When the World was Flat (and we were in love)
Author: Ingrid Jonach
Publisher: Strange Chemistry
Release Date: 3 September 2013 in the US and Canada, and 5 September 2013 in the UK, as well as worldwide as ebook and audio.
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15767908-when-the-world-was-flat
Blurb
Looking back, I wonder if I had an inkling that my life was about to go from ordinary to extraordinary.
When sixteen-year-old Lillie Hart meets the gorgeous and mysterious Tom Windsor-Smith for the first time, it’s like fireworks — for her, anyway. Tom looks as if he would be more interested in watching paint dry; as if he is bored by her and by her small Nebraskan town in general.
But as Lillie begins to break down the walls of his seemingly impenetrable exterior, she starts to suspect that he holds the answers to her reoccurring nightmares and to the impossible memories which keep bubbling to the surface of her mind — memories of the two of them, together and in love.
When she at last learns the truth about their connection, Lillie discovers that Tom has been hiding an earth-shattering secret; a secret that is bigger — and much more terrifying and beautiful — than the both of them. She also discovers that once you finally understand that the world is round, there is no way to make it flat again.
An epic and deeply original sci-fi romance, taking inspiration from Albert Einstein’s theories and the world-bending wonder of true love itself.
Shona's review 4 of 5 stars
For a good portion of the book we have mostly a high school angsty book, which adds to the depth of the characters and gives us some of their background, and then as the book draws to a close we get the more sci-fi aspect of the story. The romance aspect of the book builds slowly and peaks around 75%.
While I enjoyed this book I felt there were parts that were rushed and parts that came a little too late in the book. The connection between Lillie and Tom comes a little too late for me. In the earlier parts of the book I struggled to see Lillie's attraction and as a result I didn't really understand the teasing from her friends. When we did finally get down to the connection I felt we were rushed through the explanation. We could have had more interaction between Lillie and her friends. There wasn't really anything in the book that told me that they had this great friendship, even from the beginning of the book that aspect felt a little forced.
Once I saw where the plot was going I had a 'ahaa' moment where I knew what was going on.. but then I have seen the movie Jet Li's 'The One' and my brain just instantly made the connection. It didn't make the story any less enjoyable though. As we neared the end of the story my heart broke for Lillie, but the conclusion of the book had me sighing with happiness. The way Jonach has written the story draws the reader in. It is a smooth and easy read, so much so that I was able to read this book in one day, although it did keep me up until after 1am. All in you are left with a thoroughly enjoyable young adult read.
Hello Ingrid and welcome to Booky Ramblings of a Neurotic Mom
What inspired you to write your first book?
My first book was a picture book called A Lot of Things. I actually wrote it while I was at university, as part of a class called Writing for Young People. It is about a dad who collects a lot of things (funnily enough!), who is forced to choose between his possessions and his children. It was inspired by my own hoarding and there is definitely a hint of Dr. Seuss, with nonsensical words like Whatchamacallits and Thingamabobs.
Do you have a specific writing style?
My writing style tends to be a bit old-fashioned – inspired by writers like Ernest Hemingway and Jane Austen. It probably makes you wonder why I write for teens! I think my aversion to long descriptions and too many adjectives modernizes my writing – although I am a fan of similes and metaphors if not overused.
How did you come up with the title for When the World was Flat?
It was inspired by a quote from Christopher Columbus: Following the light of the sun, we left the Old World. I felt that the quote really summed up the story and was originally included as the epigraph at the beginning of the novel, but in the end we (my literary agent and I) decided to include a quote from Albert Einstein instead, as he is much more relevant to the story.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
I wrote the novel as entertainment first and foremost, but there are strong themes of searching for identity and self-acceptance, which I think is common in young adult literature.
Overall though, I would love readers to walk away from the book with a sense of wonder about the world and its possibilities.
How much of the book is based on your life experiences?
More than I originally thought. The story itself is fictional, but there are many scenes that mimic my own teenage years, particularly the interactions between Lillie, Jo and Sylv. There is also a scene where the characters play chicken with a train, which was inspired by the stupid stuff my friends and I used to do when we caught the train to school.
Are your novels based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
I used to think not, but then I realized that I often write about single parent families and the focus tends to be on the mother (my mother was a single parent until my step father entered our lives).
Readers often think that authors model the main character on themselves, but I think the main character in The Frank Frankie and its sequel Frankie goes to France is modeled on my sister, who is much more outgoing. I think Lillie in When the World was Flat (and we were in love) is more like me.
Which of your novels have influenced your life the most?
I would have to say When the World was Flat (and we were in love), because it is the first time I have been published internationally. It has really opened up my world (mind the pun!) by introducing me to a range of wonderful bloggers, readers and authors across the globe.
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
I am very lucky that my cousin is bestselling romance novelist Di Morrissey. Di has nurtured my writing from an early age and I have had the pleasure of seeing her speak at literary luncheons and other events, including when she was featured on the Australian TV show This is Your Life. I think she has to be one of the most generous people that I know and she has really taken me under her wing, for which I am grateful.
What book are you reading now?
I am actually lucky enough to be getting a sneak preview of the next book in the Risen Sun trilogy by K. J. Taylor. There are certainly some perks to living in the same city as your favorite authors!
What are your current projects?
I am currently finalizing a standalone novel, which has loose connections to When the World was Flat (and we were in love). It is a sci fi romance novel with a touch of horror.
I have also been playing around with a draft for a sequel to When the World was Flat (and we were in love).
Do you see your writing as a career?
I definitely do, but I do have a day job. It takes a long time to write a novel (for me anyway) and treating it as a profession rather than a hobby means you tend to prioritize it.
Being an author is also not just about writing, but being able to participate in the industry, e.g. selling your book, promoting your book, and working with agents and editors. With that in mind, it makes sense to treat it like you would any other job where you have deadlines and stakeholders.
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
I think there are always things you would change if you did another rewrite. But, as Leonardo da Vinci said, “Art is never finished, only abandoned.”
I made a lot of decisions during the editing process with my agent and publisher to remove certain characters, as well as the prologue and epilogue, and I do wonder what readers would have thought of these deleted characters or scenes.
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
My love of reading was definitely what led me to writing. I used to draw pictures to accompany my stories when I was younger and I even had a poem and a drawing published in the school year book when I was in year two. It was a retake on the nursery rhyme, There was an old lady who swallowed a fly.
Can you share a little of your current work with us?
It is too early to share the synopsis of my current WIP unfortunately, but I can share a little snippet about one of the characters (noting that this will probably not be in the final version of the book given the thousands of revisions between now and then – if it is even published!).
This snippet is about Mali, the main character’s best friend. I have loved writing Mali. She reminds me of Sylv, who is a really extroverted character in When the World was Flat (and we were in love).
Excerpt from WIP:
Mali jumped up and down with a squeal, and then wiped her palms on her skirt. She had been diagnosed with a condition called hyperhidrosis last winter. It had been thirty degrees and below, but her hands had been like two wet washcloths 24/7. Her mom had sent her to three doctors and a dermatologist who told her it was a hereditary condition, and now she has to spray anti-perspirant on her palms three or four times a day. She must have skipped the anti-perspirant this morning, I thought as she wiped her palms on her skirt again.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
This is a bit embarrassing, but I hate contractions. I tend to construct my sentences to avoid words like don’t, can’t, won’t, etc. The result is that old fashioned writing style that I mentioned earlier. It can present challenges when I have to make a call on either having a clunky sentence or a contraction (of course, the contraction wins in those cases).
Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?
I am actually yet to meet my agent and editor face-to-face (the former is in New York and the latter is in the UK) and I really hope to one day soon.
I am lucky that I have family in the US and have gone on a few road trips with them and with my husband, which I count as research for When the World was Flat (and we were in love).
In terms of promotion, I am very lucky to live in the day of the internet (e.g. I am currently touring the world as part of my Around the World in 80 Days Blog Tour! Lol!). That being said, I would like to do some actual travel next year as a combination of promotion of my current book and research for my next book.
Who designs your cover(s)?
The cover for When the World was Flat (and we were in love) was designed by a company called Argh! Oxford. They worked with my publisher (with my input) to come up with the beautiful image of the key against the flagstone.
My previous covers (for my children’s books) were designed by the publisher, using illustrations from the books.
What was the hardest part of writing your book?
I had a few action scenes in When the World was Flat (and we were in love), which is not my forte. These are scenes that involve either fist fights, car chases or car accidents. I am not the girl who played with action figures as a kid (although I did play with matchbox cars with my brothers) and I would take a movie and dinner over sky-diving anyday. That being said, these scenes have actually become my favorite parts of the novel.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
If you are not yet published – keep at it. You will be if you persevere. It is true what they say about one per cent inspiration and ninety-nine per cent perspiration (or blood, sweat and many tears).
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Thank you. Really. I am extremely grateful that When the World is Flat (and we were in love) is being read and enjoyed across the world. I am still pinching myself! And when I see a good review I feel like I have found a kindred spirit, as books are so subjective.
Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer our questions.
Author Bio
Ingrid Jonach writes books for children and young adults, including the chapter books The Frank Frankie and Frankie goes to France published by Pan Macmillan, and When the World was Flat (and we were in love) published by Strange Chemistry.
Since graduating from university with a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Writing (Hons) in 2005, Ingrid has worked as a journalist and in public relations, as well as for the Australian Government.
Ingrid loves to promote reading and writing, and has been a guest speaker at a number of schools and literary festivals across Australia, where she lives with her husband Craig and their pug dog Mooshi.
Despite her best efforts, neither Craig nor Mooshi read fiction.
Find out more at www.ingridjonach.com
Giveaway
Enter below for your chance to win one of two awesome prize packages as part of the Around the World in 80 Days Blog Tour for When the World was Flat (and we were in love) by Ingrid Jonach.
There will be two winners worldwide. Each prize package includes:
a signed copy of When the World was Flat (and we were in love)
a pair of silver plated key-shaped earrings in a When the World was Flat (and we were in love) gift box
a When the World was Flat (and we were in love) bookmark.
The competition will run until 21 October 2013 and the winners will be announced on this page and via www.ingridjonach.com
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