C. Lee McKenzie

Young Adult and Middle Grade Author

Celebrating Small Things and a Talk With Julie Musil

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VIKLIT


LG KELTNER @writing off the edge
KATIE @TheCyborg Mom
CAFFEEMAGGIEATO @mscoffeehouse
Celebrating my hike to Summit this week. Hot, but worth the sweat. 


One more ridge and you’re at the Pacific Ocean.

And a huge thanks to Darby Karchut for her generous giveaway. She sent me a $25 gift certificate for B and N. Guess which books I’ll be buying? You can check out Darby’s books HERE.




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Interview with Julie Musil


I read Julie’s The Boy Who Loved Fire a few months ago, and really enjoyed her story. I was glad to see her come out with another one and asked her to stop by and give us some information about this new book. 
When her protective older brother disappears, sixteen-year-old Melody infiltrates a theft ring, gathers clues about his secret life, and falls for a handsome pickpocket. 
At what point does truth justify the crime?





Hi Julie,
Is there a story behind your story that you wish to share? The ah-ha or lightning moment where the story inspiration struck?

Thanks for having me here, Lee! Yes, I remember the exact moment when inspiration struck. I was watching the news while a police chase took place on a Southern California freeway. The chase ended with a teen girl and guy sprawled out on the freeway beside a small white pickup truck. Police found a cache of weapons in their truck.
The wheels in my YA writer brain started turning. Where did they get the weapons? Where were the teens headed? What got them to that point in their lives? That moment on the news became a major scene in my new release, The Summer of Crossing Lines. I worked backward from that moment and created a story.
How important is community in keeping you inspired? What authors are a part of your virtual and/or hometown community? How do they keep you inspired? How do you inspire them?
The writing community means everything to me. I can’t imagine writing in a time without social media-I’m sure I would’ve quit a long time ago. I love meeting new people via blogs or Twitter and chatting about books and writing. My local writer friends are Lisa Green, Leslie Rose, and Sarah Skilton. We’ll meet for lunch or dinner, with or without kids, and just hash it all out. The writing community keeps me ground and inspired.
What were some of the challenges you encountered when working on this book? How did you overcome those challenges?
I had to do some major re-writing, re-structuring, and character work before I got this story right.  Beta readers pointed out the glaring flaws and helped brainstorm solutions. The biggest hurdle was the fact that my main character Melody crosses several moral lines. I had to make those decisions believable while also keeping Melody likable. In the end, all the hard work was worth it.
How do you juggle the marketing and press of your books and still continue to find time to get the exciting stories in your head down on paper?
This is a big challenge for me, as it is for most writers. I compartmentalize. I do the creative work first-especially when I’m writing a first draft-knowing that my mind is less creative when it’s burned out. I do the other work later in the day.
What’s your idea of a perfect day?
Reading a good book, in the warm sunshine, near the water…pool, beach, river, it doesn’t matter where.
Now the Lightning Round:
Pantser or Plotter? Definitely a plotter, but I give myself some wiggle room for changes.
Morning person or Evening person? Morning person. I run out of steam by 8 pm and I’m usually asleep by 10.
Beach or Mountain Vacation? I love hiking in the mountains, but I’d rather spend vacations at the beach, as long as it’s warm. Cold, windy beaches are not my thing. But a toasty beach with waves lapping on a sandy shore, and me holding a book in my hands? Heavenly.

Thanks for visiting here today! I’m looking forward to reading this one. 

Julie Musil writes from her rural home in Southern California, where she lives with her husband and three sons. She’s an obsessive reader who loves stories that grab the heart and won’t let go. Her Young Adult novels, The Summer of Crossing Lines and The Boy Who Loved Fire, are available now. For more information, or to stop by an say Hi, please visit Julie on her blog, on Twitter, and on Facebook.

Here are the buy links for The Summer of Crossing Lines. 


Kobo

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Now, of course, it’s time for my thought for the day. Ready? “Your whole life passes in front of your eyes before you die. This is called living.” Terry Pratchett, Author.

What are you celebrating this Friday? Have you read Julie’s book The Boy Who Love Fire? Ready to order The Summer of Crossing Lines? Happy Weekend!

Julie Musil Reveals Her Cover! AND Great UncommonYA Giveaway.

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THE BOY WHO LOVED FIRE
by
YA contemporary with a splash of ghosts!

Manny O’Donnell revels in his status at the top of his high school food chain. He and his friends party in the mountains on a blustery night, sharing liquor and lame ghost stories around a campfire. The next morning, as a wild fire rages in those same mountains, Manny experiences doubt. He was the last of the drunken crew to leave the cave, and he’s uncertain if he extinguished the flames. Within hours, he becomes the number one arson suspect.
Santa Ana winds + matches = disaster. You’d think he would’ve learned that the first time he started a fire.
As he evades a determined arson investigator, Manny, a modern-day Scrooge, is visited by ghosts of the past, present, and future. He’s forced to witness the fate of his inadvertent victims, including Abigail, the scarred beauty who softens his heart. Manny must choose between turning around his callous, self-centered attitude, or protecting his own skin at the expense of anyone who gets in his way.

Julie Musil, author of YA fiction, is a chocoholic and obsessive reader. As the mother of three teen boys, she’s immersed in teen speak, drama, and gym socks. She loves to chat! Connect with her on her blog, Twitter, or Facebook. 


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We are a collective of YA authors who have come together to spread the word about the newest, bold, gritty fiction. Our genres include realistic, contemporary, historical, magical realism, and paranormal-with a healthy dose of suspense woven through all of them. 









Uncommon YA features not only the latest titles from the above montage but it has heaps of other features that will interest you. Whether you are a reader, writer or both, there is something to suit all interests.

Shout out! Saturdays.
BLAST events
Meet my Main Character.
Behind the Scenes in Publishing. 
Interview an Agent.
Talking to my Teenage Self
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You can add it to your Goodreads shelf while you’re there!
WARNING. It will be a tough choice choosing just one to win!
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Sliding on the Edge    
 Escape from Eden Vigilante Nights

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3 people will win their choice of 1 Ebook of selected titles. Or a 10 page critique of your work-in-progress is also available from an UncommonYA author!

What do you think about Julie’s cover? Are you excited to see covers revealed? What catches your eye on a book cover? Color? Design? Are you going to enter to win an UncommonYA book? Hope so.