Forgot to post this! I did a book launch post for WHEN THE BUTTERFLIES CAME at
www.fromthemixedupfiles.com site with research and writing experiences/tips as well as a MARVELOUS giveaway of a signed hardcover, bookmarks and a butterfly/key necklace! (Photo below).
Here it is below . . . and go
HERE to enter by 10 p.m. tonight! Winner announced Thursday.
It’s almost Summer – have you planted your Butterfly Garden yet?
May 31, 2013
It’s a New Book Release and Giveaway for one of our very own Mixed Up Files Authors . . .
***A magical mystery!***
MUF: Why did you decide to make this story for middle grade readers?
I adore MG literature because the stories and emotions are so
heartfelt and speak to the pivotal changes that go on in a kid’s life
when they’re between 10-12. Reading was my *real* world when I was a kid
. . . I read a book a day. Or better yet *devoured* a book a day. I was
EXTREMELY shy as a child and my parents worried about me because I
didn’t talk much to other people. Books were my lifesaver and best
friends. We still have quite a close relationship and send greeting
cards and yearly letters to each other – well mostly me to them – every
chance we get.
The nice thing about middle Grade is that even though its meant for
children, adults can read them too, but those are the adults that still
view the world as magical and wondrous–and it’s nice that there are so
many of them! I try to oblige that love (for everyone of all ages).
MUF: What was your favorite part of the book writing process?
I love when I’m thinking of a new book idea and my mind is working
subconsciously – and suddenly ideas start spilling into my brain and I
can’t write them down fast enough. That’s why I love first drafts more
than revision. It’s all so exciting as the ideas pour out and they get
down on paper. But you have to trust the process. Some days you’re
pulling your hair out wondering how it’s all going to fit together, and
then suddenly the Idea Goddess waves her sparkly wand and blesses you.
Researching all the gorgeous butterflies from around the world was
fascinating as well as discovering the Island of Chuuk and talking to
people who had lived there. Micronesia and Chuuk, especially, has a
fascinating history!
MUF: Can you share an excerpt from the book that gives us a flavor of your character’s voice?
“The butterfly’s tiny black eyes fix on mine. We stare at each other,
and it’s almost as if that butterfly is looking at me and knows who I
am. Like it’s got a
brain and is
thinking.
That’s when I hear music again. Not Riley’s rock music rattling my
brain, making me want to crunch my teeth. This is angel music, delicate,
unearthly, filling me up until my heart feels like it’s gonna burst.
This butterfly ain’t no regular butterfly!”
MUF: How did you come up with your characters voice? It started when my mind kept turning to one of the minor character from my previous book
Circle of Secrets. I found myself wanting to know more about Tara Doucet. She’s a 7
th
generation *Pantene Princess* of the Doucet family who lives in an old
plantation house in the South. I mean, who doesn’t want to be Scarlett
O’Hara! *Voice*, for me, comes after many hours of daydreaming about my
character and mentally and visually putting myself in her shoes. I
thought about Tara’s personal foibles, mannerisms, expressions,
relationships, motivations, problems, friends and family.
A very curious picture began to emerge—not one I’d originally
assumed. The most popular girl at school with silky waterfall hair was
actually living in a crumbling mansion house (the trust fund is gone and
they’re trying to “keep up appearances”) with a bratty older sister who
wears combat boots—and she’s got a touch of OCD. The rug fringe in the
front hall must be perfectly laid!
The person Tara is closest to, her Grammy Claire, is a research
scientist studying some unusual butterflies in Micronesia. She’s even
got a laboratory in a tree house. I also *love* the name for butterfly
on the island of Chuuk:
nipwisipwis – and with that word ideas for the story began to burst forth. Tara receives a set of mysterious letters and keys—
from beyond the grave—which
leads her on a dangerous journey as she discovers more and more about
the butterflies. There are bad guys, too! Tara finds out she’s smarter
and tougher than she ever thought, and, of course, the relationships of
the characters is always a big component in my books as well as the
magical realism.
MUF: Why did you choose the setting of your story?
I love islands and beaches and miss the ocean where I grew up near
San Francisco living in the desert and mountains of New Mexico. Of
course, The Doucet Mansion is set in the bayous/swamps of Louisiana in
the small town of Bayou Bridge, but Grammy Claire’s research is on a
remote island and her laboratory is in a tree house! Both settings are
unusual and mysteriously beautiful. I was also looking for an excuse to
justify a research trip out there since the waters are so pretty and the
spa treatments so relaxing.
(Kidding!)
MUF: What can you tell us about your research process? What was your most unusual source?
Finding information about the Island of Chuuk was tricky, (especially
since its on the other side of the world!) I scoured and read
everything on the internet. Then I found some blogs by people who’d
lived there – and got to talk to them by phone, which was extremely
helpful. Then I went on Youtube and found some marvelous videos filmed
on Chuuk as well as lots of articles about the island. I even spent
hours poring over the Chuukese/English dictionary.
MUF: Who is your cover artist? Illustrator? Is the character in the illustration as you imagined him?
I’ve been blessed by the Cover Goddesses, too. Erin McGuire did the artwork for
Circle of Secrets and Scholastic was so pleased they asked Erin to create the artwork for
When the Butterflies Came, too.
The
two books have a completely different look, but the colors pop off the
shelf and they’re gorgeous. Erin blogged about her process of creating
my cover here. (You may be surprised at the other book jackets she’s
done!):
http://emcguire.blogspot.com/2012/07/when-butterflies-came-process.html
MUF: Do butterflies ever follow you?
Only on sunny, happy days. (Or the days I use rose scented perfume.
It attracts them like moths to the flame! I usually feel like I’m being
stalked by the Butterfly Paparazzi. I know I occasionally stalk them
with a camera hoping for a perfect shot.) Or maybe butterflies *create*
sunny, happy days! Butterflies are magical because they go through this
incredible metamorphosis, changing from a green, icky caterpillar into a
peculiar chrysalis and then burst out of their cocoon into a gorgeous
colorful butterfly. Sort of like reincarnation or resurrection!
MUF: Was there a teacher or librarian in your childhood who inspired or empowered you to be a writer?
My 8th grade teacher raised his eyebrows when I turned in a *novel*
instead of a term paper, but he was very empowering when he had me
reading the Classics and writing projects the other students weren’t. He
encouraged me to keep writing and gave me a sense that I had a spark of
talent. I think it may have been more
desire than talent because it took a REALLY LONG TIME to get published, but I still think about him and his encouragement.
MUF: What is your favorite…place to write? Work day snack?
My brother and his family came down and invaded my already stuffed
house a couple Christmases ago and built me a writing cottage on the
back of our one-acre property so I could get away from the crazy and
just write. It was exactly what I needed but needless to say *the crazy*
has a tendency of following me out there on little children’s feet.
Writing breaks usually include a Large Dr. Pepper w/Ice and a salad from
a local pizza place or if I’m feeling in need of a particularly large
amount of “Inspiration”, then a large batch of homemade chocolate chip
cookies followed by a short sugar coma on my daybed.
And now for a Spectacular Giveaway!
A signed hardcover of WHEN THE BUTTERFLIES CAME
*PLUS* pretty bookmarks
*PLUS* a butterfly/key necklace!
Just leave a comment and you’re entered! If
you share on your blog/Facebook/Twitter, etc. please let us know and
your get your name added an extra time for more chances to win!
***Winner announced on Thursday, June 6th! The book trailer for WHEN
THE BUTTERFLIES CAME will air that day as well so come back for all the
fun!
Kimberley Griffiths Little just turned in the manuscript for her
next magical realism novel for Summer 2014 – which includes
time-slipping and a cursed doll. You can find her hanging out a lot on Facebook.
(Check our her recent FB photo album of Petra, Jordan – yep, another
book research trip!) Enjoy Teacher’s Guides and Mother/Daughter Book
Club Guides and “filmed on location” book trailers at her website.
Ca
To find teach
workshop and has been a speaker at many conferences. 
Caroline Starr Rose spent her childhood in the deserts of Saudi Arabia
and New Mexico, camping at the Red Sea in one and eating red chile in
the other. She's taught English and social studies to upper elementary
and middle-school students in New Mexico, Florida, Virginia, and
Louisiana. Back in New 
as two more forthcoming novels in 2012 and 2013.
workshop and has been a speaker at many conferences.
