Following Zippy
by C.B. Burdette
Release date: July 2014
Publisher: Flower Child Publishing
Synopsis via Goodreads:
At fifteen most
kids only have to worry about their homework or the style of their shoes. Gabe
Perkins isn't most kids. When diagnosed with a terminal illness, he begins to
make friends with a girl so ethereal, he starts to question his own
sanity.
Buy Links:
Author Interview
1. Tell us a bit
about your writing background. How did you get started writing YA fiction?
When I was
younger I wrote a lot of lyrics and poetry. Growing up I kept diaries and
eventually that evolved into writing YA
2. Who/What were
your earliest influences?
I’d say one of
my favorite books growing up was Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World. The fact that
not only was it a great read, but that it made me think about something greater
than myself was beyond enticing. I’d say Shel Silverstein was a great influence
as well.
3. Did you face
any early challenges to finding success in writing?
Just sitting
down and writing. I think often in life we dissuade ourselves out of doing
something, but once you decide to put the pedal to the medal you can do
anything.
4. What are your
favorite books as a reader today? What qualities in them appeal to
you?
For me there are
three authors who I tend to follow lately. C.S. Lewis books get me thinking (I
LOVE the Screwtape Letters). Anything by Gillian Flynn keeps me on the edge of
my seat and anything by John Green is wonderful because of their simplicity and
ability to give me a quick cheap vacation.
5. What do you
do outside your writing life?
I run around
with a 4 year old singing Frozen songs at the top of my lungs.
6. What
encouragement helped you along the way?
Follow your
dreams. Sometimes it’s hard to, but just
7. What advice
do you have for beginning writers?
In the words of
Nike: Just Do It. I think that’s the hardest obstacle for writers. Stop thinking
about it, and just do it.
8. What's up
next for your fans?
I’m currently
working on a trilogy following three characters different POV’s.
9. What has been
your biggest compliment?
I recently got a
review of Following Zippy who had actually been battling cancer herself. She
mentioned it getting her eyes on better things and that it really touched her.
I’d say that’s my biggest compliment.
10. Is there
anything you'd like to say to your fans and readers?
Keep reading!
Never stop chasing your dreams and always have a book on hand
Excerpt from Following Zippy
“Look at
those fish,” she said, diverting her attention towards the creek.
“What about
them?”
“They’re just swimming along. Living and breathing. I wonder,” she said
as she nudged her shoulder against mine, “if they know what purpose they serve.”
“Well, they probably don’t.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because, they’re fish?”
“Don’t think
so low of the marine species.”
“Zippy, they’re little minnows. They’re so little
they probably only live a few months. Why worry about their place in life?”
“I
don’t know. Something of the simplicity of them is nice, though, you must
admit.” She gleamed ear to ear, “Imagine, if you were a little minnow, swimming
down the creek.”
“Oh, crap.”
“What?”
“Do you really think there’s something out
there that really cares about those little fish? Or even, you know, if something
out there is looking down at us, talking about us like we’re little fish? As if
we’re just tiny little minnows swimming down a stream, unsure of what fate lies
ahead of us?”
“I do.”
About the
Author
I grew up a
gypsy at my parents hands. With a dad in the Air Force, I got to experience life
on the road, soaking up culture. After spending 6 years working as a model, I
realized that the industry wasn't much of what I was looking for in life. More
often than not I felt like Jo Stockton in Funny Face and escaped into the world
of film, where your job is based on something more than beauty. Though I do love
12 hour days on set, there's nothing like snuggling up with a warm laptop and
letting my fingers dance away to create a whole new world.
Author Links:
***GIVEAWAY***
2 ebooks of Following Zippy (INT).
Blog Tour Organised by:
Interesting plot! Sounds a bit like The Fault in our Stars.
ReplyDeletethanks for the giveaway
ReplyDeleteNice interview. Thanks for participating.
ReplyDeleteThat's an really interesting idea for a story and the excerpt hooked me! Thanks for the giveaway :)
ReplyDeleteLove the sound of this from the excerpt
ReplyDelete