Meet MG Author Crystal Marcos

Carpinello's Writing Pages welcomes Crystal Marcos MG author of Bellyache and Headache.

First, a bit about Crystal:

Award-winning author Crystal Marcos has been a storyteller her entire life. Being the oldest of five children, she had a lot of entertaining to do. She is a member of SCBWI. Crystal lives on the Kitsap Peninsula in Washington State with her husband and their daughter, Kaylee. She is the author of Bellyache: A Delicious Tale and Headache: The Hair-Raising Sequel to Bellyache.

Why did you pick to write books for MG/YA?
I can now say I write both Young Adult and Middle Grade books. I literally just sent the manuscript of my YA novel to my editor. I am very excited about the project. I love reading both genres. I have always known I wanted to write for children since I was very young. My mother saved some of my works from when I was little. I wrote my first short story at a very early age. I believe I wrote my first picture book when I was in 6th grade. It wasn't until more recently that I had the desire to write for young adults too.

What types of books do you like to read?

I love both Young Adult and Middle Grade books. I also really enjoy the entire Children's genre and discovering new cookbooks. I will venture out of these genres on occasion.

When you are not writing, what do you like to do?

I enjoy reading, cooking/baking, finding new recipes for my family to try, spending time with them playing board games or getting exercise with them on the Xbox Kinect or Wii. Also, I enjoy teaching and spending time with my little girl who just turned four and party planning.

Tell us about Bellyache: A Delicious Tale.

Bellyache is a mystical, character-driven escapade that intertwines strands of reality with a larger-than-life fantasy world. When Peter Fischer sets out to help his grandfather at Papa's Sweet Shop, he quickly learns that sneaking sweets and covering up his sugar-dusted tracks have major consequences. As Peter is transported to a mysteriously delicious, faraway land, a curious people known as the Candonites, some of whom have no time for a non-Candonite, will teach Peter a lesson on what it means to be different and what it means to forgive.

Here's a peek at Bellyache: A Delicious Tale:

     It was a school holiday and Peter Fischer had to spend the day working with his grandfather. His parents had jobs and Peter, now ten, felt he was too old for a babysitter. He had never been to work with Papa before. His grandfather owned a sweet shop. Papa’s Sweet Shop. Peter was excited. What fun he would have tasting all the luscious treats!
     Peter planned his day in his head. First, a cupcake with heaps of whipped cream icing. Then, several pieces of chocolate filled with all kinds of wonderful centers. Next, red licorice. He thought black licorice tasted gross; he only knew one person who liked it and that was old man Rupert. Old man Rupert lived a few houses down and was always in the garden, fiddling around with a piece of black licorice dangling out of the corner of his mouth—disgusting.
     After lunch, a peppermint, followed by a chocolate chip cookie, half a brownie—he wanted to save room for other sweets—Tootsie Rolls, and lemon drops. Then, he would take a break from eating and help Papa with the afternoon rush of customers. After the rush, a few gumdrops and gumballs—the blue ones of course—and then gooey taffy, followed by gummy bears and super sour gummy worms. Lastly, he would have his most favorite treat of all, creamy chocolaty peanut butter cups—two or three of them, he wasn’t quite sure yet.
     But Papa had a different plan for Peter.

What’s next for your writing? Are you working on a new story?

Finishing my first Young Adult novel is next on my agenda. It has been a challenge and a very exciting adventure. The book is a Post-Apocalyptic Dystopian novel. I look forward to seeing it in print. I also have plans for picture books.

What advice do you have for other authors?

Keep writing! If you come across an area that is giving you trouble don't dwell in the stuck position but rather make the choice to move on. You can ALWAYS go back later. I am much more productive operating this way.

What else would you like readers to know?

I'm very proud of Bellyache: A Delicious Tale and the Awards & Honors it has received:

~2013 B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree
~2012 USA BEST BOOK AWARDS Award-Winning Finalist in both categories of Children's Fiction & Children's Book Series
~2011 READERS FAVORITE Silver Award in its category
~2010 Nominated for the CYBILS Awards

Where can readers find you and your books?

My website for signed copies and where to buy: http://crystalmarcos.com/locations.php

BELLYACHE

Amazon Paperback Edition

Kindle Edition

Barnes & Noble Paperback

Nook Edition

HEADACHE

Amazon Paperback Edition

Kindle Edition

Barnes & Noble Paperback

Nook Edition