Welcome, readers! I have an author for you to meet today – Krista Wagner. I met Krista through our publisher, Clean Reads. And I am so excited for you to read more about her very intriguing book. And to see this fabulous cover! So, I won’t spend a lot of time gabbing here when I could be introducing you…
Thank you for being on the blog, Krista. First, can you tell us a little about this novel with the gorgeous cover?
A YA supernatural mystery, Cassi Is In A Coma deals with the worst kind of betrayal. The most liked high school senior is suddenly ostracized by all of her friends, and not given a reason. Seeking answers and feeling alone, she winds up falling ten stories off a water tower, which sends her into a coma. Did she commit suicide, like the papers say, or was she pushed? Through flashbacks, dreams, and an out-of-body journey, she will attempt to uncover the truth. Cassi is the third novel in the Small Town Secrets novel series.
I will admit this isn’t my primary genre, but I’m intrigued…
What was the inspiration for Cassi is in a Coma?
Everyone, at some point, has been betrayed, and often there is no explanation or justification. I wrote a story that we can all relate to, one that offers a way to get through a painful lonely adversity.
So true! I love this idea!
Did you always want to be a writer? If not, what did you want to be when you were a child?
Yes! I have been writing since I was seven. I started penning plays and songs and then went to short stories and poems in high school, where I also contributed and edited our high school’s literary magazine and co-authored a zine. I have six novels published now, and am currently at work on the prequel to Intent, my spiritual dramatic thriller.
As much as we love writing, we all like some parts a bit less… What part of the writing process do you dread?
Timelines. Because certain events/plot points/character interactions can change, so do timelines. It is easy to lose track of them.
I, too, struggle with timelines…as a historical writer, some of mine are set (sometimes to much frustration). I find myself wishing away YEARS sometimes. Alas, they don’t let me change history…
Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer?
Take a break from your first draft, at least a couple of weeks, so that you can return to it with fresh eyes; this will allow you to see things you weren’t able to before. Having beta readers is invaluable—a myriad of perspectives can spot issues you won’t see, and get a good editor and proofreader.
What are you currently reading?
Fahrenheit 451
My readers know that I have to “set the mood” when I write. Most often that includes music. What kind of music, if any, do you listen to when you write?
I don’t typically, but I have been known to listen to 80’s music from time to time.
Do you have a favorite time of day to write? What about a favorite place?
Yes, at night, at my desktop, when the kids are sleeping.
How long does it take you to write a book?
With revisions and editing, about a year, but if I committed to writing 10 hours a day, every day, I could have a finished product in one month.
Right? If only…
Thanks again, Krista, for being here and for chatting with us. I won’t keep my readers any longer from enjoying the wonderful tidbits below about Cassi in a Coma. So, without further ado…
Cassi in a Coma
“You are not wanted”
Cassi Walker has been Royal High School’s most-liked girl for the past four years, but a lot can happen in two days. Suddenly, she’s the school’s most-hated girl, but before she can figure out why, a ten-story fall off a water tower sends her into a coma. Soon, rumors start to fly that it was attempted suicide. Unfortunately, she has no memory of those final seconds before the harrowing event. Through a strange barrage of dreams, flashbacks, and an out-of-body journey, Cassi will attempt to expose the secrets and uncover the mysteries behind what happened to her. But will she be able to handle the truth?
Enjoy an Excerpt
“You will pay for it. You have to.” His voice was hushed, unlike the kind soft voice he’d always used with me. His eyes, which had once shone with warmth, were hard and flat. I detected a hint of disappointment there too, and I wondered what that meant.
His words haunting me, I found myself in turmoil not for the first time. The question that refused to be answered—what had I done?
“What did I do?” I said out loud.
“You know exactly what you did.”
Buy Link
More About the Author
Krista Wagner is a 70’s product best known for her spiritual suspense and fictional realism. In addition to being a recipient of the Reader’s Favorite 5-star seal, she has been praised by award-winning screenwriter Sean Paul Murphy for her writing skill and strong plotting. Wagner holds an MFA in Creative Writing and is an English associate instructor with an indispensable faith in Christ.
Connect with Krista and her books
Find out more about Krista here: kristawagner.wixsite.com/author/bio
Follow her on Facebook: facebook.com/kristawagnerofficial/
Twitter: twitter.com/IntentBook04
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8509957.Krista_Wagner
GIVEAWAY
Krista is giving away an ecopy of her book featured on the blog today, Cassi Is In A Coma. Please follow the directions on the Rafflecopter to enter.