Visit with LM Preston

www.lmpreston.com

Today we're visiting with LM Preston, author of EXPLORER X - ALPHA. You can find TRT's review of the book right here.

For most kids, a trip to space camp is the trip of a lifetime for Aadi it was life altering. After receiving a camp immunization needed for travel to Mars, Aadi finds that the immunization is the catalyst of an insidious experiment. He realizes what is happening too late for a change of fate. The full experiment is set in motion when he and his co-pilot, Eirena, crash in a distant galaxy called Shrenas, where they change and realize the full extent of their power. This turn of events forces him to grow up quickly, accept his change, and to decide to save a world, or to do what he was trained to do dominate it. His power is coveted by the warring leaders of Shrenas, and he is forced to choose sides a decision that may prove just how much humanity he has left.



EXCEPTING THE UGLY PART OF NOT BEING A FOLLOWER

When I sit down to write my novels from a teenaged perspective, I have a lot of material to pull from. I was called all sorts of names, teased, and jeered at. I wasn’t the lowest on the totem pole, but I was somewhere near the bottom middle of the middle school pecking order. Yet, through these experiences I learned something about myself. I was a survivor and I was never a follower.

THE LEADING MOMENT

The kids in my neighborhood would spend tons of time making up games. One we played was truth or dare. Usually I wasn’t invited to play because I was the youngest kid in the neighborhood. However, this particular time, they allowed me to play. It seemed like the best day of my life. I was going to play with the big kids, and no longer follow behind them. That day, I had arrived at the table with the big boys. Talk about the strut of acceptance, I was on cloud nine.

THE SET UP

The game went on as usual. Dare’s were made, secrets were told and the bottle was spinning. Finally, it was my turn. My moment, my acceptance, and then it came. The kid that had made the last spin, looked at me with a sneaky grin, and I knew immediately that I was doomed.

THE DARE

“I dare you to eat this beetle!” the kid said. I gulped. Then I compared the penalty for not going through with a challenge. The penalty was to let every kid spit in your face. The decision was difficult, the choices were both gross. However, I refused to be made to eat something that I didn’t want. Something that was dead, big, black, squishy and down right disgusting. It had the ooze of entrails dried on each side of its gut. Yuck!

STANDING UP TO MY SO-CALLED FRIENDS

At that moment of recognition, I felt strong and fierce. Ok, no really I was scared to death. However, I stood and said , “I renege on the dare!”. There were gasps, snickers, and whispers. I held my ground, stuck out my chest and licked my lips. “You know what that means don’t ya?” the kid with the dead fat beetle snickered.

“Yeah, and I don’t care!” I said, and swallowed as a tear ran from my eye. Man I was so angry. The other kids bustled to stand in line in front of me. Never before in our game of Truth or Dare had someone challenged their fate. I was the first, and they relished in the chance to demean me further.

There I stood, as each kid gathered as much saliva in their mouths as possible and spit in my face. My eyes closed as I felt the thick, cool, wet globs slide from my forehead, down my nose to my lips. I held back a gag.

Finally, it was over. My best-friend, who was last in line did a fake spitting sound that held little or no power. Then she took out a tissue and wiped my face. “Why didn’t you just do the dare? “

I opened my eyes and smiled at her then said, “Cause I didn’t want to.”

HOW THESE EXPERIENCES AFFECT MY WRITING

I love to write about kids that go against expectations. Kids that, like me, were oddballs, imperfect, unpopular - yet strong. I was a lot of things, but no one (except my parents) had the ability to make me do something I didn't want. I had an inner stubborness that just didn't let me concede. That attitude saved my life many times. If ever you don't want to follow your friends, dig deep, stand up, and be a leader.

In EXPLORER X - ALPHA, Aadi does this even when he is not sure of the consequences. Staying true to yourself is the best thing you can ever do - for you!

Also, look out for THE PACK, coming out in Fall, 2010 about Shamira who's blind, but with her enhanced abilities brings down a crime organization that has kidnapped kids on Mars. She and her friend Valens uses the organizations victims against them, and saves her planet from destruction.



I had the chance to ask Ms. Preston a few questions about her life and writing, which she graciously answered for me to share with all of you!

1) If you could bring any character from one of your books to life, who would it be and why?

Oh, wow! I only have to pick one? Then it would have to be Aadi, because Aadi has the ability to reach them all. Aadi is the main character in EXPLORER X – ALPHA. He is given an extraordinary gift from his mother. A gift that allows him to contact anyone he desires, and to do so much more. It’s the one thing that separates him from the other characters. Not only is he a leader, but he has the ability to contact and find the others in his team. He can reach them telepathically. It sets him apart from the others, and gives him access to their pain, changes, and location.

2) Your own six-word memoir.

Difficult beginning, to a boundless end.

3) Twitter your newest or upcoming release in 140 characters or less.

EXPLORER X – ALPHA, 2/2010 Built to conquer worlds? Who would want to control u? See: Book Trailer.

4) You have the chance to spend the day with any character from one of your favorite books. Who would you choose and why?

I would spend the day with Harry Potter (HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE is my favorite). I love watching magic shows, and would love to be taken to a far off place where I can see magic and be a part of it. My family and I go to a place called Magiquest, where we have wands and go on scavenger hunts. The items open with a flash of our wands and we can even have dueling matches with dragons.

5) What was your favorite book growing up as a teen?

Growing up I read a lot of horror, mysteries, and Greek mythology. A book I read more than once was, it was by Frank Peretti, THIS PRESENT DARKNESS. It combined my Christian upbringing with my passion for horror and mystery.

6) When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I had no idea what I wanted to be. I just wanted to do something fun. I loved to write poetry and short stories, and wanted to create things.

7) Your favorite subject in high school – and your least favorite.

My favorite subjects were English and Math. I hated history with a passion, and social studies even more.

8) The one book everyone in the world should read.

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD is a definite must read. I had to read it in school and didn’t regret it. I actually re-read it last year with my teenager, and then we watched the movie together.

9) The book you wish you had written.

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA. I love this series and THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE isn’t the first book. It’s the most popular, but the first few books explains it all.

10) Your five favorite reads from 2009 (books you read during the year; they do not have to have been published during 2009).

THE CHILD THIEF (was my favorite). The MAXIMUM RIDE series, The UGLIES series, and THE LIGHTNING THIEF.

11) The 2010 release you’re most looking forward to reading.

WORST CASE by James Patterson.

12) If your mom wrote the author profile for the jacket of your next book, what would she write?

LM Preston was a stubborn, fanciful girl who always saw the glass half full. Always had a smart comeback for anyone who told her ‘no’, and would always find a way to turn the ‘no’ into a ‘yes’.

13) Your family has the chance to describe you for an interview. What ten words would they say describe you best?

Good-natured
Nurturer
Determined
Positive
Relentless
Persuasive
Tenacious
Fun-loving
Encourager
Vertically Challenged (wink)

14) You have the chance to go back and change a scene from one of your previous releases. What book would you choose, what scene would you change, and how would you alter it?

In EXPLORER X - ALPHA, I would have given more detail to Shrenas. When I read over it now, I realize that I saw so much more than I put on paper. I saw a world that at night was covered in snow and ice. It had two full moons high in the sky that lit up the dry land every morning. In the day, the two suns made the land so bright and shiny, despite the wreckage caused by the war.

15) You’ve invented a new national holiday. What is it called, and what does it celebrate? (Plus, would we get the day off of school and work??)

Pamper Yourself Day! Whahoo! The purpose of this holiday would be to do something to spoil yourself. Anything, but you would have to do it in order to have the day off.

16) Using the letters J L W (my initials!), create the title of your next bestseller. (For example, Jumping Love Walrus.)

Just Like War

17) What is your astrological sign?

I am a Taurus :-D

18) You’re going off your diet for one day and only eating food from restaurants. What do you eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? (Include the restaurant each meal comes from.)

Breakfast: Bob Evans – Blueberry pancakes with bacon, large glass of milk
Lunch: Houlihan’s – Buffalo style Chicken Fingers, Salad, Sweet Tea
Dinner: Cheesecake Factory – Bang Bang Chicken & Shrimp, Tuxedo cheesecake for desert, mango smoothie

Now, I will admit, I love food.

19) What is your ultimate vacation destination?

Greece – my dream trip. I’ll get there, it’s on my bucket list.

20) The world has suffered from a one-day only loss of power. You have no cell phone, computer, lights, or anything else that requires a computer, cell battery, or electricity. What do you spend the day doing?

With four kids, I have to play. Probably hide and seek.

21) If you weren’t an author, what job would you be doing?

Although I am an author, I still have other careers. I always say, why just have one when you can do anything. I am a wife, mother, engineer, professor, and author.

22) You get the chance to star in an upcoming film release. What movie would you star in for your acting debut? (If you can’t choose an upcoming film, you can choose a past release.)

I would really love to be in The Lightening Thief.

23) You’re invited to a White House function, and you have the chance to give a 10-minute speech to the President and everyone else attending. What do you speak about?

I would speak about Never Giving Up. I had lots of people tell me the many things I couldn’t do. If I had listened to the many people who told me ‘no’ I would have never accomplished all that I have.

24) Your publisher has instructed you to write a new series based on an endangered species. What animal do you choose?

Siberian Tigers, I love cats.

25) A movie is being made of ONE of your books. Which book is it, and who will star as the main characters?

Wow, I would love a movie of EXPLORER X - ALPHA.
Aadi would be played by: Noah Gray-Cabey
Eirena would be played by:Selena Gomez for
Damien would be played by: Forrest Landis
Scott would be played by: Tyler James Williams.
Dakota would be played by: Alexander Ludwig.
Carter would be played by: Andy Scott Harris.
Tacitus would be played by: Carter Jenkins.
Raiko would be played by: Brenda Song.

26) The paranormal genre is big in teen/YA literature right now. Most bestsellers feature vampires, werewolves, faeries, angels, or the like as a main character. In your opinion, why are teens currently fascinated with all things paranormal?

I believe teens have always been. I used to eat this stuff up when I was younger. I wanted the thrill and excitement of reading about these types of characters. It’s the main reason we like to be scared, for the thrill of it.

27) You’re writing a book where you can change one major historical event. Which event do you change? (For example, Abraham Lincoln wasn’t assassinated, or Japan never bombed Pearl Harbor.)

I would write a book where my main character stops the effects of 9/11. Of course, my main character would be a teenager :-D

28) Remember those “classics” that you were made to read in high school English class? What was your favorite, and which title should students never have to be subjected to reading?

I loved THE DIVINE COMEDY (DANTE'S INFERNO). It was amazingly graphic and scary as it outlined the seven levels of hell. I couldn’t wait to get to school and read the next chapters.

Hum, I really can’t think of any that I didn’t like. I generally read most anything.

29) Someone tells you that you’ll never publish another book that you write. Do you still keep writing?

Yep, I write as an obsession, and escape from everyday life. It’s like a mental vacation. Also, my kids love to read my stories.

30) A group of teens ask you the best way to become a published writer. How do you answer the question?

FINISH THE DARNED THING: Finish your book.
EDIT IT YOURSELF FIRST: Edit it yourself at least 4 times.
FIND GINEA PIGS: Beta Readers should read it – your friends or anyone that will.
EDIT IT AGAIN: While utilizing feedback from betas.
LEARN THE PUBLISHING BUSINESS: Learn the business that you want to handle your work.
DECIDE ON WHAT YOU WANT FROM WRITING: Figure out what’s most important to you.
WRITE A QUERY LETTER TO SEND TO AGENTS: Write a ‘sales letter’ to Lit. Agents.
QUERY LETTER READY? SELL THAT BABY: Mail it out to agents that like your genre.
NO WEAKLINGS ALLOWED: You have to be able to take rejection – and a lot of it.
NO AGENT IS BITING? SELL DIRECTLY TO PUBLISHER: Never give up.
STILL NO BITES?: Consider doing contests, blogs, submitting to magazines or anthologies.
KEEP WRITING: Always keep writing. Do this in order to improve, have more products to sell, and to grow as an author.

**Thanks so much to LM for visiting with us today! Be sure to visit her at her website listed above, or you can find her at her Blog, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, or Blazing Trailers.

She'll be stopping by later today to see what we're discussing, so be sure to leave any comments or questions you have for her in the comments section!