Friday Five

1. Check out my LitPick interview:

Joining LitPick for Six Minutes with an Author is Kim Baccellia. She loves the paranormal and has a background in teaching. Kim is the author of books such as NO MORE GODDESSES and GODDESSES CAN WAIT.

Kim is giving away these two books at LitPick(https://litpick.com/request-giveaway-book), so be sure to enter for your chance to win!

***How did you get started writing?

My fifth teacher, Mrs. Clements, encouraged my writing with positive suggestions. I also wrote tons of poetry in high school. I was able to put down how I was felt without the fear of being judged. I would write my thoughts in notebooks that I carried with me. I also wrote lots of fanfiction based on my favorite TV series.

***Who influenced you?

When I was a bilingual teacher, there was a resource teacher at my school who wrote romances. She’d share her experiences and journey with all of us in the teacher’s lounge. My favorite subject in my own classroom had to be writer’s workshop, where I had my first grade students write and publish their own books in Spanish and English. Later, I figured, why don’t I take my own advice I gave my students: follow your dream.

***Do you have a favorite book/subject/character/setting?

My all-time favorite book still has to be ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS. I go through periods where I love any books on one topic. I’ll devour all of them and go back for more! Right now I love historicals set in Europe. I love fantasies, Sci-Fi, edgy contemporary stories, and romances. I’m a huge fan of diversity in books that reflect my Mexican heritage. I’m a big fan of stories with Latina protagonists.

***What advice do you have for someone who wants to be an author?

Read. I think it’s so important to read lots of books. This includes graphic novels, comic books, non-fiction, or any other kind of book you love. It doesn’t have to be one of those books on the dreaded summer reading list. **Confession, I didn’t start really loving the classics until college, and it was books I found without being forced to read.

Read what you love! I don’t get it when someone says they want to be a writer but hate to read. To me that’s an oxymoron.

Also, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t be a writer. If it’s your passion, follow it.

***Where is your favorite place to write?

Coffee House & Tea Leaf where I can write and drink one of their yummy iced tea lattes. My current favorite is their iced strawberry cream green tea with NSA chocolate powder.

***What else would you like to tell us?

Thank you so much for having me here! If you love Greek mythology and Paris, make sure to check out GODDESSES CAN WAIT.

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Kim, thanks for joining us and sharing more about what has inspired you as a writer. We love that your first grade students gave you the motivation to step out and write your own books.

Readers, don't forget to enter the giveaway for NO MORE GODDESSES and GODDESSES CAN WAIT (https://litpick.com/request-giveaway-book).

Website/Social Media Links:

http://www.kim-baccellia.com/
www.facebook.com/kbaccellia
www.twitter.com/ixtumea
www.pinterest.com/ixtumea

2. Got a very nice email from an agent that started, "I'm hooked."

Yes, she wants to read my whole story! I plan to go over my story again and send off!

3. Pulled out TWIST OF FATE and hope to work on this one too.

4. Been reading: 

I had mixed feelings on this one. Love the whole premise of two friends taking a trip across Europe. There's another book with a very similar premise:

I really think though that THE WONDER OF US is more YA while I SEE LONDON I SEE FRANCE is more New Adult.

**Also be prepared for how the heroines in I SEE LONDON are more casual about some subjects like drug use and hooking up with guys. I did like that they do mention using condoms but the one scene in Amsterdam where the girls go to a live sex show was very intense and graphic. The realism of traveling through Europe and staying in hostels rang true. 

Plus, both girls are 19 and in college. I've been noticing this more. Older characters in YA novels.

In THE WONDER OF US it felt like the teens were only in nice hotels which didn't seem realistic to me. 

So if you want a lighter, fun YA with two friends who travel through Europe? THE WONDER OF US is a must read.

For those who like more realistic, mature writing with college age heroines? I SEE LONDON, I SEE FRANCE.

5. Starting to read:

This story is set during WWII where a teen is set back to her mother's village and finds the villagers blame her for the disappearances.  This one sounds intriguing and unique.

**Guilty Pleasure:

Hope to grab a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf iced drink!

This is help me while going over feedback from this week's critique group.