From the Backlist: NICE GUYS versus BAD BOYS

Heo Nam-jun and Lim Ji-yeon in My Royal Nemesis on Netflix

Welcome to another post in the Supernatural Underground Backlist Series. Today's feature is from June 2010 by the wonderful author Kimberly Derting. Here she talks about the essentials of nice guys and bad boys in our fiction, and real life!

Which do you prefer? 

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NICE GUYS versus BAD BOYS

by Kimberly Derting

... Today I’m talking about the Nice Guys vs. the Bad Boys (you know what I’m talkin’ about, ladies)!

In my YA novel, THE BODY FINDER, my main character Violet is in love with her best friend Jay…a very Nice Guy. But is he too nice? Of course not (says the author!), but I do see of a lot of debate over the Bad Boy vs. Nice Guy topic, especially in reviews. With Bad Boys, the concern is that we’re teaching girls that it’s okay to let someone treat them badly, to walk all over them. With Nice Guys, the problem is they don’t always make our hearts race or our pulse pound.

So which is better, the Bad Boy with his tough guy charm and bad-ass attitude? Or the Nice Guy who opens doors and brings his girl flowers?

As a writer, I have an opinion, a fairly strong one. We need them both. At least on paper. Because here’s the deal: how boring would it be if all the guys we read about were cut from the same cloth? How predictable would books be if all the men were just a cookie cutter mold of the last? Blech!

(Really, do they come any nicer than Lloyd Dobler in Say Anything?)

And let me just clarify, in real life I love my nice guy husband who carries in my groceries and makes sure my car has gas before I leave. I also like that he doesn’t let me walk all over him. Because, let's face it, there’s a HUGE difference between the Nice Guy and the Simpering Wimp.

But when I’m reading, I want to be surprised; I want the Bad Boys gone good, the Nice Guys turned bad, and everything in between. I don’t always want to know which is which... read the entire post HERE

 

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Find out more about Kimberly Derting and her award-winning young adult novels including The Body Finder Series. 

 

Happy reading, and be sure to let us know your preference - Nice Guy or Bad Boy - in the comments.

 

 

From the Backlist - What Would Your Echo Be?

 

Hello Everyone!

It's time to explore the awesome backlist at the Supernatural Underground! 

Today we are sharing a post made on February 23, 2011 by the bestselling author Kimberly Derting. She has some fabulous new releases out now, but these oldies but goodies are based on a beautiful, eerie premises: What Would Your Echo Be? 

Check this out!

By Kimberly Dering, Feb 23, 2011

In THE BODY FINDER and its sequel, DESIRES OF THE DEAD, 16-year-old Violet Ambrose is drawn to the dead by sensory imprints that attach to them when they are killed. Yes, they must come to an untimely death to be left with one of these “echoes.” And the thing about the echoes is that they’re completely and totally random. They have nothing to do with how the person lived…or even how they died.

It can be a sound (bells, music, the sound of glass breaking)

A taste (garlic, briny salt water, caramel)

A physical sensation (brain freeze, the sensation of feathers brushing over her skin)

Or a visual echo (a glow or a burst of colors)

I was asked at the launch party for DESIRES OF THE DEAD this past weekend, if I had an echo, what would it be?

Even knowing the rules (that it has nothing to do with the individuals themselves), I was still convinced that my echo would be something chocolate-related. I mean, honestly, how could it not be?

So I’m asking you, if you could choose your echo, what would it be... 

To read more about the amazing writer Kimberly Derting, visit her website, Twitter and FB.

Short Stories, Big Impact...

As a reader, I’ve always loved the idea of short stories, especially those by authors whose series I’ve read. These stories were like sneak peeks into their character’s private lives, backstories, and innermost thoughts and psyches. Something you couldn’t always get in the novel itself when the goal is to propel the action forward.

But as a writer, it was an entirely different story. Let’s just say, I was terrified of short stories. Sure I could write an 80,000 word novel. I could lay out a plot, create characters, come up with a climactic resolution…but a short story?! I was afraid it was just too…short. Too short for me to create depth. Too short to create electricity on the pages. Sure, other authors—more seasoned and more skilled ones—could do it. But me? I was just a rookie.

And then I was asked to write one, to participate in an anthology with a group of authors I literally bowed down to. And I was so flattered that I had no choice but to swallow those fears and agree to give it a shot. (I mean, seriously, who says no to an offer like that???).

The story I chose to write, SKIN CONTACT, is about Rafe from DESIRES OF THE DEAD. Turns out, I loved writing it! I loved the entire process of creating the short story. I loved having more time to spend with a character that I’d fallen in love with, but that readers had barely gotten to know. I loved giving a glimpse into his tortured backstory.

The final product, ENTHRALLED, edited by Supernatural Undergrounders Kelley Armstrong and Melissa Marr, also has tales by Rachel Caine, Rachel Vincent, Carrie Ryan, Claudia Gray (and a gazillion other great authors) is due out in September. Some of these stories are gritty and edgy, while others are haunting, and some are just flat-out funny. What more could you want???

Well, here’s your chance to win an advance copy of this uber-fab, superstar anthology! Just tell me what you think of short stories and/or anthologies. Leave a comment by midnight tomorrow (May 24th), and I’ll choose one random commenter to win a copy of ENTHRALLED!

Good luck, guys!!!

EDITED: CONGRATS to mromero who won the ARC of ENTHRALLED!!!!

TEEN DAY AT RT! (Or the biggest thing since sliced bread)

The other day, fellow Undergrounder Nicole posted about how excited she is about RT (the upcoming Romantic Times Convention in Los Angeles). And I’m excited for all the same reasons she is…plus ONE MORE!

This year, RT has expanded to add a huge TEEN DAY Celebration. And when I say huge, I mean gi-freakin-normous!!! Yeah, it's that big.

Check it out…

On Saturday, April 9th, it’s Teen Day at the Romantic Times Convention! You can see all the haps in the lower left-hand corner there:


Come and mingle with the superstars of YA. (Oh, and I’ll be there too!)

And…if you want to skip the all-day events (you know, like the SUPER COOL party!), you can just attend the signing from 11-2PM and it’s only $5.

For all the latest updates, follow RT Teen Day on Twitter

And Facebook

So if you’re in the area, I’ll totally see you there, right?

Trust me, you don't want to miss this!!!

What Would Your Echo Be?

In THE BODY FINDER and its sequel, DESIRES OF THE DEAD, 16-year-old Violet Ambrose is drawn to the dead by sensory imprints that attach to them when they are killed. Yes, they must come to an untimely death to be left with one of these “echoes.” And the thing about the echoes is that they’re completely and totally random. They have nothing to do with how the person lived…or even how they died.

It can be a sound (bells, music, the sound of glass breaking)

A taste (garlic, briny salt water, caramel)

A physical sensation (brain freeze, the sensation of feathers brushing over her skin)

Or a visual echo (a glow or a burst of colors)

I was asked at the launch party for DESIRES OF THE DEAD this past weekend, if I had an echo, what would it be?

Even knowing the rules (that it has nothing to do with the individual themselves), I was still convinced that my echo would be something chocolate related. I mean, honestly, how could it not be?

So I’m asking you, if you could choose your echo, what would it be???

Be creative and let’s have some fun with this one! Leave your responses here, and tomorrow I’ll choose one random winner to receive a signed copy of my new book, DESIRES OF THE DEAD.

I’m excited! Are you excited???

EDITED TO ADD THAT THE WINNER IS: cheesecake.thief59

CONGRATS!!!!

DESTINATION: Fiction

How many people get to lie for a living? Criminals, probably. Writers, most definitely. (I love that about my job!) But what you may not know is that there are little bits of truth sprinkled throughout the pages of THE BODY FINDER and DESIRES OF THE DEAD.

No, that does not mean I can find dead bodies. And as far as I know Jay Heaton is a fictional character (sorry, ladies!).

But what I didn't make up are some of the places Violet and Jay visit, so I thought I would give you a tour of the REAL PLACES OF THE BODY FINDER…

Enjoy!

White River High School:



This all-too-real high school in Buckley, Washington is renowned for its award-winning architecture and is set against a lush wooded backdrop (the perfect place for creepy, serial killer types to watch from the woods).

The part I made up: The real White River High School doesn’t have lockers. I know, right? That award-winning design I mentioned…no lockers! But I really wanted Violet’s school to have them, so when I asked my editor if I could “make them up” she answered: “It’s fiction, you can do whatever you want.”

So, my White River totally has lockers!


Mount Rainier:



This gorgeous, dormant volcano is the highest point in Washington State.

Fun Fact: This mountain isn’t always “out”.

In the Northwest, we use the phrase: “the mountain is out” when clouds aren’t obscuring it from view. But when I used that phrase in the manuscript for THE BODY FINDER, my editor (who lives in New York City) had no idea what I was talking about. I was asked to “clarify.”


Lake Tapps:



There’s no better place to be on a lazy summer day…

And no, the lake is not, in fact, a dumping site for serial killers. (At least to the best of my knowledge.)


What are some of your favorite fiction destinations???

THE WHISPERING EYE...

The Forest of Hands and Teeth
Wicked Lovely
City of Bones
Shiver
The Hunger Games
Firelight
Hush, Hush
Beautiful Creatures
Matched

(Can you tell I'm a Young Adult author???)

Sometimes even before the cover image, the title is the first impression we have of a book. And whether we want to admit it or not, they’re important. HUGELY important. And you know what? I kinda suck at titles.

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE the title of my first book. Love, love it, and maybe even want to marry it. But it was an accidental title, a placeholder title that ([insert sarcasm font here] with my vast knowledge of the publishing industry) I was sure the publisher was going to change anyway. THE BODY FINDER…it was what my main character could do, not a well thought out title of a YA novel. I even had a short list (a VERY short list) of alternates, just in case I was consulted in the matter. But that’s the weird thing…I wasn’t consulted. Because my publisher—the editorial staff and Sales & Marketing—they loved the title too. Thus, THE BODY FINDER it was.

And I was left standing there going: “What the hell just happened…?”

For book two I was more careful. Thoughtful. I spent a lot of time thinking about what meaning I wanted to convey. I weighed the feel of the book and the path that my main character took. And I came up with the perfect title. My agent loved it, and my editor too. Close your eyes and imagine it: *waves hand dramatically*

THE BEAUTIFUL DEAD

It had everything, it was evocative and dark and a little mysterious…

Umm, yeah, well apparently it was the perfect title...for a series of books already out in the UK. And it was way too close to Francesca Lia Block’s book (also by HarperCollins) titled PRETTY DEAD. (I only wish someone would have told me before I bought the domain name: www.thebeautifuldead.net!)

So it was back to the drawing board. And then one day I was going through my edits and I came across a line in the manuscript that stood out to me: “…the desires of the dead.” And that was it, my title: DESIRES OF THE DEAD. Another accidental title. But, again, I love it. And again, a possible impending nuptial. (What can I say? I’m fickle like that!)

For my current project, it took me a LOT longer to come up with a title...pages and pages (and weeks and weeks) of brainstorming. I S-T-R-U-G-G-L-E-D with it! I knew it when I found it, but it was a long time coming.

But in the meantime, one morning after watching the movie Role Models, I woke up and my husband had renamed my document “THE WHISPERING EYE” as a joke. If you’ve seen the movie you’ll get the reference. (If you haven’t, then you’re on your own to figure it out.) But I wonder what my editor would have thought if I'd sent it in like that. I can just imagine the Sales & Marketing meeting for that one. I’m guessing it would have been fairly controversial…

So, I want to know what titles you love and why. And if you’re a writer, I wanna know how you’ve come up with your titles.

Because this title thing, it daunts me. Like I said, I sort of suck at it…

SNOW ON THE BRAIN!

We don’t get a lot of snow in Seattle. Wait, let me rephrase that: When we get ANY snow in Seattle, the entire city shuts down! Schools close, flights are canceled, drivers panic and freeways literally shut down.

That’s where we are right now. The city is layered in fluffy white snow, the roads are sheets of ice, and highs today are predicted to be around 20 degrees. WE ARE CLOSED FOR BUSINESS!

But this is what it looks like:

At our house that means hot cocoa for the kids…and for the grown-ups (Bailey’s included):


It also means a little something we like to call The Alex Express, in which our dog becomes a reindeer, pulling the kids around the neighborhood on their sled. (Usually the kids are done before the dog!)


And because I’m feeling festive and cheerful (and possibly a tad frostbitten), I’ve decided to do an ARC giveaway for my upcoming release DESIRES OF THE DEAD!

All you have to do is leave me a comment about your favorite (or least favorite) thing about the snowy weather, or tell me if you’re one of those folks who don’t get snow where you live, by midnight Pacific time November 25th (that’s Thanksgiving if you’re in the US). One commenter will win a signed copy of DESIRES OF THE DEAD. This one's open to International entrants too!

And be sure to check back to see if you’ve won.

*** Contest is now closed ***

*** And the winner (chosen by random.org) is: A.J. ***

CONGRATS, A.J.!!!


Happy Snow, everyone!

Growing Up...

When I was growing up, we didn’t have the huge selection of Young Adult books that kids have today. Sure, we had our Nancy Drew and some Babysitter’s Club, but neither of those really captured my interest. So, instead, I pretty much went from reading Charlotte’s Web (or pretty much anything by E.B. White) and The Boxcar Children, to reading the books my mom had lying around the house. Fortunately for me, she was into these really great ghost stories by John Saul (remember Punish the Sinners, Suffer the Children, and When the Wind Blows?), and even scarier books by Stephen King (who didn’t read Carrie, The Shining, or Salem’s Lot???).

Basically, I was indoctrinated into horror by the time I was twelve, which is what I like to call "great parenting"! But, oh my god, I LOVED IT!!!

So it was no surprise that my first attempt at writing was a full-on adult horror novel, called ONE OF THEM. There was some hardcore gore and death and steamy sex in it. (Again, thanks a lot, mom!) Unfortunately the story was ridiculously convoluted and the writing was so-so (at best). Meaning, ONE OF THEM made really great practice.

It wasn’t until years (and many revisions and submissions) later, when a friend of mine introduced me to the burgeoning world of YA. She was screening books for her teen daughter and she would pass them along to me saying, “Trust me, you are going to love this!”

And of course she was right…I did love them! And I also decided it was time for me to give up on that poor, beaten-to-death horror novel I’d written so many years earlier. ONE OF THEM was officially retired.

When I decided to write a new book, I didn’t actually set out to write YA, it just kind of happened that my main character was a teen and that my backdrop was high school. And pretty soon I realized that I was writing exactly the kind of book that I wished I’d had when I was a teen. Creepy and suspenseful and romantic!

I’ve always been a very eclectic reader, but I’ll never forget those lazy summer days when I first made that leap from children’s to grown-up books (and those same summer nights when I checked—and double-checked—my windows to make sure they were locked!).

I’m curious about what books were your first adult reads. How old were you? Did you like ‘em sweet or scary? Mysteries or romances??? And was it all your mom’s fault?

SMART CHICKS Make Great Tour Buddies!

You may have heard of it: The Smart Chicks Kick-It Tour. Brainchild of three uber-fab YA authors Melissa Marr, Kelley Armstrong, and Alyson Noel. (And, by the way, Melissa and Kelley are also fellow Supernatural Undergrounders!) Basically, what started out as a 6-city, author funded tour, quickly exploded into 12 stops, with Melissa, Kelley, and Alyson being joined by 15 other YA authors who alternated events with them. I was fortunate enough to be included among those lucky 15…And. It. Was. Epic!

In (110 degree) Scottsdale, it was Melissa, Kelley, Alyson, Holly Black, Sarah Rees Brennan, and me:

There were cookies (Get it? Boots because we were “Kicking-It”!)...

...sparkly tattoos...

...and Sarah Rees Brennan showing off her fencing moves (yes, in her skirt and high heels) to a crowd of almost 300!

In Menlo Park, we lost Holly Black and Sarah Rees Brennan…but we picked up Melissa de la Cruz, Margaret Stohl, and Kami Garcia:

Backstage, we showed off our jewelry and our shoes.

And then we were on:

I'm not sure what Alyson was talking about, but I LOVE the picture!!!


And I just have to say that group tours are incredible, but touring with some of the Smartest Chicks in YA literature was absolutely mind blowing!!!

How Far Is Too Far???

**CONGRATS to nymfaux who won the signed copy of THE BODY FINDER!**

With the advent of DVRs, commercials seem to be falling by the wayside, so advertisers are finding more…shall we say "creative" ways to attract our attention. And maybe creative is a bit of an overstatement. Maybe in-your-face would be more accurate. It’s a little something we like to call Product Placement.

It’s actually nothing new. It’s really not DVRs that have spawned this event. Remember ET? That adorable little alien who stole our heart-lights back in the 80’s? Did he not make your mouth water for those delectable Reese’s Pieces? It just as easily could have been M&Ms you were craving if the Mars company made Spielberg the right offer.

Don’t get me wrong here, I don’t mind the shift toward product placement. Not even a little bit. It can even be entertaining, as long as it fits into the story. It can be as blatant and obvious as 30 Rock’s McFlurry episode (which, paid for or not, was sheer marketing genius!). And, which I might add, made my mouth water for the almighty McFlurry. Well played, advertising gurus…well played!

So, where does this product placement end, I wonder? Surely not with TV and movies. When will we see it bleeding into the pages of the books we love? And, more importantly, do we care?

In TWILIGHT, Bella drinks Coke. In Justin Cronin’s mega-hit THE PASSAGE, he mentions Nikes. I even did it when my main character in THE BODY FINDER goes for a run and listens to her iPod, and not her generic mp3 player.

But as an author would I be willing to change the soda that my characters drink based on a check I receive from PepsiCo? Or to change a setting to a certain fast food joint just for some extra change in my pockets? I don’t know…how much are we talkin’???

And what about the covers? Those beautifully crafted covers that we drool over? Should there be ad space for sale on those? Banner ads? Logos?

I don’t know…that may be too far even for me (and those of you who know me understand that “too far” is not a phrase I know well).

So, maybe “Sell-Out” is not my middle name. But I’m not ruling out “Apple” or “Charmin” or “Skittles”, you know, if the price is right….

But I want to hear your thoughts on brand names popping up in books. Does it bother you? Would it bother you if you knew the author was selling the right to have it named? Could you give a flip either way? And what other books can you think of that name actual brand names???

I’m giving away a signed copy of THE BODY FINDER, all you have to do is leave a comment by midnight on Wednesday, August 25th. One random winner will be selected!

What do you think: Kimberly Amazon Derting???

Why YA?

One of the questions I’m often asked is: Why do you write Young Adult?

My smart-assed answer is: Because I’m immature for my age. But, seriously, that’s not it. I mean, not that I’m not immature, it’s just not the real reason I love writing for teens.

When I first started out, I wrote a full-on adult horror novel called ONE OF THEM. It was graphic, filled with steamy sex, filthy language, and heavy on the gore. Cuz that’s how I roll.

(Okay, yeah, there’s my immaturity showing again!)

But here’s the thing about YA, what draws me to the genre in general: I love remembering what it was like to be a teen. How raw every emotion felt, how they always seemed to simmer just beneath the surface, how mixed up each emotion was until they were impossible to tell apart: love, hate, humiliation, joy, anger, jealousy. When everything you experienced was new and how that very moment was the single most important moment of your entire life. There were so many out-of-control emotions packed into every “first” you experienced. Your first crush, your first date, your first kiss. Your first heartache.

I get to see and experience these things everyday with my own kids, watching them pass through these tough and wonderful stages just as I did. My oldest daughter’s first real break-up nearly broke my heart. Taking my son to get his driver’s license…well, let’s just say my heart might not be broken, but it’s definitely lodged in my throat. He, on the other hand, is practically quivering with excitement for this monumental first!

As adults, we’ve lived, we’ve experienced, and now we’re, what…jaded? Cynical? And even if we’re not jaded, we sometimes forget how quickly that rush of butterflies could jam us up, making coherent speech impossible…sometimes making us forget our own names. But try, just for a moment, to remember the feelings behind them—those butterflies—think about that anticipatory breath right before that first kiss, when your eyes locked and you realized: This might be it! This is really going to happen!!!

In YA I get to write about these moments, in all their shiny newness, their raw intensity and jumbled emotions.

Because I remember my first kiss, the feel of his lips against mine, his hands awkwardly trying to find a place on my hips. And don’t try to tell me you don’t remember yours…I bet you even remember his name!

NICE GUYS versus BAD BOYS

CONGRATS to the winner splendidbird!!! Email me at kim(at)kimberlyderting(dot)com, so we can work out the details.

And I just have to say I loved reading all of your Good Guys v. Bad Boys comments, you guys gave GREAT answers!

I’m piggy-backing on Merrie’s post about Good Guys vs. Bad Guys, only I’m playing it a little differently. Today I’m talking about the Nice Guys vs. the Bad Boys (you know what I’m talkin’ about, ladies)!

In my YA novel, THE BODY FINDER, my main character Violet is in love with her best friend Jay…a very Nice Guy. But is he too nice? Of course not (says the author!), but I do see of a lot of debate over the Bad Boy vs. Nice Guy topic, especially in reviews. With Bad Boys, the concern is that we’re teaching girls that it’s okay to let someone treat them badly, to walk all over them. With Nice Guys, the problem is they don’t always make our hearts race or our pulse pound.

So which is better, the Bad Boy with his tough guy charm and bad-ass attitude? Or the Nice Guy who opens doors and brings his girl flowers?

As a writer, I have an opinion, a fairly strong one. We need them both. At least on paper. Because here’s the deal: how boring would it be if all the guys we read about were cut from the same cloth? How predictable would books be if all the men were just a cookie cutter mold of the last? Blech!

(Really, do they come any nicer than Lloyd Dobler in Say Anything?)

And let me just clarify, in real life I love my nice guy husband who carries in my groceries and makes sure my car has gas before I leave. I also like that he doesn’t let me walk all over him. Because, let's face it, there’s a HUGE difference between the Nice Guy and the Simpering Wimp.

But when I’m reading, I want to be surprised; I want the Bad Boys gone good, the Nice Guys turned bad, and everything in between. I don’t always want to know which is which.


And here’s my answer to the argument that we’re teaching girls to let a man control her by reading about the Bad Boys: It’s fiction, people. Fiction! Make-believe is fun, as long as you make sure they understand the distinction.

So you tell me, which do you prefer? The sweet, endearing Nice Guy or the down-and-dirty Bad Boy?


To get you guys chatting, I’m giving away a signed copy of THE BODY FINDER, along with a swag pack, including a TBF totebag, bracelets, stickers, and signed bookmarks.

To enter, please leave a comment about your favorite Nice Guy or Bad Boy character.

Here are ALL the ways you can earn points:

+1 Posting in the comments section (even if you can't come up with NG v. BB)
+1 Linking to this post on Twitter
+1 Linking to this post on Facebook
+1 Linking to the Supernatural Underground blog on your own blog/website

Be sure to total the number of points you’ve earned in your comment (I don't want to do the math!). The winner will be announced in this post tomorrow.

Contest ends tonight at midnight!