Showing posts with label Interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Interview. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Hey everyone! Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for The Treatment my Suzanne Young! The Program, was one of my favorites of last year and I'm so excited to share this sequel with you!
The Treatment
by Suzanne Young
Published: 4.29.14
Pages: 352
Now that we've got the info out of the way, it's time for something really fun! I got the awesome privilege of interviewing Suzanne about her and her Progam duology, and here's that she has to say! Enjoy!
The romance between James and Sloane is a huge part of the books. What is the first thing you do in building up a strong romance?
Thanks for visiting! Leave some comment love to Suzanne, and happy last day of April!! XOXO,
by Suzanne Young
Published: 4.29.14
Pages: 352
Can Sloane and James survive the lies and secrets surrounding them, or will The Program claim them in the end? Find out in this sequel to The Program, which Publishers Weekly called “chilling and suspenseful.”How do you stop an epidemic?Sloane and James are on the run after barely surviving the suicide epidemic and The Program. But they’re not out of danger. Huge pieces of their memories are still missing, and although Sloane and James have found their way back to each other, The Program isn’t ready to let them go.Escaping with a group of troubled rebels, Sloane and James will have to figure out who they can trust, and how to take down The Program. But for as far as they’ve come, there’s still a lot Sloane and James can’t remember. The key to unlocking their past lies with the Treatment—a pill that can bring back forgotten memories, but at a high cost. And there’s only one dose.Ultimately when the stakes are at their highest, can Sloane and James survive the many lies and secrets surrounding them, or will The Program claim them in the end?
For information about book one, The Program, see here.
About The Author
Originally from New York, Suzanne Young moved to Arizona to pursue her dream of not freezing to death. She currently resides in Tempe, where she teaches high school English. When not writing obsessively, Suzanne can be found searching her own tragic memories for inspiration.
Suzanne is the author of several books for teens, including THE PROGRAM, A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL, and A WANT SO WICKED.
Now that we've got the info out of the way, it's time for something really fun! I got the awesome privilege of interviewing Suzanne about her and her Progam duology, and here's that she has to say! Enjoy!
The romance between James and Sloane is a huge part of the books. What is the first thing you do in building up a strong romance?
Dialogue. The way a couple talks to each other and interacts says a lot about who they are and their relationship. I sometimes write pages of dialogue before anything else. The best part of Sloane and James’s relationship was their humor, their inside jokes. It helps that they have a long history together, so there was a built-in trust and mutual respect.
Where did the idea for The Program/Treatment come from? Or when, did it really start to take shape in your mind?
I’d been writing a contemporary novel about suicide, but it was hitting a little too close to home. I caught a commercial for an anti-depressant where suicide, especially in young adults, was a side effect. I started researching and learned about suicide clusters. From there, the idea of an epidemic formed. I then thought about a cure and found a treatment for PTSD that used memory manipulation. The Program was very much based on real life situations and solutions.
What is your favorite thing about writing for a YA audience?
The emotions. As an adult, I’m jaded and cynical sometimes. I love the thrill of experiencing something for the first time, actually experiencing it without comparison. It’s fun and enlightening to write situations with that mindset.
Are you a daytime or nighttime writer?
I’m a morning writer. I’m basically useless after lunch.
What inspires you to keep writing when it gets tough?
It’s always tough. I’m also a high school English teacher, and I consider myself lucky. When writing gets me down, I have another outlet for my creativity and an audience. I get to come to work every day and inspire teens—and really, it’s a pretty awesome feeling to get people to love reading.
Are you the kind of writer to snack while she writes/reads? If so, what's your ideal "writing snack?"
I love Cheez-its or pretzels. I also eat candy corn. Rarely chocolate though. Sorry…
That was so much fun! Thanks Suzanne! Glad to see we share a mutual love of Cheez-its! Hope you enjoyed that, and now it's time for the Giveaway!
Open to US/CAN, one lucky winner will receive a set of the complete duology! Exciting right? Enter away! Good luck! May the force be with you! (what can I say, I just watched Star Wars)
a Rafflecopter giveawayThanks for visiting! Leave some comment love to Suzanne, and happy last day of April!! XOXO,
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Welcome to my stop on the Something Real tour! I'm really excited to be hosting Heather for a super fun interview! (this is the week of interviews my friends!) But I seriously have way too much fun with them so it's all good. So stick around for the interview and a super duper giveaway!
Something Real
by Heather Demetrios
Published: 2.4.14
Pages: 416
Add to Goodreads - Buy on Amazon
There’s nothing real about reality TV.
Seventeen-year-old Bonnie™ Baker has grown up on TV—she and her twelve siblings are the stars of one-time hit reality show Baker’s Dozen. Since the show’s cancellation and the scandal surrounding it, Bonnie™ has tried to live a normal life, under the radar and out of the spotlight. But it’s about to fall apart…because Baker’s Dozen is going back on the air. Bonnie™’s mom and the show’s producers won’t let her quit and soon the life she has so carefully built for herself, with real friends (and maybe even a real boyfriend), is in danger of being destroyed by the show. Bonnie™ needs to do something drastic if her life is ever going to be her own—even if it means being more exposed than ever before.
Sounds like fun right? Make sure to pick up your copy today! Now here's a bit about the author!
About Heather
Heather Demetrios, originally from Los Angeles, now lives in Brooklyn and various imaginary locales. She is the recipient of a PEN New England Discovery Award for her debut YA novel about reality TV stardom, SOMETHING REAL, and is the author of the upcoming EXQUISITE CAPTIVE, also out in 2014. When she’s not hanging out with her characters, Heather is working on her MFA in writing for children and young adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts.
What kind of research went into Something Real, with the reality
TV show aspect of the book?
I watched several episodes of “Jon and Kate Plus 8,” since I’d
never actually seen the show before and it was the inspiration for my Baker
family. I also watched a great HBO film called “Cinema Verite,” which is about
the first reality family TV, the Louds, and I read Pat Loud’s fascinating
autobiography. To create my tabloid columnist who makes an appearance at the
end of the book, I read some of Perez Hilton’s stuff—oh my god. I went down
this really weird pop culture rabbit hole and was so glad when I came back out!
I love the puns you can find in the show's name; Bakers Dozen!
Was that something you know from the beginning or did you have to come up with
that later?
Yeah, the Baker’s Dozen thing came to me right away, but initially
“Baker” wasn’t the family’s last name. That came later, based on a suggestion
from an agent. When she said it I was like, “Duh! Why didn’t I think of that?” It’s
funny, the way things come together with a book. A suggestion from the most
random places can inspire huge things. When you’re working on a book, you have
to be so open to anything that triggers a response in your story.
What is your favorite thing about writing for a YA audience?
There are so many things I love. I have to tell you my top two
things because they are of equal importance to me. The first is that a YA book
can literally change the course of someone’s whole life—that is an amazing
responsibility and a beautiful thing. Teens are still trying to figure out who
they are and what they want to do with their lives. They’re questioning and
seeking and when you’re a YA writer, you’re in a position to influence and
inspire your readers. That’s not to say that adult lives can’t be changed, but
you get a lot more set in your ways as you get older, right? The second thing I
love about being a YA writer is being a part of the YA community of readers,
writers, book bloggers, book sellers…it’s so giving and positive. Everyone is
excited about what’s coming out and is really passionate about the genre. I
love the conversations that are being had about the work and its evolution and
I feel so supported. My fellow adults who love YA are kindred spirits—it’s like
we’ve all agreed to go to Neverland together.
Bonnie, your protagonist is the oldest of 13 kids! Being from a
big family I can understand but it's still crazy! There are so many different
personalities and character types to portray in that kind of a setting, so how did
you go about that in planning/writing the novel?
That was definitely the hardest part of the book: how to give a
picture of this whole family without overwhelming the reader and without any
family members getting lost in the shuffle. The list you see at the beginning
of the book is basically what I kept beside my laptop while I wrote the novel.
I kept forgetting the ages of the kids or what country each kid was from. It
helped to categorize the kids, such as the boys who are called the “wild
things” because they’re so hyper and are always wrestling. So instead of
throwing a bunch of names at the reader all the time, I knew it would be easier
for them to remember groupings. I had a feeling this is what MetaReel would
have done anyway and it helped me develop the family dynamic. My major focus,
of course, was on Bonnie™ and the two siblings her age: Benny and Lex. Of
course, the parents were huge too. Bonnie™’s mom is a really important
secondary character and I had to think of ways that she would try to keep her
family organized, too. It was chaos, but I’m really happy with the way it came
off.
Are you a day or night writer?
Both! I write for most of the morning and afternoon, then again in
the late evening. I write full-time, so I’m pretty much working on one or two
books a day, whenever I’m not doing the businessey stuff of writing. The night
is really great for getting in a special zone. Something about the hush and
darkness brings out the poet in me, so I like to save scenes that are really
emotional and intimate for nighttime. Appropriate, no? Daytime is revisions,
doing the hard work of the first draft, that kind of thing.
What inspires you to keep writing when it gets tough?
I have a board above my desk (pictured on the left). It’s full
of reminders to myself (like, “Don’t write pussies!”—that was for when one of
my bad boy male characters turned all lovesick and boring). There are
inspirational quotes, my favorite of which is by Picasso: “Inspiration exists,
but it has to find you working.” There are images that evoke certain feelings
in me, encouraging notes from people…all sorts of stuff. The main thing that
inspires me to keep writing when it gets tough is that it always works out. No
matter the book, I have to remind myself that because there is always a point
with every story that I think, oh my God,
I’m not going to pull it off this time. But serendipity always kicks in.
It’s a new puzzle, but every time you find the pieces that need to fit
together. All those parts do become a
whole.
Are you the kind of writer to snack while she writes/reads? If
so, what's your ideal "writing snack?"
Unfortunately, yes, I do like to snack while I write. My ideal
snack is something that doesn’t make my hands dirty or greasy, so I can eat and
write at the same time. But, really, coffee. And more coffee.
Savory or Sweet? Sweet!
Chocolate Malt balls or Sour Gummy Worms? Chocolate
malt balls, all the way.
Thank you so much Heather for the fun interview! I loved chatting with you! Make sure to leave some comment love for Heather in the comments! And keep an eye out for my review of Something Real to come soon! Now onto the fun part...the giveaway!
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Thanks for stopping by! Let me know your thoughts below! XOXO!
Monday, February 17, 2014
Hey everyone! Welcome to my stop on the Under Zenith blog tour! Super excited to share with you the latest and greatest from one of my favorite authors, Shannen Crane Camp! This is her first NA, having begun with lots of awesome YA books! If you're looking for a new author to try I recommend her! Here's a little bit about her book!
UNDER ZENITH
by Shannen Crane Camp
It was the most important day of her life, and for 21-year-old Isla Edison, graduating from college with a useless degree in vocal performance was all part of her master plan. Dying in a car accident only hours later wasn't part of that plan. Yet there she was, standing over her own lifeless body and panicking about ruining the truck her parents had bought as a graduation present. Talk about a bad way to repay them. If coming to terms with the hereafter wasn’t enough to deal with, Isla suddenly finds herself stuck with Hayden, a gorgeous Brit with a bad attitude and a penchant for throwing her off cliffs to keep her in line. Worst of all, Hayden is her Guide, and until she completes six impossible and totally random tasks to reach her mysterious Destination, she's stuck with him. Isla's major problem, though, is that she doesn't know what reaching her Destination actually entails, and soon the mystery surrounding her new afterlife seems more ominous than any purgatory she could possibly imagine. Now Isla must decide if she'll trust her dark and brooding Guide despite his "bad boy" act, or if she'll risk failing her tasks and facing the unknown alone.
Sound like so much fun right? Who wouldn't want to have a hot Brit to navigate the afterlife with them? Okay the afterlife might not be the best.... But either way, here's an awesome interview that I got to do with Shannen! Way too much fun!
This is your first NA book. What was different about your writing process this time around?
I
feel like I had different things to think about with this one.
Normally I’m thinking about high school and relationships in that
context. With this book I had to focus more on things like what my
main character wanted to do with her life as far as a career goes. I
had to think about a job for her, her financial situation, her
relationship with her family as an independent woman. It was
definitely a different character building process. I also had to
think about how she would relate to a roommate or an older brother
who she didn’t live with. That kind of thing.
Now I'm guessing it's because you've always wanted to explore the afterlife with a hot Brit, but tell me about your inspiration for Under Zenith?
You’re
actually pretty spot on. I wanted to write a scenario where I could
do anything I wanted to without it being out of place. I wanted this
space where literally any creature or situation could arise and my
character could stop and think it was weird, but it wasn’t
necessarily surprising. I loved the freedom that afforded. The
Afterlife just seemed like the perfect space for this odd little
dreamscape. And hey, if a hot psychotic Brit was involved, that’s
always a plus! I do love my hot psychotic Brits… I may or may not
be writing another hot psychotic Brit right now!
What's the first thing you do when you start a new story?
I
make a folder on my computer for the book. I create one Word document
for the actual story, and one for everything else. I write out the
plot, story details, and most importantly, character descriptions.
I’ll fill the folder with pictures of people who would “play”
the characters and write out descriptions of their age, physical
appearance, weird ticks, personality details, and their likes and
dislikes. Honestly, it kind of looks like an online dating profile.
Plus I’ll make a playlist of songs to listen to throughout the day
to get me pumped to write when I get home from work. I even dress
like my characters a lot of the time. So if you ever see me in
fifties clothes, I’m probably working on a June
book :)
Are you the kind of writer who eats/drinks while she writes? If so, what's your "writing snack"?
A
giant glass of ice water and something super salty :) I kind of live
on salt. It’s a bit of a problem.
YES! Savor is for sure my choice when it comes to reading/writing snacks!
You've already hit up a variety of genres, from Contemp to Dystopian! What genres would you like (or are going to) to explore in the future?
I’m
actually in the middle of writing a paranormal New Adult novel about
a bunch of ghost hunters :) So I’d say that’s definitely a genre
I want to explore lol. I’d really love to write a murder mystery
but I’m not sure I’m clever enough to do that. I think people
would guess my murderer every time! I’m also going to focus more on
YA contemporary some more. I feel like lately I’ve been drifting
away from that to do more sci-fi/fantasy type of books. As much as I
love those, it’ll be nice to get back to my roots.
I would fully support the murder mystery! I adore that genre!
About Shannen
Shannen Crane Camp was born and raised in Southern California, where she developed a love of reading, writing, and anything having to do with film. After high school, she moved to Utah to attend Brigham Young University, where she received a degree in Media Arts and found herself a husband in fellow California native Josh Camp. The two now live in either California or Utah... they still can't decide.Thanks for the fun interview Shannen! If you guys like what you see and want to look into some more of Shannen's books go here to see all the beauties!
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Thanks for visiting! To check out the rest of the tour with more interviews, guest posts, excerpts and reviews, check out the schedule here! Happy Monday! XOXO,
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Hey everyone! Welcome to the YA Valentines Winter Formal tour! You may know of the Valentines from their snazzy little blog, but for this week four of them are hitting the fan blogs! This one week tour features four fabulous ladies debuting in January, February and March!
Today's Spotlight Is....
Bethany Hagen!
Website - Twitter - Goodreads
I have a basement full of books and a computer full of writing. I love drinking coffee and doing karate with my husband (usually not at the same time.) I've been a model for a painter, stung by a sting-ray, stuck in a coma, and I used to dress up as a 1904 schoolmarm, but I got paid for it, so it's not weird. Currently the day job is in a library, so every once in a while I throw a temper tantrum about the Dewey Decimal system. My debut novel Landry Park came from Dial/Penguin on 2.4.2014. I am represented by Mollie Glick of Foundry Media
I'm a born and bred Kansas Citian, meaning I can tolerate jazz for brief amounts of time and I'm offended by dry rub barbecue. I grew up reading Charlotte Bronte, Jane Austen, and all things King Arthur. When I’m not working at the library or running around with the kids and the husband, I’m writing or thinking about writing.
If you want to check out my review of Landry Park from the blog tour go HERE! I thought it was a really fun book with a very interesting setting/storyline and some swoon thrown in on the side. As part of spotlighting Bethany and her fabulous book, here's a little bit about Landry Park, followed by an exclusive interview! *wink*
Landry ParkPublished: 2.4.14
Pages: 384
Downton Abbey meets The Selection in this dystopian tale of love and betrayal. In a fragmented future United States ruled by the lavish gentry, seventeen-year-old Madeline Landry dreams of going to the university. Unfortunately, gentry decorum and her domineering father won't allow that. Madeline must marry, like a good Landry woman, and run the family estate. But her world is turned upside down when she discovers the devastating consequences her lifestyle is having on those less fortunate. As Madeline begins to question everything she has ever learned, she finds herself increasingly drawn to handsome, beguiling David Dana. Soon, rumors of war and rebellion start to spread, and Madeline finds herself and David at the center of it all. Ultimately, she must make a choice between duty - her family and the estate she loves dearly - and desire.
Amazon classifies Landry Park as "Downton Abbey meets the Selection". What elements of your evolved society were the funnest to those possibly similar aspects?
I have to say that the Downtown Abbey similarities are the most fun to write. I love the idea of important conversations happening in between dances and Significant Looks being exchanged over elaborate dinners. And what's magical about The Selection is that it takes the theme of class and control, and spears it with futurism and romance, to make a compelling mix. I hope Landry Park was able to do the same!
If you were to pick the best moment in your writing career so far, what would it be?
I think the moment my agent called to tell me that Penguin wanted Landry Park. Before that moment, I think I never truly let myself believe that I'd see my book in print, and so realizing, for the first time, that it could happen--and WAS going to happen--that was magical indeed.
Any writers or books that inspire you?
My love of the Bronte sisters and of Jane Austen is well-documented, but I'm also a huge fan of Ray Bradbury. He has a succinctness and a beauty and a particular viewpoint that transforms his sci-fi into something spectacular.
Describe your book in one word.
Genteel
What's the best piece of writing advice or tip that you've learned through this whole writing experience?
The best writing advice I have is to just keep writing. While on submission, while revising, while rewriting, after seeing a cold-hearted review on Goodreads--the important thing is to KEEP WRITING. NEVER SURRENDER!BONUS INTERVIEW!
Thanks so much Bethany! It was really fun to read your answers! I hope you enjoyed them as well. Now as a bonus, I got to interview all the other lovely ladies on the tour, asking them the same question to see how their answers varied. Check it out!
What drew you to write YA vs. middle grade or adult?
Sara B Larson (author of Defy): I'm not sure that there is an exact reason why, or an "ah-ha!" moment where I decided to write YA.It's just where all of my stories have ended up taking place. It's such a vital time in our lives--when we're discovering who we truly are, and who we want to be. It's a time of intense emotions, when everything is so big and so important, and I love that. I love investigating that, and living in it with my characters. I love experiencing love for the first time with them. I just love it all.
Lynne Matson (author of Nil): ALL THE FEELS! Seriously, YA is THE BEST. Everything is so fresh, so raw, and SO REAL, maybe because it's the first. First person to make your heart skip a beat, first time you stood up for yourself. First kiss, first heartache. First road trip, first time waking up naked on a semi-desrted island, lol. I can't imagine writing anything else.
Bethany Hagen (author of Landry Park): I think it's because young adult fiction, more than adult fiction, has this fantastic blend of literary and commercial elements. It also has less rigid genre lines--I think a future historical book about romance and radiation would have a much harder time finding an adult publisher for that reason. Basically, young adult writing has so much freedom and possibility that I find all my stories naturally gravitate to that genre.
Jen McConnel (author of Daughter of Chaos): I think it's a combination of things. The years I spent working as a middle school teacher really infused me with a love for both YA readers and YA literature, plus the fact that I've always been an avid reader. I think my reading genre of choice for the past decade has been YA, so it was a natural fit. I also write New Adult, which I see as sort of the big sister genre to YA.
Twitter Party!!!
Who doesn't love a good Twitter Party? Not me! Well here's an awesome one for you to celebrate this week's WINTER FORMAL tour! Deets below!
When? February 12th at 6:30 pm EST
Where? Twitter hashtag #YAValsFormal
What? Sara, Jen, Lynne and Bethany chat about books and
You don't want to miss the party(especially the embarrassing moments part ;) OR the rest of the spotlights on the tour. Here's the schedule:
Feb 10 Mon: Lynne Matson @ Fiction Freak
Feb 11 Tues: Bethany Hagen @ Book Haven Extraordinaire! (You are Here)
Feb 12 Wed: Sara. B Larson @ Eater of Books
Feb 13 Thurs: Jen McConnel @ YA Reads
AND THAT IS ALL I HAVE FOR YOU TODAY! Thanks for dropping by! I hope you learned something awesome today! Check out the other stops and see you at the Twitter Party! Leave some comment love for Bethany and the rest of the ladies! XOXO,
Friday, November 15, 2013
Happy Friday everyone! I've got a treat for you today. And interview with Stephanie Parent, indie author extraordinaire and blogger! She's so much fun and I recently read her Neima's Ark duology. I really enjoyed those book and now she's here to talk about them a little bit! First, book info:
Forty Days (Neima's Ark #1)
by Stephanie Parent
Released: 2.10.13
Pages: 123
Forty Nights (Neima's Ark #2)
And there you have it! Interested? Of course! You might like to know that FORTY DAYS is currently Free for download on most ebook sources including Amazon! So go snag that right now! And watch for my dual review of the books to come soon! Now if you want to know a little bit more about Stephanie and these books, keep reading for an awesome interview. Then you can enter for a giveaway down below.
Stephanie has some awesome books already available! And you have a chance to win two of them RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW! Since the first book in her Neima's Ark duo (Forty Days) is FREE ON AMAZON, and you can pick that up, you can win ecopies of FORTY NIGHTS and her NA book PRECIOUS THINGS!
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Thanks to you all for visitng and to Stephanie for letting me interview her! It was WAY fun! Leave some comment love for Stephanie and have a lovely weekend! XOXO,
by Stephanie Parent
Released: 2.10.13
Pages: 123
The entire village knows Neima’s grandfather is a madman. For years the old man has prophesied that a great flood is coming, a flood disastrous enough to blot out the entire earth. He’s even built an enormous ark that he claims will allow his family to survive the deluge. But no one believes the ravings of a lunatic…
…until the rain starts. And doesn’t stop. Soon sixteen-year-old Neima finds her entire world transformed, her life and those of the people she loves in peril. Trapped on the ark with her grandfather Noah, the rest of her family, and a noisy, filthy, and hungry assortment of wild animals, will Neima find a way to survive?
Forty Nights (Neima's Ark #2)
by Stephanie Parent
Released: 10.9.13
Pages: 94
Neima, her family, and her grandfather Noah have found themselves trapped aboard an ark as a great flood destroys all life in the world. As their time aboard the ark lengthens, food begins to run out, wild animals grow restless, and family tensions become as much of a threat as the flood outside. In the second and final installment of Neima’s Ark, the stakes are higher, the conflicts are greater, and Neima finds herself facing a choice as impossible as the destruction all around her.
Forty Nights is a continuation of the story begun in Forty Days, and it’s recommended that you read Forty Days first for the best experience. Forty Nights does, however, contain a character guide to refresh readers’ memories. The Neima’s Ark series is a historical, feminist reimagining of the story of Noah’s Ark rather than a religiously oriented one, and the novels are best suited for readers who are comfortable with new interpretations of biblical stories.
And there you have it! Interested? Of course! You might like to know that FORTY DAYS is currently Free for download on most ebook sources including Amazon! So go snag that right now! And watch for my dual review of the books to come soon! Now if you want to know a little bit more about Stephanie and these books, keep reading for an awesome interview. Then you can enter for a giveaway down below.
Reimaginings and retells are becoming more and more prominent in the YA genre. What drew you to reimagine this well known biblical story?
Well, first of all I have to admit that
this particular retelling was not my idea. It was actually suggested
by my agent at the time, and she was inspired by a huge movie called
Noah coming in 2014, starring Emma Watson and Russell Crowe.
Our original plan was to try to sell my book on a partial manuscript
and have it come out concurrently with the movie. Due to various
reasons, that didn’t work out and I’ve ended up focusing on
independent publishing for now (more about that below!).
However, even though the initial seed
of the Noah’s Ark idea was planted by my agent, I was immediately
intrigued by it. I’ve always been drawn to retellings—I
previously wrote a Romeo and Juliet retelling—and I thought the
disaster aspect of this story might have some broad YA appeal, while
I personally was really excited about the animals. I love writing
about animal-human relationships, and researching some of the animals
that appear in this story was really fun!
Finally, while preparing to write
Neima’s Ark, I found that I really, really love biblically
inspired fiction, especially books that focus on the women’s roles
we don’t get to see as much in the original stories. The
historical realities of biblical times are absolutely fascinating,
and books like The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman and Song of
the Magdalene by Donna Jo Napoli helped to bolster my enthusiasm
for the topic. In fact, I wouldn’t mind writing another biblically
inspired story someday!
Despite clearly stating it as a reimagining, were there any challenges or doubts you faced when telling Neima’s story? Especially on a religious level?
Definitely! I was continually nervous
about offending or turning off religious readers, while at the same
time, I wanted non-religious readers to enjoy the story as well.
Since I don’t come from a religious background myself, I didn’t
really feel any personal guilt about re-imagining certain characters
and situations in a less positive light, but I knew I ran the risk of
upsetting others. At the same time, I didn’t want to go the other
way and ignore the religious aspect of the story. Noah’s ark isn’t
just a disaster story with a bunch of animals—at its heart, it’s
about the nature of good and evil and the question of whether human
evil can ever really be destroyed. And if you look back to the
biblical tale, some of the conclusions it comes to might surprise
you.
In your preface, you state the area now known as modern day Turkey as your base for the setting. Can you expand on the research and findings that factored into basing your story there?
Well, first of all I want to say that
we can’t know for sure where this story would have taken place, so
at some point, I just had to choose a plausible location and stick
with it. In researching the story, I read other fictional takes that
used more of a desert-like setting, one that probably corresponds to
present-day Egypt or Israel. That said, I chose Turkey because the
biblical “mountains of Ararat” where the ark landed may
correspond to the real Mount Ararat in Turkey. In addition, two
rivers where Adam’s descendants settled in Genesis, the Tigris and
Euphrates, both have their source in Turkey.
In your books we see Noah portrayed as a prophetic madman, shall we say. What kinds of things factored into your creation of his character, in regards to the original narrative and otherwise?
It’s funny, but even though the Bible
story doesn’t tell us how other people reacted to Noah building the
ark, it seems a fairly pervasive idea that Noah would have been
considered a madman by many of his contemporaries. I read as many
different fictional versions of the Noah’s Ark story as I could
while writing this book, and all of them portrayed Noah as a figure
who was distrusted or even downright ridiculed by the people around
him. I always imagined the story this way too—why would everyone
believe one old man who claims the world is about to end?—and it
definitely increases the tension in the first part of the story.
As for Noah’s character, the Bible
does tell us that Noah is “righteous” and “blameless in his
generation,” but it’s interesting to note that Noah apparently
overindulged in wine later in his life. The Bible says that after
the flood Noah cultivated a vineyard, and “one day he drank some
wine he had made, and he became drunk and lay naked inside his tent.”
This portrayal of Noah makes him seem, at least to my mind, perhaps
a bit more flawed than some of the other biblical prophets.
Finally, I thought that calling Noah’s
sanity into question was also a good way to make the religious
elements of my story a bit more ambiguous. Noah turns out to be
right about the flood, of course, but in my version of the story,
we’re not so sure the reasoning behind his beliefs is sound. This
allowed me to question Noah’s interpretation of certain events—for
instance, God’s purpose in sending the flood—in my novel.
How did you choose the names for your characters?
Ooh, good question and complicated
answer! All of the male members of Noah’s family took their names
directly from the Bible story. I did change the spelling of Ham’s
son’s name, Canaan, to Kenaan, since Canaan is also a place and I
thought that spelling might be distracting. (Incidentally, the
biblical Canaan is actually cursed for his father Ham’s actions
after the flood. This gave me the idea to make Ham and Kenaan
villains of a sort in my story.) Most of the women’s names came
from Noah’s ark stories outside the Bible—see here. Neima is a Hebrew name meaning “strong,” while Shai means
“gift.” Since Jorin and Derya aren’t part of Noah’s family,
I decided to give them Turkish names instead of Hebrew ones. For
them I just picked names I liked the sound of!
Any special inspiration for Neima’s character?
I did love historical fiction when I
was younger, and I thought a lot about some of the historical-fiction
heroines I had read about, since I wanted to make sure Neima wasn’t
too modern in her thoughts and behavior. But I didn’t really have
one special or particular inspiration in this case.
You have a few books under your wing now! Could you tell us a little bit about your journey to self-publication?
I’ve had two agents over the past
several years and two different books on submission. But with all
the changes occurring in the publishing industry right now, I just
became really frustrated trying to fit into the traditional
publishing world. If I had stayed with an agent and kept writing new
books, I may have eventually written one that publishing executives
believed had enough commercial appeal to make it worth buying. But I
believed in the books I had already written, and I wasn’t willing
to just shove them away in a drawer when I had another option. I
also love the freedom and community of self-publishing, and for now I
think my time is better spent writing and connecting with readers and
other authors than pursuing traditional publication.
When did you first know you wanted to become a writer?
I’ve actually always been much more
of a reader than a writer. Writing is really hard for me, and to be
honest, if I had a full-time job that I enjoyed and that paid the
bills, I probably wouldn’t write nearly as much. At the same time,
reading has been a part of my identity for as long as I can remember,
and I think I knew from the time I began to read on my own that books
would play an important role in my life.
Any writing habits?
Tons of snacks, mostly sweet, sugary
tea and coffee drinks, and fruit smoothies are a must. Music tends
to distract me but I like some noise, so I like to have TV shows I’ve
seen a million times playing in the background. And I usually write
at home just because I’m too lazy to lug my laptop around…
Any upcoming projects we can look forward too?
Right now I’m working on a dark, sexy
adult book that I plan to publish under a pen name, but since I’m
no good at keeping secrets, I’ll let everyone know it’s me! The
pinterest board for it is here.
Favorite quote from one of your books?
That’s a hard one! I really like
this quote from the end of Forty Nights:
“We
aren’t steady, yet, but that’s all right—I have learned to live
in an unsteady world.”
Chocolate malt balls or sour gummy worms?
Chocolate, for sure!
Bilal or Enise?
No way—that’s like asking me to
choose between my two dogs!
Day Bird or Night Owl?
Night owl, but only to stay home and
read or write or fool around on the internet. I’m not much of a
partier!
Plotter or Pantser?
Somewhere in between—I like to have
as much of an idea of where I’m going as possible, but I only write
it down if I’m forced to!
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Thanks to you all for visitng and to Stephanie for letting me interview her! It was WAY fun! Leave some comment love for Stephanie and have a lovely weekend! XOXO,
Friday, July 19, 2013
Of Beast and Beauty
By Stacey Jay
Published: 7.23.13
Pages: 400
In the beginning was the darkness, and in the darkness was a girl, and in the girl was a secret...
In the domed city of Yuan, the blind Princess Isra, a Smooth Skin, is raised to be a human sacrifice whose death will ensure her city’s vitality. In the desert outside Yuan, Gem, a mutant beast, fights to save his people, the Monstrous, from starvation. Neither dreams that together, they could return balance to both their worlds.
Isra wants to help the city’s Banished people, second-class citizens despised for possessing Monstrous traits. But after she enlists the aid of her prisoner, Gem, who has been captured while trying to steal Yuan’s enchanted roses, she begins to care for him, and to question everything she has been brought up to believe.
As secrets are revealed and Isra’s sight, which vanished during her childhood, returned, Isra will have to choose between duty to her people and the beast she has come to love.
Stacey Jay is a recovering workaholic (or at least working hard at recovering) with two small children, and a passion for playing pretend for a living. She’s been a full time mom-writer since 2005 and can't think of anything she'd rather be doing. Her former careers include theatre performer, professional dancer, poorly paid C-movie actress, bartender, waiter, math tutor, and yoga instructor. In her very limited spare time, Stacey enjoys cooking elaborate dinners and eating them very slowly, dressing up in costumes with her sons, and drinking wine with her husband. She loves to hear from readers and personally answers every single email she receives.
And now it's time for 'Silly Songs with Larry'..just kidding! An epic interview with Stacey!!
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Suppose I'd never heard about OF BEAST AND BEAUTY. Now pitch meyour book, in 13 words[or less].
Off-world-fantasy retelling of Beauty-and-the-Beast with a flipped script
(Beauty imprisons the Beast).
(I
could only get 13 words or less with a little creative hyphenation!)
Your last release duology was also a retelling. What do love about retelling a popular story?
I would say “Juliet Immortal” and “Romeo
Redeemed” are more re-imaginings than re-tellings. I took the characters from
Shakespeare’s play and gave them supernatural powers, new stories, and
alternate romantic endings. “Of Beast and Beauty,” however, is a more
traditional retelling. You may have to squint hard to see them, but the
elements of the original myth are all there. I love revisiting classic stories
for many reasons, but mostly because the status is not quo, you know?
OBAB has undergone a cover change recently. Do you like it? How do you feel it portrays your book better than the previous one?
I do like it! Initially, I was sad to see the old cover go (it was so pretty,
and changing it wasn’t my call), but now I’ve come to love this new cover just
as much. I think it reflects the essence of the story much better. The story
takes place on another planet, after all, and that is much more clearly
conveyed with the new cover.
I'm sure you’re a pro author by now, but what's one thing you've learned as you've grown as an author? ;)
I’ve learned that I will always be learning, and that the harder I work and the
more I improve as a writer, the more obvious it becomes that mastery of this
craft is a lifelong endeavor.
The world is ending! Are you living on sour gummy worms or chocolate malt balls?
Neither. I really can’t stand too many sweets. (Now, if cheese is on the menu,
however, all bets are off. I will be eating it for every meal until the
fireball hits Earth.)
*gasp* Isra's heart has led her to fall in love with a guy who is NOT Gem. Which fictional boy stole her heart?
Wow. This is a hard question. Isra and Gem are such a matched pair to me, more
so than any other couple I’ve written. (I think because I finished their story
completely instead of leaving elements untold.)
I
honestly can’t think of a single fictional boy who would suit Isra so
perfectly, and I would loathe her if she left Gem, so I’m going to have to
abstain from answering this question.
(See
how difficult I am? It’s probably for the best that I spend hours in my
basement office alone playing pretend and sparing other people my
contrariness.)
If Isra wasn't a portrayal of the Belle character, which fairy-tale princess might she be?
Isra isn’t much like Belle, or any Disney princess that I can think of, so that
really wouldn’t fit. She might have something in common with Rapunzel from the
original fairy tale, after the witch blinds Rapunzel and forces her to wander
the desert. Isra was blinded in an accident as a child, and I think she would
have the stubbornness and fortitude to keep searching for her prince until she
found him.
If you had to set Isra's “fairy-tale” in any other fictional city what would it be?
The Capitol of Panema from “The Hunger Games.”
The base of OBAB is obviously a heart-throbbing romance. What is the most important quality in a strong romantic relationship to you?
A common love of something bigger than the beloved. For Isra and Gem, it is a
common love for their people and their world. They see this love reflected in
each other, and it draws them even closer.
The world is dying to know; are you a Planner or a Pantser?
Planner. Mostly. With some pantsing thrown in. (Though I wear pants, or a
skirt, at all times while writing.)
Beauty and the Beast is such a well-loved fairy-tale, and it's been retold many times. In your mind, what set's the story of Isra and Gem apart from all the rest?
Gem and Isra’s story isn’t exactly what it seems. The both take their turn as
Beauty and Beast. The roles are fluid, and change as their perceptions of
themselves and their world change.
And
also there is way more kissing in “Of Beast and Beauty” than in other
retellings I’ve read. Just saying…you know…if you like kissing…
Oh don't tempt me!! Thanks for stopping by Stacey! It was a blast!
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Thanks so much for stopping by! A big shout-out to Rockstar tours! Don't miss the rest of the tour stops including super fun Guest Posts and Interviews! Have a great weekend! XOXO,
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