Friday, September 27, 2013

Blog Tour ~ Not A Drop To Drink by Mindy McGinnis ~ Interview & Giveaway!


Welcome to my stop on the Not A Drop To Drink Blog Tour 
hosted by Rockstar Book Tours!
You can follow the full tour HERE



~Author Interview~

Tell us a bit about your book and what was your inspiration for writing it?

NOT A DROP TO DRINK is a post-poc survival tale set in a world where water is scarce. I watched a documentary called Blue Gold, which is about a projected shortage of potable water on our planet due to overpopulation. It was a horrible thought - we all need water to survive, and it's something we can't make. I went to bed very grateful for the small pond in my backyard, and that night I dreamt I was teaching a young girl how to operate a rifle so that she could help me protect the pond. I woke up and thought, "Hey... I wrote a book in my head just now."

What was your favorite scene to write?

Any scene with Stebbs in it. He just made things flow naturally from everyone around him. He was scene magic. How did you get interested in writing this particular genre? I’m a YA librarian. I used to write adult fiction, then one day I looked around myself and said, “Um, Mindy, you’re surrounded my the target audience 40 hours a week and completely immersed in the market. Why aren’t you writing YA?”

One of your favorite quotes from Not A Drop To Drink?

“I’d rather shoot people in Ohio than walk to California.”

If you gave one of your characters an opportunity to speak for themselves, what would they say?

My characters are always speaking for themselves. It might be odd, but I don’t really control these imaginary people. They write their own story. I just type it.

Do you ever experience writer's block and how do you overcome it?

Actually, no. If I could turn my brain off and sleep occasionally that might be nice.

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I clearly remember in 8th grade being issued career assessment tests, and telling the lady that I wanted to be a writer when I grew up. When my results came back it said I should be a cop.

What kind of research did you do for this book?

I learned a lot about SODIS, a method of purifying water using the sun’s UV-A rays. But most of the survival techniques are just a way of life where I’m from – gardening, canning, hunting, etc.

Do you work with an outline, or just write?

Oh I just write. I don’t even plot. I’m an XtReMe PanstERRR.

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?

Late at night, in my own bed. I’m very lazy.

What is the most difficult part of writing?

Starting! It’s so easy to not do.

What do you like to do when you're not writing? 

I read about 80 books a year, and I blog a ton. But I’m also an athlete and an outdoor girl.

What are you currently reading?

BETWEEN THE DEVIL & THE DEEP BLUE SEA by April Tucholke.

Where is one place in the world that you would really love to visit someday? 

Ireland!

What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question? 

Q: How many teeth do you have? A: Unsure, have never counted.

Tell us something at random

I have very fat thumb pads. They’re like tiny obese German men.

Tell us about something that has just happened or is about to happen in your life that you would like to share.

I have a sweet little bottle-fed kitten right now that was literally stuck in a thorn bush when he was rescued. He’s a tiny, tiny little man named Samuel Wilderness.  

Awwww! My aunt found my kitty Simba and I bottle fed him as a kitten and now he is 18 years old! 
Thanks so much for stopping by the blog!
 

Not a Drop to Drink
Regret was for people with nothing to defend, people who had no water.

Lynn knows every threat to her pond: drought, a snowless winter, coyotes, and, most importantly, people looking for a drink. She makes sure anyone who comes near the pond leaves thirsty, or doesn't leave at all.

Confident in her own abilities, Lynn has no use for the world beyond the nearby fields and forest. Having a life means dedicating it to survival, and the constant work of gathering wood and water. Having a pond requires the fortitude to protect it, something Mother taught her well during their quiet hours on the rooftop, rifles in hand.

But wisps of smoke on the horizon mean one thing: strangers. The mysterious footprints by the pond, nighttime threats, and gunshots make it all too clear Lynn has exactly what they want, and they won’t stop until they get it….

With evocative, spare language and incredible drama, danger, and romance, debut author Mindy McGinnis depicts one girl’s journey in a barren world not so different than our own.


Purchase:




Mindy McGinnis is an assistant YA librarian who lives in Ohio and cans her own food. She graduated from Otterbein University magna cum laude with a BA in English Literature and Religion. Mindy has a pond in her back yard but has never shot anyone, as her morals tend to cloud her vision.



~Giveaway~
a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

Tour Schedule:
Week 1
9/16/2013-Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf -Interview
9/17/2013- Never Too Fond of Books- Review
9/18/2013- A Book and a Latte- Guest Post
9/19/2013- Books Complete Me- Review
9/20/2013- The Eater of Books!- Interview
Week 2
9/23/2013- Readers in Wonderland- Review
9/24/2013- Books Over Boys- Guest Post
9/26/2013- Falling For YA- Review
9/27/2013- Some Like It Paranormal - Interview

15 comments:

  1. I love the Ohio California reference!

    I have heard so many conflicting reviews on this one but I still think I want to give it a try!

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  2. That quote is just awesome. "I'd rather shoot people in Ohio than walk to California." I may have to buy this.

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  3. Thank you for sharing the interview. Loved Stebbs, and really enjoyed reading scene with him in them. :)

    Jenea @ Books Live Forever

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  4. Wow, that's awesome that she writes without even a plot or outline. Pure talent. I'd love to go to Ireland too! I was offered a trip next year but unfortunately can't make it. BOO! Thanks for sharing!

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  5. Thank you for the interview. I am gonna have to check this one out.

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  6. I love this type of book. It sounds intriguing and I am looking forward to seeing more of it

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  7. This book has such a frightening premise! I enjoyed getting to know the author better. I would love to visit Ireland as well. Gotta hand it to her. I admire someone who flys by the seat of their pants! Happy weekend!

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  8. Haha extreme panster! Also, sounds pretty cool that she's done the research and practice for survival techniques. There's the show about random people's end of the world survival plans and I'm excited to see what she used for Not a Drop to Drink!

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  9. Great Interview Ladies! It sounds brilliant. Is this giveaway international? I hope so.

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  10. I have not heard one single bad thing about this book. Every review I read just intrigues me more. Must read this book! This interview was very interesting. Mindy sounds like she'd be a hoot to be around. It made me laugh out loud especially the random thought about fat thumb pads!
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  11. I've only just heard of this one a few days ago. It's quickly becoming a "must read" on my TBR list.

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  12. Sounds like such an interesting premise!! Thanks for the giveaway. :)

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  13. Never read or heard of not a drop to drink? Thank you for this amazing giveaway, so that i have a chance to read it!

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  14. I have not heard of this book, but I love these kinds of books!
    Thanks for the giveaway, I'd love to read this book!

    cool_cat97@msn.com

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  15. I really enjoyed this one --not entering since I have the book, but just wanted to say that, and also thanks for stopping by to say hello…

    Jen @ YA Romantics

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Thanks so much for visiting and commenting! I read and love every single comment!