Today I'm excited to welcome to the blog C. Elizabeth Vescio, whose New Adult Contemporary UNCONTROLLABLY WASTED released on October 1st. This book is so much fun and completely breaks the mold of what we think of as New Adult. I'm so stoked to pick her brain today, and I think you'll love her answers as much as I do! I've also included some absolutely stunning teaser graphics the author made to promote her new book. Enjoy and share!
About the Author:
Jack of all trades and stereotypical black sheep, Cara has been writing somewhat dark and morbid since that teen angst hit somewhere in the early 90's- probably because her dad was a mortician. After pursuing a degree in English, she changed gears to photography and design in 2006... although she kept penning stories for fun while reading the works of Edgar Allen Poe, Oscar Wilde and Hemingway (whom she adores even though he was a huge douche canoe). In 2009, her life shifted considerably and she found herself writing Elegantly Wasted- helping her sort out a bunch of stupid feelings and other lame stuff.
She enjoys cynical debates, cupcakes, making her mother-in-law sew her aprons that she never wears, zombies, the Fifth Element and Tomb Raider. She gathers her life inspirations from Neil Gaiman, Julia Child and Paul Simon. When she isn't out photographing her next project, she's studying color, concept and design or writing stuff down in hopes it makes sense one day... or she's on Pinterest.
Cara lives in Las Vegas with her husband, John and their three genetically altered dogs all of which have personal vendettas for the guy who cleans the pool.
About UNCONTROLLABLY WASTED:
It's been a year since Francesca Fairholm met the rest of the Osiris team and the company heads, her two half brothers Nero and Lex. As they groom her for leadership, it's all Frankie can do to keep her cynical sarcasm in check as she starts training two new Strikers, avoids the romantic advances of Spark Dawson, and does her best to pry a little family history from her cold, distant Aunt Alexa.
With the pressure of her secret dual life building and her mother acting strangely, Frankie's sanity is pushed to the brink when she makes a grisly discovery that shakes the young Striker to her core. Despite her cousins' fear that her panic attacks signal a full mental breakdown, Frankie is positive she's not crazy. Finding clarity in her personal investigation into Osiris's origins, she uncovers more about the company than she would rather know.
As her life starts to unravel, things get deadly and, before she knows it, she's facing down an old target's pissed-off widow, an unstoppable mercenary, and the one thing she's most terrified of admitting to herself.
It's possible the whole situation won't explode in her face. Yeah, like Frankie has that kind of luck.
Tell us about your writer's journey so far:
I have been writing since grade school, but never had I thought about publishing my work. It was just my therapy. In the past few years, I've met some amazing people who have helped me be able to say I'm an author. It's been quite a ride. I sat down and wrote Elegantly Wasted in the fall of 2009 after a series of life-altering events. I wrote the whole idea down in a couple of weeks and a few years later it was the story it is now.
Okay! Let's hear that Twitter Pitch!
Apply for a job at Elegance, Inc. where the Fairholm cousins will teach you manners, etiquette and the art of murder-for-profit.
What inspired this book? How is it a story only you could tell?
My family is my inspiration. They are a bunch of characters and they all love and support my endeavors. I think this story is unique because I incorporate small things I've experienced in my life while adding a largely embellished backdrop. I'm sure I'm not the only one to do that- but I may be one of the few to throw the biggest jerk of an MC at you and you find yourself liking her... rooting for her and her crazy family.
What's your favorite thing about writing?
Writing instills a calm for me. I'm very cynical and writing it out helps me relieve the stresses of daily life. It's part escape and part meditation. I also don't mind the extra income.
What's your least favorite thing?
It takes away from my social life. I'm an extrointrovert... yeah I made that up. I like being social but I love being in my office writing. I need people around me. I love to talk and listen. I adore my friends. When I get into that mode of writing, I turn into a hermit and I feel guilty about telling them I can't hang out. I also feel guilty because my husband is a total extrovert and I have to tell him the same thing.
Now it's time to brag a little. What do you love most about your book?
I love the impact my characters have on people. I get the widest range of amazing comments. I'm big on characterization. I think like a screenwriter at times- if the characters are good, no one cares that your plot might be a little over-the-top.
What's surprised you most about publishing post-agent?
I don't have an agent! I'm Indie published and my publisher took me on after reading my work. I lucked out in that respect. I have an editor, a copy editor, a social media manager... but not an agent. I have had many discussions about getting one. I think the closest thing I have is my entertainment lawyer in Los Angeles... she works hard at the idea of making Wasted into a show... and let's face it, it should be. (I'm bias)
Okay, now a little about you. (And yes, I stole these questions from In the Actor's Studio with James Lipton.) What Is Your Favorite Word?
Superb
What's your least favorite word?
Vaginal
What turns you on?
Confidence
What turns you off?
Desperation
What sound or noise do you love?
pretty much any sound effect from Star Wars.
What sound or noise do you hate?
chewing food or gum with your mouth open... seriously- stop it.
What profession, other than your own, would you most like to attempt?
blood spatter analyst... I'm willing to bet that job is pretty boring.
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear G-d say when you arrive at the pearly gates?
If heaven exists, I doubt I'm going there... but in that rare case heaven let's me in, I'd like for God to take one look at me, point and say "the library is that way and Hemingway has been waiting for you."
Finally, what's the one question you've always wanted to answer in an interview? (And of course, you have to answer it!)
I'm also a gamer- and that never transfers into interviews... so "What's gaming character would you like to be for a day?" Answer: Lara Croft. I have been a Tomb Raider fan since the 90s and Lara has come a long way. I can't say I was impressed with her origin story because for fifteen years I just ASSUMED she was born into the world with two USPs, a ton of ammo, drop kicking bad guys and bitch slapping tigers... but hey, I get it... I still love her and I would love to have an ounce of her badassery.
Cara's new book, UNCONTROLLABLY WASTED is full of badassery, people! One of my favorite reads of 2013! Buy links are below. And come back tomorrow for my review and more fangirling!
