Book Nerd Interview
Milda Harris is a Chicago girl who is living the dream in Hollywood. She loves watching movies and playing random sports like dodgeball and kickball. Between working in production on television shows like Austin & Ally, Hannah Montana, and That's So Raven and playing with her super cute dog Licorice, she writes young adult mystery, paranormal, and chick lit novels.
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Thoughtful. Adventurous. Bookworm.
What inspired you to pen your first novel?
What inspired you to pen your first novel?
I was in grade school and I had a dream, so I wrote it down! It eventually turned into my first novel. I'd love to rewrite that novel someday, actually...
Who or what has influenced your writing, and in what way?
Who or what has influenced your writing, and in what way?
All the books I've read because my love of reading and stories is really what got me interested in writing in the first place. I wanted to tell my own stories. Funny enough, the first novel I remember reading was Nancy Drew and The Hidden Staircase. I loved it! And, the first books I've published are female sleuth mysteries. Coincidence?
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating Adventures In Funeral Crashing?
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating Adventures In Funeral Crashing?
How much fun I could have with what sounds like a really depressing topic.
Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?
Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?
I have many plans for new books! And, Adventures in Funeral Crashing is part of a series. Originally, I hadn't thought of it that way, but I liked the character of Kait so much that I wanted to explore her more! Book two should be out in February or March 2012. I'm also half way through a young adult sci-fi romance called The Doppelgangers.
What’s the most interesting comment you have received about your books?
What’s the most interesting comment you have received about your books?
There was one that said reading Adventures in Funeral Crashing was like watching Degrassi. It made me laugh. I'll take that as a compliment.
If you gave some of your characters an opportunity to speak for themselves, what would they say?
If you gave some of your characters an opportunity to speak for themselves, what would they say?
Kait (from Adventures in Funeral Crashing) would probably talk a lot about Ethan Ripley, the guy she has a crush on. And, I mean, a lot - she is a sixteen year old girl, after all.
What question are you never asked in interviews but wish you were?
What question are you never asked in interviews but wish you were?
I actually have no idea. There isn't anything that I've been itching to answer...that I don't slip into the interview in some devious way. My dog Licorice is super cute, by the way, if you wanted to know. See?
What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 30 or less
words, what would you say?
What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 30 or less
words, what would you say?
My most recent book is Connected (A Paranormal Romance): The only thing Drew remembers about his life is his death. Still reeling from that Drew finds himself witnessing the birth of a baby girl, Aurora, and knows they're connected.
How do you develop your plots and characters? Do you use any set formula?
How do you develop your plots and characters? Do you use any set formula?
All of my books start out as one simple interesting idea and I start exploring from there. Like, in Adventures in Funeral Crashing, I thought what if there was a girl who was just a normal high school girl, except she was a professional mourner? That turned into funeral crashing and the whole tone became much more silly, but a lot of that was because it was written as a three day novel. I really enjoy writing challenges like that - they force you to get it done in a set time. NaNoWriMo is great too.
Favorite places to travel?
Favorite places to travel?
I love riding down Pacific Coast Highway in California and one of my favorite places is Carmel, CA. It's just...beautiful. If I had my druthers, though, I've been dying to go to Paris. So, future me, says Paris, France.
Which author would you love to co-author a book with?
Which author would you love to co-author a book with?
Meg Cabot or Sophie Kinsella. They're so much fun to read and I'd bet they'd be a blast to write with. Stephen King would be pretty amazing too...just because he is the master of horror.
What book are you reading now?
What book are you reading now?
I'm about to start reading "The Future of Us" by Jay Asher and Carolyn Macker. I think. There are a bunch of books on my shelf just screaming at me to read them. I'm just finishing up "Pretties" by Scott Westerfeld.
What do you normally eat for breakfast?
What do you normally eat for breakfast?
I love sauteed strawberry crepes, but I guess I don't normally eat them. I just wish I did.
What are 4 things you never leave home without?
What are 4 things you never leave home without?
My cell phone, my keys, something to read, and coffee. I love coffee.
List 3 of your all time favorite books?
List 3 of your all time favorite books?
Top three, that's tough, and it changes depending on the moment I'm asked: "Pride & Prejudice" by Jane Austen, "The Shining" by Stephen King, and The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed?
What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed?
Fringe. I love Fringe. It's like The X-Files, but different. I didn't watch the first season until later, but now I love it! Oh and The Vampire Diaries - a friend sucked me into that one. Seriously, though, who doesn't love hot vampires fighting over a girl? Besides, I had already read a bunch of the LJ Smith novels, so it's not like it really took that much to push me over the edge and into watching it. Overall, though, I actually love TV so I could just keep going and going and going on and on about this question.
Where can readers stalk you?
Where can readers stalk you?
www.mildaharris.com, Twitter @mildaharris, Facebook, Goodreads. Actually, pretty much just google my name and you're guaranteed to find me! I'm easy to stalk. There's not too many Milda's out there. Although, fun fact, "milda" is a name brand in Europe somewhere. I think it's funny. Someone out there is using "milda" butter. Weird.
Sixteen year old Kait Lenox has a reputation as the weird girl in her high school, mostly because of her ex-best friend turned mean popular girl, Ariel, but maybe it has a little to do with the fact that Kait has a hobby crashing funerals. At one of these, Kait is outted by the most popular guy in school, Ethan Ripley. Yet, instead of humiliating her for all the world to see, he asks for her help, and Kait finds herself entangled in a murder mystery. Not only is the thrill of the mystery exciting, but more importantly Ethan knows her name! A little sleuthing is well worth that!
You can purchase Adventures in Funeral Crashing at these following retailers:
And now, The Giveaways.
Thank you Milda for making this giveaway possible.
3 Winners will receive one e-book of Adventures in Funeral Crashing by Milda Harris.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Great interview! Milda, your novels sound quirky and interesting! Best wishes for continued success on your literary road, as well!
ReplyDeleteKindly,
Jaz
Thank you for the interview and the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteHum, no! I have never Crashed a party.
No, I never had, I guess I have too much dignity and pride to be trashed and thrown out of a party! LOL
ReplyDeleteNo never. But I did crash a wedding once and a funeral.
ReplyDeleteNope, I haven't!
ReplyDeleteNope... LOL :P
ReplyDeletethanks for the giveaway and interview!
Sounds like an interesting book!!
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!