1. What drew you to YA fantasy writing?

Probably my early Wizard of Oz obsession. I once picked out all the yellow M&M’s of a jumbo sized bag and made a yellow brick “road” on my white carpet. It was awesome until my mom caught me.

2. Who are some of your favorite YA fantasy writers? Are there any books coming out that you’re particularly looking forward to?

I’m excited about A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL by Suzanne Young and CARRIER OF THE MARK by Leigh Fallon. I’ve read Victoria Schwab’s NEAR WITCH and I wish with my whole heart I could do what she does with language.

3. How does music play a role in your writing? Did you have certain songs you listened to while writing, Hourglass?

I have to have music or I don’t function. The early days of HOURGLASS involved a lot of Coldplay, Jason Mraz, and Billie Holiday.

4. What inspired, Hourglass?

I just wanted to write something different. I loved the paranormal YA genre, but I didn’t want to do vamps or wolves. NO IDEA where time travel came from. Maybe my Doctor Who obsession?

5. How would you describe Emerson Cole?

It’s funny, because I’ve read a few reviews that claim everyone in the book is gorgeous by super model standards. Em is short, flat-chested, and leans more toward cute than pretty. And Micahel has a “Roman” nose. I guess I could have done better than “strong profile.” I’ll do better next time.

6. Can you give us a sneak peek into the sequel? Do you know the release date?

The sequel is probably going to be out next summer, and I really can’t tell you anything else!!!

7. Do you have any book tours/signings planned?

I keep my appearances updated here: http://myramcentire.blogspot.com/p/books.html

8. Where can readers find you on the internet?

http://myramcentire.blogspot.com/ and on Twitter at @MyraMcEntire

9. How did you meet your literary agent? Did you send in a query letter, meet at a writing conference, or did you know someone in the industry?

I found her, Holly Root of Waxman Literary, online, and then discovered I knew one of her clients personally.

10. What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever been given? If you can’t think of anything specific, then what advice would you offer an aspiring YA fantasy writer?

The best writing advice I ever received was from Rachel Hawkins: Write the damn book.

Myra McEntire knows the words to every R and B hit of the last decade, but since she lives in the country music capital of America where her lyrical talents go sadly unappreciated, she chose to channel her mad word skills into creating sultry Southern timeslip novels.