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June's FEATURED AUTHOR: Chloe Neill!!

June 2, 2010
Woo hoo!! I am so thrilled to have Chloe Neill visit as my Featured Author for June!! *grin*  I've been waiting ALL YEAR for this month, just so she can stop by... *bigger grin* I hope you're ready, 'cuz I am (can't you tell??)! Stick around to the end for a giveaway from one of my favorite authors! ok, ok, I promise to lay off on the exclamation points...

me & chloeAbout Chloe:
Chloe Neill was born and raised in the South, but now makes her home in the Midwest, just close enough to Cadogan House and St. Sophia's to keep an eye on things. When not transcribing Merit’s and Lily's adventures, she bakes (a lot!), watches entirely too much television, roots for her favorite college football team (Go Big Red!), spends time with friends, and plays with her dogs, Baxter and Scout. Find her online at www.chloeneill.com.

So, are you ready to hear what Chloe has to say? I am! Here we go!!

drey: Hello Chloe! Thank you for taking the time to come by for a visit (or four) this month.

Chloe: Thanks for having me! I’m happy to be here!

drey: I’ve had the pleasure of having the Chicagoland Vampires gang swing by, but cannot believe that I haven’t had you visit yet… What was I thinking??

Chloe: You were probably glamoured by Ethan. It happens. ;)

drey: Ooooh! Ethan... *quickly wipes drool off, hoping nobody noticed* Anyway. We shall rectify that oversight this month! On with the inquisition! Er, Q&A… When did you know you wanted to be an author? What were you doing? Was it a gradual realization, or a “big bang” event?

Chloe: HA! I never wanted to be an author. I used to HATE writing—and avoided grad school because I knew I’d have to write. But then I went through a phase where I started reading a lot, and eventually I ran out of things to read. I decided it was time for me to write the story I wanted to read—vampire heroine who has the fun of showing people they underestimated her. And thus, SOME GIRLS BITE was born!

drey: And hurrah for us! *grin* Can you share your first sale experience with us?

Chloe: Absolutely. About three months after I submitted the first three chapters of SGB to an editor at Penguin, she requested the full manuscript. A little time later, I was heading to New York for a work conference, so I e-mailed her to let her know I’d be in the area and that I could drop by if she was interested in chatting about my manuscript. She called me while I was going through airport security and left a voicemail to let me know that she’d enjoyed the manuscript. The next day—while I was in Kate’s Paperie in Manhattan—she called and made an offer! It was AMAZING.

drey: That is awesome, Chloe!! Next: Who and/or what inspires your writing? How do you get from idea to pages?

Chloe: My goal isn’t so much to be a great writer, but to be a great storyteller. I love the character relationships in the novels of J.D. Robb and Diana Gabaldon, and I love the attention to detail and world-building in Kim Harrison’s and Stephanie Laurens’ series.

drey: What do you indulge in when not writing?

Chloe: I have a day job, so it’s more like the writing is the creative indulgence. When not doing one of those things, I bake, read, watch television, train to walk half-marathons (my current project) and play with my dogs.

drey: Yummm, baking... let me know if you ever need a taste-tester! Still on the food bent: What is your favorite accompaniment to chocolate?

Chloe: It needs accompaniment?? =) How about peanut butter?

drey: Bummer! I'm allergic to peanuts. But I guess it's not all about me... *sigh* Ok! Ok! Next... Screen versions of your books: Which book(s) would you like to see on screen? TV series vs. Movie? Who would be on your dream team? (I know there’s been discussions on your site about this, but not all of my readers have been out thataway…)

Chloe: I would be thrilled to see any of my books on TV or in movies. I think it would be great fun to experience someone else’s vision of my novels. Although he’s not an actor, David Beckham will always be Ethan to me. And I think Zooey Deschamel looks a lot like Merit, although their mannerisms are quite different. Jamie Dornan does a pretty good Morgan, with “Jessie” from GLEE pulling off an interesting “Young Morgan” look.

drey: Oooh, Beckham... I used to have a crush on him. *blush* Never mind that! On we go! Smackdown: Ethan vs. Catcher. Who comes out on top?

Chloe: Ooooh—tough one. Ethan is physically stronger, but Catcher has magic, so he could do damage from afar. Let’s say Catcher (but don’t tell Ethan I said that. He’d have a conniption.)

drey: *laughs* I promise! But only if you come by more! *grin* On a more "practical" note... Electronic readers are becoming more affordable and available. There's been quite a bit of discussion about their impact on paper books, the environment, people's reading & buying habits... What's your take? (I do have to say, it’ll be difficult to get your John Hancock on my copy of Firespell… Boooooo!)

Chloe: I LOVE to read, so I support any mechanisms that will allow readers to buy a book, to read a book or to transport a book. I have an iPad and a Kindle account, and love that I can take multiple books on a trip with one simple device. (Although, interestingly, my book club’s selection for this month wasn’t available in either store, so I had to carry a hard copy around on my recent Kansas City trip.) Good point about autographs, though...

drey: Oh well. Guess I'll just have to drag a sharpie along with me so you can sign on the back cover of my nook... Yes, I have an answer for everything! It just may not be the one you want... *grin*

On the publishing side--what do you think publishers and authors ought to do about the digital revolution? Jump in wholeheartedly, and blaze the path for others to follow? Watch from the sidelines till there's some consensus on what the new business model is going to be for the digital age? Cross their fingers that this is all just a fad & will blow over soon?

Chloe: I’m very fortunate that Penguin (the Amazon contract dispute notwithstanding) has been very supportive of ebooks. My novels are available in six different versions, including for Kindle, iPad and Nook. And since I’ve owned two of the latter (and LOVE gadgets), I’m all about ebooks.

But ebooks are currently a small portion of the overall market (3-5%), so we’ll have to see where the market goes.

drey: What are you looking forward to next?

Chloe: In terms of ebooks, more interactivity and more availability of texts (including reference!) I think ebooks offer so many interesting opportunities to be research tools, and I’m excited to see where we go next.

To bring this to a close, the Proust-lite:
  1. What is your idea of earthly happiness?
    Almost every Saturday in the spring and summer, I have lunch in the park. Love that time.
  2. What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
    Low self-confidence days are never fun.
  3. Who is/are your favorite hero/heroine(s) in fiction?
    Eve Dallas & Roarke (JD Robb) and Claire & Jamie Fraser (Diana Gabaldon)
  4. Who is/are your favorite hero/heroine(s) in real life?
    Hmm. That’s a tough one. I don’t know that I have heroes and heroines per se, but I have a great respect for people who are genuinely kind and genuinely creative, those who are willing to make sacrifices for others.
  5. What sound do you love?
    Elgin’s “The Lark Ascending” and my dog Scout’s almost-but-not-quite bark.
  6. What sound do you hate?
    Words of ignorance and hatred.
  7. The quality you admire most in a man?
    Generosity.
  8. The quality you admire most in a woman?
    Ditto.
  9. If not a writer, you would be a ... I already am that thing . . . in my day job. =)
  10. What is your favorite swear word?
    The “F” word. I use it with vehemence and (to my mom’s embarrassment) much frequency.
drey: Thank you so much for stopping by, Chloe! I hope you enjoy your visit here this month, I know I’ve been looking forward to this all year… =)

Chloe: Thanks for having me, Drey!!

drey: Anytime! I won't even beg you to bring cookies when you come by next... Promise!

Ok y'all... Chloe has a lil' somethin' somethin' for you... One lucky duck is going to get one signed copy of Some Girls Bite, one signed copy of Firespell, and some Chicagoland Vampires swag!! Unfortunately for some of you, this is only open to US residents. Anyway. To enter, comment and let me know what your favorite book-to-movie adaptation is. Do it before 6:00pm CST June 29th. I will post the winner on the 30th.

31 comments:

Bethany C. said...

The Notebook was my favorite. The one movie ever I thought was as good as the book. I've seen it a gazillion times and it still makes me sob like I just got stood up for the prom.

Michelle said...

I liked the first Harry Potter. Partly because I was so jazzed up to see it, but mostly because it stayed so true to the book. The subsequent ones let me down. I've heard the same director is doing the Maximum Ride movie... that should be interesting.

LynnL said...

I think the Lord of the Rings movies are awesome adaptions.

Tina said...

I luv Chicagoland Vampires! Once I read the first two books, Chloe Neill became one of my fave writers.

Book-to- movie adaptation ... Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter!

tinaigne[at]yahoo[dot]com

jeanette8042 said...

I don't think I have one because so far the movies have been disappointing compared to the actual book, but Twilight was okay.

lilazncutie1215 @ yahoo.com

Colleen Turner said...

My favorite all time book to movie adaptation was Gone with the Wind. I love that movie! More recently, I love the Twilight books and movies.
Thanks,
candc320@gmail.com

Christa said...

Book to movie adaptation? Lord of the Rings was pretty good as was Chronicles of Narnia (especially Lion Witch & Wardrobe). Of course, those were some of my favorite books when I was younger, so seeing them (not horribly) done on the big screen practically guaranteed my love. : )

ambience.of.rain {at} gmail.com

throuthehaze said...

All the Harry Potter movies (except Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire...I was disappointed with that one)
throuthehaze at gmail dot com

SandyG265 said...

My favorite book to movie adaptation is the Lord of the Rings trilogy

sgiden AT verizon.net

Unknown said...

My favorite movie that became a adaptation is the Note book. that movie makes me cry every time I watch it.
elizabethcerna2011@gmail.com

Ladytink_534 said...

I can't wait for the next Chicagoland book to come out! I think it would translate well to a good movie series.

My favorite book-to-movie adaptation is Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll. I've honestly never seen one that I haven't enjoyed and I've re-read the book more than any other. I also really like the Disney Narnia movies.

Ladytink_534(at)yahoo(dot)com

marian said...

my favorite book-to-movie adaptation has got to be the Lord of the Rings series.

mariannguyen16(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Jessica said...

Great interview! I love that she loves Eve and Roarke...they are my ultimate book romance couple!!
Also great to know that you both approve of e-readers and e-books...thinking of getting one for travel convenience and storage, etc.!

Jessica said...

Hmmm...favorite book to movie adaptation? So far, I'd say it's actually a TV movie/mini-series...the most recent version of Emma on Masterpiece classics. It was wonderful!!

wheels209 said...

Hey Drey and Chloe,
Chloe I am so looking forward to reading your new books. Books to movie Lord of the Rings and Narnia.
Books to TV. Dresden Files even though it only lasted one season.

Drey I purchased my nook tonight. I am so happy!!!
Steve

Unknown said...

well i loved the 13th warrior , but was way off from the book, micheal cricton

the notebook, but i didnt read the book,

gone with the wind




o lalala i love swag
love boys that bite

Just Jen said...

My favorite book to movie adaptation would have to be the Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. I labor under the delusion that The Shire is real and that I am a Hobbit!

Archimedes said...

I would have to say my favorite adaption would be the Lord of the Rings movies. Those are really the only ones I don't yell at the tv about how inaccurate they are. While they may be a little different I don't fell as betrayed by the screenplay.

Van Pham said...

My favorite book to movie adaptation would have to be the Harry Potter movies.

van
Littopandaxpress(at)yahoo(dot)com

Debbie F said...

I really don't know what book to movie I liked best. I really don't try to watch the movies of the books I've read. I'm always disappointed. Gone With the Wind was a wonderful movie but believe or not I've never read the book!

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

holdenj said...

I'll stick with the first Harry Potter as my fave book to movie adaption. All of them have been so good, it kind of makes it more startling when they completely wreck it, like with Eragon.
I love to bake too! Thanks for the chance to win.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Nancye said...

My favorite book to movie adaptation is "The Outsiders"!!! Classic and awesome!! Probably seen at least 100 times!!

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

ossmcalc said...

My favorite book-to-movie adaptation is also The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. The special effects were totally awesome, and I just loved the actors that were in the movies.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

tenshinohanran said...

Love, LOVE the first three Harry Potter movies! Never read LOTR, so I don't know about that. :(

aorihanazari(@)gmail(.)com

rubynreba said...

I would say The Notebook.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Ally said...

Empire Falls. Awesome book, awesome two-part movie.

tenshinohanran said...

Tweeted at twitter.com/hanazari

I also posted on my blogspot, and livejournal.

http://biteme-tenshinohanran.blogspot.com/2010/06/contest.html

http://tenshinohanran.livejournal.com/6725.html

Kiara said...

Interview w/a Vampire for sure.
A. Rice's novel came up PERFECTLY on screen. Vampires were portrayed exactly how I imagined them, unlike Meyer's Twilight Series that is now film-I lost ALL respect for those novels once i watched the movie. >< UGH!
I wish all book-turned-movies lived up to the book's actual potential.

Anonymous said...

I am big fun of the lord of the rings adaptation. Thanks for the chance such an awesome swag. :]

Sue
okibi_insanity[at]yahoo[dot]com

Anonymous said...

gone with the wind, lucky i watched the movie before i read the book. but otherwise i hate 70% of books to movies, LOL they change things, around from the books and irate me

i watch true blood, and sit and annoy the ppl around me, THATS NOT IN THE BOOK at the tv.

now if i havnt been reallly into the book,

(like all of sookies,before series) {im actually afraid to read new one, not sure if she went toward the series and ,or kept to the series like it was }

nora robert movie was ok, though i hadnt read the books, ann ruiles movie was ok , but the same, hadnt read the books

blackroze37@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I generally dislike movies based on book because they usually lack all the wonderful detail which make the book worth reading :)

I did like the very first Harry Potter movie... the rest weren't that good though...

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