Ten Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Wrote a Novel
Thank you so much
for inviting me to share on your blog! I’m Gina Azzi and I recently
self-published my first novel Corner of Ocean and Bay.
Here are ten things
I wish someone told me before I wrote a novel:
-
It’s OK not to have all the answers. They’ll come to you in time.
-
Your best ideas come from the most unlikely places – and in very surprising moments.
-
Honest friends are more important than friends who don’t want to hurt your feelings.
-
Have several people read your book – before you send it to the editor.
-
The cover is incredibly important. Yes, people do judge a book by its cover – it’s true!
-
You don’t have to accept every suggestion someone offers on how to improve your novel – the ultimate decision to accept or reject a change is yours. But you should always listen first.
-
Be open and receptive to criticism – you’re characters may grow a bit more, your ideas may develop, etc. – if you are open to understanding the perspectives of others.
-
Some days, the writing will not come. And it’s ok. (Other days, it will flow. These days are awesome!).
-
Your characters are not you. Or your friends. Allow them to form their own identities.
-
Have fun – and enjoy the process! It’s amazing how much you will learn and grow and develop.
Happy writing!
Corner of Ocean and Bay by Gina Azzi
Publication date: June 15th 2015Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
Nessa Moore has sought reliable stability since her father’s death. Now, she’s over it. Tired of always being the mature adult, constantly worrying about her alcoholic mother, stressing about being able to afford college, she wants to have one normal, carefree, fun summer. And be more like her best friend Jacie.
Jacie Hayes is struggling to overcome the recent breakup with her first love. The one that ripped out her heart and left her devastated. Frustrated and bored with her own self pity, Jacie wants nothing more than to forget about Dylan, to go back to her old ways, her old self. To be the fun loving, live-in-the-moment girl who gossips about boys and sips mojitos.
Best friends since childhood, Nessa and Jacie have been through all their ups and downs together. No matter what. Now, the summer before their senior year of high school, they accept an invitation from Jacie’s aunt to join her in Lockwood Quay, New Jersey, a summer beach getaway.
Determined to make this their best, most memorable, summer yet, both girls push their own boundaries, accept new challenges, and find themselves keeping secrets from each other.
But sometimes, stepping out of your comfort zone has consequences.
And some secrets can’t be forgiven.
Or forgotten.
The unique scent of the ocean, a fusion of sea salt and secrets,
blows into the open windows of Jacie’s Jeep Wrangler minutes after
we pass the sign welcoming us to Lockwood Quay, New Jersey,
population 2,700. The wind whips my hair around my face, tying it in
knots, and I breathe in deep, holding the air in my lungs, committing
its deliciousness to memory.
I ride shotgun, sitting next to Jacie, as she reaches over and turns
up the volume to Kid Rock’s “All Summer Long.” We sing the
chorus in unison, Jacie’s fingers tapping the beat on the steering
wheel, as we near Aunt Beatrice’s beach house. Jacie throws her
arms up, dancing to the music, shaking her head as her long, straight
blonde hair snakes down her back. I immediately reach over and grab
the steering wheel. We swerve slightly and the man in an oncoming car
blares his horn, giving us the stink eye as he passes. Jacie giggles
and waves to him. I join in her laughter as I try to squeeze the
panic from my chest, reminding myself that this is my shot at a
normal, carefree summer, my chance to have some Jacie kind of fun.
When we round the next corner Aunt Beatrice’s house unfolds before
me. The house is sprawling, ranch style, transporting me back to my
childhood when my father would rent a beach house for the summer. He
always loved the Jersey shore.
Aunt Beatrice’s house is a pale gray, almost blue, with large bay
windows and a wraparound porch. In one corner, a swing sways slightly
in the breeze and white wicker chairs beckon. The path up to the
house and the wide driveway are dotted with pale pink brick pavers;
the front lawn isn’t a lawn at all but a stretch of various sized
stones, broken seashells, and sandy pebbles; the flowers are in full
bloom. Beautiful flowers are everywhere: hanging from the window
boxes, falling to the porch in various shades of pink, purple,
yellow, blue.
“Let the summer shenanigans commence,” Jacie says, shoving the
gear stick into park and opening the Jeep door. She stretches her
arms overhead and her T-shirt rides up, revealing a glimpse of the
ink she had tattooed on her lower abdomen the night before she turned
seventeen, precisely nine days ago. Her cousins even gifted her a
fake ID.
“I seriously can’t believe we are going to live here!” I push
my sunglasses up on top of my head, sweeping my side bangs off my
forehead.
“I know, right. It’s going to be such an awesome summer!”
Interview
Questions: Gina Azzi
Question:
Tell us more about yourself.
Answer: My
name is Gina and I’m a passionate reader. I’m obsessed with my
Kindle. I also love traveling, iced coffees, and mint chocolate chip
ice cream. I’m a pescatarian – I enjoy sushi too much!
Corner of Ocean
and Bay is my first novel and taught me more about myself than
most undertakings in my twenties.
Question:
What is Corner of Ocean and Bay about?
Answer:
Corner of Ocean and Bay centers on the friendship of Nessa and
Jacie the summer before their senior year of high school. The themes
present in the book focus on common teenage issues such as underage
drinking, first loves, sex, family issues, etc. The underlying, core
theme is the friendship, and all its complexities, between the two
girls.
Question: How
did you create the setting of Lockwood Quay?
Answer: The
setting was largely inspired by my childhood summers at the Jersey
Shore. Even though I have visited many other beaches, the Jersey
shore holds a very special place in my heart. I think summers at the
beach during my teen years were magical and contributed greatly to my
outlook, sense of adventure, and enjoying the moments as they happen.
I’ve never felt more carefree than I do at the beach.
Side note: I don’t
think people outside of NJ ever refer to the beach as the Shore.
Question:
What was the last book you read and loved?
Answer: I’m
torn – it’s a toss up between Deborah Harkness’s All Souls
Trilogy and Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander Series. I just
started book five, The Fiery Cross.
I absolutely loved
the All Souls Trilogy and am really enjoying the Outlander
series. Both are comprised of books you just can’t put down. They
are good for summer reading if you have a lot of time because once
you start, you will most likely spend the whole day reading!
Question:
What do you do when you’re not writing?
Answer: A lot of the time, I’m reading! Lately, I’ve been
trying my hand at cooking and learning new recipes. I would love to
learn how to bake. I also enjoy yoga and Pilates – currently, I’m
attending the pre-natal classes since I’m expecting my first baby
in November. I also blog at Bookmarks and Champagne
(www.bookmarksandchampagne.com).
It began more as a way for me to keep in touch with family and
friends back home but has evolved to include bits about travel and
expat life. My best friend and I are considering a book blog as we
both love reading and are attached to our Kindles half the time.
Question:
Have you always wanted to be an author?
Answer:
Writing a book has always been a dream of mine – just not one I
ever thought I could turn into a profession. I’m very grateful for
the support of my husband and family and friends to stick with this
project and give it a try. I enjoy writing every day and feel very
fortunate to do something I feel passionate about.
Question:
What were your favorite childhood books?
Answer: When
I was young, my mom read to me every night before bed and I would
always beg for one more book. My favorite childhood book was Love
you Forever by Robert Munsch. As I got older, I was obsessed with
The Babysitter’s Club – I wanted to be like Dawn. I also
really enjoyed the classics: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn,
everything by Jane Austen, and Wuthering Heights. Harry
Potter is my favorite series of all-time. I wish I could go to
Hogwarts.
Question:
What is your favorite place to write?
Answer: Since
my husband and I live abroad and travel often, I find myself writing
wherever I can – on plane trips and in airport terminals, in little
cafes and coffee shops, in many news cities surrounded by new
influences. But right now, the traveling has slowed down since I’m
pregnant, so it’s my kitchen table! We’ve got this huge picnic
style table from Ikea and I love spreading my notes and journals and
coffee mugs all over it when I sit down to write.
Question:
What are you working on now?
Answer:
Currently, I’m working on a four-book series about four best
friends embarking on their senior year of college. Each book will
focus on one of the girls and the experiences she has during her last
year of college – whether that be as a study abroad student, an
athlete, a candidate for a competitive internship, etc. – as well
as her personal growth and love interest! The first book is scheduled
to be released in November 2015.
Question: If
you weren’t writing, what would you be doing?
Answer: I
feel very fortunate to write. In the future, I imagine myself doing
all sorts of things. I would love to own a café one day – one that
only serves breakfast food and amazing coffee. I’ve always wanted
to work on a vineyard and learn about winemaking. We’ll see what
the future holds but right now, I’m really happy to be exactly
where I am, writing!
Gina loves meeting new people and would love to hear from you! Get in touch with her at:
Email: ginaazziauthor@gmail.com
Twitter: @gina_azzi
Author links:
No comments:
Post a Comment