Introducing: YA author Mia Castile (YA Feature #3)

Hey everyone! Welcome to Reading Away The Days another awesome YA author Mia Castile *claps hands* Mia is the author of YA Romance book The Ocean. I would like to say a big thank you to Mia for doing this interview with me.

Without further ado check out Mia's interview and show her some love by commenting and checking out her novel The Ocean!

*Title of Mia's book: The Ocean

*Genre: YA Romance Fiction

*Release Date: The Ocean is now available to buy!

*A short description of The Ocean:

Gianna and Alex have just buried their mother. Now they have to move back to St. Petersburg, Florida to live with their recovering alcoholic father. All the new changes, however, may be more than Gia can bear. While Alex turns to football and flirting with girls, she holds her emotions inside. Together they make sense of their new lives as Gianna finds herself falling for Travis. Travis is not without his own issues. Between his insecurities and other people meddling in his life, he finds strength in Gianna. He vows to there for her doing everything he can to make it happen. The Ocean is a story of loss, redemption, and finding happiness in the middle of it all.

Mia's writing journey so far:

I began writing as a young girl. I wrote poetry, and it offered a release for my emotions and a way to channel my thoughts. I began writing The Ocean around that time too, but didn't finish it. Life as they say happened. I thought about writing and continued with my poetry over the years, but didn't put much engery in it, not like I did as a girl, sitting for hours listening to the light rock station as I wrote of love unreturned. It was after a series of re-occuring dreams about four years that I put my laptop to good use and began writing my dreams out. That was the birth of the Generations Series.

*Where did you get the idea for The Ocean?

I spent a lot of winter breaks in Florida growing up. The idea was born from an experience of stolen glances between me and a boy at the beach one day; I remember thinking "what if". So in my story the boy actually spoke to the girl.

*The cover for The Ocean is really pretty. Did you have any input into the cover, who designed it?

I knew in my head what I wanted the cover to look like; it was just a matter of finding the right picture. I originally wanted to have a picture with a pier in it, but couldn't find one that met the image in my mind. Sheryl Clark of SherlyClarkProductions.com helped me with the cover for The Ocean as well as Analogy of My Heart Volume 1. I think communication is very important in collaborations. Sheryl listened and in some ways took it a step farther than my expectations.

*Your novel is set in St. Petersburg, Florida. Why this location for your novel?

I have family who live in St. Petersburg. I have a lot of happy memories there, from growing up. The beaches are so beautiful off of the gulf, and I loved sitting and watching the beauty of the waves.

*How does it feel to have your book out there for everyone to critique?

It is a little nerve racking. When you create something you put a piece of your heart on it, you hope that everyone will love it as much as you do. I have to remind myself that not everyone will love it and that's ok. As long as I put out the best of me, then I am proud of my product.

*What is the hardest thing about being an author?

I think the hardest part would be when I am so engrossed in writing that I ignore the rest of my life. So for me, finding a healthly balance between creating and being involved in my family, luckily my family is pretty forgiving and understands when I get that crazy look in my eye, to leave me alone.

*Are you currently working on any other projects?

I am releasing a book of poetry in June called Analogy of My Heart. Generations: Book of enlightenment will be released in October. I am also working on Generations: Book of Truth, another WIP called God's of Detroit and Kristina Caden and I are working together on a secret project we hope to release this winter.

*Why should we read your book, The Ocean?

If you're interested in growing characters with a touching love story then you might enjoy my novel. It also has real life obstacles, and trials of relationships. I've been told that you get lost in the story so it has a good escape.

Finally some quickfire questions:

*Summer or Winter? Fall

*Night or Day? Night (all day long :) )

*Fiction or Non-Fiction? Fiction

*Movies or Music? Music

*Favourite colour? Green

*Favourtie place to write? A comfy seat with my laptop

*Favourite destination? A porch swing on a cool fall night

*Three things you would take to a desert island?

First is Kristina Caden, Suncream (mostly for Kristina Caden) and Solar charged Nook.

Thanks to Mia for taking the time to answer my questions. You can buy Mia's book now!

You can check out Mia in several places:

http://www.miacastile.com/

www.facebook.com/miacastilenovels

www.twitter.com/miacastile

www.goodreads.com/mia_castile

miacastile.blogspot.com