The Writing Life with YA Mystery Author Gin Price
Using knowledge learned from her childhood environment, Gin
Price’s writing is often steeped in street life, whether good or bad. Hoping to
show support for art that is often misunderstood, she published her debut
novel, On Edge, focusing on graffiti
and parkour, two expressions dear to her heart. Currently, she is a resident in
the Metro Detroit area, living with her loving biologist man, David, her two
children, Shyla and Hayes, many reptiles and a troublesome cat named Wallace.
Connect with Gin Price on the
web:
Website: http://authorginprice.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Gin_Price
What’s
inside the mind of a YA author?
I
feel like if I tell you that, someone somewhere will call the white coats down
on me. There are parts I can share, though. Inside my head are the memories of
great happiness and great pain.
What
is so great about being an author?
As
a young adult, I went through so many adjustments. They were beautiful and
tragic and made easier to deal with by reading. As an author, if I can give
someone a character they can relate to and feel empowered by, then all the crap
I dealt with growing up has a more positive purpose. How rad is that?
When
do you hate it? Hate is a really strong word. (I just heard my mother say that
in my head. J ) There’s no
aspect of my career that I hate. There are those moments my laptop’s life is in
danger. For example, book two. Right now I am plotting and writing book 2. I
know what my editor wants, I know what I want to write. The problem is getting
those two ideas together in a way that is exciting to me, because I refuse to
write a book I don’t feel a connection with. I have to be obsessed with the
story. It has to be so good (in my opinion) that I am excited to write it.
What
is a regular writing day like for you? I set out to hit a goal, and I usually
kill that dream by 1pm. I get caught up in particulars, I get distracted by
changes…and then my kids start pestering me about needing to eat and all that.
Silly babies needing food and all. J
Do
you think authors have big egos? Do you? Some do. I think they forget what it
was like to not be awesome at something. Me? I’m constantly telling myself I’m
not awesome, especially after I’ve done my writing for the day and go back and
read the nonsensical crap I spewed out for the day. I walk away feeling
disgusted. LOL It’s good for the soul.
In
all honesty, though, I do think that confidence can come off as ego-trippin’
when the contact is brief. We writers are often in our own heads. I’ve been
zoned out and walking through a hotel lobby before, and realizing ten steps
after passing someone that they said hello and feeling like a moron for not
paying attention. If I were JK Rowling, I’m sure someone would’ve tweeted I was
a bitch, when it was just a product of who writers are. We are constantly
thinking, imagining, plotting. I hope people will give me the benefit of the
doubt if I ever get to the point in my career where I am visually recognizable.
How
do you handle negative reviews?
They’re
awesome! If everyone liked the same thing, there wouldn’t be achievements worth
aiming for. You can read negative reviews and find the common thread in them to
make improvements, but more often than not, you can read them and giggle a
little. Some that are downright mean, you have to laugh at. That person can’t
possibly be a serious reviewer to be that unprofessional. But if you find
yourself on a rag review page, where they are popular reviewers that are so
because of their snark…then you should congratulate yourself. You only get on
those pages when you’ve made waves big enough to get you noticed.
How
do you handle positive reviews?
I
thank my mom, because it’s probably her. Just kidding. I print them out in
triplicate and roll around with them on the bed giggling manically.
What
is the usual response when you tell a new acquaintance that you’re an author?
Disbelief.
“Oh are you?” “You’re an author? Like with a book at the store?” And then my
favorite response of all time. “Oh that’s cool. I’m looking for someone to
write a book on my life and I’ll consider you.” BEST RESPONSE EVAH!!
What
do you do on those days you don’t feel like writing?
I
shame myself and then resort to flogging.
Do
you force it or take a break?
If
it’s because I’m not feeling inspired, I don’t force it. I work in other ways.
Research, plotting, and sometimes writing a ridiculous scene that is over the
top. That usually jump starts me to get at least some viable words on the page.
Breaks are for wimps.
Any
writing quirks? I imagine I have many that I don’t recognize enough to report.
I will say that I am distract-o girl. I try to keep myself focused by writing
down things I want to add on separate cards so I don’t stop the forward
momentum. Also, I’m not sure if this is a quirk, but I listen to music that
would match the scene I’m writing. It takes time out of writing to find that
perfect song or Pandora station, but I need to do it.
What
would you do if people around you didn’t take your writing seriously or see it
as a hobby?
Meh.
That’s their issue, not mine. I used to get worked up about it, and there are
times where I calmly remind those who think I’m home relaxing all day that I
belong to a career that takes up my time 24/7 and their 9-5er is a hobby in
comparison. But for the most part, I just T.S. it and Shake It Off.
Some
authors seem to have a love-hate relationship to writing. Can you relate?
It’s
more of a love/annoyed relationship. Things can drive me nuts sometimes, but
I’m very glad to be able to tell stories.
Do
you think success as an author must be linked to money?
I
hope not, or I’m a wicked fail.
What
had writing taught you?
Patience.
Kind of. Okay well…whatever patience I do have I can attribute to writing.
Leave
us with some words of wisdom.
Never
believe a broken fortune cookie.
Thanks so much for having me today. The interview was fun and unlike a lot of the others I've done. It was nice to have something refreshing to discuss.
ReplyDeleteAll my best,
Gin P