Alissa Grosso!
Hello readers, bloggers, authors, and generally awesome people (who happen to love books!) and welcome to This Or That! This Or That is a feature posted every week and it works like this: each person is asked a series of This Or That/Would You Rather-type questions, some serious and some funny, and by doing so we get to learn just a bit more about our favorite bookish people! This feature is currently scheduled through April 2013 but if you would still be interested in signing up, please check out this post and fill out the form!
I am sorry this week’s This Or That post is a day late (I blame the holidays AND the fact that I am currently on vacation with limited internet access). Regardless, I am so thrilled to have author, Alissa Grosso, with us today! Alissa was a 2011 debut author with her book entitled, Popular. In 2012, she followed up her debut with a new book (that I have at home and need to read like yesterday), Ferocity Summer. Alissa has another exciting year planned with the 2013 release of her newest book, Shallow Pond. All three of her books sound SO different but they all seem to tackle some pretty heavy stuff and that intrigues me like no other. I am sure you are all just dying to find out more so without further ado, let’s meet Alissa!
About The Author: Alissa Grosso is the author of the novels Popular (Flux, 2011) and Ferocity Summer (Flux, 2012). Her third novel Shallow Pond is due out from Flux in 2013. She shares her home with some more or less domesticated furry creatures and is fond of playing outdoors. She lives in a small town in Pennsylvania.
Do you prefer reading paperback or hardcover books?
I’m an equal opportunity reader. I prefer paperbacks when traveling and love to curl up on the couch with a hardcover.
Dessert time: cookies or cupcakes?
I love cookies – shortbread, chocolate chip, Double Stuff Oreos, oatmeal. They’re my favorite dessert.
When it comes to your reading tastes are you a bigger contemporary fan or a fantasy fan?
Contemporary is more my speed. I love characters that seem real and that I can relate to.
Are you a cat person or a dog person?
I’ve got a couple of cats and a dog. So, I guess I’m just an animal person in general.
A year without books or a year without your favorite food?
No way, I could make it a year without books. It would be tough not to eat pizza for a whole year, but I think I could handle it.
Morning or night?
Night. It’s my favorite time to write. I’ve never understood those people who say they get up extra early to write. I’m a bit of a zombie in the morning.
Would you rather read outside in the sun or inside all snuggled up with a book?
I love the outdoors, but I prefer to do my reading indoors where it’s always nice and comfy.
Do you listen to one specific type of music or mixed genres?
I am all over the map. My iPod is a big mish mosh of genres and eras.
You have to be your main character for a day, do you choose to live through Popular or Ferocity Summer?
Oh boy. This question makes me realize I should probably write some sunnier, happier books. I guess I’d have to go with Ferocity Summer. Scilla Davis has her share of problems, but I think I could handle a day in her life.
You MUST pick one: reading or writing?
Writing. I’m quoting a high school friend of mind who ironically is not a writer when I say “If I didn’t write my head would explode.”
Do you outline your books like a crazy person or do you just start writing down whatever pops into your head?
I never used to outline. I’m slowly coming to the realization that outlines can be helpful things to have. I haven’t quite hit my crazy-person-outlining-stride, but I now make some sketchy note sort of things that are vaguely like outlines.
Do you prefer winter or summer?
I really love winter. I love when it gets dark earlier, and there’s something magical about a snowy day. That said, now that I’m getting older my body tends to prefer the warmer weather and I dread the idea of having to drive in snow and ice and nasty winter weather.
When writing, do you have to be in complete silence or utter chaos?
I guess I prefer silence, but I have no idea what complete silence sounds like. I settle for quietish.
Which do you enjoy more: recorded music or live music?
Recorded music. I used to work at a concert venue so I guess I got my fill of live music which can be loud and headache causing. I now associate concerts with working.
Do you have an idea of who your characters are before you write the story or do they develop as the story goes on?
I guess I mostly know who my characters are before I write the story, but they still manage to surprise me as I’m writing. So, I guess they do develop a bit during the course of writing a story.
Coke or Pepsi?
I’m addicted to Coke Zero.
What are your favorite parts to write: world building or character building?
Character building. It’s so interesting creating and getting to know characters.
Are you a nook girl or a kindle girl?
I’m a luddite. I’m not really an e-reader at all. I’m still hooked on my dead tree book.
An entire month of Christmas movies or Christmas music?
Definitely the music. I’ve been playing Christmas music every chance I get since the day after Thanksgiving.
Alissa, thank you so very much for agreeing to take part in This Or That this week! I had so much fun coming up with the questions and I hope you had just as much fun answering them. As for the rest of you, what did you think? I have to agree with morning and night question! I have been known to be quite the night owl myself. I hope you guys enjoyed! Please leave a comment below letting us know what you thought of this week’s This Or That and be sure to check out the links below to stalk…err follow/like/be-friend Alissa throughout the internet!
