Image Map Image Map

Thursday, March 3, 2016

Into the Dim by Janet B. Taylor Blog Tour!




Title: INTO THE DIM
Author: Janet B. Taylor
Release Date: March 1, 2016
Pages: 432
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook
Find it: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks
When fragile, sixteen-year-old Hope Walton loses her mom to an earthquake overseas, her secluded world crumbles. Agreeing to spend the summer in Scotland, Hope discovers that her mother was more than a brilliant academic, but also a member of a secret society of time travelers. Trapped in the twelfth century in the age of Eleanor of Aquitaine, Hope has seventy-two hours to rescue her mother and get back to their own time. Along the way, her path collides with that of a mysterious boy who could be vital to her mission . . . or the key to Hope’s undoing.

Addictive, romantic, and rich with historical detail, Into the Dim is an Outlander for teens.

The 2013 winner of the coveted #PitchWars, Janet B Taylor, has four years' experience writing web content for a major television network fan site (CBS) that garners over a hundred thousand hits a day. Janet travels extensively to those places where her novels are set, often roaming around at night to commune with the famous historical figures about which she loves to write. She is a member of several writing organizations, including the SCBWI and the Historical Novel Society, and lives in a tiny town in Arkansas with her family. 

Connect with Janet: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Tumblr | Pinterest

Are you a plotter or a pantser? 

Janet: Dude…when I wrote Into The Dim didn’t even know what those terms were. I just sat down and wrote the dang thing. Now, with book 2, I’m sparing myself that hair-ripping nightmare and using a loose outline. It allows me to keep on track and weave in all the threads, while also giving me the freedom to just let go and see what’ll happen. Who’ll spring to life unexpectedly. THAT is one of my fave things.   

Have you always been interested in history? 

Janet: Always! Even in school, history was my favorite subject. I think it’s the thought of one person having all that power. A king could decide they didn’t like someone and—BAM!—Off with their head! (That…and the gorgeous clothes.)

How much research did you have to do in order to write INTO THE DIM?

Janet: So, so, SO much! I’ve been effectively doing research most of my life, really, if you count reading a crap-ton of historical fiction and visiting so many castles, palaces, and historical locations over the years.

I really love your version of Eleanor of Aquitaine, what made you want to write about her?

Janet: I’ve been crushing on Eleanor since I was in Junior High and watched the movie ‘The Lion in Winter’ starring the incomparable, Katherine Hepburn. As an adult, I read everything I could get my hands on about this fascinating queen. She was truly remarkable. Queen of both France AND England. Ruled England when Henry II, her husband, was off playing soldier. Advocated education for women. Endowed countless Abbeys. The woman gave birth to ten living children, and lived to her mid-eighties in an age where the average life span for women was thirty-six years old. She…was a ROCK STAR!

Do you have any unconventional writing habits?

Janet: Hmm.. Well, I start writing around three o’clock in the morning, EVERY DAY. Day in/Day out. And yes, I’m aware I should be declared insane. :D

What was the most difficult part of writing INTO THE DIM?

Janet: The hardest part for me was translating the images of the settings in my head in a way that would make the past come alive for the reader. Dialogue has always come easy for me. Descriptions are harder. I either write too little…or way, WAY too much. My editor, the wonderful Sarah Landis, would agree wholeheartedly with this statement.

Have you always wanted to be a writer? When did you know you wanted to write for a living?

Janet: Actually, my degree is in biology. Though I wrote a lot when I was a kid, I’ve worked in hospitals for a very long time. And the ‘writing for a living’ idea only came after I actually finished ITD and realized, “Hey, this isn’t terrible.”  

Are there any scenes that were cut during the editing process that you wish made it to the final version of INTO THE DIM?

Janet: In an earlier version, there was a scene in which the loathsome housekeeper, Hilde, rats Hope and Bran out for staying in the house alone overnight. The Church comes and drags her off, subjecting her to a horrifying examination to prove her virginity. She barely escapes. It was a particularly harrowing scene that I really liked, but that was thought to be a bit ‘too dark’.  (All earlier versions of ITD were WAY darker.) LOL.

What is one thing you would like your readers to be able to take away after reading INTO THE DIM?

Janet: That history is kinda badass. 

And that no matter what kind of issues you’re going through. No matter if you’re introverted or shy or suffering from others may deem as ‘shortcomings,’ you have it in you to be a hero. Hope is no conventional heroine. She’s actually kind of messed-up. But when the time comes to step up to do what’s right, she does it. And if she can do it…anyone can!

Brittany: Thank you so much for this wonderful interview, Janet! It's always a pleasure talking to you! If you guys haven't checked out her book yet, do yourselves a favor and do it now!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Week One:
2/22/2016- Bookish Lifestyle- Interview
2/23/2016- A Perfection Called Books- Review
2/24/2016- Princessica of Books - Guest Post
2/25/2016- Ex Libris- Review
2/26/2016- Two Chicks on Books- Interview

Week Two:
2/29/2016- Owl Always Be Reading- Review
3/1/2016- Such a Novel Idea- Guest Post
3/2/2016- A Backwards Story- Review
3/3/2016- Brittany's Book Rambles- Interview
3/4/2016- Book Munchies- Review

15 comments:

  1. I was really excited for this book but have seen a couple of negative reviews from bloggers I trust... So now I'm not so sure xD but I'll probably end up giving it a read one of these days, just to see for myself! Great post as always, Britt! <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really love this book and I highly recommend it if you like books inspired by history. Definitely one of my favorites of 2016 =)

      Delete
  2. This is a great interview Britt! I am really excited to read this one! I should have my copy in soon :) Thanks for posting!

    Jamie @ Books and Ladders

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you <3 I think you're going to love this one! *fingers crossed*

      Delete
  3. Great interview! Love the questions you asked as well as the answers! I got to read an eARC of Into the Dim through Net Galley for review and absolutely loved it!! I plan to buy a hardback copy though because I love it just that much! I've been raving about it to anyone that will listen! I'm a history fanatic as well and Into the Dim combines my love of fantasy and history in such a flawless, beautiful way! Hope is such an amazing yet realistic heroine! I loved the setting, intricate world-building and strong female characters! I can't wait for book two! Thanks for hosting the giveaway! I would love to be able to reread Into the Dim in it's beautuful physical form!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed the interview. I have been talking about this book nonstop and it's definitely one of my favorites of 2016!

      Good luck on the giveaway!

      Delete
  4. So excited for Janet!!! She's an amazing Sweet16ner! Loved hearing her voice in this interview just like in the book. Great interview, ladies!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She's a sweetheart, I love her! I'm glad you enjoyed the interview =)

      Delete
  5. My sister would absolutely adore this story! I love the fact that the author was willing to do good solid research for this book. Something many YA authors haven't been doing lately. It is great to see someone go from history buff, to Biology major, and then onto writer because my son kept getting told in high school to be a writer, but he hates the process. He is also a history buff-Biology major, so maybe my dream for him will still come true! Ha ha. Thanks for the contest. My sister would love to be surprised with this book. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really hope that your sister enjoys this book--I definitely did! I know it's hard to do all the research that needs to be done, at least that's what I've found in my own writing. Janet executed this book perfectly in my opinion and she just made me want to learn more about the actual historical figures and setting!

      Delete
  6. I luuuuuuurve giveaways! And Janet is hilarious! I think I totally want to read this book, because she totally sounds like my kind of person! And 12th century history? HELL YEAH!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Janet is great, I adore her! And her voice really is in her writing so I'm sure you're going to love this one =)

      Delete
  7. HAHA! I love this interview. I would totally be up writing at 3 a.m. too. I work best late at night. :) Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad you loved it! I do my best work a night too, for as long as I can remember I've been a night owl xD

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete