Interview: Carol M. Tanzman, author of Circle of Silence + Nook Giveaway

Posted 07/22/2012 by alicemarvels in Author Interview

Welcome to the Author Corner!

Category: Author Interview

Today we’re chatting with the lovely Carol M. Tanzman, author of CIRCLE OF SILENCE.

She gives us the inside scoop on this thrilling story, and helps us fantasy cast a CIRCLE OF SILENCE TV show!

The characters in Circle of Silence are so well-drawn, I couldn’t really tell for sure who was privately involved with the “MP” secret society. I think I may have suspected every character at one point or another, because it felt like any one of them could seem okay in person, but have this need for an outlet like MP to vent. Did you always know who would end up in MP or did that change as the story progressed?

When I started writing the story, I wasn’t sure who would end up in MP. I had a few ideas, of course, but the more I got into the novel, the more I discovered about each character. About three quarters of the way through the first draft, I made a chart of everyone in the book, both major and minor, and plotted out the most logical candidates according to the way the story was developing.

Val and her Campus News team initially seem excited about the secret society’s pranks because it gives them more-thrilling-than-normal news stories. Even as the pranks get more gruesome, they still have this strange, sort of unwelcome dependence on the society to make news for them. Do you think most reporters feel that way about attention-grabbing news?

I absolutely do. I have a friend who is a Pulitzer prize-winning journalist and we’ve discussed this. The feeling that almost all reporters have is that, while they don’t wish bad news or events on anyone or any place, if something has to happen, they all want it to happen on “their watch!”

I love Val’s indomitable spirit, even in the face of challenges and disappointments that might make most aspiring reporters jaded. Do you think her persistence to score a story is overly dangerous or a professional necessity?

It’s one of the issues I explore in the novel. How far is too far? Especially for a young reporter (and even more experienced reporters), the lure of getting the story is the same as trying to catch the brass ring on a carousel. It beckons every time you go around. If you’re lucky, you might manage to grab it—but you also might fall dangerously off your horse. It’s a true balancing act. Without persistence you won’t get anywhere. However, there is that point when your drive can spiral out of control in ways you cannot predict.

I think your WiHi stories would make a great CW/ABC Family style TV series. if you were casting such a show, who would you want to play Val, Marci, Raul, Henry, Jagger & Mr. Carleton?

Thanks, Alice. It would be a lot of fun to see it as a series! What I like about those programs is that the casting people always find new actors. Here’s a kind of dream cast with more established actors (just for fun)…

Val: Lizzie Olsen

Jagger: Ezra Miller

Raul: Diego Boneta

Marci: Brenda Song

Henry: Kevin McHale

Mr. Carleton: Chi McBride

Awesome fantasy cast! (Your move, Hollywood.)

What’s next for the WiHi students? Do you have a third book planned, and could you divulge any teasers for us if so?

I’m in the early stages of writing a new YA. I try to be true to each story as it develops. In this beginning phase, I’m not sure if it will end up being another WiHi story or something a little different. I’ll definitely let you know as soon as I know!

Thanks so much for stopping by Carol!

About Circle of Silence

THE BIGGEST STORY OF MY LIFE COULD BE HOW IT ENDS

It’s my turn to run a “Campus News” crew, and I’ve put together a team that can break stories wide open. And Washington Irving High has a truly great one to cover, if only we can find a lead.

A secret society has formed in our school. It announced its presence with pranks: underwear on the flagpole, a toilet in the hallway, cryptic notes. A circle of silence keeps the society a mystery. No one knows its members, agenda or initiation secrets-until a student lands in the hospital under “strange” circumstances.

I “will” blow this story wide open and stop others from being hurt…or worse. And while my ex, Jagger, might want to help, I don’t trust him yet. (And, no, not because of our past together. That is “not” important to this story.)

But whether you find me, Valerie Gaines, reporting in front of the camera, or a victim in the top story of the newscast…be sure to watch “Campus News” at 9:00 a.m. this Friday.

Find Circle of Silence at: amazon | b&n | indiebound | goodreads

About the series

Carol’s first Harlequin TEEN title, dancergirl, is related, yet a separate book.
Each is a stand-alone, yet they take place in the same high school. Characters from one book make appearances in the other!

The place: Brooklyn, New York
The school: WiHi
The time: Now
What’s stopping you?

About Carol M. Tanzman

Carol M. Tanzman is an award-winning theatre director and nationally recognized arts educator. Her first YA novel, The Shadow Place, was on YALSA’s Quick Pick List of Recommended Books, the National Council of Teachers of English ALAN List of Best Books, and the CA Collection for Middle & Senior High Schools. In addition to the current Harlequin Teen books dancergirl and Circle of Silence she is a contributing poet to the upcoming Dare to Dream…Change the World anthology.

Contest

Now for a CONTEST! What’s up for grabs? In addition to a copy of Circle of Silence, you could win a brand new Nook GlowLight skinned with the beautiful Circle of Silence Cover Art!

To enter: You MUST answer the special question found in the Rafflecopter Giveaway! (Note: The answer can be found in the daily Guest Post/Interview from Carol).

Please note that both the daily and grand prize give-aways are for US/Canada participants only. See full contest rules here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Click the lovely banner below to get the most up-to-date tour stop links:

Monday, July 23rd – Alice Marvels
Tuesday, July 24th Book Birthday – Evie Bookish
Wednesday, July 25th – The Book Cellar
Friday, July 27th – Kindle Fever

Monday, July 30th – Xpresso Reads
Wednesday, August 1st – Reading Angel
Friday, August 3rd – Harlequin Blog

Monday, August 6th- Letter’s Inside Out
Wednesday, August 8th – Chapter by Chapter
Friday, August 10th – I Just wanna Sit here and Read