Renee Pace is a successful YA Paranormal writer. She made a change of genre when she wrote Off Leash, a realistic, urban YA story. It’s a gripping tale of what it takes to survive when death is all around you. Off Leash is the first book in the Nitty Gritty Series.
I met Renee through an online writing group, where she’s always helpful and motivating to the other group members. Renee graciously took the time to give an interview to the TeacherWriter and to tell the world about her series and the upcoming books.
TeacherWriter: Welcome, to TeacherWriter.net, Renee. I read Off Leash and was drawn into the story from the first page. It’s a gritty, realistic YA novel that takes a hard look at the choices some kids are forced to make for survival. Where did you get the idea for this story?
Renee Pace: Growing up in a small fishing community I knew all about poverty, and hard choices. I really wanted to write a book that was realistic from a teen’s perspective and show how a teen can function in an adult world.
TeacherWriter: Many of the scenes are emotionally painful for readers, but it’s still almost impossible to put it down. I read it in one sitting. How did you manage to hook the readers so well?
Renee Pace: Oh, thanks so much. This book was really hard to write. I lost my best friend to cancer when she was eleven and never got over it so I think when I wrote Jay’s relationship with his sister, Fay, I poured all of that emotion into how they interacted, what they said to each other or what they didn’t say. I found growing up trying to cope with the loss of someone takes silence to fill it. I didn’t know I had hooked anyone until my husband read it and I found him wiping tears from his eyes. He said he had no idea I could write that way, which I’m taking as a compliment.
TeacherWriter: Could you tell us about your experience in the 2011 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Contest?
Renee Pace: Really, this was a rollercoaster. I entered it on a whim and honestly didn’t think Off Leash would go as far as it did. I was up against a lot of really great writers but I noticed the trend at that time was paranormal so I was just thrilled to get as far as I did. My book in many ways fits a niche market and while many editors loved my writing style they felt it wouldn’t make them tons of money. As I said in the beginning, I wrote this story and started this series to tackle my own demons so having the opportunity to become an Indie publisher, thanks to Amazon, has thrilled me.
TeacherWriter: How long have you been a writer?
Renee Pace: I’ve been a writer all my life. I started writing poetry when I was twelve and studied poetry with Canadian iconic poet, Irving Layton, who taught me to always write every day. After having my third child I decided to stay home and quickly found I really needed to write. I joined a local romance writers group and have never looked back. I am published as a romance author but three years ago I needed to try something new and that’s when I discovered the joys of writing young adult books.
TeacherWriter: How long did it take you to write Off Leash? How long did it take you to revise it?
Renee Pace: I wrote Off Leash as part of Nano – so honestly, one month. Two years later it was ready. I tend to take a red pen to all my work, so after I wrote the first draft, I rewrote it and then worked with my critique partners to polish it. Last year I wrote Off Limits as part of November’s Nano and very soon I will start Off Stroke, the third book in the Nitty Gritty series.
TeacherWriter: Why did you decide to publish it on Smashwords?
Renee Pace: Smashwords opens the door for Indie authors just like Amazon. I am so happy there are these tools for us authors trying to have a unique voice. Five years ago this wasn’t a choice but today it is and this thrills me.
TeacherWriter: Where can readers go to get a copy of the book?
Renee Pace: The book is available on Amazon at Off Leash: Bonus Content (Nitty Gritty series) and Smashwords. Very soon it will be at Barnes and Nobles and Kobo for us Canadians.
TeacherWriter: The sequel is coming out soon. What can you tell your readers about it?
The sequel, Off Limits comes out in December if I can get my act together to finish editing and put away my red pen. This again is a very personal story for me and I found it hard to write. Here’s what it’s about.
Lindsay looks and acts like the perfect fifteen year-old, but she’s hiding a dirty little secret that no amount of fashionista coverings can make better. Telling her mother her stepfather is molesting her is not an option. Trying to kill herself again haunts her more than the scars on her wrists, and pretending to be perfect at school might very well drive her over the edge.
Megan knows all about lying. It’s been part of her life ever since she realized the only way to escape her poverty-stricken neighborhood was to work hard, keep her mouth shut and wear a mask no one can penetrate. All that changes when Lindsay befriends her.
Can two girls who have little in common discover the value of a real friendship or will the secrets they dare not speak destroy them both? Off Limits, Nitty Gritty Series Book Two, debuts December 2011.
TeacherWriter: Do you have any advice to give to the readers today about becoming a writer?
Renee Pace: Write what you want to write and not for the market, and write every day.
TeacherWriter:Thanks so much for the interview, Renee!
Renee Pace will be sharing more with her readers tomorrow, November 6, at Digital Book Today. She’ll also make a guest appearance on November 7 at The Frugal Reader.
You may also visit Renee’s website at ReneePace.com and follow her on Twitter as @ReneePaceYA.
While you’re at it, don’t forget to follow the TeacherWriter on Twitter as @suzannelilly and @HoneyCreekBooks.
Happy reading!
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