My good friend and awesome critique partner, Alexis Bass, tagged me for the Next Big Thing Blog Hop! Be sure to check out her Next Big Thing blog regarding her Harper Teen debut!
What is the working title of your book?
VISIONS
Where did the idea come from for the book?
The idea came from my love of Native American culture and having visited Durango, Colorado, where the Southern Ute Tribe is prevalent. Also from some of my own uncanny premonitions that have come true . . .
What genre does your book fall under?
Young Adult Romance with Magical Realism – I know, it’s a mouthful.
What actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
I have no idea who I’d choose to play my characters because I don’t see them as specific actors. Aside from Kai. 
I see Kai as Michael Spears.
What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?
Okay. I totally suck at these (I’d rather write the 75,000 word novel), but here goes:
Having a vision of dead person face-down on the floor is no picnic, but Bailey Tucker races to change the person’s fate because it could very well be her best friend or the frustrating Kai Chiwaten, who she can’t get keep of her mind or her dreams.
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
My goal is to be represented by an agency – which I am aggressively pursuing.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
I wrote the first draft in six weeks – on fire. But I’ve been rewriting for about three years . . .
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I can’t think of any books that would compare, but for TV shows, perhaps Veronica Mars meets The Profiler.
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
On my first visit to Durango, Colorado, I was so taken by the beauty of the mountains, rivers, lakes and forests that I knew a story had to take place there. On subsequent visits to my favorite place in the world, characters and a story developed. In fact, I had my full cast and plot when a very frustrating but swoon-worthy leading man busted his way into my mind and changed my entire story. But that just goes along with Kai’s personality.
What else about your book would pique the reader’s interest?
How about an excerpt from the first scene –
When I was a little girl I wanted to be an Indian warrior. When I grew up, I just wanted one. Particularly the one who kept appearing in my dreams.
“He was quiet and mysterious,” I told Dakota as I brushed out his mane. “He had deep, dark eyes, perfectly-shaped lips and long, silky black hair. He would’ve been a warrior in the old days.” I sighed because his touch still lingered on my face, his breath on my lips. I felt his high cheekbones beneath my fingertips, and how he’d twisted his hand through my hair – just as I woke up.
Dakota nuzzled me with his velvety nose. “I know, I know. I have to hurry.” I set a flake of alfalfa in his feed bin. “Jazz will be here any minute.” Dakota lifted his head and snorted as if he understood who I meant.
“You could be nicer to her, you know.” I grabbed the rake and started mucking out his stall. With any luck I’d be done before Jasmine picked me up to go river rafting.
Just as I scooped a load into the wheelbarrow, my vision went from clear to fuzzy. I blinked hard and opened my eyes. That only made it worse.
The barn twisted in a sickening way. My breakfast rolled around in my stomach. I couldn’t tell which way was up so I dropped to my knees and reached out for the stall. My vision went black.
The wood of the stall felt rough beneath my hand but when I could see again I was no longer in the barn. I stood inside a house I didn’t recognize.
Someone with long black hair lay face down on the floor.
I gripped the stall and let the splinters slice into my skin. It was impossible to be in two places at once, right? I leaned forward and said, “Hello?” I couldn’t tell if it was a man or a woman, but the person had the reddish-brown skin of our local tribe. “Are you okay?”
I reached out to shake the person and but skin on the arm had a bluish-gray tint to it. I flinched and snatched my hand back. That was the pallor of a dead person. I backed away. I wanted out. But I didn’t know how to get out.
“Bailey?” Jasmine said from behind me.
The house twisted away and I was back in the barn.
“Jazz.” My head swam as I looked up at her.
She frowned and pointed at Dakota. “Did he kick you?”
“Course not.” I made a feeble attempt to roll my eyes as I got to my hands and knees. I wasn’t ready to stand up yet. Dakota pawed the ground and grunted at Jasmine.
“Then what’re you doing down there?”
I gripped the side of the stall and dragged myself up. My stomach protested the movement. “Uh, I tripped.” What was I going to tell her? That I was seeing dead people? Yeah, that’d go over well.
Thank you, Alexis, for tagging me for the Next Big Thing Blog Hop! This was really fun! If you’re up to it and want to play, I’d like to pass the torch to Erin Brady Pike, Alison Stone, Amy Weaver, and Lisa Gail Green!
Conversations with Coach Wooden: On Baseball, Heroes, and Life is a book about the amazing and enduring friendship between two famous UCLA coaches; John Wooden (Basketball), and Gary Adams (Baseball).
