Stranded on Castaway Island by Amy Laundrie

 Please welcome Amy Laundrie author of Stranded on Castaway Island

Amy Laundrie will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

Stranded on Castaway Island

by Amy Laundrie

 

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GENRE:   middle grade-young adult

 

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INTERVIEW:

1. What or who inspired you to start writing?

I wrote my first story at the age of 9 after a teacher inspired me by reading the class PIPPI LONGSTOCKING. My story, MISS P.J., was a lot like that story since Miss P.J. did crazy things like crack an egg on her scalp and exclaims, “Good for the scalp.” She also rode a giraffe. In STRANDED ON CASTAWAY, Annie tries to ride one of the wild horses. It doesn’t end well.

2. How did you come up with your idea for your novel?

I read a National Geographic article about explorers on Sable Island, off the coast of Nova Scotia, discovering a boy’s skeleton. Alongside him, they also uncovered a shoe buckle, musket balls, and British coins dated 1760. My writers’ brain went on overload. What had caused his death? In STRANDED ON CASTAWAY ISLAND, which is based on Sable Island, the castaways discover a boy’s skeleton. They wonder if they will suffer the same fate.

3. What expertise did you bring to your writing?

I researched Sable Island and survival skills. I’m also a horseback rider. While jumping my mare on a cross country course, she stopped abruptly in front of a high jump. I fell off and broke my arm. Annie falls off Sea Stallion and also breaks her arm. This is the kind of personal expertise I’d rather not have, but it did help bring certain scenes to life.

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

I get up at 5:00, so I’m guaranteed writing time every day. I’m a blackbelt, love playing tennis, and walking my dog in the woods.

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

I’m a goal-setter and I have several more books which I hope to see published. I’ve enjoyed writing picture books and middle-grade series. I’m also a weekly columnist for my local paper and hope to continue that.

6. Can you give us a sneak peek into this book?

Two ex-best friends are shipwrecked, survive three days on a raft, and land on an island they believe is only inhabited by wild horses. But then they spot footprints.

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

I belong to several critique groups and find them valuable not only for helpful suggestions, but for support and encouragement. Many talented writers helped to make STRANDED ON CASTAWAY ISLAND the story it is today.

8. Do you outline your books or just start writing?

I like using “Save the Cat” which encourages writers to pay attention to the point in the story where they state the theme, introduce the catalyst, have the bad guys close in and the “all is lost” moment.

9. How do you maintain your creativity?

I’m much more creative in the early morning hours. Julia Cameron, in her book THE ARTIST’S WAY, talks about “morning pages.” She also introduced me to having “artist dates,” periods of time when you devote yourself to writing. I’ve found those to be successful.

10. Who is your favorite character in the book? Can you tell us why? This is tough, but I’d have to say Annie is my favorite. She’s gone through so much—losing her mother and being hurt by Mirra. And now, she needs to try to survive!

BLURB:

 

On a remote island with only a herd of wild horses for company, two ex-best friends struggle to survive but soon realize they’re not alone.

After a sudden storm turned what should have been a quick boat ride into a nightmare, Annie is shipwrecked on a remote island near Nova Scotia with her ex-best friend Mirra. Learning to survive together would have been easier if they could get along--not possible after the hurtful words neither can forget. Annie and Mirra's only company is a herd of wild horses--or that's what the 14-year-old girls think at first. But when they discover still warm embers from a campfire and man-sized footprints, they know they're not alone. 

 

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EXCERPT:

 

I clung onto the dash and hit 9 1 before a gigantic tower of greenish-gray water blasted over us. It soaked the phone. I caught my breath and tried punching the final 1. Please, oh, please. But nothing. A wall of water crashed onto the boat, soaking it more. Icy water sloshed around our ankles. The bow tilted to sea level again. “Hang on—” When I grabbed for the side-rail, the phone dropped to my feet. There was no chance of grabbing it—I was holding on for dear life as wave after wave washed onto the deck. The boat’s motor died. The storm was sweeping us out of the bay and into the open sea.

            

“Call the Coast Guard!” I screamed, remembering the radio.

 

Mirra pressed a button and shouted, “Coast Guard! Coast Guard!”

 

Nothing except static. 

 

“Mayday! Mayday!” Mirra shrieked.

 

The bow tilted up, and the cooler slid, hitting the stern and sounding like a gunshot. Clutching onto the handrail, I held my breath. A saltwater wall, taller than any before, swept over us. Coughing and sputtering, I looked for Mirra. She was gripping the wheel. A scream stuck in my throat as the boat plunged. 

 

When the wave sliced over us, it washed my legs out from under me. I closed my eyes as the freezing cold ocean ripped away my hat and gushed down on me. 

 

The boat pitched sideways. I lost my grip and tumbled into the raging water.

The shark’s jaws appeared, but I only looked at its eye.

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Amy writes about nature and animals and spends way too much time imagining what it would be like to survive on a remote island. STRANDED ON CASTAWAY ISLAND, for middle grade and young adults, is her 11th books. She also has picture books, middle-grade chapter books, and an adult memoir. She’s a columnist and her memoir, LAUGH, CRY, REFLECT:  STORIES FROM A JOYFUL HEART is a compilation of her favorite pieces. 

 

 

Website: https://laundrie.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AmyLaundrieAuthor

Amazon Author Page: https://tinyurl.com/LaundrieAuthorPage

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmyLaundrie

Blog: http://laundrie.com/articles

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amylaundrie/?hl=en

Goodreads: https://tinyurl.com/Goodreads-Laundrie

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/yd3ubwr7

LinkedIn: https://tinyurl.com/yxchfsu3

Book Marketing Global Network:  https://bit.ly/344SRW2

Buy links:

The book will be on sale for only $0.99.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3KBonz6

Banres &Knoble: https://bit.ly/3xLfVtw

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/399NLhP

Bookbub: https://bit.ly/3vp4Rko

 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE:

 

Amy Laundrie will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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