Today is full of hotness at Xpresso Reads; I’m sure you’ve all heard of STORM by Brigid Kemmerer and most of you are probably highly anticipating it – for good reason! So I’m excited to have Brigid over today for a great interview, and guess what? She’s giving away a signed copy!
Storm
Brigid Kemmerer
Series: Elementals, #1
Release date: April 24th, 2012
by Kensington
Earth, Fire, Air, Water – they have more power than you dream.
Ever since her ex-boyfriend spread those lies about her, Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys—all the ones she doesn’t want. Then she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot. Chris is different. Way different: he can control water—just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and earth. They’re powerful. Dangerous. Marked for death.
And now that she knows the truth, so is Becca.
Secrets are hard to keep when your life’s at stake. When Hunter, the mysterious new kid around school, turns up with a talent for being in the wrong place at the right time, Becca thinks she can trust him. But then Hunter goes head-to-head with Chris, and Becca wonders who’s hiding the most dangerous truth of all.
The storm is coming . . .
Interview with Brigid Kemmerer
When did you first begin your writing career?
I first began writing seriously in high school. My friends and I would write longhand on notebook paper, then trade pages back and forth to read and comment in the margins. I still have three or four loose-leaf notebooks full of those old stories. It doesn’t seem like we were writing all the time, but we must have been, because I distinctly remember pulling out my story binder in Calculus during senior year, just to get some extra paper, and the teacher said, “No. No more writing stories in my class. This is math.” (And I loved math!)
What sparked your first idea for The Elemental Series?
The first novel I wrote in high school was about four vampire brothers, named Michael, Nicholas, Gabriel, and Christopher. It was a silly story, but I still have most of it on paper. In my twenties, when I really began to take writing seriously, I wrote a few books but was unable to find a literary agent or a publisher. I couldn’t get those four brothers out of my head – but I didn’t want to do vampires again. I started tossing around ideas that would work with the number four. Four horsemen of the apocalypse. Four leaf clovers. Four, four, four. The four elements of earth, air, fire, and water seemed to work best—and I had a lot of ideas how I could make it fun. What teenagers wouldn’t want to be able to control the elements?
Are there any people in your life that helped you through out your writing?
My mother has always supported me. I can’t thank her enough. She used to tell me to send my stories to Hollywood. (She still does.) My husband, too, is incredibly supportive. I had to write 50 pages this weekend, and he made that possible. He also makes for a great sounding board. I can always ask him if something sounds lame.
Do you have a specific writing routine that you follow?
I turn on the coffee pot. That’s about it. Oh, I plug in my headphones and fire up iTunes, too. I can’t write without music.
What was your favorite part of the book, or your favorite part in the process of writing it?
Unfortunately, I can’t tell you my favorite part of the book without ruining it for you! The book talks a lot about bullying, and harassment, and learning to stand up for yourself, even if you’ve made bad choices in the past. My favorite parts in other books are always when the underdog finally wins, and in my book, that’s no different.
What was the most difficult issue you encountered in writing the book?
Writing from the point of view of a teenage boy. (But I think I pulled it off.)
What would be your advice for an aspiring author who would like to become a published writer?
Read as much as you can. Then write as much as you can. Then read some more—especially unpublished manuscripts. That will really help you hone your eye for learning to self-edit.
Thanks so much for dropping by, Brigid! I loved getting to know you and we’re all excited along with you for Storm’s release!
Brigid Kemmerer finds the time to write somewhere between caring for her family and working at her day job, but sometimes she ends up mothering her coworkers and managing her family. Storm: The Elemental Series is her first novel.
Storm book trailer:
These are the cover proofs:
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Daniëlle
Great interview, very fun to read! Oh, I just loved her answer on ‘Do you have a specific writing routine that you follow?’
bookworm105
God, i want this book already and the following books after it! And i loved the answer on ‘Do you have a specific writng routne that you follow?’.
=D
Amy
Great interview! I love that she would write stories during school. I just wrote notes to my friends lol!! And coffee is a must, no matter what I am going to do.
lisseth
Awesome giveaway! I saw this book a while ago on goodreads & have been dying to get my hands on it! Thanks 4 the giveaway!
Lisseth @read-a-holicz.blogspot.com
Natalia Belikov @ Dazzling Reads
Oh sweet!! you always lure me with awesomeness when I should be studying for my finals XD LOL!
thnx so much for this giveaway!! =D muah!
roro
good luck all
Stéphanie
Never heard of this series. Sounds pretty great. Good luck everyone!
Lexie
I love it! 😀 Honestly, I would want these books just for the covers, but they also sound really, really fabulous. I’ve always been fascinated by the four elements, so I’ll read anything involving them.
Amber Hughes
Great interview! I’ve had this book on my TBR list for awhile now! So looking forward to reading it. I love that part of it is from a male’s POV too!
Thanks very much for the giveaway! 🙂
Danny
I’m so excited for this book I can hardly wait. I loved this interview and Brigid: I’m glad you didnt let o if this initial idea, who doesn’t think 4 brothers with powers are hot?! Can’t wait to meet them!
Savannah Valdez
I got this book for review as well! I can;t wait to dive into it! Thanks for the giveaway!
wulf
Good interview and thanks for the giveaway 🙂
Mari
Great interview and giveaway, Brigid and Giselle 🙂
I live outside of US and Canada so I can not offer but I wish all of those who do the best of luck in the giveaway.
I’ve voted for your blog in the Goodreads awards, Giselle! Good luck 🙂
Sam
Great interview! I always love it when the underdog wins too and I’m glad to hear the author has that in her book. I can’t wait to read this! 🙂
Asheley (@BookwormAsheley)
I read a review of this book earlier tonight on another blog and stopped midway through the review to add Storm to my TBR on Goodreads! I think this book/series is one that I would love! Great interview Brigid and Giselle! And thanks for the giveaway. 😉
The Teen Book Guru
Great interview… fun 🙂 I’m hosting a giveaway too… care to check it out??
Feel free to check out my blog & follow too!!
-Riya 🙂 (The Teen Book Guru)
Candace
I wrote like crazy in high school too. I had boxes full of notebooks with stories and poetry.
This book sounds great and I love that she reworked some ideas that she already had. I’m trying to do that as well. Several stories ive write into just one. Not sure if it’ll work yet though.
Suzanne @ Paranormal Book Fan
Great interview Brigid and Giselle. This books sounds like one I would really like. I love to see the underdog win. And I love when books have the POV of the guy too 🙂
Ning
Great interview!! This sounds super interesting!! Thanks for the giveaway!
Christy D
Why no, I have not heard of this! It sounds pretty good – I like the whole elements thing. Great interview you two!
Rebecca (Kindle Fever)
Oh my gosh, this book sounds so fantastic… I seriously cannot wait to get my pre-ordered copy!! I love the sound of it and thanks for an awesome interview! 😀
Rebecca
I think this is the first giveaway I’ve ever entered. Wish me luck?
kimba88
Great interview..and everything I do starts with a pot of coffee..LOL
danya
Interesting to hear how her idea for the book evolved. Thanks for the awesome giveaway! 🙂
Dizneeee (Lisa)
I keep seeing this book in the blogging world more and more this week. I am now SO excited to read it!!!!
Molly
Great interview and fabulous giveaway! Thanks for the chance to win!