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.

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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.

1 comment:

  1. 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.

    All my best,
    Gin P

    ReplyDelete

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