I lost friends when I was a teenager, and the loss never goes away. Loss is also a constant companion for every person on his or her life journey.

Paige Crutcher – 5 February 2015

The Back Flap

Meet Odd. Audrey “Odd” Ashworth is an exceptionally bright girl with a sympathetic heart. She’s in the top 4% of her class. She’s obsessed with getting into Manhattan School of Music, committed to following the “signs” the universe delivers, and infatuated with the boyfriend of her recently deceased best friend.

Life is a little strange for Odd.

Until she finds her best friend’s diary in her crush’s car, and decides to do the bucket list tucked inside the pages. As Odd seeks closure and a way to honor her friend, she discovers there’s nothing wrong with a little strange, especially if it helps you discover who you were meant to be. Along the way, Odd falls into trouble, adventure, and finally love.

About the book

What is the book about?

The Odyssey of Falling in a YA contemporary coming-of-age novel. It’s the story of a girl named Odd, who discovers a bucket list in the diary of her recently deceased best friend, and decides to do the list in tribute.

When did you start writing the book?

I wrote the first draft of the book five years ago. It was originally a much different book, and went through a series of revisions (and evolutions) to get to where it is today.

Where did you get the idea from?

I was inspired to write about loss, and how we view and deal with grief – particularly when growing up. I lost friends when I was a teenager, and the loss never goes away. Loss is also a constant companion for every person on his or her life journey, it’s not a phase so much as part of the path. The losses from when I was a teen have dulled with time, the memories caught like fragments in a web, but they never fully fade. Loss is a ghost, one that forever haunts in various ways. I wanted to explore that, and infuse the story with hope.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Absolutely. I suffer a lot from self-doubt, and that doubt would get in my way throughout the process.

What came easily?

Being with Odd and her friends. They are a ton of fun, if not a little screwy and sideways at times (but aren’t we all?).

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

They are their own creations, and not born of people I know or used to know.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

I read a lot and I read across genre – I can’t stress how important I believe reading is not only for craft, but also to give your imagination permission to roam and expand. There are so many amazing authors who are influencers in my work and life. Edward Gorey is a current big influence in my pursuit of illustration and art, along with the quirkier side of story.

Do you have a target reader?

I should, I’m sure, but really anyone the book finds (because I believe story is a magical thing that can seek out its audience, and once it leaves the writers hands, it’s out of their grasp anyhow).

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

Yes, to write. To put words on the page and to do so often. It’s that simple and that difficult.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I try, really I do. But, man, the characters. They have minds of their own and are like little inmates, taking over the asylum.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I will reread a chapter, or part of it, to get back into story. While doing the reread, I often make small edits. But I try to wait until the draft is complete before I go in and start carving the story from its husk.

Did you hire a professional editor?

I hired three. Two for content, and one for line edits. In my experience, it takes a team to polish a novel.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

Yes. I have a ton of playlists, and they are full of a lot of Oldies and Indie bands. I prefer music with heart and connection, so I listen to a lot of Elliot Smith, Iron and Wine, Jenny Lewis, Nick Drake, and whenever I’m stuck I got back to the Indigo Girls. I’m a child of the 90s, what can I say?

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

Not the book I self-published. I went the indie route as part of an expose for the magazine I write for, Publishers Weekly. I have previously had an agent, and am working on revisions for an agent for a new book.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

My sister-in-law is a photographer and wonderful graphic design artist. She helped me execute my concept, and I love the final product. It is the cat’s particulars.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I am working with JKS Publicity. Marketing is not my forte or strong suit. I am a writer, and I’m happiest inside of story.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

To keep writing forward. Believe in yourself, write the next book, and don’t forget to reward yourself for all the milestones (little and big).

What are you working on now?

I’m revising a novel about a group of kids in the 90s who start an underground movement and revive the Merry Pranksters – in an effort to change their school and small town. I’m also writing a new novel about a charming girl named Ina Strange.

End of Interview:

For more from Paige, visit her website or follow her on Twitter.

Get your copy of The Odyssey of Falling from Amazon US, Amazon UK, Barnes & Noble, or Smashwords.