Today, it's all about the letter "D" and I'm thrilled to profile Double Negative! The adventure continues and I'm over the moon to host The Muffin Commando Squad's fearless leader, C. Lee McKenzie.
Synopsis:
Sixteen-year-old Hutchinson McQueen is a big time loser. Trapped in a dysfunctional family, his one thought is escape, but everything he does to get away lands him in trouble.
Shackled by poor reading skills, he squeaks through classes with his talent for eavesdropping and memorizing what he hears. When he shoplifts and lands in juvenile detention, the court sentences him to a county youth program. There he meets the priest and Maggie, a retired teacher. They’re determined to set Hutch on a path leading away from trouble. Hutch is determined not to cooperate.
It isn’t until he’s facing serious charges that he confronts the truth—his own bad choices are trapping him. When he's offered the freedom he craves, all he has to do is take it.
Rave Review:
I could tell within pages that this book was pure genius and it only became more apparent the deeper I was pulled into the story. I devoured it as quickly as I could… and now it’s over! :( I wish there was some way that it could be a series, just so I could have more! I have already been perusing the author’s other works, debating over which one to read next.
The best part about this book was the progression, not just of the characters, but of the writing style. It literally shifts throughout the book as Hutch grows and changes. Hutch is an easy character to root for, but only because we can see the truth of who he is from the beginning. I can easily imagine how hard it would be for anyone on the outside to get to know him, or even to give him a chance.
The secondary characters are just as amazing as Hutch, and the tenuous connections between them all in the beginning strengthen throughout the story. Nyla is probably my favorite, with her soft spoken demeanor and low self esteem. I wanted to protect and encourage her. Along with all the other misguided miscreants!
I was pleasantly surprised when this book didn’t degrade into swears, as many teens often have a tendency to fall back on that kind of language. Maybe that makes it not quite believable, since it’s not realistic to think that these kids never swear. BUT it made this book more approachable for parents, and allowed the writing style to shine.
I can’t recommend this book enough.
~ Reviewed by ltg584’s (Amazon)
Purchase Double Negative:
About C. Lee McKenzie:
I’m a native Californian who grew up in a lot of different places; then landed in the Santa Cruz Mountains where I live with my family. I write most of the time, garden, hike and do yoga a lot. I travel whenever I can. Last year I got to Amsterdam, Barbados and Burma. Next year is still in the planning stages, but Ireland and Cuba are on my list.
In my writing, I take on modern issues that today's teens face in their daily lives. My first young adult novel, Sliding on the Edge, which dealt with cutting and suicide was published in 2009. My second, titled The Princess of Las Pulgas, dealing with a family who loses everything and must rebuild their lives came out in 2010. Double Negative (2014) was my third young adult novel. Researching it turned me into a literacy advocate. My fourth YA, Sudden Secrets came out in December 2014.
When I really want to have fun, I write middle grade books. Alligators Overhead was my first published book for readers age 8-12, and the sequel, The Great Time Lock Disaster, is now out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Best wishes,Donna M. McDineMulti Award-winning Children's Author
Ignite curiosity in your child through reading!Connect with Donna McDine on Google+
A Sandy Grave ~ January 2014 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2014 Purple Dragonfly 1st Place Picture Books 6+, Story Monster Approved, Beach Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014, Reader's Favorite Five Star ReviewPowder Monkey ~ May 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star ReviewHockey Agony ~ January 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ New England Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star ReviewThe Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist
Logo by: www.matusic.com
Like so many of us in the writing world we have developed wonderful friendships through cyberspace. C. Lee McKenzie and I met just this way back in 2007/08 and have remained friends/colleagues ever since. When Lee reached out to me to join The Muffin Commando squad under her guidance for the A-Z 2015 Challenge I eagerly accepted.
My esteemed partners in crime...
Our fearless leader,
C. Lee McKenzieYvonne VentrescaElizabeth SeckmanCarrie ButlerPatricia LynneTyrean MartinsonTara TylerTammy TheriaultWe are all working to prepare our posts for the Blogging from A-Z 2015 Challenge and we are looking forward to engaging with visitors to our blogs and visiting with fellow Blogging from A-Z 2015 Challenge participants.
Good luck and I look forward to chatting with you!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDineMulti Award-winning Children's Author
Ignite curiosity in your child through reading!Connect with
Donna McDine on Google+A Sandy Grave ~ January 2014 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2014 Purple Dragonfly 1st Place Picture Books 6+, Story Monster Approved, Beach Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014, Reader's Favorite Five Star Review
Powder Monkey ~ May 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review
Hockey Agony ~ January 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ New England Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist
Thanks to the generosity of C. Lee McKenzie, someone has won this fabulous book...
Congratulations, Pam Harris!!!
Thank you, C. Lee McKenzie for the kind giveaway and wonderful interview. And many thanks to our followers for supporting this feature each week. We hope to see you back on Monday for another round-up of new releases in YA!
Happy reading,
Martina & Marissa
This post is part of a year-long series of blog interviews I'll be hosting with my fellow 2009 Debut Authors, called "How They Got Here."
It should be an especially helpful series for teens who write, teachers, and anyone who wants to write for kids. 2009 debut authors will be dropping by to talk about how their writing in school shaped the authors they are today, what teachers can do to make a difference, how they revise, and how they found their agents and editors. (You'll even be able to read some successful query letters!) If you know a teacher or two who might be interested, please share the link!
Today...C. Lee McKenzie, author of SLIDING ON THE EDGE!
Shawna Stone is a heartbeat away from making the worst mistake anyone can. She’s close to taking her own life. Kay Stone is a grandmother Shawna has never known, and at sixty-four Kay feels there is little left in her life to look forward to. When they are thrown together they circle each other in a crucible of secrets and distrust until saving a doomed horse unites them and gives each a reason to live.
Welcome! Tell us about the first thing you ever wrote that made you think maybe you were a writer.
The first piece of fiction I ever wrote was a short story for an East Indian magazine. Now that I think of it, that was pretty audacious. I have no first-hand experience about India, but I won the $100 first prize! Naively, I patted myself on the back and decided I could publish just about anything. Not true!
Most writers admit that making time to write can sometimes be a challenge. When and where do you write? Do you have any special rituals? Music? Food & beverages?
I'm an early morning writer. I mean like sometimes 4 am if I wake up with a good idea. I write at my desk on my computer, sip a cappuccino, and work until sunup. Then I take a break, do chores, make my list and get dressed before going back to read what I've written and start the re-write or whatever.
Do you have a favorite strategy for revision?
I don't have a specific strategy for revision. If I'm stuck I often do a printout and take a hard copy someplace away from my desk. Sometimes that gives me a new perspective on the critter that's giving me problems.
What’s your best advice for young writers?
I guess I'd say, "Keep writing. You'll only get better."
What’s special about your debut novel?
Well, obviously, the best part is I wrote it. Next, I don't have to write it again. But if I were to be serious I'd have to say the best part is I think my book has appeal for younger and older readers. That's what I'm hearing anyway, so I hope it's true.
What were the best and worst parts of writing it?
The best part was when I wrote the chapters from two different points of view (pov). That is, I wrote what happened from my young main character's pov; then I wrote the same set of events from her grandmother's pov. That was interesting and fun to do.
The worst part was getting the opening paragraph. That took forever.
How did you find your agent and/or editor?
I always read the SCBWI Bulletin and WestSide was open to young adult submissions with edginess. "I've got one of those!" I said and sent off my query.
Thanks, Kate. Your questions were a challenge, but I enjoyed thinking about them.
You can read more about C. Lee McKenzie at her website. You can pick up your copy of SLIDING ON THE EDGE at your local independent bookseller, order it through one of my favorite indies, Flying Pig Bookstore (they ship!), or find an indie near you by checking out IndieBound!
Up next in the "How They Got Here" Debut 2009 series... Deva Fagan, author of FORTUNE'S FOLLY, will be stopping by on Sunday!
Congrats to the winner.
Lucky winner! They'll love it.
Yay!! Thanks so much!! :)
Congrats, Pam!
Congrats to Pam! :)