One of the many things I love as a book blogger is that I get the chance to interview authors and let the whole Internet world about it. I get to ask questions that I am really curious about and get to know the author better. We are celebrating Sci-Fi Month and I am very happy to tell you that I am interviewing Lorijo Metz, a sci-fi author, mom, dog owner and more. Take a look! Also, don't forget to enter the giveaway at the end of the post. :)
Ara: Let’s all welcome Lorijo Metz at My Book and My Coffee! Hi there! How have you been? Thank you for doing this interview. I am really grateful. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
Lorijo: Wow, at my age trying to tell you a “little bit” about myself is like trying to whittle down War and Peace into a picture book. So, I’m thinking highlights would be appropriate. When I was about two-years-old, an old gypsy woman told my darling mother that I would be a writer. The one and only time I used a Ouija board, it told me I would marry someone whose name began with TM. (My husband’s name is T-Metz.) If I’m not traveling with my husband, then I spend just about every day the same way. I walk my dog, I drink a lot of coffee and then I spend the rest of the day writing. And, while I love Sci-fi, my favourite show right now is GIRLS on HBO.
Ara: Thank you for sharing these highlights! :) That gypsy woman is gooood! :) I’ve read on your bio that you have a degree in acting and directing. Soooo cool! Lorijo Metz – writer, actor and director. WOW! Please tell us more about your acting and directing gigs.
Lorijo: HA! Yes, I do have a degree in acting. A degree, which by the time I got it, I knew I didn’t want. I’m so much more comfortable being creative in private. That said; I’ve performed lead roles in everything from Gilbert and Sullivan to Guys and Dolls. Directing wise, it’s been mostly children’s theatre, which I hope to do more of in the future. I love live theatre, but have an especially fond place in my heart for community theatre.
Ara: Ahh... children's theatre! I love it. It's always fun! Before we talk about Wheels, your YA sci-fi adventure novel, I have to ask this: When did you realize that you wanted to become a writer? And do you have any advice to bloggers out there who want to become a writer, too?
Lorijo: LOL! I didn’t so much realize, as I was told. If you read the About Me page on my website, you’ll understand. Suffice it to say, I had no choice in the matter. As for advice on writing…butt in chair, write! After you write, edit, and then edit some more. Join a writer’s group and share your work. Don’t be afraid of feedback. Take writing classes, learn how to use social networking—and most important—read.
Ara: "Barbarrrrrra, your-a third child. A girl. She’s-a not going to be so lucky. She’s-a not going to be so talented . . . She’s-a going to be a wrrrriter!" - I absolutely love your About Me page! Let’s talk about your book, Wheels. I've read it and I just have to say (although I know I've mentioned this in my review - but I can't stop saying this, apparently), it's A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Gosh, Lorijo, you're so talented! I look forward to read more books from you! :) For our readers, please tell us more about your book.
Lorijo: Imagine if you took Superman, dropped him on Krypton and told him everyone was depending on him to save the planet. As you know, Superman does not have super powers on Krypton. It’s his home world, so he’s just like everyone else. (Yes, I know, Krypton was destroyed. This is an alternative Superman universe.) Anyway, that’s the idea behind WHEELS. The superpower my protagonist, McKenzie Wu, possesses is extraordinary by Earth standards, so I had to get her to a planet where her power was plain old ordinary. Then, of course, I had to ask her to save not only the planet, but also the boy she likes. The truth is, even though Wheels is a science fiction novel, at heart, it’s a story about a 14-year-old girl coming to terms with her own baggage.
You can read the blurb about Wheels in any number of places on the web, from Amazon to Goodreads, and check out the reviews as well (I’m amazed by how good they are…well, so far.). Anyway, it’s my first novel and I certainly hope it will not be my best... or my last. But, I had a rollicking good time writing it!
Ara: Was it hard to create McKenzie’s character?
Lorijo: Yes! In fact, after completing the first few drafts, I had to go back and tweak her quite a bit. I’d given her too much baggage. I didn’t like her anymore. She wasn’t any fun. However, I suspect you’re referring to the fact that she uses a wheelchair. That part wasn’t as difficult to write, because I never let it define her. In fact, I was extremely pleased that the first few reviews didn’t even mention her wheelchair.
Ara: I noticed that while reading the book. You never really did let it define her. Thank you for sharing these details. Any ongoing/future projects we should be excited about? :)
Lorijo: I am so excited to announce that ACX, Amazon’s audio book division, paid to have WHEELS produced as an audiobook. While I have a picture book and close to 30 educational books through traditional publishers, WHEELS is my first self-published project. The fact that Amazon thought enough of it to pay for the audio production is amazing! Most important, actress Lauren Baldwin did an outstanding job narrating it! I recently listened and laughed and loved all 10.5 hours of it. Look for the audible version to be available on Amazon, Audible.com and iTunes--if not by the time this interview comes out--then very, very soon.
One more plug – I wrote a children’s song that was picked up by singer song writer, Owen Duggan, and has recently been released as the title track on his wonderful Children’s CD Puppy Dog Jig. Look for it wherever music is sold.
Ara: You are a busy woman, Lorijo! You're awesome, I just have to say. :) Before we end this interview, I just have to ask these:
Coffee, sweet tea or hot cocoa?
Lorijo: Coffee. (Specifically: A quad shot, venti skim latte with extra caramel drizzle)
Ara: Ooohhh! Yum! If you have to choose one sci-fi book as your absolute favourite, which would it be?
Lorijo: Without a doubt, Isaac Asimov’s Foundation Novels. Oh… but I really, really enjoyed Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, as well. Wait—I going to have to pick Dune, by Frank Herbert—but only the first book, not the series.
Ara: I will check that out! I've been hearing a lot of good things about that book. And lastly, who is your favourite ‘friend’ from F.R.I.E.N.D.S.?
Lorijo: Rachel – I love her sense of humour.
Ara: Rachel Green! LOVE HER, TOO! Thanks so much for answering my questions! :)
Lovelies, check out Lorijo's YA, sci-fi, adventure novel, Wheels!
Wheels by Lorijo Metz
... Enter the Giveaway here:
1 lucky winner
Audible copy
Giveaway is International
Ends on November 29, 11:59 PM
Winner will be chosen on November 30
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