Amy Lukavics, author of NIGHTINGALE, on being grateful to unpublished novels

by Jocelyn Rish

We’re delighted to have Amy Lukavics swing by to tell us more about her latest novel, NIGHTINGALE.

Amy, what do you hope readers will take away from NIGHTINGALE?

I most hope that readers will take away that you don’t have to be defined by your trauma. For me personally, I realized there was real strength and power to be found in redefining the narrative around my own trauma, in ways that emphasized a resilience that I may not have been able to appreciate before. That was really the heart of this story for me.

How long or hard was your road to publication? How many books did you write before this one, and how many never got published?

It’s been a long, hard road for sure, but I’ve been really fortunate compared to so many other writers. I wrote four books before selling my debut novel, Daughters Unto Devils. Out of the four books I wrote that were never published, I’m interested in revisiting exactly zero of them, haha. They did what they were supposed to do—teach me how to execute plots and develop characters, teach me how to revise properly, and teach me perseverance. I’ll always be grateful to them for that.

What’s your writing ritual like? Do you listen to music? Work at home or at a coffee shop or the library, etc?

I have never written in public! I really hate the idea of anyone reading over my shoulder, and I feel like a coffee shop might have too many distractions for me. I have my best writing sessions from my home desk, listening to creepy soundtracks on Spotify with headphones. Things that drastically improve the situation but are not required: aromatherapy hand cream for focus and relaxation, lit candles, and, oddly enough…bubble gum. I can’t imagine it’d be a pretty thing to witness from the outside, though. I’m sure the smacking and popping sounds from the gum would drive any bystanders mad, but damn if it doesn’t improve my focus.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Nightingale
by Amy Lukavics
Hardcover
Harlequin Teen; Original edition
Released 9/25/2018

At seventeen, June Hardie is everything a young woman in 1951 shouldn’t be—independent, rebellious, a dreamer. June longs to travel, to attend college and to write the dark science fiction stories that consume her waking hours. But her parents only care about making June a better young woman. Her mother grooms her to be a perfect little homemaker while her father pushes her to marry his business partner’s domineering son. When June resists, her whole world is shattered—suburbia isn’t the only prison for different women…

June’s parents commit her to Burrow Place Asylum, aka the Institution. With its sickening conditions, terrifying staff and brutal “medical treatments,” the Institution preys on June’s darkest secrets and deepest fears. And she’s not alone. The Institution terrorizes June’s fragile roommate, Eleanor, and the other women locked away within its crumbling walls. Those who dare speak up disappear…or worse. Trapped between a gruesome reality and increasingly sinister hallucinations, June isn’t sure where her nightmares end and real life begins. But she does know one thing: in order to survive, she must destroy the Institution before it finally claims them all.

Purchase Nightingale at Amazon
Purchase Nightingale at IndieBound
View Nightingale on Goodreads

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ever since she was little, Amy was especially intrigued by horror books and movies. Raised in Northern Arizona, she sustained herself on a steady diet of Goosebumps, Fear Street, and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark books before discovering Stephen King in her mother’s bookshelf.

When Amy isn’t reading or writing, she enjoys playing roller derby, cooking, crafting, and playing games across many platforms.

Her novel The Ravenous was nominated for a Bram Stoker Award in the Superior Achievement in a YA Novel category, and Daughters unto Devils was a YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Readers 2017.

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Have you had a chance to read NIGHTINGALE yet? Do you plan to revisit novels you previously wrote that have not been published yet? Have you tried chewing bubble gum for improving your focus? Share your thoughts about the interview in the comments!

Happy Reading,

Jocelyn, Halli, Martina, Erin, Susan, Shelly, Kelly, Laura, Emily, and Lori Ann

Jocelyn Rish

Jocelyn Rish is a writer and filmmaker who loves researching weird and wonderful animals and sharing what she learns. Her debut was BATTLE OF THE BUTTS, about ten animals that do weird things with their butts. Her latest book is BATTLE OF THE BRAINS, a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection about ten animals with mind-blowing brain abilities. When she’s not writing, she tutors kids to help them discover the magic of reading. Jocelyn has won numerous awards for her short stories, screenplays, films, and novels and lives in South Carolina with her adorable dog. Find out more at www.jocelynrish.com.

Post @ Jocelyn Rish and/or Adventures in YA Publishing. All rights reserved.

Posted: Sep 27, 2018

Category: Imported from AYAP

Tags: YA Author Interviews

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← Previous: Tyler James Smith, author of UNSTOPPABLE MOSES, on loving the whole weird process Next: Heidi Heilig, author of FOR A MUSE OF FIRE, on cutting scenes you love →

The first slide is an animation of a science/magic room in a castle. A cartoon character of a mad-scientist looking man in in the foreground says: “Hello! Dr. Frankenstein here to say, Well Done on kid lit zombie week! I’m an expert at reviving the dead, and let me assure you, with a little spark, you can bring dead projects to life. Especially if you dig up parts from other dead things. I’ll even let you have a sneak peek at my laboratory’s store room to consider potential parts for your dead project. If you see something with a yellow glow, that means you should click it. Have fun!”

He points to the right side of the screen and a new scene slides in of a castle science/magic storage room. There are various cartoon Frankenstein body parts scattered around. Some of them have a yellow glow. If you click on them, the images below appear (I’ve added alt text to them, so I hope it works).

The Heart of your story is the main character. The protagonist is the beating core that truly brings your story to life. If your MC doesn't make kids (and their grown-ups) care within the first few pages, your story will flatline. </p>
<p>Your main character needs to be:<br />
• Relatable enough for kids to see themselves<br />
• Unique enough to stand out in the slush pile<br />
• Active enough to drive the story<br />
• Memorable enough to survive multiple readings at bedtime</p>
<p>Where do you find this amazing donor heart? It might be the very thing you loved so much about the manuscript you want to revive. It might be the younger sister from your shelved YA novel. Or maybe it’s the hilarious kid you blogged about meeting at a school visit. Find a character beating with potential and place it in the center of your story.<br />

The Brain of your story is the theme or central message. The theme is the big idea that controls everything else. Picture books are more than stories - they're tiny life lessons disguised with humor and heart.</p>
<p>But your theme needs to be:<br />
• Subtle enough not to trigger the dreaded "didactic" rejection<br />
• Clear enough for a four-year-old to grasp<br />
• Universal enough to speak to both kids and adults<br />
• Fresh enough to prevent agents and editors from responding with "Not another sharing/bedtime/first-day story!"</p>
<p>Check your other dead manuscripts to see if there is a recurring theme, something that really seems to be speaking to you. Find the bit of poetry you scribbled on the back of a receipt to see what theme inspired it. Reread the pep talk you texted your critique partner at 1am. Pick the theme that will drive your story, giving it purpose, direction, and deeper meaning.<br />

The Legs of your story is the plot. Not to be confused with a grave plot.🤪 The plot is what keeps everything upright and moving, as well as providing support for all the other elements. You have very few words to use in a picture book, so you need to do a lot with each plot point.</p>
<p>In general, your plot should:<br />
• Hook readers fast<br />
• Build tension that a child can follow<br />
• Create page turns that feel natural<br />
• Wrap up in a way that satisfies</p>
<p>You can borrow a plot twist (a leg) from one manuscript and the opening (the other leg) from a different manuscript. Consider if the subplot of the middle grade novel you trunked would work better as a picture book. Or maybe your Facebook post about a disastrous camping trip could become a story for kids. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other until you have your storyline.

The Arms of your story are the side characters.

The Torso of your story is the setting. Setting helps a story breathe and connects all the elements of the story. It isn't just where your story lives, it's what makes your story ALIVE. It's the difference between "this happened in a park" and "this happened in that park, the one with the twisty slide that burns your legs and the creaky swing that sounds like a baby crying.”</p>
<p>Your setting should:<br />
• Make your character's world feel real<br />
• Contain your story in a way that makes sense to young readers<br />
• Connect different scenes and moments organically<br />
• Give your illustrator enough room to add visual subplots</p>
<p>Half-finished manuscripts are a great place to dig up settings, since you worked out the place details before the plot petered out. Or maybe you had to cut a second fantastic location from your chapter book. You can also revisit the detailed caption from your Instagram carousel documenting your tour of that delish candy shop. Disinter a robust setting that can house all of your story's vital organs.

After you press the Click When Done circle button, the lights flash with the sound of electricity buzzing. Then the screen goes black and lightning zaps across the screen with the sound of thunder.

The screen then lights up to show the storage room, and all the Frankenstein pieces have been assembled into the whole monster. An upbeat song plays in the background. Then a speech bubble pops up with the words, “I’m alive! I’M ALIVE!” Then the screen goes to black.

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