RoguesAngels: Rogues Angels Present Ruined by Marian Cheatham

Please welcome Marian Cheatham author of Ruined.

Marian will be awarding an eBook copy of Ruined to a randomly drawn commenter at each stop during the tour. A Grand Prize of a signed paperback copy of Ruined plus a new DVD of Much Ado About Nothing starring Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson will be awarded to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour (US ONLY). A signed paperback copy of Ruined will be awarded to a randomly drawn host (US ONLY).

Ruined - Stratford High Series, Book One

by Marian Cheatham

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INTERVIEW:

What expertise did you bring to your writing?

For Ruined, I brought experience from my first published novel, Eastland. I learned a hellava lot with that first book – like what covers work and don’t work, how to make the best use of reviews, how to network, and how to work with editors to make the best possible book. But I also brought my love of Shakespeare to Ruined and my new Stratford High Series. I’ve read a great many biographies of William Shakespeare. I’ve travelled around the world to see his plays, from Stratford, Canada to Stratford-Upon-the-Avon, Great Britain. I’ve toured the new Globe Theatre in London and visited the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C. You could say, I’m a fan of the Bard. Or maybe you’d say I’m a fanatic. Either definition is fine with me. I just wanted to share my love of Shakespeare with YA readers through this new series. I hope you enjoy!

What would you want your readers to know about you that might not be in your bio?

Besides all the Shakespeare stuff, I guess you might like to know that I also write screenplays. Writing for the big screen is very different than writing fiction, and though it’s been challenging to learn something new at this point in my life, I wouldn’t have it any other way. As a former teacher, I know the value of being a lifelong learner. So bring it on, I’m ready.

As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans?

I plan to write a third book in the Stratford Series early next year (2015) and if the series is doing well, then I’ll just continue retelling Shakespeare’s plays. He has over thirty to choose from, so there’s no shortage of inspiration for novels in this series. But I’m also going to continue screenwriting. I have several scripts already outlined, one completed and in circulation, and new ideas always swirling around in my head. It gets quite crowded in there, but I’m used to it by now.

If you could be one of the characters from this book, who would it be and why?

I would definitely want to be my female protagonist, Blythe Messina. She’s based on Shakespeare’s Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing. Both Blythe and Beatrice are strong women with a great deal to say about life and love and men. I love their spunkiness and wit, and writing Blythe was really a lot of fun for me.

Can you give us a sneak peak into this book?

As I’ve said, Ruined, is based on Much Ado About Nothing, a comedy with heavy romantic overtones, but there are also some very dramatic moments in the play that always leave me breathless and teary-eyed. Ruined has that same mixture. There’s some fun, and of course, the love stories (two romances, a major one and a minor one), and a few very tense scenes that may bother some young, sensitive readers. But I promise, it’s all done in good taste and nobody gets killed or slashed or turned into vampires in this book.

If at all possible, watch Kenneth’s Branagh’s movie production of Much Ado About Nothing. You’ll see how great actors can turn a scene from fun to frantic in an instant. Be sure to enter my Grand Prize Rafflecopter drawing to win your own DVD of the movie.

Do you belong to a critique group? If so how does this help or hinder your writing?

When I first started writing, I tried to find a critique group in my area, but didn’t have any luck. So I worked with SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators) and started a network group at my neighborhood Barnes & Noble. I’ve been associated with that group for a dozen years. I’ve had the joy and honor of meeting and growing with a fabulously talented group of writers. Join a critique group. It’s the best thing you could possibly do for yourself as a writer. Find people you can trust. People whose opinions matter to you and your work. You learn not only from your mistakes, but from the errors made by others. Eventually, you’ll become invested in each other. You’ll share in each other’s highs and lows, the rejection letters as well as the contract offers. And when you have your first book signing, you’re guaranteed to have some writer friends there to support you. So find a group. I promise you won’t regret it.

When did you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step?

When I began writing, I started with picture books and sent them out to editors and agents all over the country. It was crazy. Eventually, I learned to be more selective. To do my research before sending out a manuscript. A great deal of that research and information came from joining SCBWI and being a part of a critique group. I attended conferences, read ‘how to’ books, purchased the most current directories of agents and editors. I stayed on top of industry news. But that takes a great deal of work and time. You have to be ready to make that commitment not only to writing, but to marketing your work. It’s all part of being a writer – hopefully, a published writer.

What is the best and worst advice you ever received? (regarding writing or publishing)

I hate to sound redundant, but probably the best advice I ever received had to be to join a critique group. You need that camaraderie with like-minded souls to nurture your muse. The worst advice I ever received had to be to get a full-time job and keep this writing nonsense as a hobby. Of course, I didn’t heed that advice. Any writer will tell you that being a writer isn’t really a choice. You’re always writing in your head, even when you’re vacuuming or shopping or cooking or driving. It’s who you are, not what you do. I couldn’t stop writing if I tried. I’d burst into flames.

How do you maintain your creativity?

This was a hard question. I don’t actually try to maintain anything. Ideas just come freely to me at odd times in odd ways. Usually they’re inspired by something I’m experiencing like a gorgeous view on a mountain vacation or an interesting documentary on TV. I make notes of all of these ideas and then realize at some later date that most of them are just nonsense. What was I thinking? But at least, I was thinking. That’s the most important thing.

Anything else you might want to add?

I would like to thank you for hosting Ruined today and for having me as your guest. I’ve enjoyed our interview. I’d like to remind readers to stay tuned for Book Two in the Stratford High series. I’m working on the manuscript now, and hope to have it available by the end of 2014. Book Two is as yet untitled, but I can tell you that the story is inspired by Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice.

BLURB:

When your life has been ruined by lies, do you seek justice … or revenge?

Blythe Messina spends her senior year focused on her studies and college, and not on

her ex, Stratford High's lacrosse star, DB Whitmore. At least, that's what Blythe keeps telling herself. But her younger cousin, Bonni, knows otherwise. Same goes for DB, who swears to be over Blythe and their breakup, but his teammates aren’t fooled.

When scandalous photos of Bonni and the team captain are texted around Stratford, Bonni's virtuous reputation is ruined. She professes her innocence, but no one believes her. No one, except Blythe and DB, who come together to uncover the truth. But, will they stay together?

Ruined is a modern twist on a classic Shakespearean romance.

"Deceit, loyalty, honor, and romance--Ruined has it all! A teen version of Much Ado

About Nothing that Shakespeare aficionados are sure to savor!”

Kym Brunner, Author of Wanted: Dead or in Love & One Smart Cookie

All books in the Stratford High series will be modern retellings of a Shakespeare classic. Ruined is inspired by Much Ado About Nothing.

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EXCERPT:

PAOLO PRINCE

I watched through the sliding glass doors as my baby brother disappeared into the depths of Mr. M.’s house with DB. I hoped Jon wasn’t getting sick. The Mai Tais at this party were kind of sweet. Or maybe the sun had gotten to him. No denying it was hot outside, and this deck didn’t

have a sheltered awning. Dad used to tell Jon to toughen up, and Jon had, once he’d started playing lacrosse. Wasn’t his fault, he was on the short side. Jon got that from his mother. She

was just a pale wisp of a thing. Maybe that was what Dad had liked about her. She was the polar opposite of my long-legged, big-boned Amazon mom.

Dad. What a player. He had the best of both worlds in women and sons.

A hand clamped down on my shoulder. “Don’t worry about your brother,” Mr. M. said. “Jon’s in capable hands. That DB is a good guy. I only wish my niece could see his better qualities.”

Bonni shook her head. “Blythe’s too hung up on the past. At least she pretends to be. She’s always DB did this and DB did that. Acting annoyed when she’s really in love with him.”

“Same with DB,” said Cory. “He say he hates Blythe, but I know he’s always plotting ways to run into her on the sly.”

“Me thinks they doth protest too much,” said Mr. M. “Too bad. Those two seem perfect for each other. If only they could find their way back together.”

“Maybe they just need a push.” A seed of something had taken root in my brain.

“Go on.” Mr. M. smiled at me. “What’re you thinking, Paolo?”

“Maybe we can trick them into admitting how they really feel. What if you and Bonni let it slip that DB wants to work things out? You know, have a conversation when Blythe’s not supposed to be around, but really she is. Let her overhear you talking.”

“We can do that, right, Daddy? We can make Blythe believe DB still cares.”

“Absolutely!” Mr. M. high-fived her.

“And you and I will do the same with DB,” I told Cory. “When we're sure he’s listening, we’ll drop the bomb that Blythe is still into him. Then we stand back and let nature take its course.” I extended my hand. My three co-conspirators piled their hands on top of mine. “We’re all in?”

Bonni, Cory, and Mr. M. nodded.

“Good. Operation Cupid is a go.”

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Marian is a full-time writer of contemporary and historical young adult fiction. A native Chicagoan and a graduate of Northern Illinois University, Marian taught special education and worked in the business world before pursuing her dream of becoming a writer. She would rather be at her desk than almost anywhere else, but of course, that isn’t always possible. So when she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, gardening, walking the dog, travelling with her husband, and researching new projects. Not necessarily in that order.

She adores anything Shakespeare. An avid reader of Shakespeare biographies, she has travelled the world to see his plays, visiting Stratford, Canada as well as Stratford-Upon-the-Avon, Great Britain, and the new Globe Theater in London. Her latest YA novel, Ruined, Book One in her new Stratford High series – modern retellings of Shakespeare’s plays - is inspired by the Bard’s classic romance, Much Ado About Nothing. Book Two, inspired by the Merchant of Venice, is due out fall 2014.

Her debut YA, Eastland, came out in February 2014. Based on the real-life story of the 1915 Eastland boat disaster in Chicago, Marian lectures about the Eastland to schools, libraries, and book clubs, as well as co-hosting haunted Chicago tours of Eastland disaster sites. She writes a post on the subject on the Tribune’s Chicago Now blog site. Visit her at:

www.chicagonow.com/everyday-eastland/

www.facebook.com/mariancheatham.author

https://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/22542534-ruined

@CheathamMarian

www.amazon.com/Ruined-Stratford-High-Marian-Cheatham/dp/1500335444

Please use this rafflecopter code to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f307/