Debut Novel

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First Friday-Five Favorite Things: Personal Effects

by E.M. Kokie

E.M. Kokie
This past Friday, May 3, Marcy and I posted our answers to Emily’s debut novel, Personal Effects. Today, you get to read Emily’s favorite’s. She’s obviously given a lot of thought to her answers, which isn’t surprising since the novel addresses so many thought-provoking topics.


1) What is your favorite line or paragraph from the novel as it relates to the main character’s development and/or growth?


I love so many bits that show Matt’s growth, but one of my favorites is:


“Whatever it was, I didn’t ask because I figured, ultimately, whatever was in his head was about death. It never occurred to me it could be about life.”


2) What is your favorite chapter ending or cliffhanger?


It’s so hard to play favorites. And, I am conscious of spoilers. But I am very fond of the end of Chapter Sixteen — Matt is bewildered and flummoxed after a tense time with Shauna. I love the last two pages of that chapter, Matt replaying what has just happened, seeing things realign as he realizes how badly he has misread the situation. It ends with him standing on the sidewalk in front of the house, bewildered and shoeless. I love that sense of what the hell just happened, and then his analysis of what just happened, all while shoeless on the sidewalk. And I’m really happy with it because it was such a difficult scene, to find the right course and the best ending.


3) Who is your favorite secondary character and why?


This one definitely could inch into spoiler territory. So, I will say one of my favorite secondary characters is TJ. I love his strength, his kindness, his sense of humor and courage, and how the reader (hopefully) gets to know him through Matt’s and other characters’ memories of him. It seems funny to call him a secondary character, given how much of the plot involves him, but it is Matt’s story.


4) What is your favorite line or paragraph of description?


Personal Effects is in first person present tense. Much of it is Matt reacting to whatever is happening at that moment. But I love the scene early on in the book of Matt and his father in the kitchen, Matt is seated at the table, hurt and hurting, but still very much on guard, still afraid, all senses on alert — it’s description, but it’s also insights into Matt and his relationship with his father:

My neck’s so stiff, it might break if I turn my head, so I give up trying to read his face. Instead I track his path around the kitchen by sound.

Refrigerator. Sink. Cabinet. Sink. Freezer. Creak of the ice tray. Ice in a glass. Stray cubes in the sink. Clatter of empty ice tray on the counter. That cabinet opening. Twist of the screw top from the bottle. Whisper of scotch against ice. Long gulp. Silence. Crack-hiss of a can being opened. Silence. Clink of ice on glass. Smaller sip. Smacking lips. Silence. Deep breath. Silence. Movement. Then his feet are directly in front of me. I risk the pain to look up.


5) What is your favorite line of dialogue?


So much of Personal Effects is heavy. But there are some lighter lines. One of my favorite less serious lines of dialogue is from later in the book, from Harley:


“OK. Clearly, you are not picking up the thread. Natasha is a kick-ass spy. Well, she should be, anyway, if it weren’t a cartoon that relies heavily on a moose and squirrel always ending up on top. So let me be your Natasha and help with the spying or whatever.”



We appreciate you sharing your current favorites for Personal Effects and encourage our readers to pick up a copy of the book.

Dave Amaditz May 6, 2013 1 Comment Permalink

First Friday – Five Favorite Things – Debut Novel Day

by Dave Amaditz &
Marcy Collier

Personal Effects by E.M. Kokie

Welcome to May’s version of – First Friday – Five Favorite Things – Debut Novel Day. In this monthly series, we ask five simple questions about a debut novel that will hopefully entice anyone reading this post to pick up the novel and read it themselves, and/or give them at a glance some insight into the author’s writing style and voice as well as how some of the characters might think or act. We do this by presenting, first, answers to ourFive Favorite Things, followed by the author’s answers in a follow-up post.


This month we’re pleased to highlight debut author E. M. Kokie’s novel, Personal Effects.

1) What is your favorite line or paragraph from the novel as it relates to the main character’s development and/or growth?

Dave – To me, this passage catches Matt at one of his lowest points. He thinks he’s finally worked out a way to reconnect with parts of his brother’s life he never knew, but… well, let Matt describe what happened, as he’ll do a better job than I.


I thought I was coming here on a mission, one last thing I could do for T.J., maybe the most important thing anyone could do for him. And I planned and plotted and drove and skulked and it all worked… except for the part where I got everything totally 100 percent wrong.

Marcy – On the road trip back home from delivering a special letter, Matt makes a stop at McConnells Mill State Park (which is actually one of my favorite places to take a day trip from Pittsburgh). He replays the last camping trip he and his brother T.J. took and realizes that he had everything all wrong when his brother tried to have a heart-to-heart talk with him in front of the campfire. This realization shows how his character has grown.


But maybe he was trying to figure out if he could tell me or if he should tell me, or how. Maybe he was already getting ready to leave for good, leave me behind, and didn’t know how to tell me that. Whatever it was, I didn’t ask because I figured, ultimately, whatever was in his head was about death. It never occurred to me it could be about life.

2) What is your favorite chapter ending or cliffhanger?

Dave – Matt has been reading through stacks of letters and searching through tons of pictures that were part of his brother’s “personal effects.” They’re helping him to reconnect with the part of his brother’s life that he didn’t know. He’s borrowed his friend’s car and drove hundreds of miles to meet the girl, Celia, who has written most of the letters and is in many of the pictures, the girl who he thinks might be his brother’s wife.


The front door opens, and a tall guy in a suit shuffles through, juggling some kind of briefcase, two cloth bags, and some other stuff.


“Hi,” he says when he looks up and sees me standing there. “You must be Matt, right?”


Oh. Celia’s brother. A little older than in the pictures, and with the start of a scruffy beard, and glasses, but definitely him.


“Oh, uh, hi,” I carefully put the picture back where it was, adjusting it until it’s exactly like I found it. “I was just looking at the pictures.”


I think she has some albums set aside to look through with you,” he says, staring at the pictures on the table. “Some pictures of your brother.”


I want to say something, but nothing seems right, with the twisting sick feeling in my stomach and the itching desire to see the pictures she’s put aside right now.


“So, you’re Celia’s brother, right?” I take a large sip of my soda and push my hand out to shake hello.


“Uh, no. I’m Will. Celia’s husband.”

Marcy – I’m usually a pretty perceptive reader. I always seem to see the next surprise coming at me. I. Did. Not. See. This. Coming. Oh my gosh, this cliffhanger ending blew me away and forced me to stay up way past my bedtime to see what happened next. I will not ruin this for those readers who have not read the book yet. Go get a copy of the book!


“So, you’re Celia’s brother, right?” I take a large sip of my soda and push my hand out to shake hello.


“Uh, no. I’m Will. Celia’s husband.”

3) Who is your favorite secondary character and why?

Dave – Shauna is my favorite secondary character. She’s known Matt for years and knows everything he’s been through, yet chooses to stand by him despite all of his problems and how others think of him. She’s risking so much of herself to help Matt make connections with his brother’s friends, by lending him her car. The following example will give you an idea of how much she cares for him.


She shakes free and wraps her arms around her middle. “Look, whatever happens, or… whatever you decide to do, just call me, OK? Every day? Because I’m going to worry, and probably be grounded, and it’s going to suck and…” Her hard eyes scare me. “Just promise, OK?”

Marcy – Oh, Shauna – a girl after my own heart. She’s sweet and adorable but can be oh-so-tough and forceful when she gets upset. She’s been Matt’s best buddy since they were kids. Matt wants to become more than friends but would never jeopardize their friendship. She wants to join Matt on his road trip, but he won’t allow her to come. She’s so mad at him, but doesn’t break her promise of allowing him to use her car. Then, she throws him an envelope with cash in it.


“It’s only what I had on hand from my birthday and babysitting, so not that much, but there’s no way you’d make it back with what you have.”

4) What is your favorite line or paragraph of description?

Dave – So much of the story is tension-packed because of the relationship between Matt and Dad. I chose this passage because it shows that even with all the turmoil in his life, Matt is still on many levels able to function like a normal teenage kid.


I trade her one of the sodas for a steaming plate. Before digging in, I wait for her to sit. But she puts her soda down so she can pull her sweatshirt from around her waist and tug ittarget over her head. COUGAR SOCCER blazes across her chest in brand-spanking-new gold letters. I remind myself not to stare. It’s new – the sweatshirt, not her chest. Her chest has been tormenting me for years. Last week, all the rising-senior soccer players got their “senior sweatshirts” in one of those very-important-to-them ceremony things. She’s been wearing it whenever it’s the least bit cool enough and being very careful not to get it dirty. Shauna already has senior fever: excited and going through all the rituals of junior year to be ready. The way things are going, I may never be as senior. Her teammates think I’m a loser. They’re not the only ones.

Marcy - The reader doesn’t have a clear picture of Mom’s story until near the end. One of my favorite paragraphs relates to Matt coming to terms with his mother’s leaving him at such a young age.


How do you grieve for someone who kissed you good-bye one morning when you were five years old and then left while you were at preschool, so that you came home to an empty house and never saw her again? Do you even grieve when you spend the next year and a half confused and scared and sometimes worried that she might come back?

5) What is your favorite line of dialogue?

Dave – This line comes from Matt , and I think it could’ve been used as my favorite scene relating to character growth, as he is finally able to stand up to his father and say what he thinks.


“Dad… I’m not T. J. And I’m not you.” I don’t know who I am yet. “can’t you see that? And just let me… let me have a couple years to… figure it out? Figure out…”

Marcy–Matt has just discovered that he has no idea who his brother really was and can either face the truth or live in denial.


“If you want to hear about who your brother really was, come on back, or call. But if you ever take a swing at me again, I’ll break your arm.”

You can find Emily at:

Dave Amaditz May 3, 2013 Leave A Comment Permalink

First Friday-Five Favorite Things: Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters, Meredith Zeitlin

by Meredith Zeitlin



This past Friday, March 1, Marcy and I posted our answers to Meredith’s debut novel, Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters. Today, you get to read Meredith’s favorite’s. If you look closely enough you’ll notice that some of the answers Marcy and I posted on Friday are the same as Meredith’s answers.
Here are the five (SPOILERS WITHIN)!

What is your favorite line or paragraph from the novel as it relates to the main character’s development and/or growth?


The first time Kelsey really considers someone else’s situation before her own is when she learns a friend she’s in a fight with is being played by her boyfriend. Kelsey isn’t malicious in her self-centeredness – it’s just sort of how she is. But at this moment in the story she realizes her problems might not be the most pressing: “Can I really not say anything to Cassidy? She needs to know the truth, and from a friend; finding out through the rumor mill might serve her right for dashing my hopes and dreams, but it would be humiliating and awful for her.”


What is your favorite chapter ending or cliffhanger?


The end of the chapter where Kelsey catches one of her best friend’s kissing her crush. The first time I read this aloud to a group, everyone gasped. It was such a cool moment!

“It’s Cassidy. MyCassidy. And she’s kissing… Jordan Rothman. My stomach drops to my knees.”


Meredith – Who is your favorite secondary character and why?


Probably JoJo. I love how much self-confidence she has, and her ability to be herself and never worry if her choices are “cool” or not. I wish I was more like her at 14… or, you know – now.


What is your favorite line or paragraph of description?


The scene where Kelsey gets her costume for the school play: “I look like Pavarotti – if he were grilling at a barbecue. In seventeenth-century Russia.”


What is your favorite line of dialogue?


My editor insisted I take this line out, saying that no mother in the world would actually say this to her daughters. I told her that my mother (who I dedicated the book to, lest anyone doubt that my mom is an amazing and beloved woman) has been saying this to me and my sister for as long as I can remember, and the line was staying IN. It’s the editing battle I’m proudest of winning. “I always said you girls take after me, even if you look just like your father. He ruined both of you with that nose.”

Congratulations Meredith on your debut novel Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters! 

Thank you again, Meredith!


You can find Meredith at:

Dave Amaditz March 4, 2013 2 Comments Permalink

First Friday – Five Favorite Things – Debut Novel Day

Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters
by Dave Amaditz and Marcy Collier
Welcome to March’s version of – First Friday – Five Favorite Things – Debut Novel Day. In this monthly series, we ask five simple questions about a debut novel that will hopefully entice anyone reading this post to pick up the novel and read it themselves, and/or give them at a glance some insight into the author’s writing style and voice as well as how some of the characters might think or act. We do this by presenting, first, answers to our Five Favorite Things, followed by the author’s answers in a follow-up post.

This month we’re pleased to highlight debut author, Meredith Zeitlin’s novel, Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters.

1) What is your favorite line or paragraph from the novel as it relates to the main character’s development and/or growth?

Dave- I picked this passage from the beginning the book, as I believe it sets the stage for all the problems the main character is going to face throughout the novel.

 “That’s another thing. Guys. How did it happen that I’m the only one of my friends – including Em, the shy one! – who has never hooked up with anyone? Not that I haven’t had any chances, mind you. A certain Keith Mayhew has been frantically pursuing me since sixth grade. (He’s totally nice, but… I don’t like himthat way.) I just want my first real kissing experience to be this utterly awesome thing, with the right guy and the right situation. And I know fourteen isn’t that old… but it feels like I’ve totally missed the boat. I mean, I am seriously the only one now. And what if my friends start having sex or something before I even get to first base, and I’m still wandering around, unkissed, unnoticed? I’ll just die of humiliation. Not that I can imagine anyone (especially myself) having sex with any of the guys I know – or anything leading up to sex, really. It all seems so awkward and sort of gross… and yet it’s what I think about ALL THE TIME.”

Marcy – The main character, Kelsey thinks that her mom wants to re-enact her own teenage years vicariously through her daughter. Kelsey never gives in and tries to keep her away from her friends and the latest gossip, until one day Kelsey has a breakdown. This scene is pivotal in the development of Kelsey’s relationship with her mom.

And then the weirdest thing happens. Maybe it’s her shrill, endlessly irritating voice or just the fact that my life is a mess, but I burst into tears. Even as it’s happening I’m surprised, though I guess after the last couple of months this is sort of becoming routine. Thanks, hormones. Anyway, Mom is really surprised. And somehow I find myself telling her all about Cass and Jordan and Em (I do not mention Keith for fear she’ll overreact and drag me to a gynecologist or something) and she actually really listens. Puts down the newspaper and everything.

2) What is your favorite chapter ending or cliffhanger?

Dave- This cliffhanger stood out to me, as I lived the tension right along with Kelsey. Who wouldn’t want to die seeing their best friend kissing their crush?

I laugh, looking back up at the balcony. Then the stage lights do a sweep over the audience, and for a moment, the girl’s face is illuminated.

It’s Cassidy. My Cassidy.

And she’s kissing…

Jordan Rothman.

My stomach drops to my knees.

Marcy – Kelsey has a major crush on Jordan Rothman. She believes that freshman year will be different, and she and Jordan will start dating even though they’ve barely ever talked.

*** Spoiler alert ***

Then Kelsey sees one of her best friends making out with Jordan. You have to read on to the next chapter to find out what’s happening. Terrific cliffhanger!

It’s Cassidy. MyCassidy. And she’s kissing… Jordan Rothman. My stomach drops to my knees.

3) Who is your favorite secondary character and why?

Dave- I switched back and forth between Travis, Kelsey’s younger sister, and Mom as my favorite secondary character. Mom won out in the end. She has parenting down pat and deals with the ups and down of teen life with humor. She knows when to back off and give her daughter room to grow, but also knows when to step in, to put her foot down, to say enough is enough.

Following is a response from Mom to Kelsey after Kelsey has just finished confiding in her about boyfriend/girlfriend problems.

Then she says, “I’ll tell you this much, honey: Even if Cassidy is experimenting sexually” – GAG! – “she is probably one of the few. Everyone always thinks the whole freshman class is getting it on” – vomit, seriously -“but then senior year you find out it was three people and a lot of imagination. Otherwise 20/20 would be doing a show about it.”

Marcy – JoJo beats to her own drum. She is this spunky, outgoing character who is full of life. She is a free-spirit who is always up for an adventure and makes every scene where she appears exciting. You never know what this character will say or do, but she is honest and true to her friends. Her laid back personality balances Kelsey, who is often high strung.

4) What is your favorite line or paragraph of description?

Dave- I picked this passage because it shows how desperate Kelsey feels to fit in. She describes Lexi, a new girl in school, as being beautiful, yet she has yet to realize her own beauty.

“It only takes a single day for me to realize that Lexi is way too busy being admired to even notice me shooting her death-ray looks across every hallway and classroom. She has a lot on her plate, after all, what with crossing and uncrossing her endless legs in their $250 jeans, giggling, and flipping her perfect, evil, cascading blond locks.

Not that I’m spending all my time watching Lexi. Most of the time I watch Jordan Rothman watching her. Day by day, my meticulously imagined future with him slips away from me like a helium balloon on a windy day.”

Marcy - This line made me laugh out loud, and I’m quite sure this is how teenagers feel.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I take it out to see a lovely text from my mother about dishes in the sink and how she’s not my maid. Thanks, Verizon, I think, for making your phones so user-friendly that even the elderly can send text messages.

5) What is your favorite line of dialogue?

Dave- This is spoken by Keith after a quite awkward kiss with Kelsey, her first. (Boy am I glad I’m no longer a teen.)

Keith glares at me and shouts over the band, “Well, it’s more like you’re not doing it right. Have you ever even made out before? My brother is in college, y’know, and he told me everything there is to know about Frenching when we were in seventh grade, so I think I know what I’m doing, Kelsey. But don’t worry – I’m happy to practice with you till you feel more confident about your skills. “

Marcy – I did not see this accident coming. JoJo and Kelsey are at JoJo’s house drinking. After way too much alcohol, Kelsey brings the bottle of vodka to her lips and smashes the lip of the bottle against her mouth. She doesn’t know she has cracked off her front tooth until she looks in the mirror.

I yelp, “Oh my God, JoJo, I think I just broke my face!” 



You can find Meredith at:

Dave Amaditz March 1, 2013 1 Comment Permalink

First Friday – Five Favorite Things – Debut Novel Day

by Dave Amaditz & Marcy Collier

SLIDE

Marcy and I are excited and proud to unveil the premier post for our new feature – First Friday – Five Favorite Things – Debut Novel Day. In this monthly series, we ask five simple questions about a debut novel that will hopefully entice anyone reading this post to pick up the novel and read it themselves. We also want to give our readers some insight into the author’s writing style and voice as well as how some of the characters might think or act. We do this by presenting, first, answers to our Five Favorite Things, followed by the author’s answers in a follow-up post.


This month we’re pleased to highlight debut author, Jill Hathaway’s, novel Slide.


1) What is your favorite line or paragraph from the novel as it relates to the main character’s development and/or growth?


Dave – This passage comes from fairly early in the novel, but gives me so much insight into what the main character is thinking and feeling.

 “My left hand hovers over my sister’s shoulder. I feel like I should rub her back the way Sophie’s mother rubbed hers when she was upset, but I can’t quite bring myself to do it. Something in the gesture would be false. I can’t offer her the comfort she needs right now. In order to give something, you need to have it inside of you to give. And right now there’s nothing inside me at all.”


Marcy – Vee treasures her mom’s CD collection, but right now she knows that her sister needs the music more. Vee understands that her sister doesn’t remember as much about their mom, and she gives up this treasured keepsake to help her sister.

 “When I’ve loaded the CDs all back into the box, I push the flaps closed and carry it to my sister’s room. She hasn’t returned from breakfast yet, so I place the box on her unmade bed and leave the room. I’ve attached a pink Post-it note. It says: This is who she was. Love, V.”


2) What is your favorite chapter ending or cliffhanger?


Dave – There were many great chapter endings, but I chose this one from early in the novel.

“I hear the man set the phone down. A second passes, stretching out into forever. Another second. Another.

And then the screaming begins.”


Marcy – This ending kept me up at night. I had to see what happened next!

“But she won’t wake up, no matter how hard I shake her. I grab her arms and drag her off the couch. I can barely see my way to the door. Gasping, I take in a mouthful of blackness. The smoke invades my lungs, and I feel myself choking. Everything goes black.”


3) Who is your favorite secondary character and why?


Dave – Rollins is my favorite secondary character because he is so strong and confident at times, yet so vulnerable at others to being hurt by the ones he loves. He’s just like one of us.


Marcy – Rollins is my favorite secondary character. He is this quirky, eclectic guy who has a heart of gold and can be quite a rebel. He has a unique style and shows Vee how much he cares about her through his thoughts, words and actions like finding vintage t-shirts for her or making sure she’s okay after she blacks out. We see he has an even bigger heart when we learn about his home situation, but I won’t spoil it for those of you who haven’t read the novel yet!


4) What is your favorite line or paragraph of description?


Dave – There were so many to choose from, but in the end, I picked this passage, as it gives me a snapshot of the main character’s life.

“I scoop the pancakes onto a plate. I spend a long time standing in front of the refrigerator, looking at a picture of my mom when she was in college, tan and skinny and smiling, with blond hair and a white tank top. Below it, there’s a picture of my sister at her eighth-grade graduation. Dad and I stand on either side of her, giving her double bunny ears. On any other fridge, this would look like a happy collage of memories, but on our fridge it’s a mockery of what once was, what could have been. A happy family.”


Marcy – I loved this line – it painted such a clear picture for me of the two girls.

“The girl is Mattie. She is my sister and my exact opposite in every way. If she’s the pink glitter on your valentine, I’m the black Sharpie you use to draw mustaches on the teachers in your yearbook.”


5) What is your favorite line of dialogue?


Dave – This is spoken by the main character Vee.

“It’s just a really weird time for me,” I say finally. “With this whole Sophie thing and my sister freaking out. I feel like I’m stuck in this nightmare and everyone’s insane but me. Or maybe I’m the one who’s insane. I don’t know.”


Marcy – Need I say more? Who wouldn’ t be intrigued by this line.

“Really? Conjoined twins?”

Look for Slideauthor Jill Hathaway’s responses for First Friday – Five Favorite Things – Debut Novel Day on Monday, January 7, 2013!

You can find Jill at:

Twitter – @jillscribbles

Amazon – Slide

Dave Amaditz January 4, 2013 Leave A Comment Permalink

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