Interview and Giveaway for Ruined by Paula Morris
I know I’ve been excited to read this book ever since I heard about it and I’ve been lucky enough to have the opportunity to giveaway 5 copies to my readers! Plus read on to see the interview with Paula.
Description: Rebecca couldn’t feel more out of place in New Orleans, where she comes to spend the year while her dad is traveling. She’s staying in a creepy old house with her aunt. And at the snooty prep school, the filthy-rich girls treat Rebecca like she’s invisible. Only gorgeous, unavailable Anton Grey seems to give Rebecca the time of day, but she wonders if he’s got a hidden agenda. Then one night, in Lafayette Cemetery, Rebecca makes a friend. Sweet, mysterious Lisette is eager to talk to Rebecca, and to show her the nooks and crannies of the city. There’s just one catch: Lisette is a ghost. A ghost with a deep, dark secret, and a serious score to settle. As Rebecca learns more from her ghost friend — and as she slowly learns to trust Anton Grey — she also uncovers startling truths about her own history. Will Rebecca be able to right the wrongs of the past, or has everything been ruined beyond repair?
What inspired you to write Ruined?
I’ve been living in New Orleans for five years. Lots of people come to visit, so I get to play tour guide on a regular basis. I’ve also taught some classes on the history of Mardi Gras, and on the city’s literary past. New Orleans is such a unique city, with such a rich and complex history. The more I found out about it, the more I wanted to write about it myself.
After Hurricane Katrina, when the city felt turned upside down, I went to see a tarot card reader in a French Quarter voodoo shop. He told me that the storm and the flood had fractured time, and displaced hundreds of ghosts. He said he kept seeing ghosts everywhere. I hadn’t really thought about the ghosts of the city, but after that conversation, pieces of the story started taking shape in my mind.
You capture New Orleans beautifully in the book. What are your favorite spots in New Orleans? Is there particular local lore or history that appeals to you?
I drive through the Garden District — and past Lafayette Cemetery — a lot, especially when I’m taking visitors on a literary tour. It has tremendous physical beauty and character. But there are interesting stories on every corner in New Orleans. I also like taking people through Tremé, around the Bywater, and into Holy Cross in the Lower Ninth Ward. There are two stunning “Steamboat houses” right by the Mississippi river levee there.
What kind of research did you have to do for Ruined? How did you manage to describe the Mardi Gras floats so accurately? Have you ever been on such a float yourself?
I did a ton of research for the novel — reading books, talking to people, taking a cemetery tour — though obviously a lot is made up. For example, the Mardi Gras krewe called Septimus is imaginary, and any local can tell you that no krewe would be permitted to end their parades back in the Garden District!
Carnival season is a great time of year in New Orleans, and I’ve been to dozens and dozens of parades, watching various krewes ride. I know a number of people who belong to different krewes, both in the city and the suburbs, and they’ve told me lots of stories. I’ve never been on a float — just on the receiving end of beads.
Ruined is coming out around the fourth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Can you talk a little bit about the effects the Hurricane had on the city, and how they influenced Ruined?
The storm, and the flood that followed, had a profound and ongoing impact on the city. Our population is much smaller than it used to be. Many neighborhoods were washed away, and have yet to recover. Some of the older parts of the city, like the French Quarter and the Garden District, lie on high ground, close to the river levee, so they had no flood damage. Tourists visiting the city and just spending their time in those neighborhoods would have no idea of the extent of the devastation — eighty percent of the city was underwater. I was conscious, writing Ruined, that it was set largely in an unflooded neighborhood. But the psychic scars of the flood — and the city’s evacuation, ruin, and slow recovery — exist everywhere, as Rebecca, the protagonist, finds out.
You’ve also written books for adults. Can you tell us how your experience writing for teens differs from writing for adults?
I got some very good advice from my teenage niece when I was working on the book. She told me it needed a lot of mystery and a little romance. I hope I managed both.
When did you know you wanted to be a writer? How did you get your start as an author?
When I was a child, I wrote stories all the time, but as an adult real life took over — in the form of work, and travel, and building a new life in various places. (I’ve lived in eight different cities, in three different countries.) Writing is a vocation, I think, but you don’t always discover it right away. When I was living in New York, about ten years ago, I started going to creative writing night-classes at the West Side YMCA, and began writing stories again. My first adult novel, Queen of Beauty, was written while I was pursuing a creative writing degree in Wellington, New Zealand; I wrote a lot of my second novel, Hibiscus Coast, while studying at the famous Iowa Writers’ Workshop. I have to say, I think keeping going is harder than starting, in some ways.
What are some of your favorite books/favorite authors?
So many! For short stories: William Trevor, Alice Munro, Deborah Eisenberg. For novels: Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Ian McEwan, Lloyd Jones (a New Zealand writer). Favorite authors from childhood: Eleanor Estes, Edward Eager, and Helen Clare. I’m also an expert — read: bore — on the Chalet School series by Elinor M. Brent-Dyer, and the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I’ve been to all the Little House sites — in seven different states!
30c0c2762ce9The Giveaway Rules:
- Open to US residents only.
- Leave a comment to enter
Extra entries for:
- Leave a separate comment if you add me to your blogroll, subscribe in Google Reader or email or already have done so (+1 for each)
- Post about the giveaway on your blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc. and leave the link in a separate comment (+1 for each up to 3 extra entries)
- Stumble, Digg, etc this post and leave a separate comment(+1 for each)
The Winner:
- I will use a random number generator to choose the winner
- Giveaway ends October 30.
Posted in Books, Young Adult
October 16th, 2009 at 4:53 am
I have wanted to read this book since I have seen reviews of it on several blogs. Please enter me.
October 16th, 2009 at 5:00 am
I would LOVE to have a copy of Ruined
October 16th, 2009 at 5:01 am
rss subscriber
October 16th, 2009 at 5:16 am
Count me in!
pureimagination77(at)gmail.com
October 16th, 2009 at 5:20 am
+1 Blog Roll
+1 I’m a follower
pureimagination77(at)gmail.com
October 16th, 2009 at 8:56 am
I think I want to read this book just based on the cover alone! The story sounds really good too
October 16th, 2009 at 8:57 am
I follow your blog
October 16th, 2009 at 10:39 am
Great contest! Subscribed in Google Reader. Thanks for hosting!
October 16th, 2009 at 10:40 am
Tweet at Twitter
October 16th, 2009 at 10:40 am
Link on Contest Sidebar
October 16th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
I love New Orleans so I enjoy reading books set there. Would like to read this one and have added it to my TBR list
October 16th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Great interview! I have this book on my nightstand!
October 16th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
Sounds great, count me in please.
jessica(at)fan(dot)com
October 16th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
I’ve been anxious to read this book! Please include me too and thanks for your giveaway!
October 16th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
I already follow and have you on my blogroll.
October 16th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
This looks and sounds like a great book! Please enter me in your contest! I’m a subscriber via Google Reader.
faithfulgirl4[at]gmail[dot]com
October 16th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
Please include me.
bacchus76 at myself dot com
October 16th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
I am a follower.
bacchus76 at myself dot com
October 16th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
Linked on sidebar here: http://donnasbloghome.blogspot.com/
bacchus76 at myself dot com
October 16th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
I would love to be entered to win this book. It sounds incredible! Please enter me.
kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com
October 16th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
this sounds great!
October 16th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
reader subscriber
October 16th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
I subscribe via email!
kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com
October 16th, 2009 at 11:20 pm
I also am a subscriber via Google Reader. Thank you again for the chance.
kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com
October 16th, 2009 at 11:23 pm
I tweeted up your giveaway @kellyblackwell
http://twitter.com/kellyblackwell/status/4937173174
kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com
October 16th, 2009 at 11:36 pm
I am a follower and subscriber.
October 16th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
I posted this on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/posted.php?id=1244358958&share_id=289828350701&comments=1#s289828350701
October 16th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
I tweeted about this giveaway.:
http://twitter.com/pine1211/status/4937410414
October 16th, 2009 at 11:45 pm
I posted about this giveaway on my blog:P
http://meditativereading.blogspot.com/2009/10/interview-and-giveaway-for-ruined-by.html
October 17th, 2009 at 6:50 am
This books sounds so intriguing, I’d love to read it. Got to add it to my TBR list!
October 17th, 2009 at 6:55 am
Email subscriber
October 17th, 2009 at 6:57 am
Tweeted here
https://twitter.com/kdet62/status/4942201317
October 17th, 2009 at 7:12 am
Count me in.
October 17th, 2009 at 7:13 am
You’re listed on my blogroll
October 17th, 2009 at 7:13 am
Email subscriber
October 17th, 2009 at 9:42 am
Would love to enter.
Zia
ziaria(at)gmail(dot)com
October 17th, 2009 at 9:43 am
Subscribed via Google Reader.
October 17th, 2009 at 10:22 am
I’m intrigued! Please enter me.
October 17th, 2009 at 10:23 am
I subscribe to your blog in Google Reader.
October 17th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
Sounds interesting!
I’m also a google reader subscriber.
And you are on my blogroll.
librariansbook(at)gmail(dot)com
October 18th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
please enter me to win Thanks:)
kalynnick AT yahoo DOT com
October 18th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
This one looks like a great read. And I love the cover!
+1 you’re already on our blogroll
+1 we put it on our sidebar (I think that counts)
+1 we tweeted at teensrandw
Thanks for a great contest. And we appreciate you entering ours too!
October 18th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
I love New Orleans and the history of the city. Please count me in.
October 18th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
I subscribe via email
October 18th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
I follow in Google Reader
October 19th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
I had not heard of this book – it sounds really good. I would love to be entered!
kherbrand at comcast dot net
October 19th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
I am an email subscriber.
kherbrand at comcast dot net
October 20th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Love the New Orleans feel of the cover! Please count me in!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
October 20th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
+1 I subscribe via Google Reader!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
October 20th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
I blogged your giveaway.
http://enroutetolife.blogspot.com/2009/10/who-is-looking-for-win.html
kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com
October 20th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
I tweeted – http://twitter.com/kherbrand/statuses/5006963922
kherbrand at comcast dot net
October 20th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
Great contest! I’ve been want to read this forever and haven’t bought it yet, so please enter me to win!
grochowskisAThotmailDOTcom
October 20th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
+1 I follow your blog!
October 20th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
New Orleans has always been a city of wonder…and I might be going there next year!
mabelilly28 at yahoo dot com
October 20th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
I am a Google Friend!
mabelilly28 at yahoo dot com
October 20th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
+1 contest linked to sidebar @ http://thehidingspot.blogspot.com
grochowskisAThotmailDOTcom
October 20th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
+1 contest linked in tweet (@thehidingspot)
grochowskisAThotmailDOTcom
October 20th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
I subscribe to your blog via e-mail!
mabelilly28 at yahoo dot com
October 21st, 2009 at 8:13 am
Great giveaway! Please enter me.
~ Lori (mrshedgy@yahoo.com)
October 21st, 2009 at 8:14 am
You are on my blogroll. +1
October 21st, 2009 at 8:14 am
I subscribe by email. +1
October 21st, 2009 at 8:14 am
I have you on the Google reader. +1
October 21st, 2009 at 8:15 am
I provided a link to your giveaway on a sidebar of my blog. +1
October 21st, 2009 at 8:15 am
I posted about your giveaway on my blog’s Facebook page. +1
Thanks, Debbie!
October 21st, 2009 at 8:16 am
Oops, sorry – - here in the link to the Facebook post:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Psychotic-State/283977225141?ref=ts
Thanks!
October 21st, 2009 at 9:52 am
Would love to enter!!
+1 Subscribe in google reader
+1 you’re on my blogroll
onebooktime@gmail.com
October 21st, 2009 at 10:29 am
Please enter me! Thank you!
October 21st, 2009 at 10:29 am
I’m subscribed in my Bloglines! +1
October 21st, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Would love to win! Thanks
October 21st, 2009 at 3:28 pm
Enter me please
foltzsfantasticbooks at gmail.com
October 21st, 2009 at 3:29 pm
+1 follow in Google Reader
foltzsfantasticbooks at gmail.com
October 21st, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Tweeted it
http://twitter.com/justkeepreading/statuses/5054139470
foltzsfantasticbooks at gmail.com
October 21st, 2009 at 6:12 pm
I would love t be entered to win! Thank you!
hensnest[at]windstream[dot]net
October 21st, 2009 at 8:54 pm
I would love to read Ruined. It sounds amazing! Please enter me.
Anna ♥
goodgonegirl@gmail.com
October 21st, 2009 at 8:57 pm
+1 Google Reader subscriber
Anna ♥
goodgonegirl@gmail.com
October 21st, 2009 at 8:59 pm
+1 Email subscriber
Anna ♥
goodgonegirl@gmail.com
October 21st, 2009 at 9:07 pm
+1 Posted here: http://goodgonegirl.blogspot.com/2009/10/amazing-giveaways.html
Anna ♥
goodgonegirl@gmail.com
October 21st, 2009 at 9:17 pm
+1 Posted on sidebar: http://goodgonegirl.blogspot.com
Anna ♥
goodgonegirl@gmail.com
October 21st, 2009 at 9:41 pm
This book looks really good. Please include me
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
October 22nd, 2009 at 6:19 am
+1 I subscribe in google reader
October 22nd, 2009 at 6:20 am
+1 I tweeted http://twitter.com/EllzReadz/status/5068886150
zenfoxflowerATyahooDOTcom
(Ellz Readz)
great giveaway
October 22nd, 2009 at 6:21 am
+1 posted on my contest sidebar
http://ellzreadz.blogspot.com/
zenfoxflowerATyahooDOTcom
October 22nd, 2009 at 9:03 am
This looks to be a very interesting book. I look forward to reading it.
bbricke AT yahoo DOT com
October 22nd, 2009 at 9:14 am
I tweeted.
http://twitter.com/bbricke/status/5072723248
I follow you in Google reader and I am a friend. You are also on my blog roll @ literaturelyspeaking.blogspot.com
BreiaB
bbricke AT yahoo DOT com
October 22nd, 2009 at 11:36 am
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by DebWorldOfBooks: Enter to win a copy of Ruined by Paula Morris-http://bit.ly/2uvNDl…
October 22nd, 2009 at 5:28 pm
Please include me, Thanks
October 22nd, 2009 at 7:39 pm
This sounds like a great read. Please include me.
October 22nd, 2009 at 7:40 pm
I follow with Google Reader.
October 22nd, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Tweeted (darcy1956):
http://twitter.com/darcy1956/status/5087064825
October 24th, 2009 at 11:00 am
This sounds like an absolutely awesome book! Please enter me.
Shadowofwonder47[at]yahoo[dot]com
October 24th, 2009 at 11:01 am
+1 I added you to my blogroll at
http://gimmethatbookbeforeipunchyou.blogspot.com/
Shadowofwonder47[at]yahoo[dot]com
October 24th, 2009 at 11:02 am
+1 Posted about this contest with a link on my sidebar at
http://gimmethatbookbeforeipunchyou.blogspot.com/
Shadowofwonder47[at]yahoo[dot]com
October 25th, 2009 at 11:09 am
Would love to win.
October 26th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
I just blogged about this title at Color Online. Would love to win a copy.
Thanks for the contest and interview.
October 28th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Great giveaway. I am in.
mojo09226@yahoo.com
October 28th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Giveaway +1 for adding to my blog
http://www.bibliophilicbookblog.com/2009/01/contests-mine-and-out-and-about.html
October 28th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
Please enter me. This one is on my wishlist so I would love to read it. I love the New Orleans setting.
October 28th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
I am a follower.
cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com
October 28th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
I am a subscriber by email.
cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com
October 29th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
blog follower
November 1st, 2009 at 3:22 pm
I would love to win this book. Books set in the New Orleans area are so fascinating to me.
Thanks
Paula
April 17th, 2010 at 12:04 am
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