Today's post is an exciting one to say the least. This is the day that I get the joy of posting my first author interview! (Eeee!) BUT, that's not all! (I know, as if that wasn't enough!) This author is someone who has recently gained the public's interest in the Young Adult genre. She is especially recognized and known by her growing fan base of those that were able to read her new book prior to its October 2009 release, and those eagerly anticipating its arrival in stores. (Have you guessed her name yet? Hmmm?) A book review of this title was also recently posted on this very site! (Give up? Oh, I'll tell you anyway...) The very first author interview for Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers goes to.....
author of Hush, Hush
(releasing October 2009)
That's right! Author Becca Fitzpatrick was kind enough to accept the challenge of answering a few questions for her readers, the results of which you shall see below. They are grouped into 3 categories to enable a look inside the world of an author, her newest upcoming title, and her own world!
GENERAL
The inspiration for me to become an author came from....when I was
eight and watched Romancing the Stone for the first time. Kathleen Turner's character plays a romance novelist who flies to Colombia to rescue her sister from Bad Guys, and ends up finding romance and danger that surpasses anything she's ever written. As soon as I saw the movie, there was no turning back. I knew I wanted to be an author. Of course, I thought all writers hunted for treasure in Colombia with a sexy, mysterious guy who wears crocodile boots!
I draw inspiration for my novels from....my own life experience (dramatized), the power of imagination and little tidbits of information I pick up just about everywhere I go.
The reason I chose the YA genre is....I love the audience and I love reading YA myself. In short, there's no better place to be.
The most valuable lesson I learned on the road to becoming an author....persistence and hard work can overcome anything.
The best advice I can offer to aspiring authors...keep at it – the more you write, the better you get!
A fellow YA author I look up to is....Laurie Halse Anderson.
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BOOK SPECIFIC
The idea for the storyline in "Hush, Hush" came from....an experience in my own tenth-grade biology class. We must have been studying human reproduction, because my teacher asked me, in front of the whole class, to name characteristics I would be attracted to in a mate (ugh!!) The experience always stuck with me, and when I sat down to write Hush, Hush, that little piece of my history evolved into an early scene in the book.
My favorite character to write was....Patch. No, Vee. No, Patch. Really – it was Vee! No, it was Patch. Vee! (Apparently it's a toss-up.)
One little known fact about the book is....in the early drafts, the protagonist was a conceited and sharp-tongued girl named Ellie Fairchild. That character eventually evolved into today's Nora Grey.
The sequel promises....that readers will find out what really happened the night Nora's dad was murdered.
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PERSONAL
My favorite book is.....Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
On my nightstand....Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins.
When I'm not writing, I am usually....doing the mom thing, keeping the kids happy and healthy, folding laundry, singing in the shower, that kind of thing.
If I wasn't an author, I would have been....a spy!
Growing up, I could always be found....playing hide-and-go-seek or building forts.
Additional thoughts I'd like to share....just to say thank you for having me here on your blog, Gina!
THANK YOU, Becca Fitzpatrick! Hopefully you enjoyed learning a bit more about this emerging author...I know I did! (A spy? Really? I know Pride and Prejudice will certainly please a few of my followers. So, real-life was the basis of at least one pivotal scene....interesting...) For more on Hush, Hush as well as the author behind the masterpiece, check out Becca's website! (Can't wait for the sequel!)
As always, feel free to leave your comments and feedback!
Until next time....happy reading!
Great Interview - Gonna post a link from our new HUSH HUSH fansite, FallenArchangel.com
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to know that I'll be able to find out what happened on the night Nora's dad was murdered. It sounds like this book has changed a lot from first draft. I absolutely loved it, and I'm excited to get a final copy. I like P&P too, although Persuasion attracts me more. Great interview!
ReplyDeleteJennM: Thanks for the re-post! Just checked out the new fan site...really great! Adding to my daily rounds... =0)
ReplyDeleteMelanie: Thanks! I loved it too! Waiting for the hardback release....
Great interview! I just love Becca Fitzpatrick. She is an amazing author.
ReplyDeleteFor the sequel...I KNEW IT! Can't wait, love Becca!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your first interview, Gina! This is great. Now I'm glad I pushed you. :)
ReplyDeleteI like the interview style you developed, keep this up! It's something authors can always respond to. Not me who asks questions like "If you were a fruit, what would you be?" Not a REAL example, but you get the picture.
Hush Hush has been carefully placed on a shelf of reverence, inside a box, and being guarded by top men. Top. Men. You need not worry.
This was a long comment.
Kate: I absolutely agree!
ReplyDeleteFrankie Diane Mallis: Counting the days...(hopefuly days, versus months, years....***nervously paces imaginary hallway***)
Bri Meets Books: Thanks! Coming from a seasoned blogger, it means all the more! I tried to keep it in the same style as the blog...friendly but informative and of course interesting!
P.S. Glad to hear you "hired" the best. Eagerly anticipating its return...planning mini-homecoming. =0)
Thanks for that interview. How do you decide which questions you will ask?
ReplyDeletePetty Witter: Great question! Honestly, this being my first interview, I didn't have a set list of questions or anything....so I thought about it from a reader perspective. What would I like to know about the author? Then took it a step further with the 3 categories. (Very scientific, huh?) =0)
ReplyDelete