{Blog Tour} Author Interview with Holly Schindler + Giveaway

 

Playing Hurt Philippine Blog Tour has finally came to stop by here in my blog! A great and fantastic author of Playing Hurt-- Holly Schindler! I ask her five questions regarding to her sophomore novel, Playing Hurt.

 

About the Author

I think the first thing I ever did in life was grab a pen and a cup of coffee... I love my caffeine, but I'm ADDICTED to literature—reading AND writing it—and am thrilled to have released two YA novels: A BLUE SO DARK (2010) and a romance titled PLAYING HURT (2011). My debut middle grade is forthcoming from Dial

Official Site | Blog | Goodreads | Twitter

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"How did you come up with the story?  Is there someone or something that inspires you on writing it?"

HS: None of my characters are ever based on people I’ve met in real life.  And the scenarios in my books are never based on anything that’s ever happened to me…It’s all completely fictitious.  I knew, in the beginning, that I wanted to write a story about learning the difference between just loving someone (which is how Chelsea feels for Gabe) and falling head-over-heels passionately in love with someone (which is really how Chelsea feels for Clint).  That thread still does exist in PLAYING HURT, but the final published version also features the storyline about recovering from a life-changing event, too. 

"What is the best and worst part of writing PLAYING HURT?"

HS: I drafted PLAYING HURT several years ago—before I drafted my debut novel, A BLUE SO DARK!  I had to rewrite this book globally several times over the years, to finally get it in its final published form.  That was the best and worst part of writing PLAYING HURT—in many ways, it was heartbreaking to go through years of rejection, but I also really loved having all that time to uncover my characters piece by piece, rewrite by rewrite.

"If you ever got a chance to change something about your book, what would it be?"

HS: I don’t think a book ever feels completely finished for an author.  Five years down the road, if I were to open PLAYING HURT and read it again, I’m sure I’d see things I’d do differently…In fact, I HOPE I feel that way about the book.  If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be growing as a writer!

"Did you learn anything from writing this book?  Can you tell us?" 

HS: I learned the importance of listening to my characters, allowing them to tell me who they are, rather than trying to force upon them who I think they SHOULD be. 

I actually didn’t come across the sports subplot until the last time I rewrote the book…And I came across it by standing back, observing the way my characters already behaved on the page, and realizing they were telling me they were athletes!

"Is there something you want to say to your readers?"

HS: Thank you.  Really.  My readers are the absolute coolest.  They never fail to reach out to me, or to spread word of my work online…They’ve championed my work like no one else!  And I can’t begin to explain just how special that is to me…

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Thank you for being here with us Holly and I myself really enjoyed this book. And I do hope you enjoy this interview my fellow readers and bloggers! I am very honored being part of this blog tour! I am sure that every readers out there is going to enjoy this one as well! Wishing you all the best and success Ms. Schindler! We'll be waiting more from you! :D

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Playing Hurt Giveaway!

There are seven stops on the Playing Hurt Philippines Blog Tour, and on each stop you will have a chance to win a copy of Holly's second book!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

{Blog Tour} Review: Playing Hurt by Holly Schindler

Playing Hurt by Holly Schindler

Publisher: Flux

Date Published: March 8, 2011 [on Paperback]

Pages: 303

Original Language: English

Source: Holly Schindler via Playing Hurt Philippine Blog Tour

Summary

Star basketball player Chelsea "Nitro" Keyes had the promise of a full ride to college-and everyone's admiration in her hometown. But everything changed senior year, when she took a horrible fall during a game. Now a metal plate holds her together and she feels like a stranger in her own family.

As a graduation present, Chelsea's dad springs for a three-week summer "boot camp" program at a northern Minnesota lake resort. There, she's immediately drawn to her trainer, Clint, a nineteen-year-old ex-hockey player who's haunted by his own traumatic past. As they grow close, Chelsea is torn between her feelings for Clint and her loyalty to her devoted boyfriend back home. Will an unexpected romance just end up causing Chelsea and Clint more pain-or finally heal their heartbreak?

[via Goodreads]

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I am very pleased and honored to be a part—and to participate—of the Playing Hurt Philippine Blog Tour. Other than being a part of this event, I truly wanted to read this book as well. This is my second read in YA Contemporary genre. I am expecting great from this book and I am glad that it didn’t put me down. Let’s see what I think about this book.

The Plot. The story is written in awesomeness! The storyline drifts off into two different perspectives—Chelsea and Clint. I haven’t read anything like this, so it’s very new to me. I usually read one POV then the other characters involved are only written on 3^rd person. This one is different, two individuals telling their sets of experiences, alternating from each others story which is both linked to each other as well.

The plot is much written well. Exact and directly to the point, no adding some other stuff to drive me confuse—or crazy, some instances. It was easy to understand and I am able to grasp the expressions and statements delivered on the story.

I found very amusing when every time she recalls in her head, the name of her boyfriend, Gabe, when she’s with Clint. And also how she scolds herself. On the other hand, I am glad reading a guys perspective in this book. I mostly read them on 3^rd person. I am able to relate some of his feelings here, how he reacts and moves.

There is intimate romance here, and it surprises me. So better lay-off this book to our younger readers. But that’s the funniest parts of the book, when intimacy with fondling, deep kissing and you-know-what [being wholesome here. lol], cuts it off in something unwanted, burst me laughing. The thing is I like how they react once they were interrupted. I just actually say, “Oh hell! They’re this close. Why now?” It only means that I am voted for them to be together. And I really like the two main characters of the story.

The Characters. Chelsea Keyes and Clint Morgan. They’re just simple to be named for a character in a book. But this one stands it up. These are my two favorite in this book. Aside from being the protagonists of the whole story, I like the fact that the two has different sad past but has the same connection and probably the same horrible experience. I loved how they simply develop their devotion to each other. Which a nice way to be attached to them.

Tiny Flaw. At the almost last part of the story, there’s an unresolved situation. It felt something is still hanging up when I finished the book. You’ll know it once you’ve read the book. :]

Other Thoughts. The ending of the story is beautiful. Not a common finale you always read on some romance novel. Like that swirly things flowing in the air while they were kissing from the place where they first met or whatever. I gave sigh of relief and smile. Glad that at end gave me a sight of satisfaction. A nice way to end a story.

I am truly going to recommend this book for teens and older. No younger than that. I bet this is PG rated. LOL. But surely you’re going to love this book as much as I do! I am sure to go get myself a copy of this one! A great salute to Holly Schindler and her sophomore book, Playing Hurt! :D

OVERALL RATING

Review Archives Updated

Challenges:

• 100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge 2011 
• A-Z Reading Challenge