Going with the Flo

I had the opportunity to interview a Chicago-based author about her recent launch. Enjoy!

About the author:
Monica Leonelle is a well-known digital media strategist and the author of three novels. She blogs at Prose on Fire and shares her writing and social media knowledge with other bloggers and authors through her Free Writer Toolkit.

About the book:
Ima would give anything to escape The Dome and learn what’s beyond its barriers, but the Chicago government has kept all its citizens on lockdown ever since the Scorched Years left most of the world a desert wasteland. When a mysterious group of hooded figures enters the city unexpectedly, Ima uncovers a plot to destroy The Dome and is given the choice between escaping to a new, dangerous city or staying behind and fighting a battle she can never win.

What motivated you to start writing Socialpunk?
I started a Gen Y blog in 2007 called Twenty Set. It actually gained quite a bit of steam early on, but eventually I moved away from Gen Y topics. The reason I started that blog, though, is because I couldn’t clear my mind! I literally just needed to get things out of my system. So I wrote that blog 4-5 times a week for about six months until my ideas stop churning so quickly. My love for writing as an adult grew out of that experience.

Socialpunk is inspired by Chicago winters, technology and digital media, and the Terminator series.

Who is your favorite character in Socialpunk?
I would have to say Ima, as she’s the main character and the book is told entirely from her point of view. What I love about her is how much she changes from the beginning of the book to the end. She feels very guilty and is constantly struggling with right vs. wrong. She’s probably one of my favorite characters out of all the ones I’ve written.

If you could have any superpower what would you choose?
I’d love to be able to pause or slow time. I feel like there’s never enough!

What is one book everyone should read?
When I was a kid I loved this book called The Girl With the Silver Eyes. Here is the exact cover of the book I had. It’s one of my absolute favorite YA novels, and, surprise! Maggie Stiefvater loves that book too. This was the first novel that made me want to write fantasy and science fiction.

What is your go-to dance move?
[Laughs] Probably the booty shake.

Purchase a copy from Amazon.