Trivia Tuesday with Chynna Laird

Chynna Laird is my guest for the day and she has graciously offered one lucky poster a PDF copy of her new release Blackbird Flies. Here's the book blurb: Fifteen year-old Payton MacGregor is a musical prodigy. To him, though, his music is merely a way for him to escape from the chaos that surrounds him. All of his life, he’s had to care for his mother, who copes with her bipolar disorder with booze instead of turning to her own musical talents. He refuses to become a statistic. Then he’s thrown a curve ball.  His mother suddenly dies, leaving him to be cared for by his aging grandparents.  As much as they love him, they decide to send him halfway across Canada to live with his father, Liam—the man Payton always believed abandoned him and his mother. Payton isn’t making the relocation easy on anyone until he finds out he's going to attend the prestigious School of the Arts for musically gifted youth. Any second thoughts he has about his new life are erased when he meets Lily Joplin. Their connection is instantaneous.

Lily is a talented singer, but her struggles with drugs and bipolar disorder hit too close to home for Payton’s comfort. And when her issues become all-consuming, he wonders if his music will be enough to carry him through.

This one is definitely on my TBR pile. Now, thought we'd have some fun and get to know a little bit about her so check out what I learned. Welcome, Chynna.

What’s your favorite Disney Movie? The Tigger Movie

Who’s your favorite villain either from a book or a movie? I'm going to say Hannibal Lector (Anthony Hopkins). Villains need to have depth, be interesting, have a bit of mystery surrounding them, tug on our empathy a bit (or try to) and also be a bit scary. What I loved about Hannibal is that he was terrifying but SO intelligent, you know? *shudder*

Where’s the one place you’d love to visit? Scotland. I'd love to learn about my family history.

What genre do you love to read but would never write? Hm. 'Stephen King' type horror. I enjoy nail-biting stuff...I've written a novella like that but the super scary stuff is not only takes alot out of you to write it also takes alot to shake it after writing it. I've tried.  

Name one thing on your bucket list that would surprise people. Why? WOW! I don't really have much of a bucket list left, actually!

Where’s the one place you’d love to live? Australia. I have had a lifelong love for Australia. We almost moved there when I was very young.

Who’s the one person you’d love to meet? Maya Angelou. I'd love to just sit and chat with her over tea. Or just listen to her. (Okay, I'd also love to meet Paul McCartney but that doesn't sound as wise. LOL!!)

What book do you read over and over again? Letters To My Daughter by Maya Angelou. I love her. She is so insighful and wise. And she's gone through so much in her life yet is brave enough to learn from each life's lesson--whether good or bad--then passes those lessons along to others. That book is funny, heartbreaking, eye-opening, and beautiful. Every woman out there should read it.

Do you prefer to read a book written in first person or third person? You know, it depends on the story. I've read fabulous stories written in each view and awful ones. It's all in how the author uses his or her words, gradually unfolding the story. My writing mentor once told me that she's only read works by a precious few authors who write in 1st person successfully. I've written in both. In the end all that matters is that the author tells the tale in the best way possible that suits the plot, the characters and the storyline.

Do you prefer to read stand alone books or a series? Again, it depends. I don't usually get into series. I read every Nancy Drew book when I was little and I totally admire authors who can come up with a great series idea! But I think I prefer stand alone books.

Thank you so much Chynna! Awesome interview. Don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a PDF of Blackbird Flies and then check back to see if you were the lucky winner on Friday:)  You can learn more about Chynna at www.lilywolfwords.ca, as well as her blogs at www.the-gift-blog.com and www.seethewhiteelephants.com, to get a feel for her work and what inspires her. Also, don't forget to check out her amazing book Blackbird Flies. You can purckase it at:

Astraea Press

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

CHYNNA TAMARA LAIRD – is a psychology student, freelance writer and multi award-winning author living in Edmonton, Alberta with her partner, Steve, and their three daughters [Jaimie (eight), Jordhan (six), and baby Sophie (two)] and baby boy, Xander (four). Her passion is helping children and families living with Sensory Processing Disorder and other special needs.

You’ll find her work in many online and in-print parenting, inspirational, Christian and writing publications in Canada, United States, Australia, and Britain. In addition, she’s authored an award-winning children’s book (I’m Not Weird, I Have SPD), two memoirs (the multi award-winning, Not Just Spirited: A Mom’s Sensational Journey With SPD and White Elephants), a Young Adult novel (Blackbird Flies) and an adults Suspense/Thriller (The Gift to be released late 2011).