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It’s Author Interview Thursday! Woohoo! Today’s special guest interviewed me on her blog a few weeks ago. Well, today she gets to sit on my hot seat and answer all my questions. Muhahaha! Ok, enough of my ‘The Count’ from Sesame Street impersonation and let’s get right to it. Speaking to her over the last few weeks and visiting her blog, it’s clear to see she’s in this for the long haul. Her book covers stand out and you can tell a lot of thought was put into creating them. I got introduced to her by Sharon Ledwith who is a great connector of authors and readers. I’d really like you to connect with her at one of the links she provides in our interview as she’s a wonderful person to know and learn from. With that been said, please join me in welcoming Lisa Orchard.

Can you tell us a little bit about the first time someone complemented you on something you had written? 

Sure. One of the first and best compliments I have ever received was from a mother who read “The Super Spies and the Cat Lady Killer” with her daughter. The story sparked a conversation between them about what her daughter would do if she were in the same situation as the main character. I loved that my story helped them bond. It was a wonderful feeling.

What can a reader expect when they pick up a Lisa Orchard book? 

Hmmm. Good question. They can expect an entertaining, thought provoking story. Readers have said that I write an unpredictable mystery. I was so excited to hear that because it means I’ve accomplished one of my goals with my stories.

You’ve gone the traditional route and are published by Astraea Press. What would you say are the advantages you’ve experienced compared to a self-publisher?

I would have to say the advantages are the fact that I didn’t have to pay for an editor or cover artist. I received both excellent editing advice and I absolutely love my covers. There’s also an excellent writer community with the Astraea Press authors. This community helps with marketing and social media strategies.

What tips can you give us in terms of working with a publisher to ensure your vision for a story doesn’t get diluted or compromised by the demands of a publisher? 

Good question. Keep in mind; I only have my experience with Astraea Press to guide me with this answer. My experience with Astraea has been that they work with the author to make sure there is no dilution or comprising of the story. They’re very attuned to making sure that doesn’t happen.

You write in the YA (Young Adult) genre which is very popular and competitive. What advice would you have for someone who wants to write in this genre?

Know your market. I can’t stress that enough.

You’ve published three books in the Super Spies series. Was it a conscious decision to write a series and what led you to do it? 

Yes. It was a conscious decision to write a series and what led me to do it was that I enjoyed reading series when I was younger, so a series was the most natural way for me to go.

What have you found to be a successful way to market your books? 

I’ve found the best way to market my books is to get in front of my readers. I do classroom visits that are very effective and writing workshops with various girls’ groups near me.

What were some of your favourite books as a child?  

The Laura Ingalls Wilder Series, Nancy Drew, The Boxcar Children, Trixie Belden, and The Bobbsey Twins just to name a few. 

What three things should writers avoid when writing dialogue? 

Repetitiveness.

Dialogue that doesn’t move the story forward.

Wordiness.

What book or film has the best dialogue that inspires you to be a better writer and why?

I would have to say the book “Frozen Fire.” I thought the dialogue was wonderful and it helped me to be less wordy.

What is your definition of success as an author?

Ahhh…good question. I would say success for me as an author would be having a positive impact on my fans. Although, I’d be excited to hit the New York Times Bestsellers list or the USA Today Bestseller’s list as well.

Toy Story or Shrek?

This is a tough one, because I watched both movies with my kids and liked them both. I’m going to have to go with Shrek though. There’s just something about that loveable old ogre.

What three things should a first time visitor to Michigan do? 

Check out the Great Lakes. They’re gorgeous and it’s so relaxing by the water. An event that’s worth attending is ArtPrize in Grand Rapids. It’s inspiring to see the creativity of the artists in the area.

What can we expect from Lisa Orchard in the next 12 months? 

I’ve just completed a Coming of Age Young Adult Novel titled, “Gideon Lee.” I’m excited about it and I can’t wait until its release date. It’s with an editor now and she’s checking it out. She read the first few pages and didn’t want to put it down. I think that’s a great sign!

Where can readers and fans connect with you?

You can find me at these social media sites:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lisa-Orchard/328536613877060?ref=hl

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisaorchard1

Website:  http://www.lisaorchard.com/

Any advice for authors out there who are either just starting out or getting frustrated with the industry? 

Keep plugging away! You’ll get there. I know it’s frustrating, but keep writing and persevere.

Couldn’t agree more with you Lisa. At the London Book Fair, Jasinda Wilder talked about how her big breakthrough came on book 26! Imagine if she had quit on Book 25? It’s been an absolute pleasure having you today Lisa and your pearls of wisdom were and are appreciated. Lisa and I would love to hear your comments on our interview, so leave a few lines in the comments section below. You can also grab a copy of Lisa’s book at the link below and do remember to share this interview on your social circles.

Lisa Orchard on Amazon

 3.5 Stars
Chase Danger, Super Spy: The Mystery of the Special Sauce
Chase & Lisa Olivera
Magic Fire
978-0-9836574-0-8
No. Pages: 32   Ages: 2 to 7
 

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From Back Cover: Chase Danger is the world’s youngest super spy, ready to fight villains wherever they appear! In his first adventure he battles a giant octopus and terrifying scorpion, builds a super flying car, and takes a quick trip to space. All before dinner!

Book

Chase Danger is a six-year-old super spy who really began his crime-fighting career at age two, when he rescued a friend’s pet canary from the villain Mr. Crocs, who vowed revenge. The story opens with Chase climbing a mountain, where he defeats a gang of thugs run by Igor Fimple. Fimple jumps off the mountain after giving Chase a cryptic message.

Often, we must suspend our beliefs to read and enjoy fiction and fantasy. Occasionally, the story expects us to suspend more than we are willing or can and still enjoy the story. Chase Danger is one of those occasions.  Chase, at six, has the ability to build super machines overnight, single-handedly defeat a gang of six large muscled men, pilot flying saucers, destroy odd objects, save himself and others, and lie to his parents without guilt.

This is not because Chase has all these abilities: to build things super quickly; fancy super spy equipment hidden where he needs it, when he needs it, “just in case”; or that he has clueless parents. The problem is the story lacks balance. If I counted correctly, Chase accomplishes 23 major actions within the 26 pages of actual story. Leaving out the two pages of his conquests at age two, and there is nearly one major action scene per page of story. There is no balance or any time to take a breather. Chase Danger is scene after scene of action—action, action, action . . .

Both villains get away. Shouldn’t super spies defeat the villains too? Are these two villains, Igor Fimple and Mr. Crocs, working together?  There needs to be less action and more story.

The illustrations draw out the hyper-spy story perfectly. The colors are bright and fill the page. Kids will love these. There is a feel of an action movie to the illustrations. Chase is a story with nothing but action and the illustrator did a great job capturing all of it. The illustrations will sell this book.

Chase is a one-boy wrecking crew. He is a super-spy for the younger set, defeating adult villains, yet the villains always escape. Perhaps to cause serial crimes? Young boys seven and under are the obvious audience who will like this book, and its hero, Chase Danger. They are young enough to see themselves as Chase, the super-spy. Older boys, older than age eight, may be reluctant to suspend their belief and accept a six-year-old as a super spy, even one like Chase, with all his super abilities.

Read-Along CD

Chase Danger also comes with a “Read-Along CD.” Chase Danger on CD is the exact story, word for word, as the book version. Listening to the story was leaps and bounds ahead of reading it. The special effects heard on the CD are superb. Fighting, bombs exploding, and lasers shots, are some of the effects kids will love.

The background music is loud, so keep the volume at a lower setting. The many performers did a good job. The best, with superb inflections, variations in tone, and well characterized is the villain Igor Fimple. He also has the longest speech when he tells everyone what he is trying to do. In Chase Danger, in any story, it is better to SHOW the reader, rather than simply TELLING us.  That is basic creative writing 101

If your child likes action and lots of it, I suggest he listen to the CD and follow along. The interactive CD brings the story to life, and though it sounds like a cartoon (a wonderful sounding cartoon), the large amount of action is not as distracting and any holes in the story go unnoticed.

Boys, and some girls, will love the well-done, studio quality Read-Along CD.  Don’t simply listen to the CD. Read the book too, else you will miss the wonderful illustrations in Chase Danger, Super Spy: The Mystery of the Special Sauce.

Chase Danger, Super Spy: Mystery of the Special Sauce

Authors: Chase & Lisa Olivera   website  coloring book
Illustrator: Adam Goodman   website
Publisher: Magic Fire Music  Facebook   soundtrack
ISBN: 978-0-9836574-0-8
Release Date: 2011
Number of Pages: 32
Ages: 2 to 7
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