Fiction of the Week for August 3: Wake (Surprise Author Visit!)
Wow… Are you guys in for a special treat or what? The Word Out Team managed to have the author of Wake participate in this week's blog! 🙂 Wake won'the Battle of the Book back in early July!!!
As you know if you've read WAKE, a portion of the book (a Very Important Part) takes place in Canada, in Stratford. I can't tell you how many Canadians have told me how much they loved that. But for me, it was just writing what I know.
The truth is, that part of the story came from my life. Not the dream thing (wouldn't that be horrible??) but the going to Stratford thing as a senior in high school. It was a memorable trip, though we did it all in one (very very) long day, rather than overnight. And I think we saw MacBeth.
Since high school, I've been to Toronto a couple of times — one of my college roommates was from Hamilton, ONT so we visited there a few times and drove into Toronto, which I loved. I very much hope to visit there again some day soon. But, uh, I live in Arizona now, so I'm hoping I can visit Toronto when it's not, like, freezing cold. :)
So, Elsa has a couple questions for me?
E (Elsa): With all the press about your books and everyone knowing who you are, how do you deal with all this popularity?
L (Lisa): Oh, ho ho. Well, there are the bodyguards and then there is the armed security on the roof and the electric fence around the house — it's very dangerous being a reclusive writer. Also, the paparazzi is so annoying, always taking photos of me in my jammies, and my red carpet totally needs to be cleaned daily because of the desert dust blowing on it constantly. It's a tough life.
Actually, I live a very normal life. Nobody ever recognizes me (a perk of being an author who is not Neil Gaiman or J.K. Rowling) and I still have to clean the cat litter box, just like everybody else (well, everybody who has cats, that is. If you are cleaning a cat litter box and you don't have cats, please consider therapy).
I do get a lot of fan mail through my website, and I try very hard to answer each one personally. At one point, I had to send a form letter to about 100 fans because the inbox was beyond hope, but then I caught up again and I am now only about two months behind. (Secretly, the best place to find me and get a quick answer to a question is on Facebook or Twitter. But shhh…don't tell the USians).
E: Are there any special events in your life which inspired your books?
L: When I was in fourth grade (er.. grade four, I mean — must speak Canadian) my teacher chose my story as the best in the class. I still remember very clearly him taking me aside and telling me that I would be going to something called Young Author's Conference, which turned out to be an amazing day at a college where real authors congregated to spend time with people like me. It was amazing, and I remember thinking, "When I grow up, I'm going to be a writer."
For WAKE specifically, I was inspired by a dream I had. I dreamed I was in my husband's dream, watching what he was dreaming about. I woke up, wrote down the idea, and in the morning it didn't sound stupid. So I set off to work on it, and now here we are, winning Toronto's Best Library Branch's Battle of the Books. Amazing.
Take care, and please do check my website for a link to a FREE (FREE!!) short story download in early August. It's called Cabel's Story, and it's, uh, Cabel's story — what he does during that 24 hours he's alone in Stratford. You won't want to miss it!
xox
Lisa
196 thoughts on “Fiction of the Week for August 3: Wake (Surprise Author Visit!)”
Wow what a great interview! When i was reading the interview, i found it interesting that Lisa wanted to be a writer ever since elementry school, and now she is a writer just like she wanted! So Congratultaions on making your dreams come true and not what many people get. Its also cool to be insipred because you had the idea to write Wake because you had a dream that you were in your husbands dream! I never knew that Wake was taking place in Canada! Not many books take place in Canada but your american i’m guessing so its special that you chose Canada!
Wow what a great interview! When i was reading the interview, i found it interesting that Lisa wanted to be a writer ever since elementry school, and now she is a writer just like she wanted! So Congratultaions on making your dreams come true and not what many people get. Its also cool to be insipred because you had the idea to write Wake because you had a dream that you were in your husbands dream! I never knew that Wake was taking place in Canada! Not many books take place in Canada but your american i’m guessing so its special that you chose Canada!
Oh, and by the way, great interview Elsa 🙂
Oh, and by the way, great interview Elsa 🙂
Hamdi, thanks for taking the time to read the interview.
I think it’s also cool that Lisa included Canada in her book too. 🙂
Hamdi, thanks for taking the time to read the interview.
I think it’s also cool that Lisa included Canada in her book too. 🙂
Whao! This is wikkid! So wikkid. The interview was wikkid beyond words!
Lisa is awesome!
Whao! This is wikkid! So wikkid. The interview was wikkid beyond words!
Lisa is awesome!
Good job! Great interview~
Good job! Great interview~
Awwww… Thanks, Devi. 🙂
Awwww… Thanks, Devi. 🙂
WOW… lucky!!!
WOW… lucky!!!
Lisa sounds like a spontaneous, down-to-earth person.
Lisa sounds like a spontaneous, down-to-earth person.
Awesome interview!! 😀
n yeah i agree with Shel, Lisa sounds like a down-to-earth person…i like that!! She is also very funny… =P
Has she written any other books?
Awesome interview!! 😀
n yeah i agree with Shel, Lisa sounds like a down-to-earth person…i like that!! She is also very funny… =P
Has she written any other books?
Wow 🙂 Awesome interview and haha she’s funny 🙂
Wow 🙂 Awesome interview and haha she’s funny 🙂
Tashvnuva, for more information about Lisa and her book, check out http://www.lisamcmann.com 🙂
Cheers!
Tashvnuva, for more information about Lisa and her book, check out http://www.lisamcmann.com 🙂
Cheers!
Eee! She mentioned J.K Rowling.. I’ve been reading Harry Potter for the whole reading club only so far. lol
Eee! She mentioned J.K Rowling.. I’ve been reading Harry Potter for the whole reading club only so far. lol
Wow what a great interview! When i was reading the interview, i found it interesting that Lisa wanted to be a writer ever since elementry school, and now she is a writer just like she wanted!Your interview has inspired me to read more books as wells as many start thinking if ideas nyself . Which could help me become a author as well I never knew that Wake was taking place in Canada! Hope you keep writing more books !!
Wow what a great interview! When i was reading the interview, i found it interesting that Lisa wanted to be a writer ever since elementry school, and now she is a writer just like she wanted!Your interview has inspired me to read more books as wells as many start thinking if ideas nyself . Which could help me become a author as well I never knew that Wake was taking place in Canada! Hope you keep writing more books !!
Intresting book 😉
Intresting book 😉
Great interview!~ i really liked it
Great interview!~ i really liked it
Lisa..really a nice name 😀
Lisa..really a nice name 😀
I wanna be a writer one day just like how lisa wanted to. Wonderful interview
I wanna be a writer one day just like how lisa wanted to. Wonderful interview
I really like the interview!
I really like the interview!
WOW! I just finished Cabel’s Story and even that little snapshot from his perspective added a whole level of depth to Wake. I love it when author’s reiterate the story through the eyes of a different character – who isn’t the orginal narrator. I believe Stephenie Meyer planed to do that with Twilight, through Edward’s perspective called Midnight Sun. However, last I heard of it, the project was shelved because of some privacy issues. In some ways, you could draw parallels between the two books, Wake and Twilight. but Wake definitely stands at the top of my pile of “Favourite Books” – and Cabel’s Story just made its position at the top a litle more solid! 🙂
WOW! I just finished Cabel’s Story and even that little snapshot from his perspective added a whole level of depth to Wake. I love it when author’s reiterate the story through the eyes of a different character – who isn’t the orginal narrator. I believe Stephenie Meyer planed to do that with Twilight, through Edward’s perspective called Midnight Sun. However, last I heard of it, the project was shelved because of some privacy issues. In some ways, you could draw parallels between the two books, Wake and Twilight. but Wake definitely stands at the top of my pile of “Favourite Books” – and Cabel’s Story just made its position at the top a litle more solid! 🙂
Cool! Q&A!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cool! Q&A!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Very good Questions and answer. it did help shed some light on the story more so very well done
Very good Questions and answer. it did help shed some light on the story more so very well done
Ya it is very amazing that she was able to stay true to her dreams and become a writer like she wanted
Ya it is very amazing that she was able to stay true to her dreams and become a writer like she wanted
And she’s quite funny, i like her personality throughout the who story. VERY well done indeed.
And she’s quite funny, i like her personality throughout the who story. VERY well done indeed.
I think this may just make me want to check out her other books.
I think this may just make me want to check out her other books.
What a delightful author. though this is not the first time i’ve read a authors questions and answer but it is the first time i read it all the way through simply funny and awesome
What a delightful author. though this is not the first time i’ve read a authors questions and answer but it is the first time i read it all the way through simply funny and awesome
I just want to know how long did it take here to acheive here dream. what like what were the problems along the way
I just want to know how long did it take here to acheive here dream. what like what were the problems along the way
Oh yay i was the first person on the second page. I’ll definately check out her website and see if her other books are jsut as intresting
Oh yay i was the first person on the second page. I’ll definately check out her website and see if her other books are jsut as intresting
I guess it’s true that not all authors get hge fame right away but i’m sure if she keeps working at it she;kk become as famous if not some as them
I guess it’s true that not all authors get hge fame right away but i’m sure if she keeps working at it she;kk become as famous if not some as them
Reading her interview inspires me to try my own best to acheive my dreams as well
Reading her interview inspires me to try my own best to acheive my dreams as well
Though they may be as difficult as flying to the moon they’re also both not impossable which i’m truly glad.
Though they may be as difficult as flying to the moon they’re also both not impossable which i’m truly glad.
Lisa is a really likeable author-she’s so funny! After reading this interview, I’m defintely tempted to read “Wake”, and “Cabel’s Story.” Thank-you Elsa for the interview -very interesting/entertaining to read.
Lisa is a really likeable author-she’s so funny! After reading this interview, I’m defintely tempted to read “Wake”, and “Cabel’s Story.” Thank-you Elsa for the interview -very interesting/entertaining to read.
Awesome interview
Awesome interview
lol ya that’s so true. her personalty oozes out of the words. if we’re able to connect to her through her interview then she’s really good and she’ll make it out there
lol ya that’s so true. her personalty oozes out of the words. if we’re able to connect to her through her interview then she’s really good and she’ll make it out there
Oh i never knew that the book also happened here (took place) that pretty cool. it’s nice ot know that canada is going places even into books
Oh i never knew that the book also happened here (took place) that pretty cool. it’s nice ot know that canada is going places even into books
Stratford? I love Canadian connections in books! It helps me relate to the characters of books sometimes. I feel that I will love the book. Once I read it. : )
Stratford? I love Canadian connections in books! It helps me relate to the characters of books sometimes. I feel that I will love the book. Once I read it. : )
OMG! I am so envious that u got to talk to Lisa McMann!!! I am a huge fan of Wake and I can’t wait to read Fake. I seriously love the series and i hope it doesn’t end with Wake.
OMG! I am so envious that u got to talk to Lisa McMann!!! I am a huge fan of Wake and I can’t wait to read Fake. I seriously love the series and i hope it doesn’t end with Wake.
Ya she is pretty lucky to be able to talk to an author as big as Lisa is now
Ya she is pretty lucky to be able to talk to an author as big as Lisa is now
Great! Can’t wait!
Great! Can’t wait!
Thanks for all the compliments! 🙂
Cindu, trust me. I am still thanking my lucky stars for this rare opportunity to talk to Lisa. And I am contemplating whether I should buy a lotto ticket to stretch my luck. haha! 😀
Thanks for all the compliments! 🙂
Cindu, trust me. I am still thanking my lucky stars for this rare opportunity to talk to Lisa. And I am contemplating whether I should buy a lotto ticket to stretch my luck. haha! 😀
wow thats awesome, she knew she was gonna be a writer at such a young age =)
wow thats awesome, she knew she was gonna be a writer at such a young age =)
It’s amazing how strong willed some people are if they really want something they wouldn’t let anything get in their way. like me lol. but ya if you’re that type of person you’re definately have life planned out for you at a much younger age than most others
It’s amazing how strong willed some people are if they really want something they wouldn’t let anything get in their way. like me lol. but ya if you’re that type of person you’re definately have life planned out for you at a much younger age than most others
It’s only natural, but i like to think of it more as an insticnt. but ya it’s amazing how many kids and teen know exactly what they want to do from when they were young
It’s only natural, but i like to think of it more as an insticnt. but ya it’s amazing how many kids and teen know exactly what they want to do from when they were young
lol that’s really cool, considering how i’m still trying to figure out what i wanna do though i’m already in highschool
lol that’s really cool, considering how i’m still trying to figure out what i wanna do though i’m already in highschool
Well actually i have decided that i want to be in business just not ezxactly what field. but i’m lucky that i still have time to decide
Well actually i have decided that i want to be in business just not ezxactly what field. but i’m lucky that i still have time to decide
Annie: Girl go for it, don’t stop until you’re spent. when you get lucky ya never think abut getting unlucky you just gotta keep on going. I’m hoping that made sence.
Annie: Girl go for it, don’t stop until you’re spent. when you get lucky ya never think abut getting unlucky you just gotta keep on going. I’m hoping that made sence.
Pickford: Oh wow awsome someone else who would like to go into business same here. who know someday we might both be in the business world
Pickford: Oh wow awsome someone else who would like to go into business same here. who know someday we might both be in the business world
I got to say that I read the book and let me tell you I couldn’t put it down also I love how Elsa did the interview. Great interview Elsa!!!!
I got to say that I read the book and let me tell you I couldn’t put it down also I love how Elsa did the interview. Great interview Elsa!!!!
I’m still hearing lot’s of good things about this, so i can’t wait to get the book. and ya Elisa did do a great job and should be proud of herself
I’m still hearing lot’s of good things about this, so i can’t wait to get the book. and ya Elisa did do a great job and should be proud of herself
It’s not evertday that you get to interview a rising author, and do it so well. and not even be trained for it. but elisa pulled it off so that’s simply amazing in my books
It’s not evertday that you get to interview a rising author, and do it so well. and not even be trained for it. but elisa pulled it off so that’s simply amazing in my books
Thanks for taking the time to read through the interview, Fatima and Mary.
Definitely thank you for the compliments. 😀
Thanks for taking the time to read through the interview, Fatima and Mary.
Definitely thank you for the compliments. 😀
The interview sounds interesting. Lisa, from the interview, sounds like a very casual talker, which is nice because then it doesn’t intimidate the interviewer. Anyways, I haven’t read Wake yet but I definitely will try to!
The interview sounds interesting. Lisa, from the interview, sounds like a very casual talker, which is nice because then it doesn’t intimidate the interviewer. Anyways, I haven’t read Wake yet but I definitely will try to!
The interview sounds interesting. Lisa, from the interview, sounds like a very casual talker, which is nice because then it doesn’t intimidate the interviewer. Anyways, I haven’t read Wake yet but I definitely will try to!
The interview sounds interesting. Lisa, from the interview, sounds like a very casual talker, which is nice because then it doesn’t intimidate the interviewer. Anyways, I haven’t read Wake yet but I definitely will try to!
Wow!!! Such a great interview. There are so many reasons for me to like this interview. One, Lisa is great person, who not only inspired me but encouraged me to belive that what we think is what we can become if we focus on it. This interview forced me think out of the box, which I could never do. what i think of this interview is “If you have a mystery to become something, then you should find the key to reveal it within you.
Wow!!! Such a great interview. There are so many reasons for me to like this interview. One, Lisa is great person, who not only inspired me but encouraged me to belive that what we think is what we can become if we focus on it. This interview forced me think out of the box, which I could never do. what i think of this interview is “If you have a mystery to become something, then you should find the key to reveal it within you.
I really liked the interview! It was funny.:) Lisa sounds like a really good author, and now I want to read “Wake” because of it!
I really liked the interview! It was funny.:) Lisa sounds like a really good author, and now I want to read “Wake” because of it!
Wow great interview! I hope that we’ll be able to get more and more authors to talk about their work in the future! Wake is indeed a really cool book! Happy Reading Day everyday
Wow great interview! I hope that we’ll be able to get more and more authors to talk about their work in the future! Wake is indeed a really cool book! Happy Reading Day everyday
I was watching the Book trailer for Wake on Lisa’s website and I think it’s pretty scary…in a good way. It seems really freaky and mysterious. Nice trailer
I was watching the Book trailer for Wake on Lisa’s website and I think it’s pretty scary…in a good way. It seems really freaky and mysterious. Nice trailer
wow, great review about the author, maybe i will read some of her books by her
wow, great review about the author, maybe i will read some of her books by her
she seems like a cool author…
the interview was also interesting
she seems like a cool author…
the interview was also interesting
WOAH.
this is so cool because i was just online amazon browsing books when i saw Wake and i was really interested in it so i decided to buy it and now i see this and i’m like what a super awesome coincidence! 😀 i totally can’t wait until i get the book now!
WOAH.
this is so cool because i was just online amazon browsing books when i saw Wake and i was really interested in it so i decided to buy it and now i see this and i’m like what a super awesome coincidence! 😀 i totally can’t wait until i get the book now!
Wake was unique and definitely a page-turner! I can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel Fade, and after reading Cabe’s story made me even more impatient! It’s no surprise at all that this book won’the Battle of the Book. Lisa Mcmann is also a very wonderful author, and it show in her humorous responses!
Wake was unique and definitely a page-turner! I can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel Fade, and after reading Cabe’s story made me even more impatient! It’s no surprise at all that this book won’the Battle of the Book. Lisa Mcmann is also a very wonderful author, and it show in her humorous responses!
It is truly a unique book, and though i havn’t had the chance to read it, i’ve heard many great things about it and can’t wait for the chance to read it so hopefully it’ll be a soon
It is truly a unique book, and though i havn’t had the chance to read it, i’ve heard many great things about it and can’t wait for the chance to read it so hopefully it’ll be a soon
I think wake is one of those special series that has great pontential to be a very great book, it all determines on how the author has written the book. ’cause though the plot is great if the characters aren’t likeable it’ll all be worth nothing in th eend
I think wake is one of those special series that has great pontential to be a very great book, it all determines on how the author has written the book. ’cause though the plot is great if the characters aren’t likeable it’ll all be worth nothing in th eend
Trust me there was been many books before wher the plot was had so much potential to become big but sadly either the characters get messed up and aren’t created to fit the situatons, or throughout the story something happens that totally makes the story not as exciting or fun anymore, but i think Wake will be a pretty good story
Trust me there was been many books before wher the plot was had so much potential to become big but sadly either the characters get messed up and aren’t created to fit the situatons, or throughout the story something happens that totally makes the story not as exciting or fun anymore, but i think Wake will be a pretty good story
Also Fade seems quite intresting, so i also put a hold on that book as well
Also Fade seems quite intresting, so i also put a hold on that book as well
Is Gone a sequel or is it another side of the story like i’ve be hearing i’m not sure after reading the espert on the website
Is Gone a sequel or is it another side of the story like i’ve be hearing i’m not sure after reading the espert on the website
sorry meant expert
sorry meant expert
Well i’v heard that there will be a cable version, but i don’t remember if it was Gone or not, I’ll have to look into it as well
Well i’v heard that there will be a cable version, but i don’t remember if it was Gone or not, I’ll have to look into it as well
Well it’s ok i guess, I wonder if the Cable version is true how it’ll turn out, ’cause i remember them saying there will be a Edward version of twilight but that didn’t work out so i just need confirmation on this one
Well it’s ok i guess, I wonder if the Cable version is true how it’ll turn out, ’cause i remember them saying there will be a Edward version of twilight but that didn’t work out so i just need confirmation on this one
I wonder if this’ll become the new Twilight. It is pretty good so far though i havn’t had the chance to read the book yet. Just depends on how much publicity it can get.
I wonder if this’ll become the new Twilight. It is pretty good so far though i havn’t had the chance to read the book yet. Just depends on how much publicity it can get.
Hmm, that is true it really does depends on the oublicity and word of mouth ’cause i think that
‘s how twilight got so big. But also Wake can definately hold it’s on weight
Hmm, that is true it really does depends on the oublicity and word of mouth ’cause i think that
‘s how twilight got so big. But also Wake can definately hold it’s on weight
sorry meant publicity, i remember when i first heard of twilight it was from one of my friends. and that was atleast months before it became big
sorry meant publicity, i remember when i first heard of twilight it was from one of my friends. and that was atleast months before it became big
Well i heard of twilight atleast a whole year before it became big, but didn’t burrow it until after it became big.
Well i heard of twilight atleast a whole year before it became big, but didn’t burrow it until after it became big.
Wake is a awesome series so far, depending on how the author decided to make the characters is the eciding plot on wheather it’ll be big or not i guess
Wake is a awesome series so far, depending on how the author decided to make the characters is the eciding plot on wheather it’ll be big or not i guess
Sadly that’s all too true, best example for me would be Twilight. I loved twilight the book, but all the others were like Wat the Fudge. so sometimes the authors mess up the plot of their stories expecially in a series. so you never know in a series
Sadly that’s all too true, best example for me would be Twilight. I loved twilight the book, but all the others were like Wat the Fudge. so sometimes the authors mess up the plot of their stories expecially in a series. so you never know in a series
Wake has a solid book
Wake has a solid book
Well that is true and all i can hope for is that it’ll be a good book in the end
Well that is true and all i can hope for is that it’ll be a good book in the end
True, ’cause we can’t ever give up on a book all we can do is to forge on and keep reading
True, ’cause we can’t ever give up on a book all we can do is to forge on and keep reading
True, that’s what i always do when reading a book, especially if i start not liking it i just tell myself to go on and keep reading
True, that’s what i always do when reading a book, especially if i start not liking it i just tell myself to go on and keep reading
’cause in the end that the onbly thing we cann all really do
’cause in the end that the onbly thing we cann all really do
Even in life, sometimes we find stuff that we don’t like but we can only keep going forward
Even in life, sometimes we find stuff that we don’t like but we can only keep going forward
Ya, so i wonder what’ll be the next weeks book of the week
Ya, so i wonder what’ll be the next weeks book of the week
interesting interview..wish i were there
interesting interview..wish i were there
Well we all know it’ll be a good book
Well we all know it’ll be a good book
I think Gone is the last book in this trilogy.
I think Gone is the last book in this trilogy.
it is isn’t. well i hope it’s as good then
it is isn’t. well i hope it’s as good then
but serously then what is the name of the book that i’ve been hearing about that’s caleb version
but serously then what is the name of the book that i’ve been hearing about that’s caleb version
Oh never mind, sorry i just read it. sorry my fauly i should have finsished reading the article before i posted. but caleb story is that just a STORY. but it’s coming out later. And the rest of the book are the real books ok
Oh never mind, sorry i just read it. sorry my fauly i should have finsished reading the article before i posted. but caleb story is that just a STORY. but it’s coming out later. And the rest of the book are the real books ok
Does anyone know where to enter if you know what the secret title is?
Does anyone know where to enter if you know what the secret title is?
Just go to the top secret link, and diasble pop up blocker temporarly and you’ll be able to do it
Just go to the top secret link, and diasble pop up blocker temporarly and you’ll be able to do it
I wouldn’t be surprised if Fade is the next weeks book. ’cause i really liked it after reading the expert
I wouldn’t be surprised if Fade is the next weeks book. ’cause i really liked it after reading the expert
Wow so a part did take place in stratford. but where’s stratford
Wow so a part did take place in stratford. but where’s stratford
lol no clue at all
lol no clue at all
You know what Google it
You know what Google it
Simple as that just google it, and you’ll know
Simple as that just google it, and you’ll know
Well atleast that’s what i ususally do, when i can’t figure something out on my own fast enough
Well atleast that’s what i ususally do, when i can’t figure something out on my own fast enough
It’s nice that she get’s a lot of fan mails but holy moly, how does she ever reply to them fast enough.
It’s nice that she get’s a lot of fan mails but holy moly, how does she ever reply to them fast enough.
Do they have like a automatic message they can send
Do they have like a automatic message they can send
Probaly, but i still think she tries to be as authenthic as possiable in her messages/replys
Probaly, but i still think she tries to be as authenthic as possiable in her messages/replys