Author Guest Post: Glenn Dakin

Today, I have the brilliant Glenn Dakin with me, author of the Candle Man series, to share more about creating the world in which his series is set. I will be reviewing the second book in the series tomorrow as well as hosting a giveaway.

World of the Candle Man by Glenn Dakin

I was talking to my 81 year-old uncle Harry, and asked him about the sleepy suburb where he lives. ‘How’s Carpenders Park?’

He pulled a face. ‘Oh, I never go there,’ he replied.

This made me smile as he has lived in Carpenders Park since at least the 1960s. But to Harry, who either stays in his home, or shops further afield, he never actually goes to the place where he lives.

This is a bit like writers of fantasy, who dream up fantastical worlds, which we inhabit more sincerely than the world around us. Real life? Oh, I never go there.

One of the things that attracted me to the adventure of writing Candle Man was the fact that it wasn’t just a story - it was a world. From the moment I dreamt up my sad young hero Theo, I knew a whole realm of secret places awaited him.

Locating the world of the Candle Man was not exactly an act of invention, but an act of finding. In some ways the world of Candle Man was already there, if I searched my memories deeply. The gothic landscape of secret watchtowers, underground canals and weed-choked graveyards is all based on my childhood impressions of London.

I grew up in Harrow Weald in the sixties, where newsagents, bus stations and barber shops provided a backdrop of upbeat semi-modernity. But once in a while, Dad would take me into the city, where a different layer of my imagination was kindled. Here, mysterious statues watched you as you strode historic streets, secret gardens hid behind barbed railings, soft lamps glowed in private courtyards. The world of the past seemed to be creeping up behind you, watching you, as you were discovering it.

Down in the underground - a marvel that seemed to have been built by an earlier, more miraculous civilization - trains rattled and screamed through dark tunnels, gleaming escalators rose, part menacing, part benign, to speed you on your way. It was a dazzling vision of a bigger universe.

The main setting for the Candle Man’s adventures is the network, a labyrinth beneath the streets of London. This was created out of necessity. Early in book one, my hero had to flee enemies. But where would he flee to? I needed a setting. Theo, I realised, must have access to secret ways, a snakes-and-ladders board of routes that would plunge him swiftly in and out of trouble.

And so, Theo’s network began as a collection of secret passageways beneath the city: abandoned sewers, forgotten maintenance shafts and suchlike, the stuff of many adventure tales. But that wasn’t enough. The network was calling – and it called my imagination downwards.

I needed another level. Somewhere for the bad guys to keep their technology – their alchemical machines. Suddenly the network housed hidden silos of potent potions. It had a mushroom farm for growing the bio-luminescent fungus that powered the lighting system. It had a gulag – a prison for containing the dreaded spectres of the Eighty-eight – shadows of the Candle Man’s dark past.

I also needed transport – I couldn’t reasonably expect my footsore characters to walk everywhere. So I found another level, into which I added an ancient canal system. The network kept growing. And at the end of book one, I needed a location for my big finale, a mind-boggling vault of wonders to open up infinite possibilities as the book thundered towards its end.

So I went back through my thoughts and pieced them together in a different way. I decided that the levels were all part of a lost alchemical city, built in centuries past. I invented the Well Chamber, and, a cathedral-sized crucible – a temple of experiments - into which all the waters of the underground canals flowed.

At this point, I knew that I had not only solved my plotting needs for Theo’s many escapes – I was beginning to find a bigger backstory –a mythology to underscore the adventure I was creating. History was beginning to appear, a past to enrich the Candle Man’s present.

This was a key moment for me as I have so admired Tolkien’s approach of delighting the reader with ‘unexplained vistas’, shadows and suggestions of earlier worlds that enhance the current narrative. It seemed I had wandered into some lost vistas myself.

Now, the network is growing again – in my imagination. It is taking me in a new direction, with the question: why was London built at all? Maybe the Candle Man will answer that question…



Thank you Glenn for sharing that with us!

You can learn more about Glenn over at his website - www.glenndakin.com

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Author Guest Post: Karyn Henley

Today I have with me Karyn Henley, author of Breath of Angel, who is going to talk about her ten favorite fairy tales and myths.

I like both fairy tales and myths, but they differ in important ways. A “significant difference...is the ending, which in myths is nearly always tragic, while always happy in fairy tales. ... The myth is pessimistic, while the fairy story is optimistic” (The Uses of Enchantment by Bettelheim). Breath of Angel has elements of fairy tale, myth, and legend woven in. Here are ten of my favorite fairy tales and myths:

Sleeping Beauty - A curse is cured by love.

Cinderella - A young woman finally stands up for herself, and it changes everything for the better.

Snow White - A girl goes into the forest doomed to die at the hands of a huntsman and comes out destined to live in the arms of a prince.

The Frog King - A frog is not what he seems to be. (I like these kinds of surprises and story twists.)

Beauty and the Beast - The same twist as above; all is not as it seems, but the heart of love wins out.

East of the Sun and West of the Moon - A girl is betrayed by the advice of the person she trusts, while the person she doesn’t trust turns out to be the faithful one. (Another twist.)

The Emperor’s New Clothes - A child is the only one who has enough courage and integrity to tell the truth.

Aladdin and His Lamp - Wishes have consequences; even good wishes can complicate life if they come true.

Persephone and Demeter - This heart wrenching story ends in a compromise.

The Labors of Heracles - The hero must first master himself, then must be clever enough to achieve a series of difficult tasks.

Pegasus and Bellerophon - A magnificent flying horse and a brave man fight a monster who is meant to kill the man; instead, he kills it.

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Interview with Amanda Ashby + Giveaway info

Today I have Amanda Ashby with me, author of Fairy Bad Day, to answer a few questions. First, a little bit about her:

Amanda Ashby was born in Australia, has spent eight years in England and currently lives in New Zealand. When she's not moving country, she also likes to write books (okay, she also likes to eat chocolate, watch television and sit around doing not much, but let's just keep that amongst ourselves, shall we?) She has a degree in English and Journalism from the University of Queensland and is married with two children. As well as writing, she works part-time at the children/teen desk of her local library, which basically means that someone pays her to talk about books. Her debut book, You Had Me at Halo was nominated for a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice award, and her current book Zombie Queen of Newbury High was listed by the New York Public Library's Stuff for the Teen Age 2010 as well as being nominated for the YALSA popular paperback 2011.


Describe your book in five words or less.

Cute boys, skittles and swords

How did you come up with the title?

I’m a big fan of pun titles and they always seem to fall into my head. Anyway, ages ago my critique partner wrote a book that I nicknamed Bad Heir Day and then I once attempted a werewolf book called Bad Hair Day and then when I finally decided to write a fairy book I figured waste not want not and so recycled my title for the third time and Fairy Bad Day was born (which I think is the cutest of the versions!)

Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?

I tend to mainly hear from readers via Facebook, Twitter and my blog but I do get some lovely emails as well, which always thrills me (hahaha—spot the needy author!). For Zombie Queen of Newbury High most of the emails I receive are from people telling me that they think the book is funny and that they loved Candice (who was the classic case of a hypochondriac sidekick who did not know her place!)

What are some of your favorite books?

So many favorite books that I’ll just list a few! The Earthsea Trilogy by Ursula Le Guin (there are actually 5 books now but I only liked the first three!) The Bartimaeus books by Jonathan Stroud, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Graceling by Kristin Cashore, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead, Magician by Raymond E Feist, Dragons of Pern by Anne McCaffrey

What's next for you?

I’ve got a midgrade series coming out next year about a girl who gets turned into a djinn (genie) the day before sixth grade starts and I’ve also got a new YA book that should hopefully be out next year as well that is tentatively titled Demonosity and has demon knights in it (gorgeous, tortured, beautiful demon knights).

Wow Amanda, I'm excited to read those upcoming books. Thanks for stopping by today.

Check out my review of Fairy Bad Day.

This tour is also a scavenger hunt. Be sure to visit each of the stops on the blog tour and collect the bolded letter at the bottom of the post. On June 25th, you will have the opportunity to enter the word you created from the mixed up letters on Amanda's blog (http://amandaashby.blogspot.com/) to win a fun prize pack. The pack includes a signed copy of Fairy Bad Day, some candy, and cute cell phone charms.

The letter for this stop is I.

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Top Ten Distractions of Angie Frazier

Today, I have the wonderful Angie Frazier, author of Everlasting and Eternal Sea. She's here to talk about the distractions in her life!

Right now, my life is all about distractions. It’s my curse to be hit with a number of stressful, time-consuming events all at once. What would I rather be doing? Writing. Every day, all day. Yes, I’m addicted. And when I don’t write, I get cranky. Everyone within a one-mile radius suffers for it, too. So here’s my current list of Top Ten Distractions (in no particular order):


10.) Moving. I once read a list of the top ten most stressful life events and “moving” ranked number one. Now, I understand why. This girl really needs a vacation. Fast.

9.) Children. Man do these little creatures take up a lot of time and energy. And for some reason, they’re just not getting the whole “you’re getting on my nerves!” glare I send them regularly. Thank goodness they’re cute. (I exclude the 3 month old baby, who is of course cute, but not a recipient of the “glare”. Yet.)

8.) Books. More specifically, the book I’m devouring right now: WARPED by my fabulous critique partner Maurissa Guibord. I’ve already read this amazing YA fantasy, but wanted to get lost in its amazingness again. Hello, a hot young nobleman changed into a unicorn by an evil sorceress and then magically woven into a tapestry, only to be released from his prison 500 years later by a teenage girl? You NEED to read this book.

7.) Book Releases. THE ETERNAL SEA will be my second book released this year. Woot! The first was back in March when THE MIDNIGHT TUNNEL, my first Suzanna Snow mystery hit the shelves.

6.) Johnny Depp and Kyle Chandler. I refer, of course, to the new Pirates movie and the new Spielberg movie, Super 8. I just might have to treat myself.

5.) The Internets.

Dear Twitter and Facebook,
You take up way too much of my time. My poor little blog is feeling quite left out. Play fair.
Love, Angie.

4.) Summer Vacation. It’s coooommming. The children will be home all day, every day. I refer to Distraction #9.

3.) One-Star Ratings. I always tell myself to ignore them (thankfully I don’t have too many), that it’s inevitable, that all writers receive them. But still. :-P

2.) BEA. I’d wanted to go, but Distractions #10 and #9 prevented it. Instead, I used Distraction #5 and relentlessly stalked all the #BEA11 Tweets.

1.) Revising my WIP. I think about it nearly all day, longing for the moment I get to sit down and open up the Word document, picking up where I left off the day before. It’s an addiction!! The best kind.


I definitely understanding some of these distractions! Like wanting to go to BEA, summer break coming up and the internet sucking up all sorts of imaginable time. Thanks for sharing Angie!

Find Angie:
Website
Twitter
Facebook
Goodreads

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This or That with Allison van Diepen

Today I have Allison van Diepen with me, author of The Vampire Stalker and these are her preferences. :)

Tea or Coffee?
Coffee. Tons of milk. No sugar.

Sweet or Salty?
Salty. Specifically poutine, which involves three good salty things—french fries, gravy and cheese curds.

Hot or Cold?
Hot—weather, temper, and romantic heroes.

Paperback or Hardcover?
Hardcover. Lasts longer. Better weapon in a pinch.

Vampire or Werewolf?
Vampires, of course!

Unicorns or Zombies?
Zombies. I love The Walking Dead, though I spend most of the
show trying not to look.

Movies or TV Shows?
Both.

Music or audiobooks?
Music!

Relaxer or busybody?
Relaxer by nature, busybody by necessity.

Board games or computer games?
Neither.

Dogs or Cats?
Dogs. Cats make me sneeze.

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Character Interview: Iris from What Comes After

This or That List

1. Tea or Coffee?

Coffee, definitely, though as I said in WHAT COMES AFTER, I did have this agreement with my dad that I wouldn’t drink too much, and that I would only drink half-caf when I did.

2. Sugar or Salt?

Neither one, really. I like spicy food, though. But lately it’s pretty much been Fig Newtons and Snapple, with the occasional foray into the goat cheese and crackers.

3. Hot or Cold?

You’d think coming from Maine that I’d love cold the best, but I don’t really care. I’ll take whatever weather you’ve got, I guess. The goats can’t stand rain or snow, and they’ll certainly let you know it, too. But I don’t mind. I’m just happy whenever I get to be outside.

4. Cats or Dogs?

You know Gnarly, that dog of Aunt Sue’s and Book’s? Well he’s coming with me when I leave the farm. I’m not such a big cat fan, but they’re infinitely better then ferrets.

5. Brains or Brawn?

Brains. Not like my cousin Book or his pal Tiny.

6. Quiet or Loud?

Quiet. Like Littleberry. Also funny. And sweet.

7. Paperback or Hardcover?

I just love books, no matter what sort of cover. Especially books about intrepid girls. And animals.

8. Ebooks or physical books?

Physical. I don’t have a lot of money. Thank god for libraries (and great local bookstores).

9, Rain or Sun?

Both.

10, Movies or TV shows?

Who’s got time for either one? Life’s always calling. And so are the goats, and the chickens, and Gnarly, and Littleberry, and Shirelle, and Mr. and Mrs. Tuten, and the softball team. Gotta run. Thanks for having me on your blog.

Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule Iris to answer my questions! :)

Read my review here.
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Guest Post with Helen Stringer + Giveaway

Today, I have with me author Helen Stringer, author of Spellbinder and The Midnight Gate, two wonderfully spooky and supernatural middle grade novels. I just reviewed Spellbinder last night and will be reviewing The Midnight Gate later this week, both are spectacular middle grade novels, with a great combination of funny commentary and seriously spooky moments.

I asked Helen if she would talk a little about where she got the inspiration for some of the creepy places that her novel take place in.



Playing In The Hall

One of the things that has always got my imagination firing on all cylinders is places. Old places, new places, buildings, countryside, towns, cities – it really doesn’t matter. Most of the time, particularly with historical sites, the only view you are going to get is as part of a tour group. Often this is fine – when I was at school we were taken to an old Elizabethan house outside Liverpool so many times that the actual tour blurb is engraved on my memory. The house is called Speke Hall, which became Arkbath Hall in Spellbinder, where the tour guide that takes Belladonna and her classmates through the house spouts, verbatim, the old Speke Hall tour of my childhood!

Many real places pop up in Spellbinder and Midnight Gate, an old monastery near Barrow in Cumbria, a 1930s apartment building in Liverpool, and an electric store/vaudeville theater in Los Angeles, as well as my old school – Belvedere, which really is made up of three Victorian Houses joined together. The one place that I grew to know almost as well as my school, however, is the fabulous Croxteth Hall.

Croxteth was the home of the Earls of Sefton. It is a vast pile right on the edge of Liverpool and was such a mish-mash of styles that after the last earl died the National Trust turned down the opportunity to run the property. Enter the city council. They took on the old place and when the surviving countess gave permission for them to have the family papers, I was hired to catalog them. This was my first job. It was supposed to be for six months and I was totally unqualified, which didn’t matter as I was only supposed to be making lists. Then the first of two disasters struck. First, the countess changed her mind about the papers (oh, no! I’m going to lose my job!), then the local paper ran a campaign questioning why the place wasn’t open to the public (hooray! I get a new job!).

The scramble was now on to prepare the place for visitors. There was only one problem: the countess had sold off nearly all the furniture, so the first part of my new job was to research the family history and put together a tour with what we had to hand. The second was to actually do the tours at the weekends.

It was kid in a candy store time! A bunch of my friends were hired to help do the tours (what were the managers thinking?) and during the week I spent most of my time either downtown in the central library reading the personal diaries of the lady who was countess in the early 1900s or wandering around the huge house, keys in hand, seeing what they would open. The answer to that was…everything!

We meandered all over the place, found the earl and countess’s ceremonial robes, complete with coronets (and tried them on, of course), found boxes and boxes of photographs taken by the same countess who wrote the diaries (she was a keen photographer and had a dark room at the top of the house), and explored the absolutely massive kitchens.

The kitchens consisted of a giant room with dozens of stoves and huge worktables, as well as smaller rooms for the preparation of vegetables, meats and confectionary. (This is the kitchen that Belladonna finds in the House of Mists in Spellbinder.) The kitchen also featured a large dumb waiter that was powered by water. The servants would simply load up the dumb waiter and pull an enormous lever. There would be the sound of rushing water and the huge box would move slowly upwards to the dining room. Needless to say, we had to experiment with this. One of my friends climbed into the box, we closed it, pulled the lever and ran up the servants’ stairs to the small ante-room next to the dining room. It seemed to take forever, but eventually the box hove into view and we got our friend out. His name was Steve, which is odd, because it’s exactly the kind of thing Steve Evans would do! (I should probably pause here and point out that it was really dangerous and could have gone wrong in so many ways. But it didn’t. Heh.)

By the end of the summer I had worked seven days a week for almost a year. I was exhausted but had absorbed everything about the old house and grounds and it has never left me: the perfect proportions of the eighteenth century rooms that make you feel calm as soon as you step into them, the winding servants stairs and basement passages, the grand main staircase and pillared balconies, the tiny servants’ bedrooms at the top of the house, and perhaps most of all the details of the life of the daunting woman whose domain it was in the days of balls and hunts and garden parties.

These days the house is run like a well-oiled machine, with a proper visitors center and glass cases of artifacts. But I prefer to remember it as it was – a chaotic playground and an inspiration that I find myself returning to again and again.

Spellbinder series giveaway! Three lucky winners will receive one copy each of THE MIDNIGHT GATE and SPELLBINDER along with some bookmarks! To enter, send an e-mail to SpellbinderSeries@gmail.com. In the body of the e-mail, include your name, mailing address, and e-mail address (if you're under 13, submit a parent's name and e-mail address). One entry per person and prizes will only be shipped to US or Canadian addresses. Entries must be received by midnight (PDT) on 6/17/11. Winners will be selected in a random drawing on 6/18/11 and notified via email.

For excerpts, games, links, and more, visit Helen's website at: http://www.helenstringer.net/

Read Helen's blog: http://helenstringer.net/blog/

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Interview with Stacey Kade

Today, I have the fabulous Stacey Kade with me, author of The Ghost and the Goth and it's sequel Queen of the Dead. And here's what I asked her!


Do you have a favorite theme or genre that you like to write about? Is there a genre that you'll probably stay away from and why?

I tend to write stories about identity. Figuring out who you are or who you don’t want to be and coming to terms with those choices. Some paranormal element almost always works its way in there, too.

I’m not sure I’d rule out any particular genre. I always want to be open to whatever idea or character presents itself. That being said, I think I’d be hard-pressed to write a Western, never having read one!

If you could work with any author, who would you choose?

Oh, that’s a tough one! There are so many authors I admire, but I think I’d be afraid to work with them—I might mess them up! And selfishly I’d want to have the joy of experiencing of their next new book as a reader, not as someone attempting to write part of it. Yikes! But if I had to choose authors to learn from, ones that I would love to have a deeper understanding of how they do what they do—Meg Cabot, Jennifer Echols, and Suzanne Collins.


How was writing Queen of the Dead different from The Ghost and the Goth?

Writing Queen of the Dead was a very different experience. The book that exists now is almost a complete rewrite from the original draft. Writing the second book was really difficult because I wasn’t sure how to balance the needs of a new story while still being consistent with the previous story and the characters and world as we knew it in G&G. But I’ve discovered from talking with other YA authors that this dilemma, something I’m going to call Second Book Syndrome (AKA feeling like your second book is going to kill you), is actually very common and eventually sorts itself out.

And I’m very happy with how the revised draft turned out. It’s much better than what I’d originally written, and I owe a huge debt of thanks to my editor for helping me find my way.


What is one question that you've always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question?

Oh, dear. Hmm. I think most people ask which character I’m the most like, giving me the option of either Will or Alona. Of the two, I’m most like Will, but honestly, of all the characters in the book, I feel I’m probably most similar to Lily. Or at least, what we know of her.


What's next for you? Are you currently working on or have plans for future projects?

Right now, I’m working on my 2013 YA novel for Hyperion. It’s the first in a series, and it’s called The Rules. It's about a girl who was created as a genetic experiment and raised in a lab for the first part of her life. She's now living as a "normal" sixteen year old, hiding in plain sight from her creators by following a set of rules that keep her safe but also confine her existence. And then she meets a guy with troubles of his own who tempts her to break those rules for the possibility of love.



Wow, doesn't her next book sound great? Thanks for stopping by Stacey! Check out my review of The Ghost and the Goth and Queen of the Dead.

Find Stacey:
Twitter
Goodreads
Website

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This or That List with Brent Hartinger

I had a fun time coming up with a This or That List for Brent Hartinger, author of Shadow Walkers.

Tea or Coffee?
Green tea. These people who pay five bucks for a cup of coffee? Don’t get that at all.

Sugar or Salt?
Sugar, and I’ll take this a step further (and alienate a lot of people), and say that I prefer sugar to chocolate. Chocolate is fine, but only because it has sugar in it.

Quiet or Loud?
Quiet, definitely. This typing I’m doing now is too loud for me.

Thrifty or Expensive?
Thrifty. Also known as “cheap.”

Vampires or Werewolves?
I was sick to death of vampires in 1998. You can imagine I feel now. Werewolves (although I’m soon to be sick of them too).

Unicorns or Zombies?
I know everyone probably says “zombie unicorns,” but I’m firmly in the “unicorn” camp.

Fantasy or Science Fiction?
Fantasy! Seriously: who doesn’t want to go to Narnia?

Hot or Cold?
Hot. Or, preferably, “hot tub warm.”

Movies or TV Shows?
You know, probably TV. So many movies just suck these days.

Hardcover or Paperback?
Paperback. Remember what I said about being thrifty? cheap?

Rain or Sun?
Misty morning, sunny afternoon.

Beach or Mountains?
Beach, but I like rocky, sea-weedy Puget Sound beaches, not necessarily sandy ones.

Ebooks or physical books?
Ebooks. Own the future!

Want to know more about Brent? Check out his website.

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Interview with K. Ryer Breese

Today, I have with me K. Ryer Breese, author of Future Imperfect. I reviewed Future Imperfect a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it.


How did all of your past occupations impact your writing?

Only indirectly. But I do believe that creative writing comes directly from experience. Throughout my working life -- whether I was doing research with severely disabled autistic children or trying to avoid being beaten to a pulp by an ex-con while working the grill at a zoo restaurant -- I kind of mentally recorded all the conversations I'd heard. All the WTF scenes I'd witnessed. These went into the mental hopper and came out, sometimes heavily distorted, on the page.


If you could have any job, real or not, what would it be?

In college I was pre-med. Still think I'd love to be a physician.


What was the best and worst thing about writing Future Imperfect?

It was cathartic. Something very honest and comfortable about it. Though at the same time I worried a lot about how it would be received. Would people get it? That worry was definitely the worst. I suppose it still is. . .


Were any of the characters in Future Imperfect based off of yourself or people close to you?

All of them. I actually "appear" in the book as someone else but I'll leave it there. . .


What's next for you writing-wise?

The sequel, PAST CONTINUOUS. Having great fun writing it.



Want to know more about K. Ryer Breese?

K. Ryer Breese lives in Denver. He’s worked as a clinical researcher, a short order chef, a film critic, a patient advocate, and a teacher. He does not, as far as he knows have an super powers but he has had three concussions.

For more info on K. Ryer, visit his sites:
-Website
-Facebook
-GoodReads

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Interview with Carmen Ferreiro-Esteban + Giveaway

Today, I am interviewing Carmen Ferreiro-Esteban, author of Two-Moon Princess, which I reviewed yesterday.

What has your road to publications been like?

Long and bumpy as is the case for most of us.

Writing is hard. Getting published is harder. In a different way.

Writing is a lonely process. To be able to write you must cut yourself from the world and create from within. To get published you must reach out, communicate effectively with others, to create a network that will allow you to put your manuscript at the right time on the right hands.

Writers are introverts by definition. But to get published you must be an extrovert. It isn't easy to do both.

So how did I get Two Moon Princess published?

I joined the SCBWI and attended the SCBWI conference in NYC (once) and the PA charter meetings (regularly). I also read their bulletin religiously, especially the page called "Editors Needs". It was there I found out that Tanglewood Press, that until then had only published Picture Books, was open to MG and YA submissions. I submitted my manuscript to Tanglewood Press in September 2005. A year later we signed the contract. Two Moon Princess came out in September 2007. The paperback edition with a new cover, in June 2010.

And yes, before that, Two Moon Princess was rejected. Many times. It's part of the process.

How did the idea for "Two Moon Princess" come to you?

Once upon a time, when I was a child, I saw a broken arch on a beach in northern Spain. In my mind, the arch was magical. It was a portal to another world, I called Xaren Ra. Later, I moved to California and Andrea, a teen princess from Xaren-Ra came with me. Two Moon Princess is the story of what happened to Andrea when she returned to her world with an American boy.

What was the most challenging aspect of writing "Two Moon Princess" ?

The story came first. It is always like that for me. I write because I have a story I want to tell. This one was a personal story, the story of a girl from a patriarchal, authoritarian society that discovers freedom in California.

Because it was a personal story, I chose to write it using first person point of view (POV). It is my favorite POV because it is more immediate. It brings the reader into the character's mind. But this being my first novel, I didn't realize the obvious problem I would have using Andrea's POV: How was I to convey to the reader the events that happen when Andrea is not there?

This was a big issue, especially, in the second part of the book when Andrea is a virtual prisoner in her father's castle while the king and her love interest go to battle.

I had to learn a trick or two to be able to cover that part.


What's something surprising about yourself that most people wouldn't think true?

I am from Spain. English is my third language. My second language was French. I didn't study English until I was in my late teens and didn't become fluent until I moved to California in my mid twenties.

But, I must confess, it wouldn't be a surprise if you talk to me in person, for I do have a Spanish accent.


What's next for you?

Tanglewood Press has agreed to publish the sequel to Two Moon Princess. Its working title is The King in the Stone (an homage to The Sword in the Stone, my favorite Disney movie when I was growing up). They will probably change the title, though.

The King in the Stone follows Andrea's adventures in northern Spain both in the present and in the year 718 A.D. 718 A.D. is a crucial year in Spanish history. It marks the first victory of the Spaniards over the Arabs that had invaded the peninsula seven years before. Andrea's journey is rather personal though. It is a story of love, loss and revenge. Not necessarily in that order.

You can read an excerpt at http://onpublishing.wordpress.com/authors-writings/carmens/the-king-in-the-stone-upcoming-2010/

I've also finished another Young Adult novel, tentatively titled Requiem for a King. Requiem for a King is a story of forbidden love and blind revenge in XII century Spain.

While querying Requiem for a King, I'm also working on a paranormal story in which my two favorite Spanish authors (Becquer and Lorca) are, literary, immortal. You can read the first chapter at: http://carmenferreiroesteban.wordpress.com/2010/10/30/garlic-for-breakfast/

Here's a bit more about Carmen, via her website:

I was born in Galicia (Northern Spain), a land of rolling hills and green valleys surrounded by ocean thought in medieval times to be ‘Finisterre,’ the place where the world came to an end.

While still in college, I moved to the arid highlands of Castilla—the land of the castles—in Central Spain and it was there, in the capital city of Madrid, where I finished my Ph.D. in Biology. For the next ten years, I worked as a researcher both in Madrid and at the University of Davis in Northern California.

My writing career started when I came to live in Pennsylvania in the 1990s. Following my first sale, a magazine article on latex allergy, I published four books for Chelsea House (Facts on File): Heroin, Ritalin, Mad Cow Disease, and Lung Cancer. I have also written three short scripts for young children for a Pharmaceutical Company.

As a fiction writer, I have published three short stories on the literary magazine Errata. One of them, a variation on O. Henry's short story ‘The Marry Month of May,’ won second prize in the 2004 Bucks County Writers Workshop Summer Contest.

Two Moon Princess is my first book.

As I await the publication of The King in the Stone, a sequel to Two Moon Princess, I'm hard at work on my new book, a mystery/love story set, again, in a medieval world.

To win a copy of this great fantasy story, leave a comment below with your email address. Ends Friday, April 29th. US Only.

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Interview with Michael Griffo

As a part of the tour for Teen Book Scene, I was able to ask Michael Griffo, author of Unnatural, questions which are answered with lines from the book.


Is there anything you would like to say to your readers: “You’re forever beautiful and you’re forever mine”

What’s it like hearing that readers are eagerly awaiting your book’s release: “Could they tell that Michael was happier and more excited than he had ever been in his entire life?"


How does it feel when you’ve written something you think is really good: “What wonderful freedom this was, to express himself, express the passion that burned deep within him and not keep it locked away, ignored, admonished.”


What do you like to do when you’re not writing? “Spend hours chatting about the Brontë siblings, Oscar Wilde, and a ton of more unliterary topics.”


What does it feel like to connect to your audience? “This is the feeling you’ve been craving, the feeling that was always out of your grasp, of being connected, being accepted, feeling utterly natural.”




Check out more about Michael and his books on his website.

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Interview with Ann Aguirre

Today, I'm honored to have the great Ann Aguirre, author of Enclave, with me to answer a few questions.

A little bit about Ann before we begin:

Ann Aguirre is a national bestselling author with a degree in English Literature; before she began writing full time, she was a clown, a clerk, a voice actress, and a savior of stray kittens, not necessarily in that order. She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now she lives in sunny Mexico with her husband, children, two cats, and one very lazy dog. She likes all kinds of books, emo music, action movies and Dr. Who. She writes urban fantasy (the Corine Solomon series), romantic science fiction (the Jax series), apocalyptic paranormal romance (the Ellen Connor books with Carrie Lofty), paranormal romantic suspense (as Ava Gray), and post-apocalyptic dystopian young adult fiction.

Find Ann Aguirre:

At her website
On Twitter
On Facebook
On Goodreads



What's the best thing about being an author?

Setting my own hours, working when I want to, and seeing my characters become real in readers' hearts and minds.


What does your family think of your writing?

My son, age 11: I am very proud of you.
My husband: I'm glad you're doing something you love.
My daughter, age 13: I think it's good.


How did the idea for "Enclave" come to you?

Recently, in an interview, I was asked why I chose a post-apocalyptic world for my YA debut. The answer is actually two-fold. First, I wasn't sure I had the voice to write a beautiful contemporary in the vein of Jennifer Echols, but I wanted, quite desperately, to write a YA. So I decided if I couldn't do a compelling young protagonist in this world, I'd invent one.

I'm a child of the eighties, and we saw filmstrips about what would happen if the bomb dropped. Sometimes we had nuclear drills in addition to fire and tornado. When I think about twenty small children huddled under their desks in case the Russians let one fly, well, it's rather absurd, isn't it? But that sort of fear shaped my psyche, so that's definitely a contributing factor.

What's it like hearing that readers are eagerly awaiting your book's release date?

Thrilling.


What's next for you?

I have many releases in 2011. For that list, click here: http://www.annaguirre.com/extras/2011-releases/

As for what I'm writing, I am working on DEVIL'S PUNCH, at the moment, which is the fourth in my urban fantasy series.


Awesome! I can't wait to read some of your other books while I'm waiting for the second Razorland novel to come out.

Check out my review of Enclave.

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Interview with Jackie Morse Kessler + Giveaway info

Today, I have the great pleasure of hosting an interview with Jackie Morse Kessler, author of Hunger and Rage. Stay tuned for giveaway details below.


How did the idea for the Horsemen of the Apocalypse series come to you?

I wanted to write HUNGER for 10 years, but I didn't let myself, because I wasn't convinced that anyone would want to read it. In October 2008, I pitched the idea -- an anorexic teenage girl becomes the new Famine, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse; hard-hitting look at eating disorders -- to my agent, and she enthusiastically told me that I should write it. So I did, and when I handed it in and Harcourt bought it, my agent said to me, "Which Horseman are you going to write about next?" And I was like, "NEXT???" Happily, I came up with the idea for RAGE in less than 10 years. :)

I'm not the first person to write about an anorexic girl becoming Famine. Marvel Comics did it back in the 1980s, which I mention in my Author's Note at the end of the book. They took a very different spin on it than I did; I wanted my book to be about eating disorders and the Marvel character was all about kicking superhero ass (she was a villain in the comics). Other influences include Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett's amazing book GOOD OMENS, as well as Piers Anthony's Incarnations of Immortality series, especially the first book, ON A PALE HORSE.


I know that you've written a few adult books, did you set out writing Horsemen of the Apocalypse for teens on purpose?

Actually, no. HUNGER could have had an adult protagonist. I think I tried it that way first, when I was first figuring out who the main character was. But it wasn't until I decided to loosely base Lisa on someone from my life that I realized that she was supposed to be a teenager.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

Pieces of the Riders' history came to me at interesting times. I mention something in RAGE that had almost been a throwaway line, but that wound up being an important plot point in LOSS (Book 3 of the Riders of the Apocalypse). And as I was working on that book, I finally discovered exactly why War and Famine despise each other -- and that will be shown in the last book, not in LOSS.


What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I don't know if it's interesting, but I have to have a first sentence. If I don't have a first sentence, I can't get started. It's very frustrating -- I could know everything about the book, except for exactly how it starts, and that will tie me up for a small piece of eternity.


What's next for you? Are you currently working on or have plans for future projects?

As soon as I'm finished writing LOSS (due to my editor by May 15, eek!!!), I have a middle-grade novel I'm itching to write for my boys. And I also have an idea for a YA paranormal romance duology. And, of course, there's BREATH, which is the fourth book in the Riders series. **rubs hands gleefully**



Oooo, can't wait to read more from you Jackie! Thanks for answering my questions.


And now for the Riders of the Apocalypse giveaway!


Three lucky winners will receive one copy each of HUNGER and RAGE along with postcards and a mini-poster! To enter, send an e-mail to RageGiveaway@gmail.com. In the body of the e-mail, include your name and e-mail address (if you're under 13, submit a parent's name and e-mail address). One entry per person and prizes will only be shipped to US or Canadian addresses. Entries must be received by midnight (PDT) on 4/30/11. Winners will be selected in a random drawing on 5/1/11 and notified via email.

Jackie's next stop is GreenBeanTeenQueen at http://www.greenbeanteenqueen.com/.

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Interview with Rebecca Ryals Russell + Giveaway

Today, I have with me, Rebecca Ryals Russell, author of Odessa the first book in the Seraphym Wars. I was able to find out a bit more of which books Rebecca loved to read when she was younger.

What books would your past self recommend at ages 7, 12, 16 and 20? What makes these books so special to you?

This is really difficult. You have no idea how long ago ages 7-20 are for me. I barely remember being 20, much less 7. Okay, here goes:

Age 7-There weren’t a lot of children’s books that I can remember at that age. I think I read the Little Golden books. They had a hard cardboard cover with a golden spine. They covered all sorts of topics.

Age 12-I won a Library contest at school that year, for my diorama depicting the Cabin Faced West out of toothpicks. The book I won was Freckles. The Librarian wrote a message in the front of it and I still have the book.

Age 16-I had just finished reading the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. I bought and put together a
puzzle of Middle Earth which my Daddy mounted on wood and we hung over my bedroom door. It was there the day I moved out to get married. Wish I had it now. I’m sure I read other stuff but I remember doing more writing then reading at that age.

Age 20-College Books! I was in my third year of college for Elementary Ed and just married on Valentine’s Day. I didn’t do a lot of reading. Although this was about the time I discovered David Eddings’ and Terry Brooks’ books, which I devoured. They were the inspiration for my own series, the first book of which we are celebrating: Odessa of The Seraphym Wars Series.

I guess I did it after all. And it wasn’t as painful as I thought. I enjoyed reaching down through 43 years of memories to see my seven-year old self sitting in the grass reading Little Golden books. Thanks for the memories.


Thank you Rebecca for answering my question so thoroughly!

Now for the giveaway. There will be two winners. One will receive a copy of the book, the other will receive one of these prize packs:

Prize Pack 1:

choice of 1 Wall Calendar (Majikals or Monsters)

Odessa pen

Odessa Sticky Pad

Odessa Notepad

Odessa Author-signed Cover Art Postcard

Odessa Cover Art Bookmark

Prize Pack 2:

Seraphym Wars Character Wall Calendar

Odessa Mug

Odessa Pen

Odessa Key Ring

Odessa Author-signed Cover Art Postcard

Odessa Cover Art Bookmark

Enter the form below. Open Internationally. Ends April 15th.

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Interview with Carole Estby Dagg

Today, I have the wonderful Carole Estby Dagg, author of The Year We Were Famous, which I just reviewed in the previous post.

Why did you decide to write about Clara Estby’s walk with her mother across the country?

Back in 1896, when Great-aunt Clara Estby and her mother decided to walk from their farm near Spokane, Washington, clear to New York City, their neighbors were scandalized. Respectable women did leave their families behind for a year, even if they were walking to win money to save the farm. Their homecoming was so disastrous their trip journals were destroyed and they agreed never to write or talk about the trip again.

The family legend persisted, though, and by one hundred years later times had changed and descendants were proud of Clara and Helga’s courage and their part in promoting women’s suffrage. I decided to recreate the record of their walk in their honor.

What type of research was involved in writing your novel?

Every kind you can imagine! I started by writing librarians along the route of Clara and Helga’s walk to collect newspaper accounts of their progress across the country. I read biographies of the people they met and books about early days of railroading, bears and rattlesnakes, frontier treatment of blisters, and the places they went through. I leapfrogged through related articles on the Internet, bought period postcards of the places they passed through, combed antique stores for items similar to those they carried with them, and drove part of the route with my daughter.

Since I wanted to write in the voice of a late Victorian young woman, I gave up reading all contemporary novels for a year and read only books Clara might have read for school or for pleasure. I downloaded dime novels from the Internet (that florid style influenced Clara’s writing style when she described shooting a brigand and demonstrating their curling irons to Native Americans they encountered), paged through Ladies’ Home Journals of the 1890’s to see what women were thinking about then, and scrolled through microfilmed newspapers to take notes from news stories about the 1896 election and to read the ads to see what clothing and products were popular then.

What was your favorite aspect of writing The Year We Were Famous?

Through the research for this novel, I decided history wasn’t boring after all. History is fascinating when you focus on social history—how the ordinary person lived—instead of political history, which is what’s usually taught in school. It’s doubly interesting if you can imagine your own ancestors during different eras: how they dressed, ate, earned a living, and how major events affected them. I can see why genealogy has become one of the most popular hobbies!

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

When I was eight, I wanted to be a trapeze artist and gave my mother palpitations when I wrapped my ankles around the chains on the backyard swing set to hang upside down. I thought about writing, but didn’t think I could write worth beans so I became a librarian instead so I could at least hang out with books other people had written.

What are some of your hobbies?

Reading, of course – I read about 100-125 books a year. I also enjoy weaving (I have a loom the size of a spinet piano), sewing, and playing cars with my grandsons.

What’s next for you?

I am midway through a draft of a sequel to The Year We Were Famous and have started another book which will take place in Alaska, where my son’s family lives.


I can't wait to read it Carole! You certainly are a masterful storyteller. Thank you for stopping by today and giving me the chance to read your fantastic novel. Congrats on your debut novel.

If you'd like to read my ARC of The Year We Were Famous, please leave a comment below for Carole and include your email address. Open to US/Canada. Ends April 15th.

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