AUTHOR BIO:
Tracy Deebs is the YA pseudonym of romance novelist Tracy Wolff. Tracy Wolff collects books, English degrees and lipsticks and has been known to forget where—and sometimes who—she is when immersed in a great novel. At six she wrote her first short story—something with a rainbow and a prince—and at seven she forayed into the wonderful world of girls lit with her first Judy Blume novel. By ten she’d read everything in the young adult and classics sections of her local bookstore, so in desperation her mom started her on romance novels. And from the first page of the first book, Tracy knew she’d found her life-long love. Now an English professor at her local community college, she writes romances that run the gamut from contemporary to paranormal to erotic suspense.
Author photo courtesy of GOODREADS.
Tracy Deebs is the YA pseudonym of romance novelist Tracy Wolff. Tracy Wolff collects books, English degrees and lipsticks and has been known to forget where—and sometimes who—she is when immersed in a great novel. At six she wrote her first short story—something with a rainbow and a prince—and at seven she forayed into the wonderful world of girls lit with her first Judy Blume novel. By ten she’d read everything in the young adult and classics sections of her local bookstore, so in desperation her mom started her on romance novels. And from the first page of the first book, Tracy knew she’d found her life-long love. Now an English professor at her local community college, she writes romances that run the gamut from contemporary to paranormal to erotic suspense.
Author photo courtesy of GOODREADS.
Why mermaids?
I love mermaids. Love, love, love mermaids. When I was very young (about three or so) my father brought home a VHS tape of Hans Christian Andersen’s version of The Little Mermaid (long before Disney made a version). Though it was really dark and ended with the little mermaid becoming sea foam instead of living HEA with her prince, I fell in love with the story the first time I saw it. From then on, I was all about mermaids. I watched the movie every day (and I mean every day) for three years. My mom swears to this day that she can recite the dialogue word for word. While I eventually outgrew my obsession with mermaids, when I sat down to write my first YA and was still undecided about what paranormal creature I wanted to tackle, my agent asked, “How do you feel about mermaids?” Instantly, I was right back where I started all those years ago and knew I wasn't going to be happy writing about anything else.
Which character was the hardest for you to write?
Tempest’s mom. She was a killer for me, largely because I figured I’d hate her completely. But as the story evolved, I realized there was a lot more to her decision than I originally thought there would be. Trying to show that, in Tempest’s first person, while holding on to Tempest’s very justified anger, was difficult. I hope I pulled it off …
If you were creating a soundtrack for TEMPEST RISING, what five songs would you include?
How about eight songs?
Dirty Little Secret—The All-American Rejects
Crash Into Me—The Dave Matthews Band
Soul to Squeeze—Red Hot Chili Peppers
Secrets—One Republic
Don’t Speak—No Doubt
Something Beautiful—Need to Breathe
I Can’t Stay—The Killers
I Will Follow You Into the Dark—Death Cab for Cutie
What is your favorite thing(s) to do when not writing?
I love to shop, hang out with my four guys, swim, dance, read whatever I can get my hands on, go to movies and hang with my friends.
Are you working on a new writing project? If so, can you share some details?
My next YA book is a contemporary called THE INTERNATIONAL KISSING CLUB by Ivy Adams. I wrote it with two of my closest writing friends and it is due out January 2012. It’s the story of four small-town Texas girls who become international exchange students to search for life, love and Facebook fame. To document their kissing exploits, they form the IKC Facebook page and record points for kisses. Much to their shock, the International Kissing Club teaches them more about themselves and their friendship than they ever imagined possible.
My next YA on my own is a dystopian story tentatively titled Zero Day. It’s a modern-day Pandora story, but instead of opening a box, my Pandora opens an attachment and hearkens technological Armageddon. It’s due out in January 2012. And if things go well with Tempest Rising, the next Tempest book will be coming soon after that …
Thanks so much for having me. You've got a great blog and I really appreciate you making time for me!
TEMPEST RISING cover art courtesy of GOODREADS.
I received an ARC of TEMPEST RISING from the publisher, WALKER BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS.
I love mermaids. Love, love, love mermaids. When I was very young (about three or so) my father brought home a VHS tape of Hans Christian Andersen’s version of The Little Mermaid (long before Disney made a version). Though it was really dark and ended with the little mermaid becoming sea foam instead of living HEA with her prince, I fell in love with the story the first time I saw it. From then on, I was all about mermaids. I watched the movie every day (and I mean every day) for three years. My mom swears to this day that she can recite the dialogue word for word. While I eventually outgrew my obsession with mermaids, when I sat down to write my first YA and was still undecided about what paranormal creature I wanted to tackle, my agent asked, “How do you feel about mermaids?” Instantly, I was right back where I started all those years ago and knew I wasn't going to be happy writing about anything else.
Which character was the hardest for you to write?
Tempest’s mom. She was a killer for me, largely because I figured I’d hate her completely. But as the story evolved, I realized there was a lot more to her decision than I originally thought there would be. Trying to show that, in Tempest’s first person, while holding on to Tempest’s very justified anger, was difficult. I hope I pulled it off …
If you were creating a soundtrack for TEMPEST RISING, what five songs would you include?
How about eight songs?
Dirty Little Secret—The All-American Rejects
Crash Into Me—The Dave Matthews Band
Soul to Squeeze—Red Hot Chili Peppers
Secrets—One Republic
Don’t Speak—No Doubt
Something Beautiful—Need to Breathe
I Can’t Stay—The Killers
I Will Follow You Into the Dark—Death Cab for Cutie
What is your favorite thing(s) to do when not writing?
I love to shop, hang out with my four guys, swim, dance, read whatever I can get my hands on, go to movies and hang with my friends.
Are you working on a new writing project? If so, can you share some details?
My next YA book is a contemporary called THE INTERNATIONAL KISSING CLUB by Ivy Adams. I wrote it with two of my closest writing friends and it is due out January 2012. It’s the story of four small-town Texas girls who become international exchange students to search for life, love and Facebook fame. To document their kissing exploits, they form the IKC Facebook page and record points for kisses. Much to their shock, the International Kissing Club teaches them more about themselves and their friendship than they ever imagined possible.
My next YA on my own is a dystopian story tentatively titled Zero Day. It’s a modern-day Pandora story, but instead of opening a box, my Pandora opens an attachment and hearkens technological Armageddon. It’s due out in January 2012. And if things go well with Tempest Rising, the next Tempest book will be coming soon after that …
Thanks so much for having me. You've got a great blog and I really appreciate you making time for me!
TEMPEST RISING cover art courtesy of GOODREADS.
I received an ARC of TEMPEST RISING from the publisher, WALKER BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS.
Thank you, Tracy Deebs, for joining me and my readers today. I enjoyed reading TEMPEST RISING and am looking forward to reading your future works also!
For more information on TEMPEST RISING and Tracy Deebs, visit her BLOG and the TEMPEST RISING FACEBOOK page. And don't forget to check out Tracy Deebs' Top Ten List HERE.
Tracy Deebs will be participating in the Thrills and Chills Teen Book Tour. Click HERE for more information.
Click here to purchase TEMPEST RISING from The Book Depository.
