Remember how I reviewed (and flailed and raved) about Are You Seeing Me?
I reviewed it. I tweeted copiously. I might’ve made some lame Canadian puns about moose and meese because why not. NOW! Do I have some serious awesomeness to share with you, peoples!
The author, Darren Groth, is here for a Q&A! Aaand a giveaway!
I know! I know! The awesomeness is overwhelming me too.
This road trip will have earth-shattering consequences . . .
Twins Justine and Perry are about to embark on the road trip of a lifetime in the Pacific Northwest.
It’s been a year since they watched their dad lose his battle with cancer. Now, at only nineteen, Justine is the sole carer for her disabled brother. But with Perry having been accepted into an assisted-living residence, their reliance on each other is set to shift. Before they go their separate ways, they’re seeking to create the perfect memory.
For Perry, the trip is a glorious celebration of his favourite things: mythical sea monsters, Jackie Chan movies and the study of earthquakes.
For Justine, it’s a chance to reconcile the decision to ‘free’ her twin, to see who she is without her boyfriend, Marc – and to offer their mother the chance to atone for past wrongs.
But the instability that has shaped their lives will not subside, and the seismic event that Perry forewarned threatens to reduce their worlds to rubble . . .
Darren is a Vancouver author and new citizen of Canada, having moved from his native Australia in 2007. His work has been published on both sides of the Pacific and has garnered significant acclaim from literary critics, writing peers and a growing readership. His novel, ‘Kindling’, was produced for North America in 2013 by prominent indie, Exciting Press; previously the paperback was sold to Hachette in 2010 and released in Australia, New Zealand and Taiwan. His 2014 work, ‘Are You Seeing Me?’, published by Random House Australia, is now available.
For fun, he watches ’Game of Thrones’ with his beautiful Canadian wife and swims with his wondrous thirteen year old twins.
website || twitter
Was Are You Seeing Me easier or harder to write than your previous books?
It was more difficult for two reasons: one, it was the first time I had a female narrator holding the steering wheel for half of the story; and two, it required more research than any of its predecessors. To paraphrase Peter Carey, the research for AYSM was “less than you might think, and more than I wanted to do.”
Ah. Research. It’s a killer, right?! Do you have a favourite quote you could share with us?
I have a number of faves, but I’ll go with this from Justine: “For years as a child, I thought the night-time knew secrets about my brother; that if I was close enough and awake enough, those secrets would be revealed in a sign or a vision or a whisper…”
I too have WAY too many favourite quotes! So! What was the process behind coming up with the title of Are You Seeing Me? Did it go through any changes?
It was certainly a process! During the early drafts, I went through three titles: The Mantle, Finding Fault and Master Disaster. Then my publisher suggested Are You Seeing Me? It sounded right from the get-go. I love that it has lots ofmeaning, both literally and metaphorically.
And it is so awesome. Those POV was harder to write: Justine or Perry?
Definitely Justine. Her voice needed the most tweaks in editing, just to make sure it was consistent and authentic. Perry was fun. There was a lot of creative freedom in putting his narrative together.
How long did it take to go from first draft to published manuscript?
Unfortunately, three and a half years. Following my 2010 novel Kindling, I needed a new publisher. My agents went close to getting deals for it in 2012 and 2013, both in Australia and here in North America. Then, last December, just when I was about to give up on it, Random House Australia came through with an offer. It was a massive relief.
YAY FOR RANDOM HOUSE. They have excellent taste in books. And lastly! Was any chocolate harmed in the making of this novel?!
Lol. I was largely a menace to beer, however my beautiful wife savaged more than her fair share of Dark Lindt 70%
Nothing beats dark chocolate, to be honest. Thanks so much for coming by, Darren!
The most massive thanks to Random House for offering 3 copies of Are You Seeing Me? and some posters!
– Australian only
– 3 copies to be won
– Prizes will be shipped directly from the publisher
– You have to say Moose Meese Moose Meese 5 times really fast.
This book looks really interesting! Great interview with Darren Groth… incredibly interesting! My last road trip was a bus trip around Europe… not sure if it was really a road trip.. but it was a whole lot of fun! I've been to Canada and absolutely loved it.. can't wait to go back sometime! It's a beautiful country with wonderful people!!
Okay, so I totally tongue-tied myself on the Moose Meese thing… Great post, I particularly loved the interview and I'm really intrigued to read this now. I love road trip books, they have that element of helping to escape real life. My real life is pretty full on at the moment so I wouldn't mind an escape 🙂 I can't remember the last time I went on a road trip, I must remedy this!
I've always wanted to go to Canada. Home of Michael Buble, Tim Hortons and Kalan Porter – the winner of one of the seasons of Canadian Idol. (Okay – so I may be slightly obsessed with Canadian Idol). I've never really been on a road trip for road trips sake. I've driven from Brisbane to Canberra and back many times but I think it misses the charm of road trips considering I just jump on the highway and drive straight though.
I have this one to read on the kindle, but would love to win a physical copy! Road trips hmmm, well I just got back from Europe and mainly travelled around by bus? Does that count haha. And I have been to Canada, but during winter so it was freezing and not a very enjoyable experience. Still a beautiful place though! Thanks for sharing this interview with Darren Groth, it was so informative! x
The last road trip I went on was early this year up to Wynyard (the north-west of Tasmania) just for a few days holiday with my partner. It was fun but very tiring!I haven't been to Canada, but my neighbour is from there and she recently went on a trip to visit family. Luckily she got back just in time to share in all the cold winter weather we've been having! 😛
Super awesome interview and giveaway Cait! I haven't been on a road trip for AGES because well, I'm scared of driving long distances on my own and no, I haven't been to Canada. you make this novel sound awesome though and I can't wait to read it! *Fingers crossed*
Eeee, you're so lucky to be able to interview an author!I just got back from a road trip, actually – we arrived back home about two hours ago. *is very very tired right now* *will probably blog about it at some point*I wish I could enter the giveaway but alas, alas, I'm not an Aussie. xD
Last road trip- Maine, in June for a cousin's wedding. I think I may have been to Canada as a very small child.
I'm not in Australia buuuuut:MOOSE MEESE MOOSE MEESEMOOSE MEESE MOOSE MEESEMOOOSE MEESE MEESE . . . damn.It's like the most intense road-trip book ever. AMY & ROGER ON STEROIDS. Except, you know, they kissed. And I hope Justine and Perry don't because incest is awkward