Posted by Julie at Nov 20, 2010 6:00 am
Today’s special guest is the wonderful, amazing, keenly talented YA author, Caridad Ferrer! I have to confess that her book, ADIOS TO MY OLD LIFE, is probably one of my top ten favorite books ever. She writes with a combination of stark reality and sensual lyricism that blows me away. Her new book, WHEN STARS GO BLUE, is out in stores this week…but is already shipping from Amazon! The Plotmonkeys are thrilled that she’s here today to answer our question of the week: What is the ONE THING you know now that you wish you knew then?
I wish I’d known just how much heartbreak this business could bring even after achieving what many would think of as measurable success. I wasn’t so naïve as to think that simply selling would make everything all sunshine and happy hummingbirds, but I definitely thought that once you took that step, it was simply just a question of continuing to maintain the hard work and discipline and slowly building the kind of career I wanted. I had no idea it would involve one step forward, six steps back, a few sideways, a couple of trips and stumbles down the steps, then carefully picking my way forward again. At the same time though (and feel free to call me a masochist), I wouldn’t change a thing. The journey I’ve taken, crazy as it’s been, allows me the perspective with which to really rejoice in each small step forward and savor every victory more than I might otherwise.
In addition to sharing her heartfelt advice, Caridad is also giving away a copy of a backlist book to a lucky commenter…US shipping only. Here’s the blurb for her new book, one I can’t wait to get my hands on!
A dancer driven to succeed.
A musical prodigy attempting to escape his past.
The summer they share.
And the moment it all goes wrong.
Dance is Soledad Reyes’s life. About to graduate from Miami’s Biscayne High School for the Performing Arts, she plans on spending her last summer at home teaching in a dance studio, saving money, and eventually auditioning for dance companies. That is, until fate intervenes in the form of fellow student Jonathan Crandall who has what sounds like an outrageous proposition: Forget teaching. Why not spend the summer performing in the intense environment of the competitive drum and bugle corps? The corps is going to be performing Carmen, and the opportunity to portray the character of the sultry gypsy proves too tempting for Soledad to pass up, as well as the opportunity to spend more time with Jonathan, who intrigues her in a way no boy ever has before.
But in an uncanny echo of the story they perform every evening, an unexpected competitor for Soledad’s affections appears: Taz, a member of an all-star Spanish soccer team. One explosive encounter later Soledad finds not only her relationship with Jonathan threatened, but her entire future as a professional dancer.
I can’t wait to read this book!! Nothing like a good love triangle to get your attention!
cbandy10 (at) hotmail (dotcom)
Oh, it’s an AWESOME love triangle. Then again, I had great original material from which to work in the Carmen story. Thanks for commenting!
Welcome to the Jungle, Caridad! Great to have you here. Belated congratulations on that Rita. :bananaangel: Great blog. Something all writers here this morning need to remember.
Have a great Saturday everyone,
Cher :fallleaves: :rideturk:
Thanks, Cher, it’s great to be here! And my RITA thanks you– :winking: She’s busy staring down at me from her perch on the bookshelf with that slightly disapproving glare, insisting that I get back to work!
We were just watching old videos last night of my step-kids (now adults) in Drum and Bugle. I have to read this!! :Thanksturkey:
Oh, how fantastic! Which corps? I was a member of the late lamented Florida Wave, way, WAY back in the day. I can honestly say that being part of the activity really saved me from a miserable adolescence.
Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting!
This book sounds really good. I’ll have to check this author out on goodreads because I’ve never heard of her. I’m always looking for new (to me) authors. thanks for the recomendation.
Well here I am! (And on GoodReads, too ;) ) I really have had a history of floating somewhat under the radar, but I’m so proud of this book, I just want to shout from the rooftops and implore people to read it. So consider this a shout from the rooftops. :snoopy:
(Had to put Snoopy in there– love the Snoopy dance.)
Welcome to the jungle. It seems all of life is 1 step forward and few in other directions before getting back on track, then repeat. Sometimes the detours are good and other times they distract and force us to look backwards to where we really need, or want to go.
I’m lovin’ this jungle, Eileen, and this is considering I’m not much of a tropical weather girl (which is why I moved from Florida to Seattle *g*)
And you so aren’t kidding about life just being a series of steps and missteps, but I try to take what I can from the detours. Sometimes, the journey’s just as important as the destination, right?
Welcome to the jungle, Caridad. this lesson transcends writing. It is a life lesson, one we should reflect on everyday. Thank you for sharing. It’s one reminder I need at this moment. Have fun in jungle.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Thanks for the welcome, Paula– and absolutely, it’s something we need to remind ourselves of. This book, itself, is going to stand as testament to that lesson for me because it was definitely a case of a step forward, several steps back and sideways, and a giant leap of faith to finish it all off. To have finally arrived at this point in the journey feels like just such a victory.
Thanks for commenting!
This sounds wonderful. My daughter the dancer would love it.
Hey, Kwana!! Yeah, I think a dancer would love it, a musician would love it, I even have a hot Spanish soccer player named Taz!
Something for everyone!
Hugs, Barb
I can’t wait to read this! And Barb is a writer inspiration.
Aw, thank you, honey! I appreciate that so much!! :D
Loved the excerpt. I wish I knew back then that you just can’t please everyone all the time and I should have tried pleasing myself at least some of the time lol.
Amen, sister! There are times I still need reminding of that particular lesson!
Want! I can hardly wait
As of tonight (Saturday) there have been reports of sightings in the wild! :threecheers
MEEEP! My book is out there! And people are going to read it! MEEEEP!
A new to me author. Am going to check out her website.
Please do! And please keep checking back– I’m hoping for some fun stuff to go up in the next couple of weeks. Thanks for posting!
“Happy hummingbirds”? I love it!
Heh– I was inspired that day. And hummingbirds do seem very pretty and happy, don’t they?
The book sounds good can’t wait for it to come out so I can check it out… good luck with the new book…
Donna :bobturkey:
Thank you so much! I can’t believe it’s finally here– this is a book that had a nearly three-year journey to publication. It’s definitely a dream come true. :D
Ever since DANCING WITH THE STARS and SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE has been on TV, I have loved to watch Dancers. I would love to read a book about Dancers. Oh! I forgot Dirty Dancing! Thanks Caridad! :bobturkey: to the Plot Monkeys and the commenters.
My family and I are huge DWTS fans and I absolutely love Dirty Dancing! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
:fallleaves: I can’t wait to read STARS. Book Depo informs me it’s already shipped… :snoopy:
I’d love to enter, if it’s not too late!