Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Pay It Forward Author Week: Carrie Harris

If you joined us yesterday, you know that we've teamed up with some amazing writers at various stages in their journey to publication to spread good vibes and inspiration across the blogosphere. Some of these authors have book deals. Some of them have agents. All of them have "made it."

We hope you enjoyed yesterday's interview with the fabulous Kirsten Hubbard! Today, the hilarious and Richard Simmons obsessed Carrie Harris is joining us. She's repped by Kate Schafer Testerman and her debut novel NO PAIN, NO BRAIN is going to be published by Delacorte in 2011.

1. Tell us about your book in 140 characters or less.
NO PAIN NO BRAIN explores a matter of grave importance: A battle of science geek versus zombies. (It's wise to put your money on the geek.)

2. Was there ever a time you felt like giving up? Why didn't you?
Oh yeah. I remember getting so close to selling my first book so many times, and you’d THINK it would get easier each time, but of course it didn’t. But I think it helps for every writer to follow the zen of zombie, or zen of serial killer… heck, zen of assorted-movie-creature will do. Every time you think those suckers are dead, they rise up again. And the writers who manage to do that again and again are the ones you see on the shelves.


Of course, following the zen of zombie might get you sent to therapy too, but it’s a small price to pay for publication.

3. What has been the hardest part of your road to publication so far?
Well, the therapy bills are pretty hefty…

But seriously. In this business, there are very few cut and dried answers, and I had a tough time coming to terms with NOT KNOWING. If someone comes out with a book just like my fabulous WIP, should I scrap it? Should I write in present or past tense? Am I wasting my time!?! As much as you might try to reason things out, sometimes you just have to go with your gut and get the words down. How many other professions make business decisions based on their Magic 8 Ball? Not many. It’s both supremely cool and uber scary at the same time.

4. Super secret bonus question: Twizzlers or M&Ms?
I’m editing right now, so the answer is YES. The answer is also Hostess cupcakes and Cool Whip straight from the container.

Fun, right!?! Be sure to hop on over tomorrow for even more author porn. And don't forget to check out the blogs below!


Elana Johnson

Beth Revis

Leah Clifford

Victoria Schwab

Kirsten Hubbard

Carrie Harris

Kim Harrington

Suzette Saxton/Bethany Wiggins

Amy Holder

Kathy McCullough

Tiffany Schmidt

Susan Adrian

Dawn Metcalf

Gretchen McNeil


P.S. MAJOR props again to Elana Johnson for organizing this bad ass event. She still ROCKS!
P.P.S. Check out our guest blog in fellow Elevensie Julia Karr's neck of the woods!
P.P.P.S Tahereh, our brand new best friend, is hosting a Query Poetry Writing Contest on her blog that was MADE for me. Head over and enter or just head over!

42 comments:

Ian said...

I dig the pay it forward concept :) My post today is all about it!

Carrie Harris said...

Awww. You called me hilarious. I think I'll let you win when we arm wrestle. (At least, that's my story.)

Thanks for the interview, girls!

Candyland said...

Good interview!!!
Yeah Carrie!!!

storyqueen said...

The zen of zombie....ah yes....never forget the zen of zombie (Carrie, that would be a kewl title for another book...just sayin')

Shelley

Christine Fonseca said...

Great interview Carrie and ladies....and man, your revision process sounds like mine...cool whip and all!

Christine Danek said...

Great interview! These are great.
I love cool whip straight from the container. :)

Rhonda said...

The Zen of zombies or serial killers (or, even better, the Zen of Zombie Serial Killers - you know those things are NEVER gonna die!) I LOVE it! Seriously...I think it may be my new side religion. :)

Alissa said...

The Zen of Zombies has a nice ring to it, and would make a great guide to the publishing world. Another great interview!

Sherrie Petersen said...

Carrie is just about the funniest person I know. Great interview, guys!

Unknown said...

LiLa - thanks for interviewing such an awesomely funny writer. Also, Cool Whip straight out of the container is magically delicious! :)

Lori W. said...

Love Carrie's answer to number 3! Great interview. Alissa is right; The Zen of Zombies sounds like it would make a great title for a book on publishing.

Unknown said...

Carrie~ LOVED your answers! Thanks for sharing, and I look forward to reading your book!

Hi Lisa and Laura! I'm enjoying this series -- rock on!

Stephanie Damore said...

Awesome questions and answers. Loved the humor Carrie. Off to practice my zombie zen...

Corey Schwartz said...

The therapy bills...ha, ha! Love Carrie!

Kathy McCullough said...

Great interview, but no surprise there -- Carrie writes the funniest blog on the web -- you can quote me! I'm a little disappointed at the implication that the zombies lose in her book though. I'm a geek myself, but zombies are so much fun. Well, perhaps they will rise again...

Anonymous said...

When you say author porn, ladies, it doesn't bring to mind interviews, per se. Just saying.

Oh, damn. Where'd I leave my filter? I had it a minute ago...

Christina Lee said...

YEAH Carrie!

Shannon O'Donnell said...

I. LOOOOOOVE. CARRIE. HARRIS!! Love her! Great interview. I'm dying to read No Pain No Brain. :-)

Unknown said...

Elana rocks!!! I'm loving the title No Pain No Brain and the description is enough to want me to buy it now!! I want it now!

Loved this interview, so fresh and fun! I could see how many writers therapy bills are astronomically high, you have to tell someone all of your secrets!

Elana Johnson said...

Carrie is made of zombie awesome, and I can't wait to read this book!!! I love how she didn't pick the sweet, she just said yes. A girl after my own heart. Good luck editing, Carrie!

Awesome interview, LiLa.

Tahereh said...

i LOVE these interviews. i'm loving every single one.
you guys are made entirely from amazingness.

thank you!!

Tamika: said...

I love that you all are doing this! It makes me want to run to my laptop instead of crawl!

Great interview.

Lydia Kang said...

Great interview! Not sure if I can hang with Zombie Zen, but I can try just plain Zen.

Marsha Sigman said...

Ahhh yes...the Zen of Zombie. I get that.

Kerri Cuev said...

Zombie Zen, all right!!!!!!
Can whip cream is yummo!

Debra Driza said...

Zen of zombies--love it! Great interview, and I can already tell the voice in her book will be full of win! :D

Thanks for sharing! (and I need a Magic 8 ball, srsly!)

Amy Holder said...

Great interview! As always, Carrie is HILARIOUS! Love the zen of zombie theory. And I can totally relate to the frustrations of not knowing...

Shannon Messenger said...

I love reading these interviews! Thank you so much for sharing--especially right now as I tackle the editorial email of doom. It's nice to know I'm not alone in my struggles.

*runs off to find m&ms and Twizzlers*

Kim Harrington said...

I heart Carrie, big time. :)

Kirsten Hubbard said...

I adore Carrie. And I ALWAYS put my money on the geek!

K. M. Walton said...

Carrie = Funny
Just like you two!

I really look forward to reading her book.

Oh, I have this fantasy that one day I'll be interviewed by my blog friends...

Larissa said...

Squee!!! Three of my favorite online people in one place! YAYAYAYAYAY! (uh, that'd be Lisa, Laura, and Carrie, in case I wasn't clear)

PJ Hoover said...

Carrie rocks! And so do these interviews!

Bethany Elizabeth said...

This is such a cool idea - really encouraging to not yet published authors (like me!) and very amusing. I love the zombie analogy, by the way.

Carolina M. Valdez Schneider said...

Dude, I'm so gonna follow the zen of zombies. And count me in for the Twizzlers, too.

(P.S. Paying if forward? Another crazy cool concept)

Tess said...

Hi, Carrie! Cool whip right from the container? Sounds delicious!

Unknown said...

and here i thought it was mere coincidence that i was hopping through blogs and reading about great authors! Nice interview. and thanks for sharing and inspiring!
SB


not too serious i hope

Unknown said...

I LOVE the title of your book, Carrie! Also: Cool Whip is better FROZEN. Think about it.

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

Great job! Best wishes with the book Carrie. :)

Amy Lukavics said...

Sweet interview. I also must agree that Cool Whip is better frozen. Especially when there are cut up pieces of green apple and bite size Snicker chunks in it.

~Jamie said...

Ahh, yes the not knowing! I hear ya sista!


It's just so... UGH!

erica m. chapman said...

Very cool! Love this interview Zombie vs. Geek - sign me up ;o)

Fabulous job on both ends. Sounds like a great book!!

This is a great series. I need to get to more of them ;o) Thanks for sharing!

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