Black Flowers, White Lies by Yvonne Ventresca

YABC: Which part of the writing process do you enjoy more: Drafting or Revising?ĭefinitely revising. I loved the 1970s New York setting and the psychological tension between characters.

One novel I’d recommend is Burn Baby Burn by Meg Medina. YABC: What’s a book that you’ve read recently that you would recommend to your readers?

(National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week is November 3rd through the 9th.) Our newest dog is a rescue, and one of my book launch events in November will benefit a local animal shelter. (I didn’t last there long-I couldn’t handle the euthanasia). Her experiences are loosely based on my own brief time helping at a municipal shelter. In Black Flowers, White Lies, Ella volunteers at an animal shelter. YABC: Is there an organization or cause that is close to your heart? When I’m not writing, I love a wide variety of music, ranging from Tom Petty to Enrique Iglesias, with a particular fondness for the 80s. YABC: Do you enjoy writing to music? If so, do you have a go-to playlist? Since she is away on her honeymoon with her new husband for most of the story, it was important to strike the right balance and set up their dynamic before Ella and Mom are apart. I wanted to portray their relationship as loving but slightly contentious without making readers dislike the mom. YABC: Which character gave you the most trouble when writing your latest book?Įlla’s mother was tricky. The people in my dojo have become wonderful friends over the years and have been incredibly supportive of my books. When I’m in class, it clears my mind to put everything else aside and focus entirely on karate. I’ve been studying the martial arts (Isshinryu karate) for the last eleven years. YABC: What is your favorite hobby when you’re not writing? As long as I’m making progress on a regular basis, I’m happy. YABC: Do you have a mantra that gets you through the drafting phase? YABC: If you could live in any fantasy world, which one would it be?Īny fantasy world where I have unlimited energy and don’t feel the need to nap. Pandemic’s success reenergized me, and I started a new version of what became the psychological thriller Black Flowers, White Lies. After many, many rewrites, I put that manuscript aside and began a story about deadly bird flu. I was surprised by how long it took! I wrote the first draft of Black Flowers, White Lies in 2006 (under a different title), years before my debut YA novel, Pandemic, but I had a hard time getting the voice and the plot to come together.

YABC: What surprised you most while writing your latest book? Today we’re excited to chat with Yvonne Ventresca ,īelow you’ll find more about Yvonne, her book, and a giveaway!

Black Flowers, White Lies by Yvonne Ventresca