This interview was originally done by Beth Fehlbaum and located on her site here. However, she moved web hosts and no longer has the content of her old site, so the article has been reproduced here for everyone's enjoyment. You can check out her new site at http://www.bethfehlbaumbooks.com/.
YA Writer Wednesdays welcomes Lina Rivera, author of VIZCAYA!
Posted by Beth Fehlbaum on July 11, 2012 at 2:00 AM
Comment below for a chance to win a signed copy of VIZCAYA! I'll draw the winner at random this coming Tuesday!
YA Writer Wednesdays welcomes Lina Rivera, author of VIZCAYA!
Posted by Beth Fehlbaum on July 11, 2012 at 2:00 AM
Comment below for a chance to win a signed copy of VIZCAYA! I'll draw the winner at random this coming Tuesday!
Lina's on Facebook and Goodreads!
What's your book about?
Vizcaya is a coming of age, young adult novel about three teens that are starting to learn the challenges that come with first loves and unexpected friendships. Nikki is a self-motivated teen whose life is exactly how she wants it, but that all changes when she goes to the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens to work on a school project. There she meets a spoiled rich girl named Nelli who is only interested in one person - Nikki's boyfriend, Diego. In this coming of age novel, an unlikely friendship is born as the three teens embark together on a path of self-discovery, but that friendship is threatened when Nelli finally tries to make Diego hers. Nikki and Diego's love story fell apart when they met Nelli. But then again, maybe that's when it really began.
What's your book about?
Vizcaya is a coming of age, young adult novel about three teens that are starting to learn the challenges that come with first loves and unexpected friendships. Nikki is a self-motivated teen whose life is exactly how she wants it, but that all changes when she goes to the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens to work on a school project. There she meets a spoiled rich girl named Nelli who is only interested in one person - Nikki's boyfriend, Diego. In this coming of age novel, an unlikely friendship is born as the three teens embark together on a path of self-discovery, but that friendship is threatened when Nelli finally tries to make Diego hers. Nikki and Diego's love story fell apart when they met Nelli. But then again, maybe that's when it really began.
Vizcaya Links:
Official website
Amazon
Facebook
Goodreads
What inspired you to write it?
While in Miami, I visited the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens and instantly fell in love with it. It’s an enchanting place with gardens and the sea, and it’s located in the perfect tropical location of South Florida. I wanted to move in, but since that wasn’t physically possible, I decided to mentally move in and create a story that centered around it.
Follow Lina on Twitter: @TheLinaRivera
Has the reality of being published been different than you thought it would be?
I went into self-publishing having done a bit of research, so I knew it was going to require a lot of effort on my part. It was all in my hands, from making sure it was professionally edited to marketing and everything in between. The only thing that’s been different is how out of my shell I’ve actually been able to get. Once the momentum started, I found myself more along for the ride than even I could’ve predicted.
What's the best part of being published?
The best part for me is feeling like I’ve finally laid down the ground work for everything I want to accomplish. When I was still waiting for my dream agent to love my query letter, I always felt in limbo. I had my writing on my website, but even that felt like it was just aimlessly floating around. Publishing Vizcaya gave me a platform to use for helping me with my visibility and online presence. When people ask, “Who are you?” I can say, “I’m the author of Vizcaya, and here’s what I’m working on next.” It makes it a little more solid than just saying, “Oh I’m a writer, but I haven’t published anything yet.”
Who's your favorite author? What is it about his or her writing that has made you a fan?
I have so many favorites, but lately the one I keep referencing the most is Philip Pullman. I’m a huge fan of world building, and when I read The Golden Compass, I just couldn’t believe how quickly I was pulled in and how lost I got. It’s one of the most extraordinary books I’ve ever read, and it’s all because Pullman has a way with words that is incredible. I often go back just to re-read the first page, just so I can be in awe all over again.
What's the last book you read that you still haven't been able to shake off? What was it about the book that stayed with you?
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. I love the simplicity of the book because it reminds me a lot of what I did with Vizcaya. With all the trends in YA right now, the success of her book shows that there is an audience for a simple, contemporary lit story as well.
Why YA as opposed to some other genre?
I fell into YA by accident, but there’s something addictive about creating characters that are on the cusp of self-discovery. They’re at that age where they still think they can change the world, and that they’re invincible. Emotions are also high at that age. It’s just a great genre to play around with.
Official website
Amazon
Goodreads
What inspired you to write it?
While in Miami, I visited the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens and instantly fell in love with it. It’s an enchanting place with gardens and the sea, and it’s located in the perfect tropical location of South Florida. I wanted to move in, but since that wasn’t physically possible, I decided to mentally move in and create a story that centered around it.
Follow Lina on Twitter: @TheLinaRivera
Has the reality of being published been different than you thought it would be?
I went into self-publishing having done a bit of research, so I knew it was going to require a lot of effort on my part. It was all in my hands, from making sure it was professionally edited to marketing and everything in between. The only thing that’s been different is how out of my shell I’ve actually been able to get. Once the momentum started, I found myself more along for the ride than even I could’ve predicted.
What's the best part of being published?
The best part for me is feeling like I’ve finally laid down the ground work for everything I want to accomplish. When I was still waiting for my dream agent to love my query letter, I always felt in limbo. I had my writing on my website, but even that felt like it was just aimlessly floating around. Publishing Vizcaya gave me a platform to use for helping me with my visibility and online presence. When people ask, “Who are you?” I can say, “I’m the author of Vizcaya, and here’s what I’m working on next.” It makes it a little more solid than just saying, “Oh I’m a writer, but I haven’t published anything yet.”
Who's your favorite author? What is it about his or her writing that has made you a fan?
I have so many favorites, but lately the one I keep referencing the most is Philip Pullman. I’m a huge fan of world building, and when I read The Golden Compass, I just couldn’t believe how quickly I was pulled in and how lost I got. It’s one of the most extraordinary books I’ve ever read, and it’s all because Pullman has a way with words that is incredible. I often go back just to re-read the first page, just so I can be in awe all over again.
What's the last book you read that you still haven't been able to shake off? What was it about the book that stayed with you?
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. I love the simplicity of the book because it reminds me a lot of what I did with Vizcaya. With all the trends in YA right now, the success of her book shows that there is an audience for a simple, contemporary lit story as well.
Why YA as opposed to some other genre?
I fell into YA by accident, but there’s something addictive about creating characters that are on the cusp of self-discovery. They’re at that age where they still think they can change the world, and that they’re invincible. Emotions are also high at that age. It’s just a great genre to play around with.