Please join me in welcoming MTV Books YA author Kelly Parra. We met via our blogs a few years ago, before she got The Call. But even then I knew it was only a matter of time before some wise publisher snapped her up. She’s had nothing but success ever since.

After you read Kelly’s post, leave a comment and you’ll automatically be entered in her book giveaway. One lucky poster will win a copy of Kelly’s debut YA novel, GRAFFITI GIRL.

And now, here’s Kelly!

When I set out writing, it hadn’t been with the intention of writing young adult fiction. I was very much into Romantic Suspense—the tension, the often forbidden love between the dark hero and the independent heroine. Nora Roberts had hooked me with her romantic stories and I was staying, especially with her Death series, with the awesomely handsome Roarke and the tough as nails, Eve Dallas. I also loved the fun and unique characters of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum novels. Morelli and Ranger, anyone?

But Roberts and Evanovich were so far out of my world. I never thought I could write a book as interesting as their stories. I was a first time mom, struggling with a home business. I had very little college experience. I was also one of those tomboy girls who spoke guy better than she spoke girl. Yes, I loved the dynamic fiction that took me to different places in my head, but I was pretty sure that would be the only connection that would happen between books and me.

Soon, I started diving into Harlequin Silhouettes’—at the time–Intimate Moments. On one of the author bios a woman lived in a neighboring California town and guess what? She was a stay-at-home mom with no college experience. It was like a wake-up call. If someone else could do this, I could at least try to write a book.

So I wrote in fits and starts. Year after year. Contests where I totally flopped, on-line classes where I soaked up as much info as possible, and after meeting great critique partners, I finished and rewrote my first Romantic Suspense with the intent on querying agents.

Rejection, rejection—ohh sample pages!—rejection. *blah*

I decided to try another genre, just in case Romantic Suspense wasn’t in the cards for me, you know? I’d been hearing a lot about YA fiction. If there was a time in my life when I couldn’t have been unhappier, it was my teen years. Why not share all that high school drama? And well, my writing voice, was a lot like how I talked and teens might relate better to my style of storytelling.

I started a YA, something with a high concept that would possibly catch a teen’s eye—graffiti art. I’d been a teen artist. I had friends who were into graffiti in high school. Could work. In the midst of this, I discovered an agent who was looking for Latina fiction. I had a multi-cultural heroine in both of my books, but what the heck was real Latina fiction? After signing with my agent, and multiple submissions with interest from one editor at a house but sadly not enough to offer a sale, we learned more about Latina fiction, and that it wasn’t just about having a Latina heroine. That little issue about cultural theme had been in there too.

:smile:

The YA was put on hold as I revised my RS the best I could, and after eleven months my RS sold to Silhouette Bombshell. Yes. After spending nearly 3 years with this book, I’d finally sold it. A few months later I sold my young adult novel, GRAFFITI GIRL. Double yes! And—

–suddenly Bombshell closes its doors. :shock:

My first taste of the ups-and-downs of publishing, and let me tell you, it wasn’t too tasty. I sometimes think that I’ll go back to adult fiction, but right now I’m doing my best with YA fiction where the teens are openly honest, fun to chat with, and my tom boy writing voice fits right in. :) I have GRAFFITI GIRL under my belt, and my second novel, INVISIBLE TOUCH, hitting shelves in September. Publishing is still brand new to me, and I’m happily taking it one book at a time.

Thanks to the Southern Fried Chicas for having me on the blog, and to Tanya for inviting me! Please leave a comment and I’d love to give away a copy of GRAFFITI GIRL to an interested visitor.