{Interview & Giveaway} Patty Blount, author of Send

YAY! Another guest on the blog! Today's special person...Patty Blount!

She is the author of Send, a book about bullying and today we are 

together to share some awesome Q&A swap! Ready!? :D

The Author: 

Find her on: ~Twitter~Website~Facebook~Goodreads

Chocolate-addict Patty Blount writes facts by day (software instruction guides) and fiction at night. She wrote her first novel on a dare from her oldest son. She got the idea for her debut novel SEND when her son endured bullying in sixth grade. She lives on Long Island.

The Interview:

1.You probably get this a lot but...what influenced you to write about bullying? My oldest son, Rob, was the victim of bullies when he was in sixth grade and it got pretty bad. But it wasn't until seventh grade, when someone accused him of being the bully that I got the idea to write SEND from the bully's point of view.

2. This book had a great influence on me and most likely lots of other readers. What influence did it have on you, being the writer behind the pages. Writing any book is a lesson in patience, planning, and determination. It's easy to get discouraged and give up. But this particular book was tough; it began as a way for me to get revenge on a bully. I was the writer; I could punish that bully every which way there is. But I also knew I would have to forgive the bully in this story and I had a difficult time finding any reason to do that. I had to keep revising Dan's character to make him sympathetic.

3. Do you think today's technology has made it easier/worse for bullying? Why? Oh, yes, worse, definitely! There are two reasons. First, kids who are bullied get no relief. It used to be limited to a class or a school so when a kid got home, he was able to settled down, regroup. But today, bullying is 24/7 and follows you into your room, or your back pocket. Worse, it's no longer one class or one school. It's strangers chiming in via the internet. Technology and instant access make it far too easy for everyone to be the bully with no fear of getting caught, and no consequences even if they are. There's way too much anonymity online.

4. What is one piece of advice you would give to a bully? To the bullied? I'd like to remind bullies to stop and think about the impact their words and actions can have and that this impact could be permanent. To the victims of bullying, it's critical that you NOT suffer in silence. Tell your parents, your teachers, your friends, your priest -- get the help that's out there. Do NOT allow the bully to get away it. I'd also like to give this advice to bystanders: DO SOMETHING. Anything. Call a parent. Call 911. But don't just sit there and let somebody be bullied because you're happy it's not you.

5. Kenny is that little voice in the back of Dan's mind...literally. What's the story behind the idea of Kenny and his big role in Send?  Remember when I said I really struggled to make Dan sympathetic? I wrote in the Brandon story line as a way to show Dan is now making the right choices, even when they're unpopular. But something was missing. So I started giving Dan opportunities to talk to himself so readers could see the struggle he lives with every minute of the day. At first, Kenny was nothing more than "the annoying voice in my head." I didn't actually name him until a later revision. It just made sense that he'd have Dan's real name.

6. Julie and Dan remind me of Romeo and Juliet. Dan's secret is what keeps them as "star-crossed lovers", the thing that hinders them from trully being together. Was that the kind of role you had in mind? What makes their love more true?  As teenagers, yes -- it's just too big for them to handle. Plus, I wasn't ready to give Dan a truly happy ending.

7. Will there be a little novella set after the happenings in Send? :D I have a sequel all planned out and partially written but it hasn't been sold yet. I may post a few scenes on my website eventually.

The Book(s):

Send

~My Review~

Release Date: August 1, 2012

by, Sourcebooks Fire

Buy: ~Amazon~B&N~

Pages: 304

It’s been five years since I clicked Send. 

Four years since I got out of juvie. 

Three months since I changed my name. 

Two minutes since I met Julie. 

A second to change my life. 

 All Dan wants for his senior year is to be invisible. This is his last chance at a semi-normal life. Nobody here knows who he is. Or what he’s done. But on his first day at school, instead of turning away like everyone else, Dan breaks up a fight. Because Dan knows what it’s like to be terrorized by a bully—he used to be one.  

Now the whole school thinks he’s some kind of hero—except Julie. She looks at him like she knows he has a secret. Like she knows his name isn’t really Daniel...{Goodreads}

The Giveaway:

Another awesome giveaway for you all!
I loved this book! And now, thanks to Patty, you have the chance to too!
The Prize:
1 ebook copy (Nook or Kindle)of Send is up for grabs!
The Rules:

You must be 13 years or older.

Please refrain from leaving any personal information in the comments section

There will be 1 winner(chosen by Rafflecopter).

Each winner will have 72 hours to reply to the email/tweet. If not, a new winner will be chosen

This is an International giveaway!

Giveaway ends November 24.

Have fun!!! <3

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck you guys!

Thanks for stopping by!! :D

Have a great day/week!

~Jaiden

{Blog Tour} My Review of Send by Patty Blount

Send
Author: Patty Blount
Release Date: August 1, 2012
by, Sourcebooks Fire
Source: **a copy was provided for review purposes by Sourcebooks Fire**
Format: paperback
Pages: 304

It’s been five years since I clicked Send.Four years since I got out of juvie.Three months since I changed my name.Two minutes since I met Julie.A second to change my life.
All Dan wants for his senior year is to be invisible. This is his last chance at a semi-normal life. Nobody here knows who he is. Or what he’s done. But on his first day at school, instead of turning away like everyone else, Dan breaks up a fight. Because Dan knows what it’s like to be terrorized by a bully—he used to be one.
Now the whole school thinks he’s some kind of hero—except Julie. She looks at him like she knows he has a secret. Like she knows his name isn’t really Daniel... {Goodreads}

~Review:
  This book has a huge impact on its readers. Being my third "bully book" I never fail to be affected by the emotional tug-of-war these books have. But this one was different. This one wasn't from the victims point of view. No it was from the bully's. Well....ex-bully. And I felt for the dude. Dan has a big secret and its not just his real name. It's the reason he has a fake name. A secret so tragic....so terrible...that he has to keep moving because a vengeful father is out for blood...yes, Dan's blood.

  Dan isn't just a bully he is a hmmm.. "reborn" bully?? He did something terrible, he killed a kid. Well, not really he posted a picture of a boy in his most embarrassing pair of underwear on the internet resulting in the kid killing himself. And he feels terrible about it. The guilt haunts him day and night. While he is awake and while he is asleep. He's gotten his fair share of justice for sure. So here he is..round 3 in moving, this time with a new name. His goal: protect his family and secrets by starting over and staying under the radar. There is a reason it was a goal because on his first day he ends up having to stick up for a kid being brutally bullied and day one ends up getting a new enemy, a bruised face, a new friend to protect, and a girl he can't help but like...and hate.

  This book was all sorts of crazy twists and turns and a roller coaster of emotions. I loved Dan...all 6'4" of him (I think that was his height) ;D Being tall...psh!! I wish I could find a hotty like this even with the broken past. Any who...He is just a boy who made a mistake..a terrible mistake but a mistake he learned and paid for. And it paid off he is such a great guy. He has a heart of gold and loyalty so strong. There was nothing to not like about him. And I especially loved Kenny. Get this! So while he was in juvie getting beat up every day (resulting in a bunch of scars all over his body) he showed up. No not some savior..I mean he is a savior but...ya...hold on a sec. Kenny is Dan at 13 years old...the boy who pressed Send. And he helps Dan get through juvie and fight back.

  So during the whole story you have Dan and then Kenny talking to Dan and Dan responding (when no one is around or telepathically) Their relationship was such a love hate relationship. Dan hates Kenny but he can't live without him. Kenny is literally that voice inside your head who tells you your insecurities, who tells you right and wrong, who tells you that you are worth it, that helps you in your time of need. It was so incredibly unique and I think that's one reason I loved this book so much. Then there is the side characters and the message itself! I was going crazy with all the pressure wrapped on Dan and what his mistake costs him.

  Send is an incredible little (no HUGE) message wrapped in this bottle of a book. Perfectly unique, wonderfully heart-warming, and at the same time tragically heartbreaking. It will literally tear your heart out and then warm it back together. The message of bullying gets screamed loud and clear you can't help but stop and think. Patty is an incredible writer. She created a great book that all should read. Definitely worth reading several times and passing it on. Buy? Yes. You will love it! Why? Because it's not just about bullying it is a story about finding yourself and accepting that person, falling in love, making true friends, and the importance of family and loyalty. I really don't know how to put this book other than wonderful! I truly enjoyed this book! :)

~Rating:

4 of 5 wonderful stars!

This review was part of the "It Only Takes One Click" blog tour!


Thanks for stopping by!!
Don't forget to stop by next month when I interview Patty! :D
Have a great day!
~Jaiden