Today I'm thrilled to be featuring a fabulous new release that's been on my most anticipated 2018 reads list for quite some time! UNCHARTED hits shelves next week and author Erin Cashman is stopping by to tell us a little more about herself and her book! And thanks to the lovely folks at Page Street Publishing, I'm giving away a beautiful hardcover copy of Uncharted to one lucky reader!
Here we go!
Welcome, Erin!!
•Describe Uncharted in 5 words:
Legends, Mystery, Secrets, Romance, Danger, Magic (I know I cheated and used six!)
•Who was your favorite character to write---and who gave you the most trouble?
I loved writing Holly. She’s a straight shooter, she doesn’t care what other people think of her, and she’s willing to take risks to go after what she wants – and to help a friend. She’s loyal, funny, and unique.
Griffin gave me a LOT of trouble! I can’t say too much because of spoilers, but at times he can be a real jerk. He has his reasons—but it was still hard to write those scenes because I totally love him!
• Where is your favorite writing spot? Coffee shop? Kitchen table? In the park surrounded by people?
My sofa or kitchen island if no one is around! I need it to be very quiet, I can’t have music or background noise, because then I have a hard time having conversations in my head, or finding the right words to say what I’m trying to say, without relying on clichés. If my husband and kids are home, I hide in my bedroom with my laptop!
• Is there anyone special, a teacher or mentor, who inspired you on your path to becoming a writer?
My parents were my biggest influences, in very different ways! I have my mother to thank for my (sometimes wild) imagination. She was from Ireland, and only had a sixth grade education. When she wasn’t helping with her younger brothers and sisters, she loved to spend her time on Galway Bay, where she was fed a steady diet of myth and legend. Even as an adult, she believed in ghosts, premonitions, kelpies, fairies, changelings, angels, and Sea Maidens. My father was a big reader—I was allowed to buy as many books as I wanted at the bookstore! Between them, they inspired my love of stories—hearing them, reading them, and writing them.
•Was there any music that fueled writing Uncharted?
Not so much as music, but the sounds of nature. If I found myself stuck, I’d take a walk in the woods, or sit by the water, and write what I heard, smelled, and saw. It didn’t always work—but at least then I’d have the backdrop for another scene when I needed it!
•Favorite writing snack?
Strong Irish tea and chocolate!
•What kind of books did you read as a teen?
I was a pretty varied reader. I fell in love with Shakespeare in high school English, and went on to read most of his plays and many of his sonnets. I also fell in love with Lord of the Rings in 9th grade, faked sick so I could miss school and read all three books over the course of a few days, and then read many, many, sci-fi and fantasy books. I also loved the classics,Wuthering Heights being one of my favorite books, and Winnie the Pooh—there is always great advice to be found in Winnie the Pooh books!
•What the best advice you can give to aspiring authors?
Mainly, to just keep at it and don’t give up! My writing improved dramatically when I did three things. First, I try to write most days. Even if it’s just a half an hour. It helps keep the story fresh in my mind, and in turn I think about the characters more—when I’m driving, or walking my dog, and I find I do far more world-building that way, without even consciously doing it. Second, read, read, read. Then pick a book you loved, and read it again, and pay attention to things like cadence, character arc, setting, etc. Third, and most importantly, find a good critique partner and be open to criticism, and in turn be a good critique partner. I’d be lost without my CP, the wonderful author Diana Renn! There are also so many wonderful, and free, opportunities for writers now—from pitch contests, to workshops. I am the coordinator and a permanent mentor of the 1st 5 Pages Writing Workshop, which is a great opportunity for writers to have their pages critiqued by published authors, other participants, and a literary agent. (You can read more about it, here!)
Thank you so much for having me on your wonderful blog, Becky!!!
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| {Photo Credit: Peter Su} |
Erin Cashman is an award-winning writer of Young Adult fantasy. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband, three children, and their very energetic dog. When she’s not writing, you can find her reading (of course!), walking her dog, hiking, and watching TV with her family (all diehard fans of Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Star Trek), and running the First Five Pages Workshop. She also loves to bake and is known for making her family and friends ugly but yummy birthday cakes.
Purchase the book: Indiebound • BookDepository • Amazon
{About UNCHARTED}
Seventeen-year-old Annabeth prefers the fantasy of her books and paintings to reality—because in reality, her mom is dead, and it was all her fault. When she accompanies her father to the funeral of some family friends who drowned, she’s surprised to find her grief reflected in the face of Griffin Bradford, the son of the couple who died. Griffin is nothing like the carefree boy she once knew. Now he’s irritable, removed, and he’s under police investigation for his parents’ deaths.
One night following the memorial service, Annabeth’s dad goes missing in the woods, and she suspects Griffin knows more about the disappearance than he’s letting on. He refuses to answer her questions, particularly those related to the mysterious “expedition” his parents took to Ireland, where they went missing for seven months.
Annabeth fears her father isn’t lost, but rather a victim of something sinister. She launches her own investigation, tracing clues that whisper of myth and legend and death, until she stumbles upon a secret. One that some would die to protect, others would kill to expose—and which twists Annabeth’s fantasy and reality together in deadly new ways.
One night following the memorial service, Annabeth’s dad goes missing in the woods, and she suspects Griffin knows more about the disappearance than he’s letting on. He refuses to answer her questions, particularly those related to the mysterious “expedition” his parents took to Ireland, where they went missing for seven months.
Annabeth fears her father isn’t lost, but rather a victim of something sinister. She launches her own investigation, tracing clues that whisper of myth and legend and death, until she stumbles upon a secret. One that some would die to protect, others would kill to expose—and which twists Annabeth’s fantasy and reality together in deadly new ways.
* * * * *
And on to the giveaway!!
Enter below to win a hardcover copy of
UNCHARTED!
US addresses only please
Must be 13 or older to enter
Deadline: Sept 7th, 2018 11:59 PST
US addresses only please
Must be 13 or older to enter
Deadline: Sept 7th, 2018 11:59 PST
