The Next Big Thing Blog Hop

I have been tagged to answer ten questions about my WIP (work in progress) by my good friend, Cindy Christiansen. Here's the link to her blog so you can check out her Next Big Thing: Cindy A. Christiansen

This challenge is through the Jane Austin Fan Fiction group and is called The Next Big Thing Blog Hop. The whole purpose is to share with all of you, the next big thing that I'm working on. 

Ten Interview questions for The Next Big Thing:

Question #1: What is the working title for your book?
Broomsticks and Whiskers

Question #2: Where did the idea come from?
It was originally an idea for a short Halloween story contest sponsored by our local library. My oldest daughter, who was twelve at the time, helped me brainstorm the idea.

Question #3: What genre does your book fall under?
Middle-grade fantasy

Question #4: Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie?
To be honest, I’m not familiar enough with current actors to answer this question but one of them would have to be a cat.

Question #5: What is the one-sentence synopsis for your book?
The witching world has fallen into disarray and it’s up to Gregory, a neurotic feline to restore order while trying to keep his young and untrained witch from getting herself killed.

Question #6: Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
I’m going to try to find an agent, but I’m not opposed to self-publishing. The industry is changing so fast it makes your head spin!

Question #7: How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
A couple of years, I think. It’s been so long I can’t remember for sure.

Question #8: What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Maybe Fablehaven, by Brandon Mull, but only because this story would appeal to a similar audience with its quirky characters and high fantasy theme.

Question #9: Who or what inspired you to write this book?
My daughter

Question #10: What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
The story is mainly told through a cat’s point of view.

The author's I tagged:

Jennifer Mcfadden

Please hop on over and take a look at their Next Big Thing.

Excerpt from chapter one:

Gregory awoke with a sudden start, the events of the previous night rushing back to him while light streamed into his eyes. He cursed the day’s audacity for dawning with such brightness, yawned, licked both paws, and gave his face a quick wash. Despite everything that had happened, his stomach growled its demands. With his tail twitching behind him, he padded to the kitchen in search of a saucer of milk.

            Even though he hadn’t encountered any of the humans yet, their sorrow hung heavy in the air.

            In the entryway, Gregory dodged the wheels of the gurney carrying Celeste’s lifeless body. He lifted his eyes to peer at the gray-haired coroner, his skin as shriveled as the corpses in his care.

            He hissed his warning at the ugly man.

            “Shoo, you stupid cat.”

            Gregory darted into the shadows, trying to rid himself of the image of Celeste’s purple-toned skin and stiff limbs lying at the foot of the stairs just hours before. That was where he had moved her—using a hover spell of course—so the humans would suspect she had fallen during the night. He arched his back and dug his claws into the carpeting, remembering how her bones cracked and abrasions appeared on her cheek when he cast the second spell. Her injuries needed to be consistent with a fall.