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Saturday, February 8, 2014

3-Year Blogoversary Party ~ Guest Post: From Chick Lit to the Apocalypse by Krista McGee (with giveaway!)


From Chick Lit to the Apocalypse
By Krista McGee
“What did you find most challenging when switching from contemporary fiction to futuristic?”

I’ve gotten several variations of this question over the last few months. My first three books were humorous modernizations of biblical stories. I loved writing those. I read lots of “chick lit” and enjoy a good laugh, especially when paired with a Christian message. And I would have been very happy to keep writing those stories.

But my publisher wanted me to branch out and explore another love – science fiction. With the popularity of the Hunger Games, the folks at Thomas Nelson asked if I’d be willing to write a YA Christian dystopian novel. I love dystopian – Brave New World has been a favorite of mine since college. And, though I was a bit nervous at the prospect of tackling a new genre, I was excited about the opportunity to stretch as a writer.

So what was most challenging? Creating a world that doesn’t exist. In my contemporary novels, the setting was “real” – Tampa, Nashville, Orlando, Long Island, Spain, Costa Rica…all real places, where I have spent time and could describe, based on firsthand experience. But in Anomaly, I had to “create” the world. What would it look like? What materials would be used? Where did people sleep? What did they eat? So many unknowns!

I found, as I began brainstorming, that this was actually quite fun. Because my contemporary novels were based on biblical stories, even those plots and characters were already created for me. My creativity came into play moving those into the modern world, making Esther, Rebekah, and Ruth 21st Century teens. With Anomaly, I had a blank slate when it came to characters and plot. I could go anywhere I wanted, do anything I wanted. There is great freedom in that!

With my contemporary books, I wrote out detailed plot summaries before I began writing the novels. I knew exactly where I was going and how I would get there. With Anomaly, I had just a basic outline. I’d sit down every day and just pray for the next chapter, the next twist. Some days, it would come as I was writing! It was an exhilarating, faith-building experience.

The dialogue was different, as well. The Anomaly trilogy is written in first-person, and reflects a futuristic world. Thalli doesn’t speak like Addy, Kara, or Natalia spoke. She doesn’t use slang, doesn’t even use contractions. Her speech reflects her education, which is focused and formal, detached. There’s not much humor in the State, either. That was hard for me. I love humor. But I had to be true to the characters and the world in which they live.

While I am the same writer for both genres, I had to tackle them each in different ways. But I found it to be far more exciting than intimidating, and I am grateful my publisher trusted me enough to let me make that change. So what’s next…? Who knows!

~

About the author:



When Krista McGee isn't living in fictional worlds of her own creation, she lives in Tampa and spends her days as a wife, mom, teacher, and coffee snob. She is also the author of Anomaly, First Date, Starring Me, and Right Where I Belong. Twitter: @KristaMcGeeYA Facebook: Krista Abney McGee

http://www.kristamcgeebooks.com/




Enter for a chance to win a copy of Anomaly and Luminary by Krista McGee!!! Giveaway is only open to US residents. Ends 2/15

How to enter: Sign into the Giveaway Tools form below (it might take a moment to load) and submit each entry you complete. Commenting alone will not get you entered – you must click enter on the form. Happy entering!

Open only to those who can legally enter. Winning entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Giveaway Tools and announced here as well as emailed and will have up to one week to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Giveaway Tools or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. I am not responsible for any packages lost or damaged in the mail. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

37 comments:

  1. I imagine that must be very challenging! Like you with your first series, my historical romances are set in places I've been or can learn more about through research. But to create an entirely new world - that's quite a feat. I'm hoping to genre jump after I complete this series, so I'm looking forward to stretching my writing muscles soon, too. :)

    Thank you for the great post and the chance to win your books! I've read Anomaly, but I would very much love a chance to read Luminary!

    ~Amber

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    1. I love historical fiction! Blessings as you "leap" into another genre!

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  2. These sound so good!!! I have not read any of your books but look forward to doing so in the future.

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  3. I LOVED Anomaly... cannot wait to read the next books in the series!

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  4. I've read your other books and really loved them and I've been wanting to try out Anomaly. It looks really good and really different from all your others, like you said in your interview. I'm sure I'll love it just the same. :)

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  5. thanks for the opportunity to read these fabulous novels

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  6. Thank you for insight on your writing life!!! Love it!

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  7. What a fun interview! I'm off to check out both of your series, they sound awesome! :)

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  8. My teenage son loves dystopian books. He would be so excited if I won this giveaway.
    koho143 (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  9. I would love to win these books! I love dystopian YA and I have heard so many amazing things about Anomaly and Luminary! Can't wait to read them!

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  10. These sound great, I saw Anomaly in the bookstore and thought it looked interesting. When I saw it was Christian fiction that intrigued me more. We need more dystopians with a Christian theme or background.

    Nice guest post and thanks for the giveaway.

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  11. Yay! I love YA, and I love dystopian novels. :) I'm excited about reading these.

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  12. I am always amazed at how author's create new worlds and even though I haven't read Anomaly yet I'm sure you did an amazing job! :)

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  13. What a lot of creativity and vision Krista must have to create another world!

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  14. Entered to win. Would love to review, read and pass on to someone.
    jrs362 at Hotmail dot com

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  15. I've heard so many good things about this series! I'm very curious!

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  16. Looking forward to reading LUMINARY -- enjoyed ANOMALY. Good job!

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  17. I love the idea of updating the Bible stories; I think a lot of young people think what relevance the Bible has for today's world, and writing novels like that would help fill that gap.

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  18. Where do all these ideas for your books develop fromIt is amazing to me.

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  19. I love to read "futuristic" books. I am looking forward to reading the Anomaly series!!! Thanks! Rhonda

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  20. Awesome post! I would love the chance to win Anomaly!

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  21. Now that you have spread your wings into dystopian what genre would you like to try next?

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  22. I'd love to win a copy of Krista's book! I've heard lots of good things about them :-)

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  23. I have been waiting to read these books and heard good things about them. I have teen sons who love the dystopian genre (me too!) and I am glad to see some Christian novels appearing in the field. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  24. I've read Anomaly and just bought Luminary the other day. I love anything that Krista writes! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  25. I have wanted to read this for a while.

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  26. These books have been on my TBR since the moment I saw them. They just look so good!!!

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  27. What kind of genre would you like to try out next? Will you write more science fiction or take a break and write something else?

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  28. Both books sound so good. I would love to read them. Thanks for having the giveaway.

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  29. I LOVED your first trilogy. They wefe an amazing read.

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  30. Both sets of books sound fascinating. :)

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  31. I have not read either of these books, but I'd like to. They look good!

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