How
long have you each been writing, Charlotte and Natalie?
Nat:
I've been making up stories forever (LOL). I actually started writing and
keeping a journal in high school. It was mostly poetry.
Char:
I think we all started out writing sappy poetry (at least I did!)
Where
did you get your idea and inspiration to write Sirenz?
Nat:
I joined Char's critique group--and through that we found we had quite a bit in
common and became friends. I'd started out in the group with picture books and
wanted to do something with "more words." I started writing a novel
(Char already had a couple of finished pieces at that point), and one day, at
one of our meetings, we started talking about Twilight (just coming into the
spotlight then), and we were like, "we could do that!" And we started
batting around ideas for a vampire novel... (gonna let Char take it from here)
Char: But then everyone was doing
vampire novels; bookshelves were stuffed with them. So, after a bit of
searching, we hit on Greek mythology (at this point only Percy Jackson was
doing it, and his novels were younger teen). The idea of Sirenz just seemed to jump out as unused story possibilities.
What
sets Sirenz apart from other books in
the same genre?
Nat:
The same year that Sirenz debuted,
several other mythology themed books came out--all centered around Hades. The
Goddess Test and Abandoned come to mind. I know there were others. There was
also at least one about Sirens. The thing that sets Sirenz apart from these books (fab books, I might add) is that we
took the comedic road. Sirenz and Sirenz Back In Fashion are funny,
light-hearted books.
Char:
Plus, we stayed true to the mythology, just tweaked it into the modern era. I
mean if you're a woman, would you wear the same old dress for thousands of
years? Why shouldn't Hades be hot just because he rules the Underworld?
As
collaborating authors, what are your writing processes?
Nat:
Char and I plot together, and then we take turns writing chapters. When we get
a "chunk" of chapters done (usually 5), we mark up the chunk
individually, then get together to go over the changes. There's only one
rule... (gonna be preemptive here--the editor got rid of Char's chapters too!)
Char:
(Nat makes me laugh...) The rule is that if you like it, and it's in your
chapter (unless you're killing off my character), it stays unless the agent or
editor says it goes. This all came about because of a tampon box in her chapter
that I edited out, she put back in (we went back and forth) so we call it the
Tampon Box Rule. (I claim victory because editor took it out, along with 15 of
the 20 chapters of the book.)
How
long did it take for both of you to start and finish Sirenz?
Nat:
We worked on the first Sirenz book
for at least two years, going back and forth with different editors and agents,
making adjustments and revising until we landed our contract with Flux. After
that, we had our writing and revising system down, and we knew what direction
our editor wanted. The initial draft of Sirenz
Back In Fashion was done in about 3 months.
Char:
We foresee about that time for Sirenz
3.
Do
you each have advice for other writers?
Nat:
You can't give up. Ever. It'll be hard sometimes, and you'll want to, but you
can't. If you're going through a particularly rough patch, give yourself a day
to cry, a week's break... but then have a date for when you start up again. You
CAN do this.
Char:
Be persistent and consistent- Finish a project, even if you suspect it probably
won't go anywhere; you may use chunks or ideas from it for another work, and
you'll never know if it's worth anything if you never finish it.
Well
said! What’s next for Charlotte Bennardo and Natalie Zaman the authors?
Nat:
Char and I are working on getting Sirenz
3 together--and we're doing an exciting project over at the book's website, www.thesirenz.com
with students at an art school to illustrate some of the other characters, and
perhaps the next cover! There *might* be something more that we can't talk
about just yet, and we each have individual projects we're working on.
Char: Plus we're doing
signings, appearances/workshops at the NJ Society of Children's Book Writers
and Illustrators annual conference in Princeton, NJ, and we'll have the Sirenz
Back In Fashion book launch. And I'd like to get my meditation garden whipped
into shape. I go there when I feel the need to scream...
Between
the signings, screaming, and students, it seems you’ve both got plenty on your
publishing plates! Okay, here’s one for me, since I’m writing a time travel
series – If you both could time travel anywhere into Earth’s past, where would
you go and why?Nat: Tough one, as there are several places I'd like to go... but since it's on the brain, I'd pick Victorian England. Both the manuscript I'm working on, and the one that's out on sub now have steampunk elements. And I'm such a sucker for pocket watches!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/natalie.zaman
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Natalie_Zaman @Natalie_Zaman
The Sirenz Website: http://thesirenz.com/
Char:
Hmmm. I like my modern conveniences and the freedoms women enjoy, but if I
could be a duchess (and not a kitchen wench) I'd say Edwardian England. The
future just might be too scary!
My blog: http://charlotteebennardo.blogspot.comFacebook: Charlotte Johnson Bennardo
Twitter: @charbennardo
Mini
synop:
Sirenz:
A pair of red designer shoes comes between frenemies Meg and Shar- with tragic
results. Only Hades, dark, seductive Lord of the Underworld, can undo it--for a
price. The two must become his sirens and lure reclusive fashion icon, Arkady Romanov,
to a portal and send him down under. They might succeed--if interfering gods
don't thwart them and they don't kill each other first...
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/sirenz?keyword=sirenz&store=kids
I am fascinated by authors who collaborate and create seamless story. Congratulations on your joint venture--may many sales result!
ReplyDeleteI'm with Ann, and find it amazing that two people can write one story. Great interview, really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI can hardly work with myself let alone someone else on a book! Great job ladies and nice that you have such a good relationship that you wanted to continue on and do more stories. Kudos to you!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think I'm with the others here, how can you possibly write separate chapters and keep it cohesive? I can't even keep one brain in line. Very fun interview, Sharon, and the books sound like a lot of fun. Best of luck to both of you.
ReplyDelete