Now, if you guys don’t know about Book Expo, it’s a big literary trade show that happens every May in New York City. They have these panels where they feature a selection of books that are getting a ton of buzz. There’s a panel all about books for adults, and another featuring YA and Middle Grade. Now, when I used to go to Book Expo, I’d get very overwhelmed with all the books! But these days, after many Book Expos, I’m a little more measured, and it takes a bit more for a book to grab my attention. The Warehouse was one of the books that really made me sit up and take notice. 

But first, a little bit about our guest.

Rob Hart is the author of the Ash McKenna series, as well as the short story collection Take-Out, and the novella Scott Free, which he co-wrote with James Patterson. His latest book, The Warehouse, has sold in more than 20 countries and has been optioned for film by Ron Howard. A fellow New Yorker, Rob lives in Staten Island, NY, with his wife and daughter.

In this episode Rob and I discuss:

• The inspiration behind The Warehouse
• How adding a third point of view strengthened the story
• Crafting an immersive world without info-dumping
• Under-writing instead of over-writing a draft
• Using a map to plan a world
• Moving from outlining and research to writing

Plus, his #1 tip for writers.

About Rob Hart

Rob Hart is the author of the Ash McKenna series, the short story collection TAKE-OUT, and the novella SCOTT FREE, which he co-wrote with James Patterson. His latest book, THE WAREHOUSE, has sold in more than 20 countries and has been optioned for film by Ron Howard. He lives in Staten Island, NY, with his wife and daughter.

The Warehouse 

Cloud isn’t just a place to work. It’s a place to live. And when you’re here, you’ll never want to leave.

Paxton never thought he’d be working for Cloud, the giant tech company that’s eaten much of the American economy. Much less that he’d be moving into one of the company’s sprawling live-work facilities. But compared to what’s left outside, Cloud’s bland chainstore life of gleaming entertainment halls, open-plan offices, and vast warehouses…well, it doesn’t seem so bad. It’s more than anyone else is offering.

Zinnia never thought she’d be infiltrating Cloud. But now she’s undercover, inside the walls, risking it all to ferret out the company’s darkest secrets. And Paxton, with his ordinary little hopes and fears? He just might make the perfect pawn. If she can bear to sacrifice him.

As the truth about Cloud unfolds, Zinnia must gamble everything on a desperate scheme—one that risks both their lives, even as it forces Paxton to question everything about the world he’s so carefully assembled here.

Together, they’ll learn just how far the company will go…to make the world a better place.

Set in the confines of a corporate panopticon that’s at once brilliantly imagined and terrifyingly real, The Warehouse is a near-future thriller about what happens when Big Brother meets Big Business–and who will pay the ultimate price.

If you decide to check out the book, we hope you’ll do so via this Amazon affiliate link, where if you choose to purchase via the link DIY MFA gets a referral fee at no cost to you. As always, thank you for supporting DIY MFA!

Link to Episode #274

(Right-click to download.)

If you liked this episode…

Head over to iTunes, Stitcher Radio or Google Play and subscribe so you’ll be first to know when new episodes are available.

Also, remember that sharing is caring so if you know anyone who might enjoy this podcast, please tell them about it or leave us a review so other listeners will want to check it out.

Until next week, keep writing and keep being awesome!

The post Episode 274: Speculating From Reality and Building a Dystopia — Interview with Rob Hart appeared first on DIY MFA.

Today I am so excited to have Ashley and Leslie Saunders on the show!

Ashley and Leslie are award-winning filmmakers, twin sisters, and authors. Hailing from the suburbs of Dallas these two honed their love of storytelling at The University of Texas at Austin.

While researching their debut novel, The Rule of One, Ashley and Leslie fell in love with America’s national parks, as they traveled the path of their main characters (also twin sisters) Ava and Mira.

I’m reading The Rule of One right now, and OMG it is soooooo good! I was delighted to learn that this book will be followed by a sequel, The Rule Of Many, releasing in spring of 2019.

So listen in as Ashley, Leslie, and I chat about this awesome book, and and crafting a visually stunning near-fi dystopia on the page.

In this episode Ashley, Leslie, and I discuss:

• Crafting a realistic twin sister relationship.
• Worldbuilding techniques for “near-fi” stories.
• The challenges of writing a novel vs. a screenplay.
• How to build a visual story on the page.
• Why connecting with other writers can motivate you to keep writing.

Plus, Ashley’s and Leslie’s #1 tips for writers.

About Ashley and Leslie Saunders

Hailing from the suburbs of Dallas, Texas, Ashley Saunders and Leslie Saunders are award-winning filmmakers and twin sisters who honed their love of storytelling at The University of Texas at Austin. Their first novel, The Rule of One, is available now and will be followed by the sequel, The Rule Of Many, coming in spring of 2019.

While researching The Rule of One, they fell in love with America’s national parks, traveling the path of Ava and Mira. The sisters can currently be found with their Boston terriers in sunny Los Angeles, exploring hiking trails and drinking entirely too much yerba mate.

To connect with Ashley and Leslie check out their website at thesaunderssisters.com.

The Rule of One

In their world, telling the truth has become the most dangerous crime of all.

In the near-future United States, a one-child policy is ruthlessly enforced. Everyone follows the Rule of One. But Ava Goodwin, daughter of the head of the Texas Family Planning Division, has a secret—one her mother died to keep and her father has helped to hide for her entire life.

She has an identical twin sister, Mira.

For eighteen years Ava and Mira have lived as one, trading places day after day, maintaining an interchangeable existence down to the most telling detail. But when their charade is exposed, their worst nightmare begins. Now they must leave behind the father they love and fight for their lives.

Branded as traitors, hunted as fugitives, and pushed to discover just how far they’ll go in order to stay alive, Ava and Mira rush headlong into a terrifying unknown.

If you decide to check out The Rule of One or would like to pre-order The Rule of Many we hope you’ll do so via these Amazon affiliate links, where if you choose to purchase via the link DIY MFA gets a referral fee at no cost to you. As always, thank you for supporting DIY MFA!

Link to Episode 235

(Right-click to download.)

If you liked this episode…

Head over to iTunes, Stitcher Radio or Google Play and subscribe so you’ll be first to know when new episodes are available.

Also, remember that sharing is caring so if you know anyone who might enjoy this podcast, please tell them about it or leave us a review so other listeners will want to check it out.

Until next week, keep writing and keep being awesome!

The post Episode 235: Double Trouble: Writing Near-Fi Dystopia — Interview with Ashley and Leslie Saunders appeared first on DIY MFA.