Thanks so much, Mr. Schu for having me on your blog; I do love it, but it makes me miss teaching.
In marketing my debut novel, One for the Murphys, one of the new adventures I've had is my foray into the world of book trailer creation.
Being the research fiend that I am, I read all kinds of how-to articles. I watched several trailers, taking note of approaches that could work for my book. There are some beautiful quiet trailers, but most that I found were fast-paced with images that flash—riveting intros to fantastic books. Could I do a MURPHYS trailer with strobe lighting effects and pounding music? I thought it seemed a bit like painting flames on the side of a 1977 Datsun200SX.
Okay, it may sound like I’m dissing my own book—I’m not. It just so happens that this Datsun was my first car. I’ve had fancier ones since but, in many ways, I still love this car most of all. Perhaps it wasn’t super-flashy, but it was a memorable ride. A car I was happy to settle into for long trips. It had hidden treasures, things about it that one wouldn’t have expected to find (such as the old street sign welded to the bottom to keep the driver seat from coming through the floor). I still remember the smell of warm vinyl on a summer day. I have memories of that vehicle that make me laugh and some that deeply sadden me. It was a memorable part of my life. And it was a remarkable car.
So, in putting a book trailer together, I took a step back to consider what my book’s strengths are. I hope those may be in character development and emotional authenticity and in the unfolding of stories within stories.I also hope that the ride will be memorable with its emotional unfolding of a girl who’s been folded up too tight for too long. My greatest hope is that Carley, Toni, and the Murphys will feel as real to readers as they do to me.
My book trailer for One for the Murphys is my invitation to others to enter that world; I have tried to capture the essence of the story with it.And if you ever climb inside the book to take the journey with them, I do hope you enjoy the ride. I’d love to hear about your trip.
Lynda Mullaly Hunt is the author of middle-grade novel, ONE FOR THE MURPHYS (Nancy Paulsen Books/Penguin), winner of The Tassy Walden Award: New Voices in Children’s Literature. She is also a former teacher and Scenario Writing coach. Lynda has been Director of the SCBWI-NE Whispering Pines Retreat for six years. Lynda lives with her husband, two kids, impetuous beagle and beagle-loathing cat.
"An astonishing debut! Lynda Mullaly Hunt's direct style of writing has readers rooting for Carley Connors and all of the Murphys from start to satisfying finish.”
"An astonishing debut! Lynda Mullaly Hunt's direct style of writing has readers rooting for Carley Connors and all of the Murphys from start to satisfying finish.”~~Leslie Connor, ALA Schneider Family Award-winning author of Waiting for Normal and Crunch.
“This is a beautiful book, filled with hope. You’ll cry and laugh along with Carley as she learns to lower her defenses enough to love—and, more surprisingly, be loved. It’s a story you’ll long remember.”
~~Patricia Reilly Giff, Newbery Honor-winning author of Pictures of Hollis Woods and Lily’s Crossing
Look for One for the Murphys on May 10, 2012.
Lynda's blog is called Raised by the Apple Trees. She shares her "thoughts on children's books, the writers/editors/agents behinds those stories, the business of publishing, and the craft of writing."
Look for One for the Murphys on May 10, 2012.
Rules for the Giveaway 1. The giveaway runs from April 22 to 11:59 p.m. on April 29.
2. You must be at least 13 to enter the drawing.
3. Please pay it forward. :)
2. You must be at least 13 to enter the drawing.
3. Please pay it forward. :)
