I first met Rhonda Stapleton through editing. We hit it off and spent fun times sending one another zany emails that probably wouldn’t be funny to other people but were hilarious to us. Ah, those were the days! I’m so excited that Rhonda is here today, because she’s lovely, funny, caring, and such a damn nice person who really does deserve to have all those yummy books coming out with Simon Pulse. I LOVE RHONDA! RAH!
Emmy: To start off, would you mind taking us through your publication journey?
Rhonda: My journey is a harrowing tale of love lost, treachery, and a little bit of magic. Okay, not really–I queried my hind end off with my first YA, got an agent, and wrote like the wind on another story (STUPID CUPID). We submitted that one to Simon Pulse, and they liked it but wanted it as a trilogy. So I rewrote the first 50 pages, wrote outlines for all 3 books, and that’s what sold!
Emmy: LMAO @ ‘Okay, not really’ and a zany RAH for selling your books.
I admire anyone who is dedicated enough to keep plugging on in the publishing world. Was there ever a time when you considered giving up on your dream to become a published author?
Rhonda: Nope. I was dead-set determined to publish. That’s not to say it was all butterflies and lollipops–I had a lot of rejection along the way, a lot of frustration. But I had my eye on the prize, and I wasn’t going to back away from it.
Emmy: Ah, good for you!
What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
Rhonda: Make time for your writing! If you’re a writer, write. It’s so easy to let life get in the way…but if something is important to you, you make time for it.
Emmy: How did it feel to get an agent? I imagine I’d probably wee my knickers. I remember when you told me you’d got one. I cried with happiness!
Rhonda: LOL I love how colorful your expressions are! I was full of shock and glee and, well, more shock. haha. It was amazing and really reinforced for me that I was going in the right direction. I totally went out to dinner to celebrate (which is what I usually do).
Emmy: Hee hee. What is the best part about being an author?
Rhonda: I’d have to say the butler–when you get a book contract, they’re standard issue from your publisher. hahaha I WISH. Seriously, the coolest part so far has been that I can be weird and cracked out in my stories, and they PAY me to be that way. *happy sigh*
Emmy: I love weird, as you know, because I’m weird myself.
Come on, sock it to us! We want to know about your upcoming releases!
Rhonda: My trilogy all revolves around the efforts of my heroine, Felicity, who becomes a cupid for her high school (there’s more than one of them). She uses handheld technology to send love emails and texts to her targets. In book 1, she decides to pair her BFF Maya up with 3 guys, so her friend could choose which dude she liked for herself. Of course, it ends up going disastrously…
Emmy: Oooh, sounds very diggy indeed.
Now for the more laid back questions! What would be your ideal menu at a dinner party—let’s say three courses—and where would you go to eat it? Any destination in the world. Oh, and what would you wear? (I’ve just handed you a credit card with unlimited funds so you can buy your clothes and shoes for the evening…what is your dream store/designer?)
Rhonda: I’d love to go to a dinner party in Japan. Full-on festivities with tea ceremony and everything. Sushi, rice, tea, the works! It would be fun to wear an authentic kimono while feasting too.
Emmy: That sounds lovely, but knowing me I’d dribble my bloody tea down the kimono and end up a right mess. I can’t say sushi appeals. In fact, the thought of it makes me gag, but you go on and enjoy your meal, dear. Don’t let my retching sounds put you off at ALL!
Here we are, look, Rhonda. There's me posting another manuscript off. Damn, my toes hurt in these bloody shoes!
When you have the time to read, which authors’ books are you most likely to pick up? Do you select those in the genre you write or go for something completely different? And, have any of those authors inspired you in your own writing?
Rhonda: I read a LOT of young adult books, since I like to keep current on what’s out there. Plus, I really, really enjoy them. I have certain authors who are my go-to reads: Sara Zarr, Maggie Stiefvater, Sarah Dessen, Neal Shusterman, Laurie Halse Anderson, Elizabeth Scott, and many more. I tend to read mostly contemps and futuristics, though I love historicals too.
Emmy: You have a day off to spend as you wish. Anywhere in the world, unlimited funds, and the twenty-four hours are guaranteed to feel like a week. How would you spend it?
Rhonda: OMG you ask the hardest questions. haha! Okay, let’s see. I think it would be fun to wander around Japan for a day–pack in as much sightseeing as I could, from Tokyo to Kyoto to the hot springs…I would love that!!
Emmy: And eat more sushi…? Oh…oh my goodness… I need the bathroom!
Seriously now, thank you so much for taking the time to be at Author Toolbox. I wish you oodles of success with your trilogy and anything else you sell thereafter. Oh, and here’s another RAH just for you.
