Author Spotlight, Robin Donaruma, on her award winning YA book, The Undecided

AUTHOR ROBIN DONARUMA

THE UNDECIDED

WHEN DID YOU FIRST KNOW YOU WANTED TO BE A WRITER AND WHY?: My senior year of high school when I met Chaucer, Shakespeare, Twain, Donne and Austen.

AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU ASPIRE TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? A famous writer.

TELL US SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE WRITING THE UNDECIDED: I began this story with my main character, Lucas, being color blind. It wasn't until I was nearly finished with the novel that I realized Lucas kept referring to colors in the text. Oops. A rewrite was born.

WHICH AUTHOR HAS MOST GREATLY INFLUENCED YOUR WRITING STYLE?: Growing up I loved Dean Koontz who beautifully blended the supernatural with intrigue.

WHAT BOOK HAS HAD THE GREATEST IMPACT ON YOUR LIFE?: The Scarlet Pimpernel started my love affair with reading and writing.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST LITERARY ACCOMPLISHMENT?: Getting published!

CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE PROCESS OF BECOMING PUBLISHED AND ANY TIPS YOU MIGHT OFFER FOR OTHER ASPIRING AUTHORS?: Go in understanding that it can be a longer journey than first anticipated. My journey lasted three years. Try not to take it personally and never, ever give up.

CAN YOU OFFER ANY ADVICE FOR WRITERS ON HOW BEST TO PROMOTE THEIR BOOK? Libraries are our friends and the more you get it out there, the more it will be read and talked about.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH OUR READERS?: Even after being published, the work isn't done. Marketing is the next hurdle to really get your book out there and get it known.
 
HAVE YOU PUBLISHED ANY OTHER BOOKS? Yes,  Sweetest Confection (Historical Romance) 
DO YOU HAVE ANY NEW BOOKS IN THE WORKS?: The sequel is brewing in my brain as we speak.
 

LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org