Interview with humorous author Carrie DiRisio

My special author guest today is Carrie DiRisio. We’re having a very fun chat about her new ‘self-help’ guide that lovingly pokes fun at the YA tropes that we roll our eyes at, but secretly love, Brooding YA Hero: Becoming a Main Character (Almost) as Awesome as Me.

Bio:

Carrie DiRisio is an aspiring Disney villainess in addition to a social media expert and owner of a ridiculous cat. She resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she practices Krav Maga and knitting in equal measures.

Broody McHottiepants is a master of all trades. His current hobbies include making bad life choices, shedding manly tears, rescuing clumsy protagonists, and, of course, gazing into everyone’s eyes. This is his first book, although he’d like to remind you he’s starred in many novels and movies, including your favorite one.

Illustrator Linnea Gear earned her BS in chemistry and splits her time between drawing concept art and drawing chemical equations. She lives in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Please tell us about your current release.

Brooding YA Hero: Becoming a Main Character is a funky, unique book. It both tells a story, and teaches you how to write one! Along the way there will be many giggles, games, and assorted other amusements.

If you haven’t heard of the Twitter account @BroodingYAHero, all you need to know is it lovingly mocks the bad boy character found in a lot of YA books. Broody, our protagonist, is the archetype behind all those similar characters, and he decided to write a book!

What inspired you to write this book?

The time was right for Broody’s humor to shine! I had a great time writing it, and hopefully people feel the same reading it.

What exciting story are you working on next?

I’m hard at work on another YA novel. Not quite as broody as this one is (after all, I don’t think anything can be as broody as the prince broodster himself) but a thrilling one that I’m very excited for!

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. My first work was an epic tale of adventure where Han Solo and I saved Christmas. From then on, I was constantly scribbling new stories. 

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I do not write full time! I am a grad student, and I also have a day job which I love. My day starts at 5am, when I’m up and writing! Then, I do yoga, get ready, and head to my day job. After my day job, it’s time for grad school classes, then, more writing! Bedtime is about midnight.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

My love of gummi worms. If I’m revising, I MUST have gummi worms. My addiction is so bad I once ordered delivery of gummi worms in the middle of the night.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Supreme Ruler of the Universe.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

The book is illustrated by the talented Linnea Gear! I’ve adored her awesome webcomic, DISSENT for years, and I’m thrilled to have been able to work with her on this.

Thanks for being here today!