The Crossroads Tour: Day 10 Rosemary Clement-Moore

Thanks for meeting us at The Crossroads! Today we're featuring YA paranormal author,
Rosemary Clement-Moore. Rosemary is special to the Wolfy Chicks as she is one of the original members of the Class of 2k7 (of which we are now a part of the Class of 2k10), and she was kind enough to do a book quote for Under My Skin. Rosemary is one busy author, touring around and presenting at many conferences, as well as producing numerous young adult novels.

1. What do you struggle with the most when writing a first draft?

Second guessing myself. There are all these little forks in the road. Should I tell this chapter this way or that way? Should this happen now or later? Sometimes I have a hard time trusting my own judgement and try it several different ways before settling on something. Not very efficient at all!

2. Fav line from any of your novels?

Oooo, too hard to pick. But here is a completely arbitrary line from Prom Dates From Hell:
The blackness in the mirror twisted and contorted in fury, and then turned in on itself and disappeared, leaving the word “Soon” superimposed on my pallid reflection.

3. Did you write stories as a teen? If yes what has/hasn’t changed?

Oh, yes. I wrote stories while I should have been doing other things. I think the biggest thing that’s changed is that now when I start a book, I (usually) finish it!

4. Was it difficult to switch from the Maggie Quinn series full of zinger/sarcastic attitude and witty observances to the more thoughtful, flowing prose of The Splendor Falls?

The voice of each novel came very naturally from the narrating character, so once I got a handle on the different character--and Sylvie is SO very different than Maggie--the switch wasn’t particularly difficult. They’re both challenging in their own way, because Maggie has to stay zippy, but the attitude can’t get in the way of telling the story. And in The Splendor Falls, I’ve got this character who’s much more thinky… but I also have to keep things moving.

My next book, Texas Gothic, which comes out next June, is sort of a blend of the two voices. I’m hoping it strikes a good balance between the depth of one and the zip of the other. Lots of humor, and lots of snappy dialog.