What is the best writing advice you’ve ever received?
Edit, edit, edit.
Do you have a website/blog where readers may learn more about you and your work?
Yes, it's CeliseDowns.com.
Do you have another book on the works? Would you like to tell readers about your current or future projects?
The Draven Atreides, Teenage FBI series will be my main focus. I plan to have 10 books in the series. A Royale Pain (Book One) will be released April 17, 2009, on Teen Literature Day. Book Two, A Whole Latte Trouble, will be released in Oct 2010, during Teen Read Week (date subject to change). I also might try writing adult romance, but start out with a short story first, just to get my feet wet.
Anything else you’d like to say about yourself or your work?
To introduce people to the series, and Draven, I'm currently posting the unedited version of A Royale Pain on my blog. 'Miss Snitch Mondays' occur, well, every Monday, where I will be posting a few pages each week until release day. This is basically the first draft of the book, before I sent it off to my editor and didn't really do much of a spell check (I'm almost done with revisions and will be sending it back to my editor soon). It's pretty raw. At the end of each post, blog readers will be able to get on the Pre-Order Notification List and have a chance to order the book at a discount.
I'm also the President of Youthful Wisdom Press, a traditionally independent company that publishes fiction and non-fiction written by teens, ages 13-17. We will be accepting submissions starting June 1. Currently, the site is being re-designed and should be done by the end of this month. Interested parties can get on the Notification List by sending their name and email address to info@geminimojopress.com.
Thanks for stopping by! It was a pleasure to have you here!
Article comments
1 - Donna McDine
Mayra, great interview. Celise, I find it very interesting that you don't work with a critique group. Goes to show everyone works differently. Best wishes,
Donna McDine