1 | Cathy C. Hall Writes

Last week, blogger, writer, and friend Gail Handler, tagged me for The Next Big Thing, a blog tag for women writers started by She Writes. The idea is to promote your “next big thing” or what we writers call our “work-in-progress.” And Gail sent along a list of questions for me so that I could answer them and promote myself and my next big thing (without seeming really pushy).

What is your working title of your book?

The After Fairy Tales

Where did the idea come from for the book?

I’ve always loved fairy tales, but I’ve always been bothered by that “happily ever after” ending. I mean, sure, it was probably happy for Cinderella, but what about that poor step-sister who chopped off her toe, trying to fit in the glass slipper? What the heck happened to her? So I wondered…what came after the happily ever after?

What genre does your book fall under?

Are fairy tales a genre?

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

Since the book is designed to include three or four stories, there’s no main character. But I’d really like to see Will Ferrell as an imp named Witherhinds. And Johnny Depp as…well, honestly, Johnny could play any role he wanted. Or just hang about, chatting wittily with the screenwriter/author.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

It’s after the happily-ever-after ending when the best stories begin.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

I sure hope it will be represented by an agent.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

Um, still working on the rewrite. The first story, “Rumpelstiltskin’s Revenge,” was so much fun to write. I think I whipped through that one in a couple of weeks. I’m revising “Beauty and her Stone Sisters” and haven’t quite got round to the last fairy tale. But in my defense, I have a couple of “next big things” I’m finishing.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

It’s sort of a variation-on-a-fairy tale-theme like Adam Gidwitz’ A TALE DARK AND GRIMM (which I loved). But it’s outrageous, too. Lisa Yee critiqued the first story and said it reminded her of THE PRINCESS BRIDE (which I also love).

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

I fell in love with fairy tales when I was very young. But even as a child, I had this sense that some fairy tales lacked a certain sense of fair play. I mean, sure, the giant wanted to kill Jack. But Jack stole that golden-egg-laying goose. Then Jack chopped down the giant’s home. Is that fair? I think not.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Did I mention that it’s funny? You cannot read about squishing body parts and reanimated, smelly corpses, and folks falling into fiery volcanoes and not laugh. Am I right?

A big thank you to Gail for tagging me! And I’m tagging a couple of awesome writers, too. Next week, Debra Mayhew and Sioux will be answering ten questions. I can’t wait to hear what their Next Big Thing will be!

Whenever I go to writer’s conferences, an attendee will ALWAYS ask, “Do I need to have a blog?” and “Do I need to be on Facebook? Or Twitter?”

And the professional–editor, agent, publisher or author–will say, “It’s not absolutely necessary, but it’s a very good idea.”

That’s the short answer. The long answer is that first, what you write needs to be good. All the blogging and social media in the world is not going to make stinky writing smell nicer. But if you have sweet writing, then blogging and social media will give you a step up, will show professionals that you are a savvy writer as well as a good writer.

WOW!Women-on-writing’s issue this month is all about blogging and social media. What that means for you, dear writer, is a fun way to get all the info about this topic, whether you’re just getting started or you haven’t begun. Or even if you’ve been at it for a while and think you know everything (ahem) because now there’s Pinterest and really, shouldn’t you at least have an idea what that’s all about?

So. The next time you’re at a conference, you can sit there, nice and smugly and in the know and skip the lecture about “Why Blogging and Social Media Are a Good Idea.” Maybe you can pass notes to your friends instead (I recommend sitting on the back row).