Welcome, Maria Ann Green and her YA Contemporary, In The Rearview
Blurb:
When Meagan’s secret is found out, and she realizes there is no way to outrun her habit of cutting, she tries to work through it, and her depression, before she cuts too deep, making a mistake that can never be undone.
Meagan’s problems aren’t like every other adolescent’s no matter how much she wishes they could be. Hers are worse. They’ve pulled her down into the depths of a depression that is anything but normal. She begins her pattern of self-harm as her depression threatens to drown her. She starts with one cut that leads to the next, and the next. After starting, it’s apparent that there’s no stopping, and Meagan spirals into a dark and cruel world she doesn’t understand. Meagan cuts to feel better, but that comfort doesn’t last long enough, and soon life is worse than it ever was before.
While learning to quit cutting Meagan faces life-altering obstacles and grows up in the process. IN THE REARVIEW is a story of pain, loss, confusion, and hope told through Meagan’s poems, journal entries, and a splash of narrative.
Maria’s fun facts about the book:
Meagan (the main character) went almost ten years without a name. For the longest time she was just “she” or “her” or “me.” The narrative was the last part to be written. The poems were the first. So far it is the only YA book I’ve written. Also, my husband came up with the title.
Interruption from Maureen:
“I love hearing about authors playlists for their books, so I was thrilled Maria wanted to share hers and even more excited to find one of my favorite bands in her list, Three Days Grace.”
Maria’s Top Songs for Rearview:
1) Heavy In Your Arms – Florence & The Machine
2) Breakdown More – Eric Hutchinson
3) Perfect – Simple Plan
4) The River – Missy Higgins
5) Better Than Me – Hinder
6) Never Too Late – Three Days Grace
7) Decode – Paramore
8) Closer To The Edge – 30 Seconds to Mars
9) It Ends Tonight – All American Rejects
10) Flaws – Bastille
11) You Found Me – The Fray
12) Superheroes – The Script
13) I Wish I Didn’t Care – Lovesick Radio
Maria’s fun facts:
My favorite color is pink, yes still. My lucky number is 13. I love coffee, sweet white wine, and anything chocolate. I love having painted toenails. Scarves are my favorite Accessory. My favorite season is fall, and we have beautiful ones in Minnesota. I have a cat named Riley who was named after the character in National Treasure. My favorite place on earth is Paris, and Ihope to go back someday.
BUY LINKS:
*Also available where other ebooks are sold (iTunes, Smashwords, etc!)
Maria Green currently lives in Minnesota, despite its bitter winters, with her husband. She graduated with a degree in Psychology and a minor in English. When she isn’t writing, Maria loves to read with a cup of strong coffee or a glass of sweet wine, craft, and spend time with her family. This is her first published novel.
Goodreads (Maria)
Maria- we have a lot in common! I love Three Days Grace (ever seen them in concert? best concert I’ve ever been to. Adam Gontier is amazing!) and “Never Too Late” is one of my favorites. In fact, I like to karaoke it (you can’t sing a song well unless you really love it!). And we adore Reilly from National Treasure. So funny! Your book sounds really interesting and I love that it sounds like it’s a little “outside of the box.” Best wishes for it and you!
I have such and eclectic taste in music! I’ve never seen them in concert, unfortunately. I barely get to concerts. And OMG I love Riley’s character in NT! 😉 my kitty is nothing like him, though hahaha! I wish you well too, and hope you like the book if you ever decide to purchase it! ~ Maria
What an interesting concept…a story told through poetry and prose. I’ve never read anything like that. I enjoyed the interview! Good luck!
Thank you! I really tried to write a somewhat universal problem (depression) in a special or unique way. I hope you like it if you ever read it 🙂
Hi Maria,
I’m so sorry I didn’t make it by yesterday. It was a crazy busy day! Your book sounds unique and fascintating. I love the cover and the title. Congrats on your debut book! I also love coffee and white wine, but not the sweet stuff. 🙂 I admire you for tackling such a difficult yet important subject matter. Best of luck. (And, I would love to live somwhere wintery like Minnesota!)
Oh man, be careful what you wish for! MN winters can be brutal 🙂 Thank you for the well wishes! I think it’s an important topic, and I hope you like it if you ever read it!
Sounds like you tackled a tough subject with empathy and grace, Maria. A friend of mine had a daughter who went through a cutting phase, and I remember being so baffled about it. I’m sure your book is comforting to many who suffer. Best of luck with it!
It’s a hard one to understand when you’ve never been through it, for sure. I’ve had a parent contact me after reading the book to thank me for giving insight to her daughter’s problem. That message touched me, to tears. I wrote it to help others, and to hear that’s achieved is overwhelming. I would love for more people to read it and consider the subject!
Hello Maria, from a fellow AP author! What a difficult topic to write about! What a fun playlist. I know others draw inspiration from listening to certain songs and I’m glad you found what works for you. Congrats on the release!
Thank you so much! I hope it’s a helpful read to people! 🙂
Sounds like a strong book about a difficult subject. Hope it does well for you.
Thank you so much!
Your book certainly deals with a sensitive subject–and an important one, especially for young adults. I, too, write YA (anti-bully novel EAGLEBAIT) and know it requires a broad knowledge of reader audience. Good luck with your writing.
I’ve said quite a few times (since realizing REARVIEW would actually publish) that tough and intense stories need to be told too. They’re important. Good luck on yours as well. I think our stories are SO important!
The subject is a difficult one and I wish I’d known more about it when the issue touched my family personally. I’m sure your book will help others with this problem.
That’s what I hope for! And learning more about it, even after you’re touched by it, is absolutely worth it – in my humble opinion. It’s a hard subject, but one worth telling or reading about. I really hope you like it, if you ever read it.
What an interesting interview. I love the idea that you used poetry as well as narrative to tackle such a difficult subject. I wrote a musical about Alzheimer’s which is poignant, yet funny. I love that we as writers can use our own unique way of expressing ourselves. Best of luck.
Thank you so much! I agree that a different approach can tell the story in an important way. I think that’s our strength, and it can lend to readers getting more out of the material or subject.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by the wonderful Maureen’s spotlight of me and my little book! Since there were so many wonderful comments I’d love to giveaway two copies of the book (kindle version) to the first two takers who reply to this comment! I know a few of you said this issue has touched your lives, and I’d love to gift a copy if you’d like to read more on the subject! ~ Maria