Interview + Giveaway with Dandi Daley Mackall

I was so lucky to get the chance to interview author, Dandi Daley Mackall!

A little bit about the author: I think I’ve always wanted to be a writer, even before I could hold a pencil. My parents were great storytellers, so bringing characters to life seemed as natural as riding horses bareback, which I also grew up doing. I won my first writing contest as a 10-year-old tomboy. My 50 words on “Why I Want to Be Batboy for the Kansas City A’s” won first place, but the team wouldn’t let a girl be batboy. It was my first taste of rejection. Since then, I’ve had over 400 of my titles published for children and about 25 for grown-ups, with millions of copies in over a dozen countries.

The Silence of Murder by Dandi Daley Mackall
Published October 11, 2011

Seventeen-year-old Hope Long's life revolves around her brother Jeremy. So when Jeremy is accused of killing the town's beloved baseball coach, Hope's world begins to unravel. Everyone is convinced Jeremy did it, and since he hasn't spoken a word in 9 years, he's unable to defend himself. Their lawyer instructs Hope to convince the jury that Jeremy is insane, but all her life Hope has known that Jeremy's just different than other people—better, even. As she works to prove his innocence—joined by her best friend T.J. and the sheriff's son, Chase—Hope uncovers secrets about the murder, the townspeople, her family, and herself. She knows her brother isn't the murderer. But as she comes closer to the truth, she's terrified to find out who is.

Which of your books are your personal favorites and why?

THE SILENCE OF MURDER will always be one of my favorites because I love mysteries and finally get to have one of my own—a real mystery whodunit. But it’s more than that. My dad and I had the rocky times most kids have with their parents, but we could always connect over mysteries. We watched them on TV, read books each other recommended, and made up plots together. Dad died a few years ago, but I know he would have loved this mystery.

MY BOYFRIENDS’ DOGS is another favorite, proving that if guys were more like dogs, we’d all be happier. Dogs are loyal, loving, always glad to see you. I loved being able to bring a heroine through three boyfriends and watch her learn from each love—way too much of me in that book...

LARGER-THAN-LIFE LARA was my magical book, the one that “wrote itself.” I remember waking up every day, eager to see what would happen next. I was one-third of the way through the story before I realized that the book, besides being a story, was teaching the reader how to write a story. Chapter titles then became parts of the writing process: Character, Point of View, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action. And now a number of schools use that book to teach writing.

LISTEN TO THE SILENT NIGHT is a picture book coming out this month. I love the sound of the words in this one and the amazing illustrations by Fancher and Johnson.

All of my horse books and series, especially WINNIE THE HORSE GENTLER, who has put food on my family’s table for several years. Readers have made it a best-seller in several languages, and I get the best fan mail from horse-loving readers.

Do you have any Halloween traditions?

My husband still makes our kids spend the night before Halloween carving pumpkins. We are all (including hubby Joe) horrible at this, and our pumpkins suffer mightily. But we play loud music (I dance) and we eat pizza. On Halloween we pass out enough candy to keep Hersheys in business.

If you had to spend the night in a haunted house, who and what would you bring with you?

Well, I would definitely spend the night with my hubby because he’s my hero. We’d bring loud music so we wouldn’t hear anything spooky (and so I could dance). Hmmm…sounds like a new Halloween tradition. Thanks!

What's your favorite horror movie and why?

I love scary movies like Psycho (original version only). But I’ll be honest with you—I don’t like horror because it never feels like the writer played fair. You know what I mean—the solution turns out to be something supernatural, like someone who died centuries ago, or a monster that comes from the grave, etc. Feels like cheating! IN a mystery, you have to make things believable—and still fool your reader. If a mystery writer could invent an easy answer, like “None of these characters did it after all. It was a ghost from someone who died in the 18th century,” what fun would that be?

You write books for all ages, but do you have a favorite age group to write for?

The answer is...whichever age I’m writing for today! That’s the truth. When I write for young adults, I’m thinking that this is the age group for me. Why would I write for any other? Then I’ll get an idea perfect for middle grade, and off I go…until I get that super idea for young kids and picture book that will be such fun to write! I guess I get to be the ADD of writers.

What can fans be expecting from you next?

Thanks for asking this! I have middle-grade novel coming out next month from Bloomsbury: DREAMS OF A DANCING HORSE; and a picture book from Marshall Cavendish: THERE’S A BABY IN THERE! (very funny—a little boy who points to his pregnant mom’s belly and tells the reader: “There’s a baby in there. At least, that’s what they’re trying to tell me. I don’t believe it. I was in there once, about five years ago, and I didn’t see anybody. I think I would have seen somebody if there’d been a baby in there.”) I have a new horse series: BACKYARD HORSES. Plus, I’m working on a WWII novel for grown-ups, another mystery for YA (IF I SHOULD DIE...), a funny YA: B.Y.O.B.—BUILD YOUR OWN BOYFRIEND; a funny middle-grade: TATTOOS WHILE YOU WAIT. And more...

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Dandi is generously letting one lucky blog reader win a copy of The Silence of Murder! Just fill out the form linked below if you'd like to be entered.

Rules:
Must be a new or old blog follower.
Ends on November 8. Open to USA only.
Two extra entries to those of you that spread
the word about this interview & contest!

Click here to fill out the entry form!

CONTEST CLOSED

For 3 extra entries, leave a comment answering this question:
What are you doing/what did you do for Halloween?

FIND DANDI ONLINE: Website | Goodreads | Book's Website

Interview with Sarah Beth Durst

I was lucky enough to interview YA author, Sarah Beth Durst, about her newest novel and Halloween!

A little bit about the author: Sarah Beth Durst has been writing fantasy stories since she was ten years old and holds an English degree from Princeton University, where she spent four years studying English, writing about dragons, and wondering what the campus gargoyles would say if they could talk. Sarah lives in Stony Brook, New York, with her husband and children.

Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst
Published September 13, 2011

Pearl is a sixteen-year-old vampire... fond of blood, allergic to sunlight, and mostly evil... until the night a sparkly unicorn stabs her through the heart with his horn. Oops. Her family thinks she was attacked by a vampire hunter (because, obviously, unicorns don't exist), and they're shocked she survived. They're even more shocked when Pearl discovers she can now withstand the sun. But they quickly find a way to make use of her new talent. The Vampire King of New England has chosen Pearl's family to host his feast. If Pearl enrolls in high school, she can make lots of human friends and lure them to the King's feast -- as the entrees. The only problem? Pearl's starting to feel the twinges of a conscience. How can she serve up her new friends—especially the cute guy who makes her fangs ache—to be slaughtered? Then again, she's definitely dead if she lets down her family. What's a sunlight-loving vamp to do?

What part of Drink, Slay, Love did you enjoy writing the most?

I loved writing Pearl. She's a 16-year-old vampire without a heart of gold. Or any heart at all. She was immensely fun to write. Basically, for any scene, I'd simply think, "What would I NEVER do or say in this situation?" And that's what she'd do and say.

Three words or phrases to describe Pearl?

Funny, fearless, and (mostly) evil.

What is the most memorable Halloween you've ever had?

I will never forget the year that I had the not-so-brilliant idea to dress up as a robot. I found an enormous box and decorated it with buttons and so forth. It looked great, but when I tried to follow the big kids through the woods between houses... I got stuck between two trees.

Why do you prefer writing young adult books?

I write what I read. I firmly believe that the sage old writing advice "write what you know" should really be "write what you love." You should write the kind of book that you would delight you. And personally, I love YA books. Especially fantasy. I am a sucker for any girl-with-sword, girl-with-dragon, girl-with-wolf, girl-with-talking-cat kind of book.

What's the funniest costume you've ever seen or worn during Halloween?

Last Halloween, I saw a woman dressed as a spiderweb. She had her baby strapped to her stomach in a spider costume. Adorable.

Most haunting nightmare you have ever had?

This is somewhat embarrassingly odd, but I used to have a recurring nightmare that a robotic Gonzo would come from outer space and shoot M&M-size beetles out of his nose that would burrow into people's foreheads. I couldn't watch the Muppets for years.

If you had to spend the night in a haunted house, who and what would you bring with you?

I'd bring the Ghostbusters and their ghostbusting supplies. If they were unavailable, I'd bring my husband (to comfort me) and my laptop (to write down everything that happened).

Are you superstitious?

I'd like to say no, but I do knock on wood when the occasion warrants it... I have no issue with black cats, though. And not walking under a ladder is just common sense. I've seen enough cartoons to know that's how you get a bucket of paint on your head.

What can fans be expecting from you next?

I am currently working on revisions for Vessel, a standalone YA fantasy that will be out from Simon & Schuster in fall 2012. I'm really, really excited about it!

Thank you for answering my questions, Sarah!

Thanks so much for interviewing me!

FIND SARAH ONLINE: Website | Goodreads | Blog

Interview + Giveaway with Dan Poblocki

I interviewed Dan Poblocki, who writes creepy YA novels perfect for reading during the Halloween season!

A little bit about the author: On any given day, you might find me strolling through the Brooklyn Museum or Botanic Garden, reading books at the library, window-shopping in Park Slope, people-watching in Prospect Park, snapping photos of strange stuff I find on the street, gossiping with friends, sneaking off to matinee movies, swooning over puppy dogs, day-dreaming way too much... oh yeah, and writing.

The Nightmarys by Dan Poblocki
Published August 24, 2010

Timothy July has been having nightmares. About his brother, who is in a coma after being wounded in Iraq; about his best friend, Stuart, who is behaving like a jerk; about the old biology specimens in jars lining the walls of his classroom; and about Abigail, the new girl who seems to be a magnet for trouble. Or perhaps she is the cause. Suddenly Timothy’s nightmares are coming true. His brother, his face decaying, approaches Timothy on the street. Stuart ends up in the hospital, terrified that monsters are stalking him. And the specimen jars are tormenting not only Timothy but his teacher as well. What is the secret in Abigail’s past that is the key to these horrors? And can Timothy figure it out before his nightmares become a deadly reality?

What was your inspiration for The Nightmarys?

I had a dream in which I was in a garden surrounded by a group of girls wearing white Victorian dresses. For some reason, I couldn't see their faces. Of course, they gave me a very creepy feeling, and when I woke up, I knew they were called the Nightmarys. That was the image that I started with. In my first book, The Stone Child, the main character is a boy named Eddie. One of his favorite books is called The Revenge of the Nightmarys. I imagined that the Nightmarys from my dream were a group of ghostly girls who have the power to make all your worst nightmares come true. I decided to play with that idea and that theme for my second book, which eventually became The Nightmarys.

What's the most memorable Halloween you've ever had?

Unfortunately, the Halloween I remember the most was the one time I wasn't able to out trick-or-treating. I was about 10 years old and came down with a HORRID case of poison ivy. It was such a bad allergic reaction that my eyes nearly crusted over and swelled shut. I had it in my nose and my mouth and all over my body. I was so uncomfortable that I could barely move. I thought it was strange how when all of my friends were dressing up in costumes, I'd pretty much turned into a monster all by myself. But my friends and family were kind. While I sat at home, watching scary movies on cable, they all went out trick-or-treating for me and brought back a huge bag of candy. It didn't quite make up for missing the holiday, but I'm pretty sure that was the night I learned to love horror films.

Who are your favorite villains from literature and movies?

I adore the Grand High Witch from Roald Dahl's The Witches. She's so scary and silly and purely evil. In a similar way, I also think the Other Mother from Neil Gaiman's Coraline is super creepy. And who can forget Tim Curry playing Pennywise the Dancing Clown in the tv miniseries of Stephen King's IT? I think that one gave me nightmares for years. More recently, I think the ghost of the haunted suit in Joe Hill's book Heart Shaped Box is a pretty unique and terrifying villain. I love a good ghost story. Finally, the best baddie ever, the one that can still make me scream out loud, I believe, is the shark from JAWS. That beast is just an unrelenting eating machine, and I can't imagine anything scarier.

What is the strangest or funniest Halloween costume that you've ever seen or worn?

Living in New York City, I've seen some pretty tasteless Halloween costumes over the years (Superman in a wheelchair...? Wince!), but the strangest one would have to be the fuzzy red, full-body suit my friend Nico wore to the Greenwich Village parade a few years ago. I believe it had a feathered pink mohawk. And all we could think to call him was "The Disco Chicken."

What can fans be expecting from you next?

My next book is coming out in fall of 2012 and another is coming in 2013. The first one's a ghost story about an abandoned psychiatric hospital in upstate New York. I've just started the one after that, but it's sure to be spooky too! I'm having fun writing it so far.

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Three lucky blog readers will win copies of The Nightmarys! Just fill out the form linked below if you'd like to be entered.

Rules:
Must be a new or old blog follower.
Ends on November 8. Open to USA only.
Two extra entries to those of you that spread
the word about this interview/contest!

Click here to fill out the entry form!

CONTEST CLOSED

For 3 extra entries, leave a comment answering this question:
What was the scariest nightmare that you've ever had?

FIND DAN ONLINE: Website | Goodreads | Blog

Interview + Giveaway with Marianna Baer

I got the chance to interview debut author, Marianna Baer!

A little bit about the author: Marianna Baer received an MFA in writing for children and young adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and a BA in art from Oberlin College. She also attended boarding school, where she lived in a tiny dorm called Frost House, the inspiration for her first novel, Frost. She currently lives in Brooklyn, NY.

Frost by Marianna Baer
Published September 13, 2011

Leena Thomas’s senior year at boarding school begins with a shock: Frost House, her cozy dorm of close friends, has been assigned an unexpected roommate: confrontational, eccentric Celeste Lazar. But while Leena’s anxiety about a threat to her sanctuary proves valid, it becomes less and less clear whether the threat lies with her new roommate, within Leena’s own mind, or within the very nature of Frost House itself. Mysterious happenings in the dorm, an intense triangle between Leena, Celeste, and Celeste’s brother, and the reawakening of childhood fears, all push Leena to take increasingly desperate measures to feel safe. Frost is the story of a haunting. As to whether the demons are supernatural or psychological...well, which answer would let you sleep at night?

What's the inspiration behind Frost?

My senior year at boarding school, I lived in a tiny dorm called Frost House with a few of my closest friends. It was SO much fun, but also an intense social situation -- no going home at night to escape any drama. When I started writing YA, I knew that it would be a great setting for a novel. The ghost story/psychological suspense aspect of FROST came from my love of that genre, and from the fact that the real Frost House, a dilapidated old Victorian, always seemed like it held secrets in its walls...

Describe Leena's character?

Haunted.

What is the scariest thing that ever happened to you?

On Halloween several years ago, I was watching a horribly scary movie -- Dementia 13 -- with my boyfriend and his friend. They went into the kitchen, leaving me alone in the front room. The movie was still playing, and I began getting progressively more freaked out, even though I could hear the guys talking in the kitchen. All of a sudden, a loud CRASH came from right next to me. I turned and there was a huge man outside, slammed up against our window. He was staring at me, his hands and face pressed against the glass. He looked absolutely insane. I didn't even think, just let out a true bloodcurdling scream and RAN back into the kitchen (with my hands in the air, according to a witness). I was sure that we were about to be attacked by an enormous lunatic.

When I got to the kitchen, my boyfriend was there alone. It turned out that his friend had snuck outside -- wearing a massive coat -- and was the one who had scared me. The whole time, my boyfriend had been in the kitchen talking to himself, to make me think they were back there together! They still laugh about it now, years later, remembering the sight of me tearing through the house with my hands in the air. I don't remember it quite so fondly! I experienced real terror for those few moments.

Who are your favorite villains from literature and movies?

Hannibal Lecter from Silence of the Lambs (and other Thomas Harris books) is a classic. He changed the way I think of Chianti forever.

What is the strangest, funniest, or most unique Halloween costume that you've ever seen or worn?

Okay, this is R-rated, so fragile souls should avert their eyes. A woman I knew through a friend came to a Halloween party dressed as a pirate. She was carrying a beautiful wooden box in front of her chest. I asked if there was anything inside. She lifted the lid and the inside of the box lit up with a few twinkling lights. First, I just saw some large, fake jewels; but after a quick moment I saw the real booty -- her bare breasts (with jeweled pasties)! The box was built without a back, and she was holding it right against herself. It was her "Treasure Chest." Very memorable! (Don't try this at home, kids. She's a fabulous artist and it only worked because the box was so well made. It was really remarkable -- all lit up with Christmas lights -- even aside from the boobs!)

Do you have a favorite Halloween or autumn recipe?

I do! 1. Go to store. 2. Buy bag of mini-Snickers bars. 3. Open bag, remove a Snickers. 4. Tear open wrapper. 5. Eat!

Can you share an excerpt from Frost, or if not what was your favorite scene to write?

Page 152 (slightly edited to make sense):
"Leena?" Celeste's voice called out from the bathroom. "Can you... can you come in here?"
Figuring she had forgotten something -- she had a hard time getting out of the tub with her cast, and was always needing me to bring her a razor or towel or something else -- I tossed my laundry bag in our bedroom and went in. Celeste sat in the bath, a thin layer of bubbles covering the surface of the water. Her cast was propped up on her special stool, in its plastic bag. Her other leg was bent, her arms wrapped around it. There was something not quite right about her face. Her jaw muscles were tense, her skin paler than usual. She looked like she might be trembling.
"Are you okay?" I said.
She shifted positions slightly to show me: a bright red mark seared the back of her left upper arm. I knelt quickly by the tub. It was a burn. The size of a baby's fist. Not blistered, but still obviously painful.
"What happened?" I asked.
"I...I was sitting here while the water was running," she said. "And I guess I bumped against the faucet. I don't remember. It happened so quickly and then it hurt so much."
"That's from the faucet?" I said. "The water must have been so hot."
She shook her head. "I was trying to cool the bath down. Only the cold water was turned on."
"You must have turned the wrong handle."
"I didn't." Then she said it again, louder. "I didn't. I know which handle I turned. This wasn't my fault."
The faucet couldn't have burned her if it was running cold water, obviously, but there was no point in me fighting with her. What mattered was her burn.
"Let's drain the bath," I sad. "And then you need to hold your arm under a stream of cool water. I'll cover the faucet with a facecloth." As I did, I found that the metal wasn't hot at all. The bathwater wasn't especially hot either. How long had she been sitting here? I didn't ask, just handed her towels to wrap over her legs and her shoulders, so she'd warm up. Her whole body was shaking.
What had gone on here while I was with David?

What can fans be expecting from you next?

I'm writing a second standalone YA titled IMMACULATE. It's about a 15-year-old girl in Brooklyn who is pregnant, but says she has never had sex. It's a complicated story to write, but I'm incredibly excited about it.

Thank you for the interview!

Thanks so much for having me on your blog, Ashley!

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Marianna is generously letting one lucky blog reader win a signed copy of Frost! Just fill out the form linked below if you'd like to be entered.

Rules:
Must be a new or old blog follower.
Ends on November 8. Open to USA only.
Two extra entries to those of you that spread
the word about this interview & contest!

Click here to fill out the entry form!

CONTEST CLOSED

For 3 extra entries, leave a comment answering this question:
Would you be able to spend the night in a haunted house?

FIND MARIANNA ONLINE: Website | Goodreads

Interview + Giveaway with Anya Parrish

I interviewed a fairly new YA author, Anya Parrish, about her writing and her views of Halloween.

A little bit about the author: I'm Anya Parrish. I write books about killer imaginary friends and falling in love. I have a very short attention span and I write for similar people who must have something HAPPENING on every page. I hope readers enjoy my 2011 debut, DAMAGE. I'm also a mother of two and a wife to an amazing man in addition to a cook, a knitter, a wine drinker, a dancer, a game player, a song singer, and a mess. My house, however, is usually clean.

Damage by Anya Parrish
Published September 8, 2011

When Dani was eight, she fell from a building. No one believed her claim that she was pushed by Rachel... her imaginary friend. It took years of therapy to convince Dani that Rachel wasn't real. Now fifteen, Dani wants to make it as a dancer. But a deadly freak accident sends Dani a terrifying message: Rachel is back, she's real, and she'll stop at nothing to kill Dani. Complicating matters is Jesse, the school bad boy who's being stalked by his own invisible childhood nemesis. Dani and Jesse join forces to learn why their astral tormenters are back. Their investigation leads to a horrifying discovery—and the terrible experiment that binds them to each other.

Where did the idea of a 'killer imaginary friend' come from?

I was horror story brainstorming--as I am wont to do--imagining what would have been the scariest thing that could have happened to me as a child. The answer was: If something/someone were trying to hurt me, but my parents didn't believe me/couldn't see what I saw. I couldn't think of anything more terrifying than having the people I love and trust the most thinking I'm crazy, while an evil force hunted me in the night. The concept of killer imaginary friends grew from that brainstorming session.

If Damage was to be made into a movie, who would you choose to play the roles of your characters?

Total unknowns. I would love to see some new talent get a chance on the big screen. I'm all about new talent ;).

Do you have a favorite Halloween/autumn recipe?

I make pumpkin soup. It's a tradition that started in college and I still make it every year right after the release of the Beaujolais nouveau. (You use a cup of wine in the soup.)

What is the scariest thing to ever happen to you?

About a year ago, my family moved cross country. We signed a one year lease on a rental home while we got to know the real estate market in our new county. During this one year stay, I heard high-pitched, ghostly voices--children's voices--singing at 2 a.m. no less than fifteen times. Once, I made the mistake of going downstairs to investigate the voices, to make sure one of my little boys hadn't crawled out of bed, and saw a fuzzy white cloud floating in the corner of the living room. It was about three feet tall. The singing seemed to be coming from the cloud. I ran back upstairs and never came down those stairs at night again. (I pinkie swear this is the truth. I never believed in ghosts before this, but I sure as heck do now.)

Do you have any Halloween traditions?

Every year my kids and I bake creepy cupcakes with "grave dirt" icing and doll parts stuck inside. It's disturbing, but they love it. They fight to see who gets to lick the icing off the disembodied arms...

What’s the scariest ghost story you’ve ever heard?

Paranormal Activity was pretty darned scary. I couldn't watch it until we moved out of our own "ghost house," however.

Who are your favorite villains from literature and/or movies?

Pennywise the clown from Stephen King's "It". How brilliant is Mr. King? I mean, really, what is there in the world that's scarier than an evil clown? (Other than maybe a zombie baby. Those are pretty creepy.)

If you had to describe yourself as a candy bar, what would it be and why?

I can't go to this place imaginatively. If I imagine myself as a candy bar, that introduces the possibility that I might chew my own arm off in the night.

Can you share with us an excerpt from Damage?

There's an excerpt on the home page of my website (and a longer one on my blog). Click here to get started: http://anyaparrish.com/

Do you plan on writing another book?

I would LOVE to write another book set in this world. As of now, however, we're waiting to see if sales of DAMAGE are strong. If so, I have a lot of ideas for book two. There are several secret-reveals that were cut from the original draft of DAMAGE. I'd love to be able to let my readers in on some of those secrets!

Well good luck with the release of your debut book and thank you for answering my questions!

Thanks so much for the interview, Ashley!

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Anya is generously letting one lucky blog reader win a copy of Damage! Just fill out the form linked below if you'd like to be entered.

Rules:
Must be a new or old blog follower.
Ends on November 8. Open to USA and Canada only.
Two extra entries to those of you that spread
the word about this interview & contest!

Click here to fill out the entry form!

CONTEST CLOSED

For 3 extra entries, leave a comment answering this question:
How would you convince others that you had a killer imaginary friend?

FIND ANYA ONLINE: Website | Blog

Interview + Giveaway with Jeyn Roberts

I got the chance to interview debut author, Jeyn Roberts!

A little bit about the author: Jeyn is a former singer, songwriter, actress, bicycle courier and tree planter. An avid traveler, she’s been around the world, most recently, teaching high school in South Korea. A lover of animals, Jeyn volunteers regularly with helping abandoned and abused animals, especially cats.

Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts
Published November 1, 2011

Since mankind began, civilizations have always fallen: the Romans, the Greeks, the Aztecs…Now it’s our turn. Huge earthquakes rock the world. Cities are destroyed. But something even more awful is happening. An ancient evil has been unleashed, turning everyday people into hunters, killers, crazies. Mason's mother is dying after a terrible car accident. As he endures a last vigil at her hospital bed, his school is bombed and razed to the ground, and everyone he knows is killed. Aries survives an earthquake aftershock on a bus, and thinks the worst is over when a mysterious stranger pulls her out of the wreckage, but she’s about to discover a world changed forever. Clementine, the only survivor of an emergency town hall meeting that descends into murderous chaos, is on the run from savage strangers who used to be her friends and neighbors. And Michael witnesses a brutal road rage incident that is made much worse by the arrival of the police--who gun down the guilty party and then turn on the bystanding crowd. Where do you go for justice when even the lawmakers have turned bad? These four teens are on the same road in a world gone mad. Struggling to survive, clinging on to love and meaning wherever it can be found, this is a journey into the heart of darkness – but also a journey to find each other and a place of safety.

If Dark Inside was to be made into a movie, who would you choose to play the characters?

That’s a really tough question. I honestly don’t know the answer. I’d almost like to see some new talent out there for the main characters. However, there is a Bagger coming up in book two that Colin Farrell is more than welcome to portray.

What's the most memorable Halloween you've ever had?

A few years ago my old roommate and I decided to get creative and we built an entire cemetery from scratch. It included a full sized wooden coffin and several tombstones. It ended up being so scary; the smaller kids wouldn’t come to our house. In fact, for several days, kids crossed the street so they didn’t have to pass our place. I loved it.

Who is your favorite Disney villain and why?

It would have to be John Silver from Treasure Planet because he’s a grey villain and those are my favourites. I also loved Ursula from The Little Mermaid.

What's the scariest book you've ever read?

That would have to be The Stand by Stephen King. There’s something very terrifying about a super flu that wipes out the entire world’s population.

What's the funniest Halloween costume you've seen or worn?

When I was a little girl I went as the ten of diamonds one year. My Mom was very disappointed because she wanted me to be the Queen of Hearts but for some strange reason I was determined to be the ten of diamonds. No clue why.

Can you share an excerpt from Dark Inside, or if not what was your favorite scene to write?

I think my favourite scene to write in Dark Inside was when Mason first talks to Twiggy. What made the scene so much fun was that I didn’t know the twist until I actually wrote it. Came as a bit of a surprise to me but it worked beautifully. I also love the scene where Clementine is in the woods and bumps into the bodies swaying from the trees.

Do you plan on writing another book?

Yep. I’m currently in final edits for the sequel to Dark Inside and I’m working on another stand alone book.

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Jeyn is generously letting one lucky blog reader win a signed copy of Dark Inside! Just fill out the form linked below if you'd like to be entered.

Rules:
Must be a new or old blog follower.
Ends on November 8. Open to USA only.
Two extra entries to those of you that spread
the word about this interview & contest!

Click here to fill out the entry form!

CONTEST CLOSED

For 3 extra entries, leave a comment answering this question:
What would you do during an apocalypse?

FIND JEYN ONLINE: Facebook | Goodreads

Interview with author Joshua Cohen

I had the privilege of interviewing Joshua C. Cohen, author of Leverage!

You've always been an avid athlete interested in gymnastics and football, so where did your writing interest come from and what made you want to write a book?

When I was growing up, I liked coming up with different endings to stories I read or movies I watched, trying to make them sadder or funnier or crazier. I think, at some point, when I was in college, I really wanted to create a complete story from beginning to end. That was the first time I sat down and put all my ideas and thoughts on paper. It followed that when I saw I could string together a story, I wanted to create a complete novel.

So why gymnastics?

When I was in grade school, I was into karate and I really loved it. I think I started seeing these showy karate tricks in the kung-fu movies where the guy would do a flip and then incorporate a kick and, being a young boy, I thought that was the coolest thing in the world and would be a great way to impress girls. Looking back, I'm guessing the girls could not have cared less. Anyway, I started getting more interested in performing the flips and less interested in the kicks and punches. That's when I found out our junior high school had a gymnastics program. Budget cuts have eliminated that program and many other programs like it which is really a shame. Students should have the chance to discover new sports and hobbies. Without that after school program, I probably never would have been a gymnast.

Do you see any of yourself in your characters?

Excellent question! I've definitely exaggerated the trials and tribulations that both the characters Kurt and Danny face in Leverage. The incidents that surround the two boys are complete fiction. Having said that, as I wrote the story, I tried to put myself in both boys' place and imagine how would I face bullies if I was still in a tiny body or if I stuttered and felt trapped by my voice. So, yes, in that regard, the choices that both boys make--specifically to stay silent when that is probably the worst choice--are a character flaw I'm capable of possessing myself at times--or at least it was when I was 16. I'd like to think that part of becoming a full-fledged adult is that you make better choices when you are confronted with heavy moral choices and obstacles. That's part of the challenge of writing in the voice of a teenager when you no longer are one.

Leverage deals with some pretty serious issues. Was it difficult to write about these heavy topics? What was the hardest part about writing your novel?

The topic was both difficult and compelling. I really felt I had this story that I needed to get out. I'd written many drafts trying to get certain parts just right. I'd think I had them and then re-read what I'd written and know they were still not right. The hardest part about writing the novel was pacing. My editor worked with me to cut out lots of extra stuff. There was a secondary love story between Danny and Indira but it was adding to the already hefty page count and was taking away from the central conflict so that was cut out. Also, trying to build the prank wars and keep layering the tension was a hard balancing act to perform on paper. Writing any specific scene for me is usually not difficult but making those scenes blend smoothly is where I need help.

If your life was made into a movie, what actor would play you? What would be the title?

Doesn't every guy pick Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Johnny Depp to this question? :-) I've been told I resemble Elijah Wood a bit so maybe him. But I like George Clooney even though I'm not as charming or good looking as he is. My life, like others, has so many different aspects to it that any one title would be really difficult but since I just finished reading Johathan Franzen's novel, Freedom, and felt a real empathy with a number of the characters in that book (plus it's partially set in Minnesota and NYC) I'll go with that title at the moment. Freedom.

If you could meet any author (alive or dead) who would it be and why?

Hmmmm.... I have dozens I'd love to talk to but I think I might pick Jodi Picoult at the moment to find out how she managed to juggle parenting and writing. I love her work and could use her advice in that balancing act now that I'm a new father. I love being a new father, by the way. It's fantastic!

What do you hope your readers will take away with them after reading Leverage?

First and foremost, I want them to be gripped by the novel and come away thinking "that was a great page-turner." But I also want them to maybe see something through the eyes of another human and empathise with a different person's predicament. Growing up, I felt like books really opened up my world and I want to return that favor to the next generation of readers.

Have an interesting fact about yourself that not too many people know?

When I'm feeling stressed out or cooped up (which happens after doing a lot of sitting in front of the computer for both work and my own writing) I'll break out into spontaneous handstands in my living room. It feels good.

I'll wrap up this interview with a little bit of "This Or That":

Thunderstorms or sunshine? Sunshine! But a summer thunderstorm that cools everything off is great, too! (Yes, I'm a total wavering politician here with my answer).

Summer or winter? Summer! Growing up in Minnesota, it either makes you hate winter or embrace it. It made me hate winter.

Mountains or beach? The older I get the more I like the mountains better because they offer so much to see. But growing up, I adored the beach. I still do. I love swimming in the ocean and snorkeling.

Computer or television? Computer. I'm addicted to internet news surfing.

Coffee or tea? Tea in the morning. Coffee in the afternoon with chocolate covered almonds to help me stay awake.

Thank you so much for the great answers, Joshua!

Interview with author Holly Cupala

I was able to interview the wonderful Holly Cupala, author of Tell Me A Secret.

Describe Tell Me a Secret in one sentence:

Miranda’s family has secrets: her parents’ silence, her sister’s death, what really happened that night…and now she has a secret of her own.

If you could pair Miranda with any character from another book (romantically), who would it be?

I wonder…who would Miranda like? Kartik from A Great and Terrible Beauty? (No wait, that’s me.) I imagine Kartik to look like my devastatingly handsome Indian husband. In fact, Kamran in TMAS, who is Persian, kind of looks like him, too…

Character-wise, I think she’d maybe like Owen from Sarah Dessen’s Just Listen, or Sebastian from Deb Caletti’s The Nature of Jade. Or Creed, from STREET CREED (my second novel, coming Fall 2011)! Swoon. I can’t wait for him to be out in the world.

What do you hope your readers will take away with them after reading your book?

Many ideas went into this book—so many questions I ponder about relationships and time and the universe, and how different people can experience the same events and come away with completely different memories. If I had to boil it down to one or two things I hope readers will take away, I’d say you can’t find yourself in other people, and the past does not have to define the future.

What part of Tell Me a Secret was the hardest to write?

Definitely the second-to-last chapter. I knew Miranda would have the final knock-down-drag-out with the primary villain, and that there would be some significant secrets revealed that would shed light on the entire story. The first draft, I skipped it! The second, I muddled through and kept peeling back the layers until I felt like I’d hit on something true.

What do you do when you have writer's block?

I wish I’d know this while writing TMAS—it would have made things so much easier. While I was writing STREET CREED, I discovered the most amazing trick: a kitchen timer. I would set it for 15 minutes with a goal of 300 words—candy at the end…bonus!—and usually I would hit 400 or more. It was great for outrunning the internal critic, which can be really devastating when you’re trying to write a book (or do anything, really). The last voice you should listen to is the one that says you don’t have value.

About you - Favorites:

Midnight snack?

At the moment, I’m completely taken with the gummy stars from Whole Foods. Yum!

Movie you've seen this year?

Alice in Wonderland – loved the costumes, especially what Alice wears in the Red Queen’s castle. Xanda would have made it herself by now!

Song of the moment?

Right now I’ve been listening to “Ironspy” by Splashdown, which is featured in the TMAS trailer. And “Beyond Orions Arms” by Symbion Project, written and performed by some of the same people who created “Ironspy.” You can find them all on iTunes!

Book you read this year?

Conrad Wesselhoeft’s Adios, Nirvana, which comes out in October. It’s exquisite. You can watch the trailer here.

Word?

Palimpsest. It’s my favorite, and I was able to include it in TMAS! It means something that has been erased and written upon again in layers of history and meaning. (Hint: look for it at the Halloween party.)

Anything else you'd like to say?

Just to say thank you, Ashley, for inviting me to interview and for your very kind support of me and Tell Me a Secret. I’m excited to be here!

Thanks a bunch for the interview Holly! Readers, you must check out her book Tell Me A Secret.

Interview with author Christine Johnson

I was lucky to get to interview debut author Christine Johnson, who's YA book Claire de Lune came out in May.

With so many werewolf novels being written now, how did you make the novel your own?

It was pretty easy, since I started drafting Claire long before the (very recent) popularity of werewolf novels! I started to build my own particular wolf mythology by researching traditional werewolf myths, and then superimposing that on my idea of an all-woman werewolf species. I looked at which pieces fit, which needed to be turned on their heads, etc. Building Claire’s world was challenging, but oh so fun.

Did you put parts of people you know in real life into your characters?

Yes and no - no character is based on any one particular person I know, but I might take the hair from a girl I knew in high school and mix it with a quirk of a boss I once had and stir in a little bit of the musical tastes of one of the teens on my block. Pretty soon, the character is so uniquely their own that they don’t resemble anyone - they’re just *themselves*. That’s when they’re ready to be part of the story.

How did you come up with the title Claire de Lune?

It’s a very nerdy play on words, as well as being (obviously) a fairly famous piece of music. In french, Claire de Lune means “moonlight,” which is appropriate for a werewolf novel, but with “Claire” as the protagonist’s name, it could also be read as “Claire of the moon.” Again - so perfect for a werewolf novel! I loved the multi-layered meanings combined with the musical reference. It was too good to resist!

Describe Claire in one word and why?

Ooh, that’s really hard. I guess I’d have to go with “dedicated.” She’s very loyal, and also stubborn, and a little bit idealistic when it comes to her own vision of how the world should be. “Dedicated” sort of covers all those traits.

Have any books/projects you're currently working on?

Yes! Nocturne, the sequel to Claire de Lune, is just getting ready to go to copyedits. It will be out next May (2011.) I’m so excited about the sequel. I can’t wait for everyone else to read it!

What's the last book you just finished reading and enjoyed?

I recently read Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves and was so intrigued by the voice of her main character. It’s a very unique story, and her imagery is quite powerful. I also recently finished Shadowed Summer by Saundra Mitchell, and her writing is so concise and clean - she manages to say in sentences what it often takes other writers pages to get across. And by the time I finished that one, I found myself fighting off traces of a southern accent that I don’t naturally have - always a good sign that a book has gotten inside my head when I start talking like the characters!

If you could be any paranormal creature what would it be and why?

Oooh, great question. I’ve answered this once or twice before, but now it’s summer and that makes me need to say Mermaid. I *adore* the water, and while other people have recurring dreams about flying, I have recurring dreams that I can breathe underwater. I *love* those dreams. So, yeah. Gimme a fishtail. I’m going Mermaid.

Imagine being stranded on an island. What would be the first thing you'd do?

Panic. I’m not well-equipped for survivalist situations. After I finished panicking, I’d probably go see if I could find some fruit trees and water and pray that I didn’t get eaten by some undiscovered species of giant centipede. *shudder*. Of course, if I was stranded on an island with a nice hotel and fruity rum drinks, I’d change my identity and stay forever!

Anything else you'd like to say?

Thanks for having me “over” for a chat. It’s been so much fun! If anyone wants to hear more of my random ramblings, Twitter (@cjohnsonbooks) is a good place to find me doing just that.

Thanks so much for the fabulous answers Christine! Readers, be sure to check out her book Claire de Lune.

Interview with author Estevan Vega

I interviewed the awesome Estevan Vega, author of the book Arson that came out this year!

Describe Arson in one sentence: A boy who can create fire and a girl who only feels normal behind a mask explore the darkness and dysfunction of humanity while coming to grips with who they are.

Did you plan the outcome of your book or did it change while writing the story?
No. I find that I'm not all that good at planning. I can hear Heath Ledger's Joker snickering...."Do I look like a man with a plan?" But seriously, I find it easier to just write the book. The other stuff comes and the story gets complicated all on its own. Sometimes I'll know where I'm headed, but usually I'm just a backseat driver to the unfolding story.

What aspect of Arson was the hardest to write?
The beginning and the end are always complicated for me, probably because they are both equally important. You gotta hook the reader from the start, and then you gotta shock the reader as it ends, giving them something they didn't necessarily expect. I love that. It's hard, though, choosing the right way to start and end a story. I think while writing ARSON, I changed the opening scene, like, 5 times. The end I altered too from what originally I had intended. I'm stoked how it all came together, though. That's the best part...when the war of deciding is over and you can see the finished product...only to begin the headaches all over again when you start a part two or another book.

Do you have any writing rituals?
Well, apart of dancing around a campfire doing a weird chant while puffing out smoke, no. I just write whenever I can, whenever something hits me, or when a story's been gnawing at me for a while.

If you could travel to any place in the world where would it be and why?
I'd like to take a road trip, really see the country, because I've just always wanted to do that. And it sounds like an awesome nightmare I've gotta experience before I die...or get old.

What's the most outrageous/fearless thing you've ever done?
Roll out of bed in the morning and commit to doing another day.

If you could have three wishes, what would they be?
To be transported to a different time, so I could see what life was like in another time. To have a conversation with God. To wish for more wishes, because there's tons more I could ask for. But I think I might settle for having a genie to chill with...as long as he sounds like Robin Williams.

Anything else you'd like to say?
Stay in school. Don't do drugs. Talk back only when it's worth getting hit upside the head. Avoid first dates or awkward goodbyes. Buy ARSON immediately. And, um...burn something.

P.S. I am throwing an ARSON rock show on September 10 in Hamden, CT at The Space. Tickets are 12 bucks in advance, 14 bucks at the door. The headliner is The Letter Black, and other bands opening are Abel, The Best Week Ever, and Sleeping Lessons. We're all gonna be rockin out and talking about ARSON. Come hang. And bring posse!

Thanks so much for answering my questions Estevan! Readers, be sure to check out his book Arson. Also, try stalking him on facebook or on twitter.

Interview with author Morgan Matson

I was able to have a quick interview with YA author Morgan Matson. Her debut book Amy & Roger's Epic Detour was published this month, and I have to say it was one of my favorite books.

Summary: Amy Curry thinks her life sucks. Her mom decides to move from California to Connecticut to start anew—just in time for Amy's senior year. Her dad recently died in a car accident. So Amy embarks on a road trip to escape from it all, driving cross-country from the home she's always known toward her new life. Joining Amy on the road trip is Roger, the son of Amy's mother's old friend. Amy hasn’t seen him in years, and she is less than thrilled to be driving across the country with a guy she barely knows. So she's surprised to find that she is developing a crush on him. At the same time, she’s coming to terms with her father’s death and how to put her own life back together after the accident. Told in traditional narrative as well as scraps from the road—diner napkins, motel receipts, postcards—this is the story of one girl's journey to find herself.

What do you hope readers will get out of your debut novel?

I hope that they feel like maybe they got to see a little bit of America they might not otherwise have encountered! But mostly, I hope that they take away the idea that it’s easier to travel the road with someone else. That it might seem easier to keep things to yourself, but ultimately, it’s always better to let someone help you.

What was the hardest part while writing your book?

I really found it challenging to capture the feeling of each place. I’d look back at my notes and pictures of the places I’d been, and wonder how I was going to transfer the feeling I had in a place into words. That was the biggest challenge of the book by far.

What's the best place you've ever visited on one of your own road trips?

Such a hard question! I don’t know if I can narrow it down to one place, but Memphis would definitely make the list. I just fell in love it – Beale Street, Graceland, barbeque, folk art, the Civil Rights Museum, tons of live music. I thought I’d heard the blues before I went to Memphis. But it turned out that I was mistaken.

Top 5 favorite bands at the moment?

Jack’s Mannequin

Tallest Man on Earth

Owl City

The New Pornographers

Jackson Browne

Are you planning on writing another book; if so can you tell us a little about it?

I’m actually finishing the first draft of another book now. It all takes place (for the most part) in one place – which I think I needed that after Amy & Roger. I wanted people who would stay put for a while! It’s about a girl who works at her family’s movie theater in a small town, and the weekend when everything in her life changes.

Thanks so much for answering my questions Morgan! Readers, you MUST check out her book Amy & Roger's Epic Detour and prepare to be blown away... :)

Interview with author Angela Morrison

Today I'm proud to announce that I had the privilege of interviewing young-adult author Angela Morrison on Books Obsession! :)

About your writing: What inspired you to become an author?

I fell in love with writing as soon as I learned how to do it in first grade. My mom made up great bedtime stories, too. I made my own little books. It took me a long, long time to get to publish big ones.

How do you think your life would be different if you didn't write?

I'd be cranky ALL the time. I'm miserable when I don't write.

Can you tell us anything about a current project you're working on?

I've got two manuscripts with my agent--the sequel to TAKEN BY STORM, UNBROKEN CONNECTION (that Razorbill rejected when my editor left) and a historical romance called MY ONLY LOVE. Think good thoughts for me on those, okay? I hope to find a publisher for both soon. One of my bloggers started a FaceBook group for UNBROKEN CONNECTION. Join if you'd like to get updates on what's happening with it.

The project I'm revising right now is so much fun. I'm turning a time-slip adventure novel on it's head. I originally wrote TIME ASSASSINS for middle grade boys with a snarky boy protagonist, but the time assassin turned out so hot that it seemed like such a waste there was no one in the novel to fall in love with him. So I axed the snarky boy, and I'm rewriting the story with a Bronte-esque heroine. So it's turning out to be Jane Eyre meets the Terminator or Mad Max in the Middle Ages. (Mad Max works better because my assassin is nothing like a robot!) Crazy mix of times and ideas, but it's a blast to write and I think it will be quite a ride for the reader.

Do you have a certain writing routine or ritual?

I draft scenes by hand. I have to write with black Zebra medium point gel pens on unlined pink paper. It works best if I start scribbling when I first wake up and keep going until my hand or brain wears out. I have a kidney shaped lap desk so I can write in bed propped on feather pillows. Then I get up and type it up. And start all over again. Some days I draft about five pages; some days I get around twenty. I'm not good at multi-tasking. If I'm writing, I'm writing.

Favorite thing about being an author?

I love hearing from fans--especially teens. They are so exuberant and real. It makes my day whenever I get an email from someone who is dying for more about Michael and Leesie or cried at the end of SING ME TO SLEEP. I also love to visit high schools and meet aspiring writers. They inspire me so much.

About you: You're an advanced scuba diver, I read on your site. What's the best thing about diving? Favorite location you scuba dived at?

The best thing about scuba is it lets you enter another world--a secret, silent place only divers know about. Hands down the most amazing site we ever dove was Bloody Bay Wall at Little Cayman. That's why Michael keeps dreaming about it in TAKEN BY STORM.

What toppings do you like to put on your pizza?

I never get to eat pizza because I can't eat cheese. It gives me headaches. Isn't that tragic? When we lived in Switzerland, we used to get pizza from this small restaurant every Friday night. And I swear, it had nothing to do with how cute the Italian guy tossing pizza crusts in the air who greeted us when we walked in. We just got mozarella and fresh tomato sauce, but it was the best pizza I've ever eaten. They baked in a wood-fired brick oven while we watched. That was worth picking the cheese off and eating the crust and tomatoes. The tomatoes were sun sweet and tasted amazing. The crust crispy thin and fresh. Hmm. It makes me hungry just to think of it.

Favorite books or authors?

I'm a big Jane Austen geek. But I'm really into the Bronte's these days. I think my favorite is Charlotte's VILLETTE, but I also like Anne's AGNES GREY. I just reread JANE EYRE, and I was impressed with how much faith Charlotte pours into Jane. My favorite YA novel is THE BOOK THEIF by Markus Zusak.

Best song or band at the moment?

Right now my favorite performing group is the Amabile guys. If you haven't heard their recording of "Beth's Song," from SING ME TO SLEEP, hop over to my website for a taste and then you can buy it from iTunes--all the proceeds go to support the choir. Their youth girls' choir is recording "Take me Home," and will be releasing that on iTunes soon. I can't wait to hear it. And next month the guys are going to record the duet Derek and Beth sing at the Choral Olympics, "About You." I never, ever, ever thought a song I wrote would be out on iTunes.

Thank you so much for answering my questions Angela! Readers, if you haven't read one of her amazing books yet, you are missing out!

Interview with author Jennifer Echols

Today I have young-adult author Jennifer Echols on Books Obsession for an interview!

Can you start off by telling us a little bit about your book “Going Too Far”?

It’s about a seventeen-year-old who, to avoid prosecution for a high school stunt, is sentenced to ride along on night shift with the nineteen-year-old rookie cop who arrested her.

What inspired you to write the novel?

I love the TV show Cops. Originally I planned to have two teenagers ride along with an older cop and have the teens fall for each other. But I’m fascinated by the line between childhood and adulthood, and I thought it would be more interesting to have the teen riding along be the heroine and the cop be the hero of the story, moving back and forth across that line.

Which of the books that you have written is your favorite and why?

My favorite is always the one I’m writing at the moment! You really have to fall in love with your own work in progress, or this job would be impossible.

What are your favorite things about being an author?

I love to get e-mail from readers. Usually I log on at 4:30 in the morning because I’m about to start writing, and I have a message from the night before that helps me get through my writing that day.

Do you have any writing rituals or a certain writing process?

My process is a big mess. I don’t write in order, and I tend to write books a different way each time. I have tried to straighten this out, but then the book was a mess! Better the process than the book.

Have any favorite must-read books or authors?

Santa brought me lots of books, and four of them were by adult romantic comedy author Jennifer Crusie.

What projects are you currently working on that you’d like to share?

My next romantic drama for MTV Books, Forget You, is coming out on July 20. Endless Summer, the sequel to my romantic comedy The Boys Next Door, will be out on August 3. I’m expecting copyedits for both those books any day now. And I’m about to start writing a brand new romantic drama for MTV Books, to be published in July 2011.

Thanks so much for answering my questions Jennifer! :)