"Purple Moon" Blog Tour Kick Off!: The Story Behind the Story

I am thrilled to announce the kick off of the blog tour for my debut YA Christian fiction novel, PURPLE MOON (which releases Sept. 24 by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas). You will not want to miss this! I will be stopping at 28 different blogs and sharing excerpts from my book, behind the scenes secrets, themes that are covered in PURPLE MOON, answering Q & As, and much more. There will also be contests to enter for your chance to win prizes, such as an autographed print/ebook version of my book, $20 gift card, Starbucks instant mocha (because who doesn't love coffee?!), etc. Also--by the end of the tour, three people will be chosen to win a the "Purple Moon" Prize Pack (see below!).

For those of you who are new to my blog, here is the back-cover-copy for PURPLE MOON:

Selena's life isn't turning out to be the fairy tale she imagined as a kid. That hope seemed to vanish long ago when her dad kicked her and her mom out of the house. This summer might finally hold the chance of a new beginning for Selena ... but having to live with her snobby cousin in Lake Lure, NC while waiting for her mom to get out of rehab wasn't how Selena was planning on spending her summer. She soon begins to wonder why she committed to give up her "bad habits" for this.

Things don't seem too bad, though. Especially when Selena gains the attention of the cute neighbor next door. But when her best friend back home in Brooklyn desperately needs her, a secret that's been hidden from Selena for years is revealed, and when she becomes a target for one of her cousin's nasty pranks, she finds herself having to face the scars from her past and the memories that come along with them. Will she follow her mom's example in running away, or trust that God still has a fairy tale life written just for her?

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The Story Behind the Story

I first came up with the story idea for Purple Moon when I was fifteen. Since I'm more of a character-driven novelist, the protagonist  Selena, naturally came to my mind first. I pictured a teenage girl who is technically a "good girl" but has made mistakes and constantly deals with issues that many teens have to face. Selena's life is not what she imagined it would be as a kid, when all she could picture was a fairy tale. As a teenager and living with her alcoholic mother in a tiny apartment in Brooklyn, NY, Selena no longer feels as if she has a purpose in life. 

The emotional and spiritual arc of PURPLE MOON was greatly influenced by the song “By Your Side” by Tenth Avenue North, as well as the skit that many churches have performed to the song “Everything” by Lifehouse (which you can find on YouTube). I wanted PURPLE MOON to be a story about healing and forgiveness, but also one that would entertain teenagers. In summary, I wanted to write a clean book about a girl who I--and other teenagers--could relate to, as well as the kind of story that I would personally like to read myself.

Although I wanted PURPLE MOON to be a clean story, I wanted it to be genuine and not shy away from real issues that teenagers face today. I also tried to stay away from coming across as preachy yet without watering down the spiritual element. 

After writing the first version of PURPLE MOON when I was fifteen, I realized that it was not the story I wanted to write. I kept the main elements of that story, including protagonist, and started over in a brand new setting and plot. The first draft for Purple Moon was complete when I was sixteen. It was also then when I attended my first writing conference and met my soon-to-be publisher, Eddie Jones from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. 

As I continued learning more about the writing craft over the next couple of years, I kept wanting to go back and change/rewrites part of the story. However, when I was eighteen, I was finally satisfied with PURPLE MOON and decided to send it off to my editor.

I’ve had a blast creating Selena’s story, and I can only hope that this isn’t the end for her, but that one day I can have a sequel published for PURPLE MOON.

Needless to say, writing Selena's story has definitely been a journey. I can only hope that you will see the purpose behind PURPLE MOON and fall in love with the story the way that I have fallen in love with writing it. But most of all, I pray that you will come to experience the love, healing, and forgiveness that God has to offer—the chance to start brand new.

Fact or Fiction?:

Guess this fact or fiction, and be sure to stop by the next blog tour stop to see if you guessed correctly! (You’ll also receive one extra entry for the “Purple Moon” Prize Pack if you send me your guess.)

"Purple Moon" Prize Pack:

Two people will receive the below prizes--however, I will also be giving away one more prize pack (as well as two signed copies of my book) at my virtual launch party on Sept. 24th. RSVP by clicking here! a Rafflecopter giveaway

“Purple Moon” Blog Tour Stops:

Don’t forget to stop by the blog tour’s next stop to increase your chances of winning the PURPLE MOON Prize Pack!

Wednesday, September 18^th: Purple Moon Blog Tour Launch: The Story Behind the Story: Christ is Write

Thursday, September 19^th: 5 Facts about Purple Moon: Kim Vandel

Friday, September 20^th: Character Sketches + Character Cast Contest: Who YA Reading?

Monday, September 23^rd: Behind the Scenes: Why I Chose Lake Lure: Words to Dreams

Tuesday, September 24^th: Release Day! Selena’s Diary Entry + Creative Photo Contest: Writing for Young Adults

Wednesday, September 25^th: Austin’s Diary Entry: Amy’s Book Blog

Thursday, September 26^th: Q & A: Notebook Sisters

 Friday, September 27^th: Purple Moon Playlist: Ashley Carr  

Monday, September 30^th: Purple Moon Excerpt: Wooden Swings: Heather Brice   

Tuesday, October 1^st: Dealing With Anxiety—The Spiritual IV: The Destiny of One  

Wednesday, October 2^nd: Q & A: Saved by Grace

Thursday, October 3^rd: Behind the Scenes: Name Meanings: Labor Not In Vain

Friday, October 4^th: Is It Okay To Be An Introvert?: Alex Inks It  

Monday, October 7^th: Story Behind the Cover Art: Candy Apple Books

Tuesday, October 8^th: Purple Moon Excerpt: Cherishing the Sunrise: Author Casey Bond

Wednesday, October 9^th: Q & A: Writing While the Rice Boils

Thursday, October 10^th: Behind the Scenes: Christian Human Videos: Writing in Wonderland  

Friday, October 11^th: Teenage Substance Abuse: Emily Rachelle  

Monday, October 14^th: Behind the Scenes: Lake Lure Academy of the Arts: Worthy 2 Read

Tuesday, October 15^th: My Middle & High School Experience: Hello Highlights  

Wednesday, October 16^th: Purple Moon Excerpt: Meatless Turkey Sandwich: Diane Estrella  

Thursday, October 17^th: Body Image Laurel’s Leaves

Friday, October 18^th: Behind the Scenes: Brewer’s Coffee: A Splash of Ink

Monday, October 21^st: Purple Moon Excerpt: Farkle at the Park: A Slightly Nerdy Bookworm

Tuesday, October 22^nd: Teenage Dating: Tell The World

Wednesday, October 23^rd: Q & A: The YA Book Stack

 Thursday, October 24^th: How Much of My Personal Life Did I Put Into “Purple Moon”?: Read For Your Future

Friday, October 25^th: Fairy tales & Happy Endings + Contest Winners!: Inspiring Daring