Something Like Normal: Interview + GIVEAWAY!

Trish Doller, author of the upcoming YA contemporary Something Like Normal, has dropped by the blog today to share with us her inspirational photos for writing this incredible story.  I started following Trish's tumblr a few months back and fell in love with these images even before I read the book.  I'm a visual person to begin with, so naturally they grabbed my attention.  From what little I did know about her story at the time, these photos set me over the edge and I was dying to know the rest.  This emotional, yet unforgettable story about the beautifully broken Travis captured my heart.  Now let her photo inspirations capture yours.

Be sure to fill out the GIVEAWAY form at the bottom of this post for a chance to win a pre-order of Something Like Normal (to be published June 19, 2012) as well as a copy of Trish's playlist for the book!

Inspiration No. 01

I was browsing military pictures on flickr one day when I came across a series that a photographer had done of what I think was a whole company of Marines. They were all posed like this, looking so serious and tough, and it reminded me of those old daguerreotypes of Wild West outlaws or Civil War soldiers and I just loved it. This guy in particular reminded me of Travis, even though he doesn't really look like the guy in my head.

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Inspiration No. 02

Throughout the book, Travis shares memories of his experiences in Afghanistan. When he goes to a party, one of his stoner friends from high school asks him about the poppies--from which heroin is made--and he jokes away the memory of taking fire from the Taliban in a poppy field. I didn't make that up. I pored over hundreds of photos of real Marines--many of which were taken by Marines in Afghanistan--including this one.

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Inspiration No. 03

Field crosses are often set up in-country as memorials to fallen Marines or soldiers. Since their bodies are sent home, the Marines left behind usually do something to remember them. They'll erect a field cross, have a service, and sometimes they'll name a forward operating base or outpost for one of their fallen. This is what they would have done for Travis' best friend Charlie in Afghanistan before the book even began.

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Inspiration No. 04

There's a beach just south of Fort Myers where sea turtles nest each year and volunteers actually monitor the hatching to help the turtles have a fighting chance at getting into the Gulf of Mexico. This photo is specific to a scene that involves lots of baby turtles. While it's a cute scene, it's really more about two people taking a big step forward in trusting each other.

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Inspiration No. 05

Travis meets Charlie's mother while he's home on leave. I don't want to give away too many of the details on that, but I will say she's a colorful character who owns a tattoo parlor and takes a salad bar view of spirituality, picking and choosing the part she likes best. I envision her as a tattooed lady with a huge capacity for love.

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Inspiration No. 06

This is another scene that would be spoiled by too much information, but I see Travis and Harper in this one--and the girl's posture says it all, really.

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Inspiration No. 07

I'm not sure this one needs any explanation. It's absolutely perfect.

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Thank you so much Trish for sharing your inspirational photos with us!  I adore this story, SO MUCH.  You can read more about my adoration for it here.  Having read this book, I can totally see all of these photos fitting exactly in to the story.  My favorite has to be the last one though.  This scene in particular was very emotional to read.  By this point in the book, I felt so invested in Travis' character... and well, I won't say more to give anything away, but it's SO GOOD.  If you'd like to experience this scene yourself, then enter my giveaway for a pre-order of Trish's book!  Also, be sure to check out Trish's playlist which contributed to her inspiration for the story as well. Below you can sample each song. I am happy to say that I contributed one song to this playlist. You may see a familiar band on there ;)

Something Like Normal Official Playlist

1. "Bad Company" - Five Finger Death Punch

2. "Brothers" - Jimmy Stare

3. "Final Transmission" - Street Dogs

4. "Life in the Pain" - SafetySuit

5. "Santa Monica" - Jimmy Malinowski

6. "4th of July" - Chris Murray

7. "Lay Me Down" - Dirty Heads

8. "Savior" - Rise Against

9. "Bullet" - Mat Kearney

10. "Like a Soldier" - Johnny Cash

11. "This is Letting Go" - Rise Against

12."If I Ever Leave This World Alive" - Flogging Molly

Bonus track: "Smile" - Uncle Kracker

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THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED! Thanks to everyone who entered.