The process reinforced for me that novel writing is 90% hard work and perseverance and only about 10% magic. I think the general public thinks writing books is this elusive, mystical process but in reality, it mostly takes dedication to the task and a love of storytelling.
Melissa MacVicar – 28 August 2014
The Back Flap
New town, new school, new ghost. Jade has a dedicated boyfriend, an overprotective mom, and a full scholarship. Uprooted from Nantucket, Jade is installed off-island at her dad’s new house so she can attend snobby Layton Academy. Leaving Charlie behind is sheer torment, but living with her father has plenty of dangerous distraction—in the form of a terrifying spirit haunting her new school. Hottie classmate Mateo Fernandez can’t see the ghost, but he knows its story. He’d like to know hers, too, but Jade still misses Charlie, even though distance seems to be changing him. With support from Mateo and the mysterious Noemie, Jade commits to helping the agonized spirit cross over. As she delves into the ghost’s past, the disturbing secrets Jade learns draw her into a deadly confrontation with a desperate man. If she can’t play his demented game, the spirit’s harrowing fate could become her own.
About the book
What is the book about?
Teenage Clairvoyant Jade Irving goes to live with her father on the North Shore of Boston where she meets Drippy Dude, a ghost at her new prep school, whose mystery she must solve.
When did you start writing the book?
I started Ever Lost in the fall of 2012 before I sold Ever Near to Red Adept in February 2013.
How long did it take you to write it?
I took a break from writing it while I worked on edits for Ever Near and then I began working on it again in earnest during the Summer of 2013. The whole book took about 5 months.
Where did you get the idea from?
The idea grew out of Ever Near Book 1 Secret Affinity. I knew I needed to have a new ghost for Jade to contend with and I really wanted to up the star crossed lover aspect by separating Charlie and Jade.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
I struggled a bit with the POV because at one point, I had to leave Jade’s first person narrative for practical reasons. However, my editors helped me with this, and that is all I’m going to say about that…
What came easily?
Overall, the book was surprisingly easy to write once I got going. I think this was because I already had many of the characters fully developed.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
No, all characters are completely fictitious. Of course, I draw on the attributes and characteristic of real people to create my fictitious ones but no one real is portrayed in the book. This is often hard for people to believe though. Friends and family often think they see real people in my books. I do use a real Prep school as the basis for the fictitious Layton Academy, my alma mater The Pingree School, but none of the events of the book actually happened there.
Do you have a target reader for this book?
Teenage girls for sure but I believe both of my books have enormous crossover appeal.
How was writing this book different from what you’d experienced writing previous books?
Overall, I had more confidence in my storytelling ability. I was able to press on through the hard parts and know that I could always go back to fix what needed to be tweaked.
What new things did you learn about writing, publishing, and/or yourself while writing and preparing this book for publication?
I can’t say that I learned anything hugely new. The process reinforced for me that novel writing is 90% hard work and perseverance and only about 10% magic. I think the general public thinks writing books is this elusive, mystical process but in reality, it mostly takes dedication to the task and a love of storytelling.
End of Interview:
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Get your copy of Ever Lost from Amazon US (paper or ebook), Amazon UK (paper or ebook), or Barnes & Noble.
Thanks for hosting me!
Congratulations!! Your assessment of writing is bang on! I don’t know what was more challenging, writing my book, or promoting it after. Keep doing it.
Aimee