A number of authors are participating in The Next Big Thing Blog Hop. What’s that, you ask? It’s an opportunity for readers to learn about an author’s next big thing–a book, movie, research trip, conference, etc. by hopping from blog to blog. On participating sites, readers, writers or literary followers can read interviews, book excerpts, interesting facts, and more. Join the blog hop by reading my comments below concerning my next big thing, Fuller’s Curse, which will be published in April 2013. Then, blog hop by clicking on the other author links that I have presented below. At their site, you can learn about their next big thing.

What is the title of your next book? Fuller’s Curse

Where did the idea come from for the book? Fuller’s Curse is a fictional horror story based on the Biblical scripture about generational curses and blessings. At the time that that scripture was floating around in my head (July 1999), John F. Kennedy, Jr.’s plane went down and I remember asking myself, Are they cursed? And that was the start of Fuller’s Curse. But let me be clear. I am NOT saying the Kennedys are cursed. I wouldn’t presume to label any family as cursed or blessed. All I’m saying is those two incidences converged to form the idea for the story.

What genre does your book fall under? Horror, which I never thought I would write in a million years even though I am a Stephen King fan. Actually, I thought Fuller’s Curse was a mainstream or literary story but the market dictated otherwise.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? What a fun thing to think about… I think the young actress Keke Palmer would do a bang-up job as Hope. I really love her work. She’s dynamic. I would choose Alfre Woodard as Deborah. She’s another actress who always shines and turns in outstanding performances. Louis Gossett, Jr. as Governor is a must. I think his body build and demeanor is so Governor. And for Mattie…well, I have no idea. How about a casting call for an elderly, small, short, feisty African American woman?

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? A mother discovers her family is cursed and must commit the ultimate sacrifice to rid the family of the curse.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? Fuller’s Curse is published by A New Thing Publishing, my publishing company, which is another thing I thought I would never do–form and run a publishing company. But, I am learning through maturity to never say never.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? The first draft took eleven months to write. I started the book at a writer’s retreat in Hawaii in the fall of 2000 and finished it the following summer after unplugging the phone, disconnecting the doorbell and parking the car in the garage. I told my family and friends I was dead so don’t call or visit. That’s the only way I was able to finally finish the first draft. The second draft, which I thought would be the final draft, took five months to complete and I tell you by the end of that draft I didn’t want to write anything else about the Fuller family. But then, we made some book cover decisions which forced me to re-write a few scenes. Aaaauuuugggghhhh! I thought I was going to lose my mind. But luckily those rewrites only took a few weeks. I am currently reviewing the ARC (Advanced Reading Copy), looking for typos and any glaring errors. The ebook will be available to readers April 23, 2013; the print/hard copy version a month later.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? My first thought is I haven’t a clue, but as I think a bit more, I’d have to say The Living Blood by Tananarive Due. She is a master story teller and an excellent writer. I wouldn’t mind being compared to her (smile!).

Who or what inspired you to write this book? The short answer is the Bible and the Kennedys. The long answer is presented above under the question, “Where did the idea come from for the book?”

What else about your book might pique the reader interest? For those who refuse to read books with violence or stories set in Dallas, don’t buy or read this book. For everybody else, regardless of whether you read horror or not, buy and read this psychological and emotional thriller that follows Deborah Fuller-King as she tries to discover why so many of her family members are dying accidentally. She’s heard rumors of a curse but really that’s just her crazy cousin talking, isn’t it? Besides curses aren’t real, right? At least that’s what she thinks until another family member comes up dead.

Ready to blog hop? Here are a few authors with big things to read about.
www.goldiebrowning.com
www.kat-smith.com
www.nikkicoe.com

By the way, if you don’t have time to blog hop now, come back later. We’ll be here!