Donna Galanti - The Element Trilogy

Link to my Email-splatter Page
Link to my Facebook-splatter Page
Link to my Goodreads-splatter Page
Link to my Rss-splatter Page
Link to my Twitter-splatter Page

Visit Donna Galanti’s books for children

  • Home
  • About Donna
  • Blog
  • Books
    • Books for Adults
    • Books for Teens & Tweens
  • Contact
  • News & Events
  • Writers

Harper Children’s Author F.T. Bradley: Double Vision + Giveaway!

By Donna Galanti

F.T. Bradley--photoToday fellow International Thriller Writers Debut Author F.T. Bradley stops by to talk about her middle grade adventure novel Double Vision (Harper Children’s). She’s lived all over the world and loves to write stories that are fun, fast paced, and full of adventure when she’s not watching movies or eating fancy cheese.

F.T. is also giving away one signed print copy of Double Vision! Just leave a comment to be entered to win. The contest is international and ends February 23rd. **CONGRATS to Tonette for winning a signed copy of Double Vision!**

Double Vision front cover

Q: Tell us about Double Vision! Is it a series?
Double Vision is the story of Linc, a 12 year-old trouble-maker who takes things just a little too far on a school field trip. His family gets sued, but then these secret agents show up at his doorstep, and they promise to make his troubles all go away. Only Linc needs to do them a favor…

There’s a missing junior secret agent named Ben Green, and Linc looks just like him. Linc has to take Ben’s place on a top-secret mission in Paris. Only nothing is what it seems, and Linc quickly finds himself in over his head. He has to use his quick wit and courage to make it out alive.

Yes–Double Vision is the first in the series. The second book is out in the fall of 2013; it’s called Double Vision: Code Name 711. It’s been such fun to write–and continues to be as I work on book three.

Q: What made you decide to write a middle grade adventure?
I’d been writing short crime fiction, and then YA mysteries for a while. I queried my current agent, who suggested I write middle-grade (based on my writing style). Fast-forward past some trial and error sample pages, and he sold the series to Harper Children’s. I never thought I’d write for tweens, but now I can’t imagine things turning out any different. I really love writing middle-grade.

Q: How did you figure out all the codes and ciphers in Double Vision?
Don’t tell anyone, but I used a book 🙂 I found a great reference for kids on codes and ciphers, and I learned enough about them to write codes for Double Vision. Linc has to solve them to get to the next clue, and readers can follow along.

Q: What kind of research did you do on how to write about being a junior secret agent?
I researched the CIA and FBI, but since there are no real-life junior agents (as far as we know anyway…), I definitely had to make it up along the way. Linc, the main character in the series, is the kind of rule-breaker who manages to push the envelope to get the mission done. I’d like to think that makes him a good (although a little unpredictable) junior secret agent.

Q: As a thriller writer can you share with us the most “thrilling” event that ever happened to you?
Hmmm… I mostly get my excitement from writing fiction (it’s nice and safe). But I once got caught in a North premier-pharmacy.com/product/atarax/ Dakota storm, when an F-4 tornado missed us by a hair. That was enough thrill to make me wish for thriller fiction instead 🙂

Q: How did you find your “voice” to write from a twelve-year old boy’s perspective?
I know it sounds strange, but my main character Linc just kind of showed up. His voice is fun, and what fans respond to most. I have to watch out when I’m writing though, because sometimes he makes a run for it with my plot. Writing for kids is a blast–I get to pretend to be twelve for a living, which has to be the best job in the world.

Q: You grew up in the Netherlands. Share with us what kind of childhood that was.
There was a lot of biking (the Dutch bike everywhere), ice skating on snow days, and tadpole fishing. I’m old enough to remember the days when building a fort in the backyard was the thing to do. No computers or phones, and not a whole lot of TV–I had a very nice childhood.

Q: You’ve lived all over the world. Which was your favorite place to live and why?
I absolutely love California, so I made it Linc’s home. The weather is great, the people are nice, and there’s always something to do. Maybe someday I’ll get to move back there…

Q: How would you describe your life in only eight-ten words?
Raising tweens, writing for tweens, living the writing dream.

Q: If you could acquire any talent, what would it be?
I’d love to know how to draw. As a children’s author, I meet lots of illustrators. I’m in awe of their talent. I can’t even draw a decent stick figure.

Q: Say your publisher has offered to fly you anywhere in the world to do research on an upcoming book, where would you most likely want to go?
Rome, I think. That would make such a cool setting for a Double Vision adventure. Ha! In my dreams.

Q: What is your biggest pet peeve?
In general, people who are rude drive me nuts. Lately, I see a lot of people fiddle with their phones while there’s a person sitting right next to them, looking ignored. That’s so sad.

As a reader, I don’t like perspective changes in the middle of a chapter. Makes it so hard to keep up.

Q: Tell us about your next project!
I’m working on Linc’s third adventure, and having a blast writing. The story set in Los Angeles, but that’s all I can say for now…

More from F.T. Bradley on Double Vision

About F.T. Bradley:
F. T. Bradley is originally from the Netherlands and still likes to travel, like Linc, whenever she gets a chance. Her husband’s Air Force career has F. T. and their two daughters moving all around the world, but for the moment the family lives on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Double Vision is the first book in her new series about Linc Baker and Ben Green.

Connect with her at her website or on Facebook and Twitter.

Share this:

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Authors, Books Tagged With: adventure, debut author, Double Vision, F.T. Bradley, Harper Children's, International Thriller Writers, middle grade fiction, Netherlands, Paris, secret agent

Comments

  1. murielle cyr says

    February 18, 2013 at 11:21 am

    Sounds like a good addition to my t0-read list. Good luck with your book.

  2. Kit Grindstaff says

    February 18, 2013 at 3:44 pm

    Sounds very cool! And Linc goes to Paris? That makes it a must-read, right there 🙂

  3. S.W. says

    February 18, 2013 at 6:39 pm

    This books is already on my to-read list. The story sounds like a great adventure.

  4. Booksie says

    February 19, 2013 at 12:59 pm

    Sounds like a great book for middle school kids: my nephew would LOVE this book and books are my favorite gift to give to kids in our family!

    books4me67 at ymail dot com

  5. Andrea M. says

    February 19, 2013 at 2:47 pm

    Double Vision sounds like an amazing book. Thanks for the giveaway.

  6. dgalanti says

    February 19, 2013 at 5:34 pm

    Thanks for visiting everyone and glad you got to know F.T. and a bit about her cool character, Linc. Good luck with the giveaway! I’ll announce the winner this Saturday and be contacting them.

  7. F.T. Bradley says

    February 20, 2013 at 12:03 pm

    Thank you, everyone, for your kind words. And thanks to Donna for interviewing me!

  8. Tonette dela Luna says

    February 21, 2013 at 3:24 pm

    This book is high on my ever-towering ‘To Read’ pile. I’m also looking forward to your workshop on SavvyAuthors. I wish it would come sooner, though. I have an MG Adventure and a YA Thriller in the works that I know will benefit from the course.

    Great stuff. I hope to see a long series come from this.

    Cheers,

    Tonette dela Luna

  9. F.T. Bradley says

    February 21, 2013 at 3:37 pm

    Looking forward to the workshop too, Tonette!

  10. hrdoran says

    February 21, 2013 at 11:57 pm

    Cheers –

  11. Mary Ann Domanska says

    February 22, 2013 at 2:56 pm

    This is just the kind of thing I want to read right now to influence me/inspire me as I finish revising my middle grade adventure story.
    It really looks intriguing!

    • dgalanti says

      February 22, 2013 at 5:05 pm

      Mary Ann, awesome! I’m drawing a winner tomorrow so good luck! I also saw F.T.’s book in the Doylestown Bookshop, if that helps too 🙂

NOW AVAILABLE!

NOW AVAILABLE!

Reviews for A Human Element

Reviews from Goodreads.com

Short Story Collection!

Recent Posts

  • Love Mystery, Thriller & Suspense? Holiday Kindle Deals! $0.99 & $1.99
  • My Live Radio Interview with Dean Koontz Tonight!
  • Spooky Element Trilogy Blog Tour: Book 1 .99cents, Book 2 FREE + Enter to Win $25 Amazon GC!
  • Spooktacular Giveaway Blog Hop! Books & Prizes!
  • Sign up for Element Trilogy book blog tour, enter to win $15 Amazon GC + get free review copy!
  • Lines To Leave Us Hanging

Categories

  • 9/11 (2)
  • A to Z Blog Challenge (25)
  • Audio Books (6)
  • Authors (106)
  • blog tour (10)
  • Book Marketing (7)
  • Books (80)
  • Characters (14)
  • charity (1)
  • Comic Relief (10)
  • Inspirational (25)
  • ITW Debut Authors (8)
  • Journal Writing (3)
  • Memoir Writing (3)
  • Navy (2)
  • Seasonal (6)
  • Social Media (3)
  • The Dark Side (7)
  • Writing Conferences (6)
  • Writing Resources (17)
  • Writing Techniques (30)
  • Young Adult (4)
World Literary Cafe

Support Indie Bookshops

SAVE Kids Castle!

Blogroll

  • Algonguin Redux
  • August McLaughliin
  • Author Chronicles
  • Blood Red Pencil
  • Casey McCormick
  • Catherine Stine Idea City
  • Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group
  • Janice Gable Bashman
  • Jess Cooper
  • Joe McGee
  • Jon Gibbs
  • Jonathan Maberry
  • Lucas Mangum:Dark Dimensions
  • Marketing Tips for Authors
  • Mina Burrows: Books for Paranormal & Mystic Minds
  • Nicole Zoltak
  • Philly Liars Club
  • Rebecca Rose
  • Stacy Green
  • The Big Thrill
  • The Thrill Begins
  • Write it Forward

© Copyright 2017 www.elementtrilogy · All Rights Reserved ·