Giveaway + Author Interwiew: Lynn Seresin, author of Thin Air

LYNN SERESIN,

author of Thin Air

I’m pleased to welcome Lynn Seresin here at The Fairytale Nerd to talk about being a her favorite books, about being a writer, and her new book, THIN AIR, available now at Amazon. Haven't read it yet? Get it now! Make it snappy! I'm telling you, it's exciting, and romantic! It's completely addicting!

Thin Air 

by Lynn Seresin

I WANT BOOK TWO NOW!

You can read my book review here.

The love interest, Daniel, is also My Book Boyfriend #3! 

Check it out here.

Lynn worked as a children's book editor and freelance writer of middle-grade fiction before writing Thin Air, the first book in the Thin Air saga. Welcome Lynn! So happy to have you here!

So, What do you do when you are not writing?
Oh, the usual--cooking, laundry, cleaning. Mostly mind-numblingly boring stuff (which is probably why I write fantasy). As for hobbies, I love designing and making jewelry. Probably the weirdest (but coolest) pair of earrings I created are these two-inch long, flat, tear-drop-shaped pieces of smoky plastic, each of which is printed with a picture of a chandelier. I glued on tiny rhinestones to look like crystals hanging from the chandelier's arms. (Yes, I actually wear these). I also do tarot readings (for myself and friends). I can't say I'm a full-fledged believer, but it's uncanny how often readings are accurate! And I'm a huge movie fan, especially fantasy and sci-fi.

What are your three favorite books?
Oooo, that's a tough one--like asking someone to choose between their children. This is definitely a moving target, but I'd have to say (at this moment) Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely (I love her voice); The Road, by Kormac McCarthy (so intense and disturbing; I couldn't put it down); and Margaret Wise Brown's Goodnight,Moon (as a children's book editor and author, I know just how hard it is to write a kiddy book; this one's a masterpiece). I also LOVE Dr. Seuss. An eclectic list, I know...

What inspired you to write Thin Air?
About three years ago,I decided to try my hand at writing young adult and the market was flooded with vampires, werewolves and zombies at the time (still is, I guess). Mind you, I like a good vampire tale as much as the next person, but I wanted to write something that was a little different. My first book was a sort of sci-fi/fantasy/alien love story and I had included a character (a sort of disembodied spirit) that I labeled a "sylph". I didn't realize until much later, when I decided to write another book (i.e., THIN AIR), that sylphs were actually part of a real mythology, which included other elemental spirits. I loved the fact that not much description or literature was devoted to these beings and the ethereal plane, so I had a blank canvas on which I could create any world my imagination came up with. For instance, the elemental rulers Paralda, Gob, and Djin are actual mythological characters. The part where an elemental can enter the human realm with Gob's help--that was my idea.

What is the worst thing about being a writer? What is the best?
The worst thing about being a writer is wondering whether anyone is going to enjoy (or even read) what you write. The world I create in my imagination is so real to me that I actually forget it's just that--my imagination. But a world populated by one person gets pretty lonely. Also, unless you're lucky enough to have an editor or agent, it's hard not to constantly second-guess yourself when you make decisions about your characters or storyline. There's always a nagging voice in the back of my head asking, "Does this work?" "Will readers buy into this relationship or plotline?" "Will they like this character enough to keep reading?" I essentially write in a vacuum and hope what comes out will be something people will enjoy.

The best thing? That's easy. I get to live in an amazing, make-believe world where I'm in control, 24/7. I can kill anyone who's annoying or bitchy, make or break relationships, and (vicariously) be a winged air spirit, a stout gnome king, or a homeless fire spirit--I'm only limited by my own imagination (which has always been frightingly vivid).Every since I can remember, I've led a rich, inner life; probably the product of being an only child growing up in an apartment in New York City's Greenwich Village. I actually still have "novels" I wrote and illustrated when I was in second and third grade. One of them, "The Prism of True," was about a girl who looks through a prism and when she takes it away from her eyes, she's in a magical, new world. Hilarious!

Choose: the one who loves you or the one you love? Explain.
The one who loves you. Falling in love is easy, but finding someone who'll stick by you and think you're beautiful even when you're PMS-ing, insecure, annoying, breaking out--that's golden. Hold onto it when you find it, and fight for it, at all costs.

If you are invisible, what is the first thing you would do?
Hopefully not what Aeris does when she sneaks into Daniel's tent and finds him and Delilah making love!!! I'm tempted to say, sneak into concerts and sit on the lap of someone with a front-row seat (Hey, wait--am I weightless, too? If not, I'd still sneak into concerts; I'd just stand as close to the stage as possible.)

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
I actually had to peruse a copy of my book to answer this one. No phrases jumped out at me (although I think I used "fear-fueled" at least twice--is that too much?) As for words, I'm probably guilty of one too many "whispered," "gazed" and "sighed".

What is the message (from your books) that you want to convey to your readers?
I'm so glad you asked this one, 'cause it's important. Of course, I want my readers to enjoy the book, and I don't pretend to have authored a masterpiece here. I write to entertain--myself and others. But I do hope that readers come away with a sense of acceptance for ALL sorts of people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. This subject is particularly close to my heart for reasons I don't wish to disclose right now, but I definitely had an agenda when I included Dante and Shane in the storyline, and made Ignis (a former fire spirit) gay. THIN AIR is not a "gay" book, but, through the harmonious interactions of its characters, it does exemplify a willingness to embrace (and even celebrate) differentness. Perhaps if young readers are exposed to loving and accepting characters, they'll come to adopt a similar attitude in their everyday lives. That's why I mention Lady Gaga and Adam Lambert (who was the inspiration for Dante) in my acknowledgments. Adam and Gaga convey this spirit in their work and their public personas. I applaud them both (and happen to love their music, too).

If you could change one character in your book, who would it be? Why?
Giovanni, definitely. Frankly, I think he's a bit of a bore. In fact, I banish him to Italy in the sequel. I figure he'd be happier studying jewelry design in Palermo, anyway. I'm not sure why, but I just don't think he quite came together as well as some of the other characters in the book.

Daniel (the love interest in the book THIN AIR) is doing intense spring cleaning. What is easy for him to throw out? What is difficult for him to part with? Why?
Well, definitely NOT his beloved pig collection--that's for sure! I see Daniel as a bit of a lovable slob, so he'd probably be tossing empty water bottles, granola bar wrappings, sheets of staff paper with bits of songs scribbled on them in notation. I also see him as something of a pack rat--hence, the pig collection--so I think Daniel would have a problem parting with stuff, in general--especially gifts from friends and things connected to loved ones. He'd definitely hold onto anything associated with his early experiences with Alice--movie stubs, Metropolitan Museum of Art badges, concert flyers. He's a hopeless romantic, after all.

What makes Alice (the protagonist) laugh out loud?
Probably Daniel, when he's being playful and silly. And I'm sure Dante can elicit a belly laugh or two from her, too. I also think as Alice grows more comfortable with her "human-ness", she'll develop more of a sense of humor about herself and be able to laugh at her own shortcomings.

Who is your favorite fictional hero?
I'd have to say Aislinn from "Wicked Lovely". She feels real--tough but vulnerable. Superwomen like Katniss (The Hunger Games) and Katsa (Graceling) are terrific heroines--and I love both of those books--but they sometimes feel a bit too impervious to fear, a little to self-possessed.

flats or heels?
Flats during the day and heels with eveningwear. I'm only 5'1" and tend to disappear completely in crowds. I love heels--but my feet and lower back don't--so I treat them like a rich dessert--acceptable in small helpings.

kindle or nook?
Both. I've got software for Kindle and Nook on my iPhone and eReader, so I'm ambi.

ice cream or yogurt?
Ice cream, hands down (especially soft serve vanilla with strawberry topping). Hey, I could go for some of that right now...

coffee or tea?
Decaf coffee with CoffeeMate hazelnut creamer (lots of it, so it's more like warm, melted ice cream than a breakfast beverage) in the A.M.; decaf tea with cream and sugar at bedtime.

What is the last movie you've seen?
In the theater, "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" (loved it!). Last night, courtesy of Netflix, "The Adjustment Bureau" (saw it in the theatre and really enjoyed it, so I was up for a second viewing).

What is your greatest extravagance?
My tattoos. I've got two butterflies on my right shoulder and a partial girdle of morning glories, calendulas, columbines, hummingbirds, forget-me-nots, and more butterflies that wrap around my hips and trail halfway down my left thigh. The old adage, "A good tattoo is never cheap, and a cheap tattoo is never good" is absolutely true. I'm probably wearing over a grand of ink, courtesy of the talented and nimble-fingered Sharon Bradbury. Hope to get more, too, in the future--and only from Sharon. I'm very loyal.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
First and foremost, my friends and family happy, healthy, and rocking their worlds, each in their own, unique way. Then, the ability to continue to write and have a readership that supports and enjoys my work. It's what I do best, and it's when I'm at my best and most fully myself. Nothing would make me happier.

What was most surprising thing you learned in writing your books?
That such a completely solitary activity as writing could bring me into contact with so many wonderful people, like you, Joanne, and the other book bloggers who have offered encouragement and praise. It makes those hours struggling over adjectives, tweeking commas, and running fictitious dialogues in my brain all worthwhile.

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Thank you for your time Lynn... I know you're busy writing writing Book 2 of the Thin Air Saga, which I am very eager to get my hands on!

And Lynn is oh so very generous to offer THIN AIR eBooks (from Amazon) to FIVE LUCKY WINNERS! 

Giveaway Rules:

Open to persons 13 years old or older.

Only one person per entry. Those exceeding one will not be considered.

This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL.

Contest ends on SEPTEMBER 2, 2011.

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Extra entries will be given to those who will:

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     - spread the word about this giveaway (+2) 

Just  tweet this!

Win THIN AIR by Lynn Seresin (5 winners!) @lynnsere  at 

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For a more detailed information on the rules, please read the Contest Policy.

Now, fill out this FORM, and win THIN AIR BY LYNN SERESIN! ended September 2, 2011