates.  Starting with Bronwyn, who seemed at times like she could be a friend of mine and even drifting into me feeling like I could be her, on down to the minor characters, of which there are many.  Jeeves is not your typical Jeeves of Wodehouse's Jeeves and Wooster series.  Rather, this Jeeves has a rich past and is full of mystery.  

Ferguson also has interesting ways to move the plot, which is very important given how many twists and turns the plot takes throughout the novel.  Overall, this novel keeps the reader engaged as they move from one setting and situation to another.  I cannot wait to see what Ferguson comes up with next...

My other thoughts and questions about the book are addressed in the follow interview, which I was able to conduct with the author.  I am so grateful that she was so cooperative.  My questions are in italics.

This is such a unique story with a very action-filled plot, which is a characteristic found in P.G. Wodehouse's Jeeves stories (in an early email between us, you mentioned that this was a re-imagined Jeeves, so I figured that Wodehouse's writing played a role in your inspiration; my apologies if I'm wrong).  There were so many times that I wondered what could possibly happen next and then you threw in another twist, which I really enjoyed.  What was your inspiration for this novel?

I have to admit – my inspiration was simply my imagination.  I’m blessed with a vivid one.  One of my first mental images was seeing Bronwyn walk through the door to her home on the estate.  And I’d mentally polish the story before I ever began writing it, like polishing a stone in your pocket.  It was always there, and I’d trot it out and see where it took me, just in my imagination.  Some people have a mantra – something that relaxes them – for me, it was setting my foot into Bronwyn’s home and everything else sprung from that.  As far as Wodehouse is concerned, I always adored Jeeves, and of course this Jeeves is unlike the original.  But there’s still something endearing about him.

The plot of the novel takes the reader to so many places--England,California, and Maine for starters.  Did/do any of the places you mention have a special meaning or how did you settle on them for the setting of your novel?

I loved Maine from the first moment I crossed the border from New Hampshire.  There’s something very unique and resonating about it. I’ve been to California a few times, but it’s my love of movies that launched the California locations.  Pittsburgh is easy – I’m from Pittsburgh and live nearby … a terrific place.  People here enjoy reading about the real places in the city, and in Sewickley and Beaver.  Unfortunately, the UK locations are a result of research.  I hope to get across the pond one day.

Bronwyn is such a friendly character that I feel like I know her and at times like I could be her and you create such a colorful and rich cast of characters.  Were there any that were favorites for you?  Were many of them drawn from people you know in real life?

None of the characters were based on real people, but I can’t say the same for the dogs or Snowball the cat.  Those are definitely based on real animals.  I’m delighted you related to Bronwyn.   I liked her interaction with Clive and Jamie.  I always felt their friendly camaraderie, and it reminded me of Harry, Hermione, and Ron … and Tom Sawyer, Becky, and Huck Finn.  I think they had a great time on the estate and it’s a bright spot in the story for me.  And I was very fond of the fox.

Second chances play a major role in this novel.  Why was that such an important theme for you?

I began the idea of the story with Bronwyn’s own second chance, and as I got to know her more, I realized how generous she was.  Despite her lonely life, she had a big heart, and I think she always would have exhibited generosity even without her enormous fortune.  One of my favorite second chances was the one for Laura – in “Irony”, Bronwyn was stunned by what she perceived to be Laura’s disloyalty, but two chapters later, in “An Umbrella for Laura”, Bronwyn not only offered her reinstatement, she did it with understated kindness.  As far as a theme, I think it’s something we sometimes overlook in ourselves – our willingness to believe again, to rescue something or someone, to trust again.

Fashion, food, and design seem to be an important part of your descriptions.  I know from your author blurb that you were involved in fashion before becoming a writer.  Was there a reason these came up so much?  (Hobbies for you, etc)  Similarly, movies and Hollywood play a big part in the novel.  Why was this?

Fashion, food, and design all interest me and always have, so incorporating them in the story was a must for me.  I guess I can say, I wrote the book I’d like to read.  And I’m a huge movie fan, so bringing movies and actors into the story was easy to do.  The food aspect was such a blast to write – almost all of the restaurants are real places, as well as the food, with the exception of Nuit.

Added as an afterthought to elaborate on her answer...To illuminate characters and their lives, I like to add color for readers with descriptions of the things that interest me, like what the characters look like, eat, and their environment.  But if the story is an 'orchestral piece with lots of instruments', there's a point in the story when it's simply 'a mournful cello' (think Phillip Phillips and his Volcano single).  In chapter ten, it's a departure to see the story unfold from Jeeves' perspective and it's a chapter without dialogue.  Bronwyn's circles in the sand, her offering of carrots with green tops, and the lapping ocean have kind of a reverence, seen from a distance ... and it marks the first second chance (for Alex Oz King) and the launching point of new lives for both Bronwyn and Jeeves.  It's a quiet and significant break in a story with tons of descriptive passages.

As I mentioned, you were in fashion, but the author blurb mentioned that you also managed a bookstore, and now you're a writer. What made you decide to transition from one area to the other?  Had you always wanted to be a writer or did the urge suddenly come to you?  Did you have a background in creative writing or literature?

I left department store retailing to manage a college bookstore, and I did that for 27 years.  It was a great career and I was proud to create a unique and successful store. Unfortunately, the college leased the store to Barnes & Noble.  I didn’t plan on retiring, but it did have an upside – I could write the novel I’d been outlining.  I remember when I first said I was going to write a novel … I was so shy to say it out loud.  But I knew the story, and it was just a matter of writing it.  I don’t have an English background, other than having success in English classes and being an avid, observant,  and appreciative reader.

Going off of that, do you have any advice for someone looking to get into the world of writing/publishing?

My advice for budding writers is to be prepared for the slog of getting published and the challenge of marketing your book.  The writing was always a complete and utter joy for me - even editing, which I did over and over and over.  I can’t imagine writing if it’s not the most glorious part of the day.  I would also comment on how important it is to have cold readers (who will be honest) read your early manuscript drafts.  I created a questionnaire and took heed when readers had questions or something in the plot line wasn’t clear to them.  I do think a reader needs to ‘think’ and my approach isn’t to spell everything out.  In fact, I think readers should have different opinions and interpretations of what happened and in the case of North, different views of Ernest Rose.  But I did do some clarifying and rewriting to fix things the cold readers brought to my attention.  If you don’t have a questionnaire, your cold readers might be vague.

What authors or books have influenced you the most?  Who/what are your favorites?  Did any of them influence your writing style?

I’m a wordy writer.  My early drafts were much longer, and much of my editing was all about the word count.  I learned to have more efficient sentences.  Many of the classic writers that I admire are succinct – Hemingway and Fitzgerald.  But I’d say the feel of my writing is similar to John Irving’s.  And what reader/writer doesn’t admire the world JK Rowling created?  I’m a huge fan of the Harry Potter books, and although Bronwyn’s world doesn’t have the magical aura of Rowling’s, or the unbelievably creative language, I did try to have lyrical names that would steer the reader’s subconscious … for instance Bronwyn thinks red hair is wonderfully special.  No one else in North has red hair, except for her long-gone family and Snooks.  But Bronwyn’s name should reinforce to readers that her hair is brunette, brown, brun.  Splash Flanagan is a favorite name for me, Grace Cloud imparts the qualities Hughie would long for … Ore is certainly a ‘golden’ actor, beyond handsome, so I used the name Ore to convey his golden nature.  Finding the ‘right’ names for the characters was important, and I hope I was as successful at that, as JK Rowling.

Any thoughts on what's next?

I’m outlining a new novel.  At first I thought I’d write a sequel to North of Supposed to Be, because early readers were anxious to know what happens to Bronwyn and the rest of the characters.  So right before it was published, I rewrote the final chapter and hope it satisfies the readers.  The new novel has fewer characters, but they’re good ones.  I can’t imagine writing about characters you don’t truly love.

I noticed you’ve created Pinterest boards that relate to the novel.  What’s that about?

I hadn’t even heard of Pinterest until this summer, and when I realized I could show readers the real places, objects, food, etc. of the story, it was a terrific way to involve the reader.  I’m surprised more authors aren’t doing it, but I think they will.  Pinterest is so much fun, that I created personal boards as well, but readers can click on the first ten ‘boards’ to see what North of Supposed to Be is about at www.pinterest.com/mfergusonnorth

Interview With Kimberly Derting!

I am super giddy to be sharing this interview with you all. Kimberly Derting is awesome! As most of you know, Kimberly Derting wrote The Body Finder and the sequel, Desires of the Dead, was released this month! It's a supernatural thriller about a girl who is able to hear the echos of the dead---but only those who were murdered. It's chilling and unique and you can read my review of Desires of the Dead here and read my review of The Body Finder on my personal blog here.

1) One thing I really enjoyed about both The Body Finder and Desires of the Dead was the alternating perspective you provided in some chapters. I felt that in The Body Finder this really added to the creepiness of the novel. What sort of research did you do to get in the "killer" mindset?Honestly, I feel like I’ve been “researching” this for most of my life. I’ve had an obsession with crime thrillers, both fiction and non-fiction since I was a 12. I remember reading Helter Skelter (the book about the Charles Manson killings) as a teen, and thinking how cool it was that the author got to examine the inner-workings of Manson and his crazy world. Little did I know that years later, I would be creating my own creepy killers!

2) I found Violet and Jay's relationship to be so refreshing. It was SO authentic and not of the "insta-romance" variety and I just loved it. Did you draw on any personal relationships or relationships from tv/movies/books to create this relationship? And what made you decide to go with the "friend turned more" plot line?For me, Jay and Violet have the kind of relationship I wish I’d had in high school. Like most teens, I spent way too much time daydreaming about what my dream boyfriend would be like, and it was almost always someone like Jay. For the books, I really wanted Jay & Violet’s relationship to be something stronger than the love at first sight story, so I figured there was nothing stronger than childhood friends who become something more.

3) The Body Finder and Desires of the Dead are full of thrills, chills and lots of mystery. What are some books/movies that have creeped you out?

The Shining is the book (and movie) that started it all for me.

Some of my favorite chilling books have been: Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris (“it puts the lotion on the skin, or it gets the hose…”); IT by Stephen King (I never looked at my bathroom drain the same again); and believe it or not, Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton (the book more so than the movie)…it was thrilling!

Movies, of course, The Sixth Sense because I NEVER saw that ending coming and I loved that! The original Nightmare on Elm Street, although I have a feeling it wouldn’t be nearly as scary now. And Paranormal Activity, although I wouldn’t really know since I couldn’t watch it without covering my eyes and never actually finished it…scariest movie ever!



4) If you could cast two people to play Violet and Jay in a movie, who would you cast and why?

For Violet, I kind of like Elizabeth Gillies or Emma Roberts. And for Jay, Dustin Milligan seems just about perfect.

5) If you could create a mashup of one of your favorite books from your childhood and a YA paranormal/supernatural book from the past few years, what would you create?

Charlotte’s Web and City of Bones. Charlotte would use her super-web-spinning skillz to create intricate runes to fight alongside Jace and the other Shadowhunters. She would be one bad-assed web-spinning demon hunter!




Thank you so much for stopping by The Broke and the Bookish, Kimberly! I think Charlotte would be so beyond badass but still a sensitive and smart heroine!

Jen Interviews Beth Revis

Back in November I conducted a short, fun interview with debut author, Beth Revis.  Her book, Across The Universe, is being released tomorrow, January 11^th in the US.  I am so excited and can’t wait to read this book!  The first chapter was posted online a while back (go here to read it) and I made the mistake of reading it.  By mistake I mean I should have waited to read it!  I’ve been so curious to see what happens and how the story plays out!  My copy from Amazon better be on my doorstep when I get home from work tomorrow!

This is the first author interview I've ever done so I was a tad nervous.  I tried to come up with questions that were a little different.



Describe Across the Universe in five words or less.

Murder mystery in space. :)

What was the most challenging aspect of writing this novel?

Doing it justice. I had this grand idea, but I worried incessantly that my writing wouldn't do the characters proud, or I wouldn't tell the story adequately enough.

The cover is gorgeous! Did you have any input regarding it?
I did get to have input...but thankfully they came up with a much better design than I'd envisioned!
[Go here to see how amazing the cover actually is...the book jacket is reversible!]

What's a typical day like for you?
Wake up much later than I meant to, lounge around much longer than I'd intended to, get to work much later than I should, then write furiously in a panic.

What was your college experience like?
I ADORED college. I went to NCSU for first my Bachelor of Arts, then my Master's. I did everything I wanted to--drank beer, drank coffee, ate ramen, studied abroad. Wouldn't trade those times for the world.

What's one of your favorite books?
My absolute favorite series of books is the Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis. Those books taught me that books could be more than stories.


What's your favorite star constellation?
Orion, of course! :)


If you could travel across the universe would you go?
YES...if I could bring with me the people I love. I'm much more tied to people than things.


Beth, thanks so much for stopping by the blog!  We wish you the best of luck as you embark on your new adventure!  Be sure to visit Beth's website, check out her blog, read her tweets, and check out her book!

One last thing!  The book trailer:

Student of the Month: Kody Keplinger

Student of the Month is a monthly feature here at The Broke and the Bookish in which fellow college students will be in the spotlight with an interview or a guest post about being bookish college students. This month we are talking with Kody Keplinger--author of the YA novel, The DUFF, and full time college student! I know how stressful being a college student is and I just HAD to know how she does both. Welcome to the blog, Kody!

Student at Ithaca College
Major: Writing
Year: Sophomore

What inspired you to be a writer? Do you have any authors that have particularly inspired you? I have always loved to write, but I think it was JK Rowling and the Harry Potter books that really made me realize how powerful and amazing a good book could be.  That made me want to write, too.

What does a typical day look like for you as a college student?

Lets see . . . something like this:

1. Roll out of bed half an hour later than planned.
2. Go to class.
3. Do homework.
4. More class.
5. More homework
6. Eat at some point.
7. Write as much as I can before I fall asleep

It's not very glamorous, honestly. 

Knowing what the hectic schedule of a college student is like, what is your writing process like?  I write best late at night.  Which can be a pain when I start falling asleep over my computer - haha.

How has majoring in Writing been most helpful to you as an author? It's been a great way to learn how to write in other genres.  I'm learning how to write in more adult genres. It's good to have those options open.

As a full time student and writer, how do you balance schoolwork, writing and your free time? Truth? I don't.  I can't keep up with all of it all the time.  Sometimes my writing is put on the back burner. Sometimes it's my social life. Sometimes its my sleep.  I haven't mastered the juggling act yet.  Its tough.  But it's worth it.


Favorite class you've taken in college so far? Why? Girlhoods in Literature - we read children's and YA books from 1800s until today, all featuring female heroines.  It had the best reading list of any class I've ever taken.

That sounds like an incredible class! How do your professors and fellow classmates respond to the fact that you are a published author?  Not all of them know. The ones that do are happy for me and cool.  But I don't necessarily walk around telling everyone I meet. I am treated like any other dopey sophomore! Haha.

What genres/authors do you like to read? I like to read mostly young adult books. Too many authors come to mind to name them all, but if it's in the Teen Section of the bookstore, chances are I'll read it.

Do you have any advice for other college students who are aspiring writers? Take chances.  Seriously, don't miss out on opportunities now.  You'll regret it later.

One piece of advice for college freshman? Take classes in all the subjects you MIGHT be interested in.  Pick a major a little later.  Trust me, it's so helpful to do it that way. You'll be happier for it.

Favorite college experience so far? My friend Rachel's birthday last year.  We threw a party in a tiny dorm room and danced and sang and had a great time.

Dance parties are my favorite! I'm sure you've had your share of late nights and all-nighters! Give us your survival kit for a successful all-nighter.  Loud music, Mountain Dew, and Starburst.  Best thing EVER at 2:00 am.

Thanks for stopping by the blog, Kody. Good luck with your studies and your writing! I don't know how you do it but I'm thinking back at myself as a dopey sophomore and I know I couldn't have handled it.  Make sure you check out Kody's website, blog and book!

What about you all? Are you an aspiring writer? How do you juggle everything? What does your survival kit for a successful all-nighter look like?