Monday, April 26, 2010

All Light Beneath Ferns Stuff

When I wrote Light Beneath Ferns, I didn't really think in terms of genre. I just wrote a story about a girl who was a loner and wanted to stay that way because she was going to move in a new direction. A strange direction, but a new one. When it came out, I got emails from people telling me it wasn't romantic enough for a paranormal romance. Or it wasn't scary enough. Most of these people were within ten years of my age, which puts them way, way out of the age range for this novel which is about 14.

But of course some folks got it. I got emails from young teens who read parts of this at sleepovers and were creeped out. That was pretty much the idea. Then there were a few adults who loved it and wrote to me. One of these adults is Donna, who wrote probably my favorite review so far of this story.

Now, onto teens. As you know, they infest my house, leave shoes everywhere, carefully place empty milk cartons in the fridge and hog the computers. They are forgiven however as they took pity on me as I tried to make a simple book trailer.
Listening to me complain, they came over to the computer and put together this book trailer which I think is amazing. It's not a polished, marching band kind of trailer, but what's cool about it is that it is made by teens-

I have to especially thank Tiffany J. for her patience - not with the trailer, but with me and my technical blankness. She is responsible for the effects, and essentially the trailer as I had given up, Emma picked out the music which I think is perfect, Philip did a cameo, and Christopher explained to me that not everyone is meant to be technically competent. At least Christopher was patient enough to get me started. I think they did a great job! If you want to see more book trailers, you can watch and vote on your fav here.

19 comments:

Stewart Sternberg (half of L.P. Styles) said...

Writers who are slavish to genre find their efforts may cut both ways. On one hand, there is a shorthand for a particular type of genre that allows the writer to quickly establish a connection with the reader. There is also a sense of community that is available for quick marketing and p.r.. On the other hand, there is also a sense of imprisonment and being pigeon-holed.


Another thing I always consider is that while there are genre conventions, I view these, and I sense you do as well, as only guidelines, not hard rules to be enforced by the mystical genre police.

Anne Spollen said...

Oh, I am not slavish to my genre, Stewart. I didn't even realize I was writing a paranormal romance (that phrase always make me think of that ancient tv show, Dark Shadows - if anyone remembers that)
I was just writing a story. The world told me what I had written, but now I think people see it more for what it is: an atmospheric piece that's more creepy than anything.

I think I might be the mystical genre police's nightmare...

Bish Denham said...

Awesome trailer! I so want to read you book....

Adrienne said...

Awesome job...I loved the trailer, and I was also really amused by Emma's comment on the Five Awesome YA Fans video! (Curiosity got the better of me - I just had to watch that one too...)

That's a great support team you've got there.

Anne Spollen said...

Thanks, Bish. I might have a contest with some giveaways soon and you can win it. It all depends on whether or not I get some good writing news (and it looks like I might, but I can't say just yet)

Thanks, Adrienne. They are supportive, but I don't think Emma realized that teens other than the ones we know actually read my books. She was like, "MOM, SOMEONE READ YOUR BOOK AND MADE A THINGY!!!" I just saw her comment when you pointed it out. : )

Jemi Fraser said...

Congratulations to you and your trailer team! Awesome work - everything blends together so nicely. Very well done :)

storyqueen said...

That review made me want to read your book soooo bad!! Wow!

Well done!

Shelley

Anne Spollen said...

Thanks Jemi - or thanks from the teens (and Emma keeps reminding me one tween) as I had very little to do with that except supplying the Doritos and spaghetti (their choice) I can't help but imagine what would happen if they put that amount of effort into their hw...

I know, Shelley - I don't know whether to thank Donna or marry her.

Marcia said...

Love the music and atmosphere on the trailer! And Philip's cameo hit just the right note.

Anne Spollen said...

Thanks, Marcia. The music is a free ringtone Emma downloaded (I didn't know she knew how to do that; her brothers must have taught her). The kids blended it together somehow.

Philip is a ham, and happy to be one. He's so like his dad...

K.C. Shaw said...

Awesome trailer, very atmospheric! Philip's cameo is very good. :)

Aiof Murphy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anne Spollen said...

Thanks, K.C. I think that's what I like about how the kids did it - they got the mood of the book right. Not paranormal so much as atmospheric.

I take it no one can see that Philip's wearing his b-ball shorts under his jacket ; )

Donna (Bites) said...

Thank you so much for linking to me! You make me blush! :) This book certainly deserves all the praise is can get. It was amazing.

Anne Spollen said...

Thanks for being such a perceptive reader, Donna.

I am so glad you liked LBF so much, and I will be stalking your blog soon.

Anonymous said...

I recently purchased The Shape of Water, and I'd also like to read Light Beneath Ferns.

Shannon said...

I had to smile when I saw the "Philip cameo" - it fit just perfectly with the mood of the music. Nice music selection, Emma (?): it definately creeped me out. I think it's amazing that we have 'book trailers' out nowadays. I mean, I'm part of the generation that's supposed to roll their eyes every time the parental unit grimaces foggily at a technological device, but book trailers are amazing partly because they mix the excitement of the cover picture with all the "little words" that really draw you in. I can't wait to get LBF. It sounds like a story (kind of like SOW) that any person of any age can relate to.

Anne Spollen said...

Thanks, Medeia! I'd be interested to know what you think of them both. Hope you enjoy your reads.

Hey, Shannon - yes, Emma picked the music out. I'll tell her you liked it. Philip came out a lot better than I thought it would when they were filming. It was in the back yard and he had basketball shorts on under that jacket.

The parental unit? Yes, lol, they did all of this for me; I kept the snacks coming. I love book trailers, too.

Hope you like LBF. If I come out west (well, really, really west), I'll have to sign it. Let me know what you think if you do get a chance to read it!

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