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.
*says moose meese moose meese many times* *tongue falls out of mouth* That is very difficult to say. Try "red brick black brick." Much worse. Oh, I cannot wait to read this!! As for your giveaway questions – 1) My last road trip was about six hours to our autumn holiday spot – lots of reading was done. 2) I have not been to Canada, but I would love to! As long as I don't get savaged by meese. Three and a half years for this books, though O_O woah. Well, okay, considering some of my MSs are now a couple of years old, maybe it's not that much…Awesome Q and A, can't wait to meet Perry and Justine 😀
Thanks for the giveaway! Yay, I'm sooo looking forward to picking up a copy of this! xD Last holiday I went on was last year to QLD. Not really a road trip, however we did take many one-day drives around the area, which was great. I haven't been to Canada, but we're thinking of going mid next year-ish, so that's exciting! I've set a novel there, so I probably should go, right? 😛
*sigh* Another book to add to my to-read list.Question: is a road trip defined as a long trip somewhere (with one destination), or is it where you stop at heaps of different places, and you don't have a specific destination?Last time I went on the first was when we went to visit the grandparents at easter.The last time I went on the second was several years ago when my school band went on a New Zealand tour (and if that doesn't count, my family and I went on almost exactly the same trip 4 months previously).Moose meese moose meese moose meese moose meese moose meese moose meese moose meese moose meese
Ooh tongue twister! As a singer, I love those (and find them easier than some). Love the title of the book. It is totally awesome and the cover is so pretty! And Go Random house Australia. Ha America, we got one over you at last! (But we love you heaps anyway.)
Also I've never been on a road trip actually. The last time I went anywhere that wasn't necessary or not far away was last year when we took a holiday house at the beach. I've never been to Canada, but I know a whole lot of people who have been, and I know a Canadian family. That almost counts, right?
I loved this interview, it was fun and quirky and I liked the direction of the questions. I have not actually heard of the author, but I'm curious to check out the book. And wow, 3 and a half years is certainly a long time, what an effort and dedication!
Moose Meese Moose Meese! 😉 Haven't read Are You Seeing Me (yet!) titles are both crucial and annoying to name, BUT it sounds like it just…fits to the story, and love ones that do that, especially ones that lean towards metaphorically. NOPE. NOTING BEATS DARK CHOCOLATE. Not even other chocolate.
I'm disappointed that meese was the best Canadian pun you could come up with. C'mon Cait, I thought you were better than that! 😉 I didn't realize that Darren was a fellow canuck, so thanks for giving me a new author to stalk.
Moose meese? I think they call it a tongue twister – my tongue's in knots and I can't speak… and I have school. NUUUUU.Anyhoo, if you have any dark chocolate, do save some for me. ;)~Sophia @ Bookwyrming Thoughts
The last time I took a road trip was last summer. No trips this year because of money. And no, I've never been to Canada. 🙂
MOOSE MEESE MOOSE MEESEMOOSE MEESE MOOSE MEESEMOOSE MEESE MOOSE MEESEMOOSE MEESE MOOSE MEESEMOOSE MEESE MOOSE MEESEI SAID IT 5 TIMES. But I cannot enter in the giveaway *sobs*I LOVE the quote you shared with us, Darren! Gosh it makes the book sounds so emotional! And it makes me sad this will only be published in Australia 🙁 I SHALL hope though that one day, I will get the chance to devour this book as well!Thanks for sharing this interview with us, Cait! :)Rashika @ The Social Potato
So great to hear the story of an author who believed in his manuscript enough to stick with it even after coming so close! I came close with a series I really believed in with a major publisher right before selling my first novel to a different publisher. It was so disheartening to get so close, then fail, but then good things came soon after!
Oooh! Chocolate. I swear, if a book even MENTIONS chocolate it summons me.Oh gosh, I really want to read Are You Seeing Me? but my library system – as the case often is – doesn't have it. Pity! It sounds like the author's a super nice person and the book sounds awesome!
Moose meese moose meeseMoose meese mouse meeseMus meese mus meeseMouse meese mouse meeseM m m m(Well, I don't live in Australia, so that didn't help…)Is this the surprise? Whether it is or isn't, thanks for posting the interview, Cait! I love that quote; it really sounds like Darren Groth has Justine's voice down pat. Three and a half years?!? Well, at least the perseverance paid off since your review of this book was very positive. The stellar review and interview have both made me want to read this book really badly, so it is now on my Goodreads TBR list.
MOOSE MEESE MOOSE MEESEMOOSE MEESE MOOSE MEESEMOOSE MEESE MOOSE MEESE…………..AHHH I'M CANANDIAN AND EVEN THOUGH I'M FEATURED IN THE BOOK I'M NOT ALLOWED TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY??? What is this foolishness?? [; Hehe <33 Still love ya Cait. This interview was so well done! Props to you for asking great questions and Darren for giving such thoughtful answers (: Research is such a struggle for me. I just love learning new things so when I research one things it's like going down the rabbit hole and finding myself learning everything there is to know about the subject and more. The favorite quote that Darren choose was so pretty, really makes me want to read the book to see more pretty ones alike it. I find it interesting how Perry was easier to write than Justine, but I suppose it does seem easier to write what we know and to have more creative freedom with it (: three and a half years?? wow, must have been so much hard work and perseverance. Dark chocolate is definitely the best, no questions [; If you enjoy white chocolate the nearest exit is that way 😛
This looks like an awesome book! I've never been on a roadtrip myself – (or been to Canada for that matter), but I do love reading books about them, and I would love to travel the world one day. PS. Yes, I even did the tongue-twister (but I guess I can't really prove it here so you'll just have to believe me 😉
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
Last road trip- Maine, in June for a cousin's wedding. I think I may have been to Canada as a very small child.
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
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*
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! 😛
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
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.
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!
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!!