Author Chat with the amazing authors of Beautiful Creatures!
I’m thrilled to have the lovely authors of Beautiful Creatures: Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl on Author Chat today. Beautiful Creatures is not only beautiful, but the #1 Bestselling Teen Novel on Amazon. Want to find out more about them? Me too!
Are either of you from the South? How did you do the research for the setting?
Kami: My family lived with my grandmother and great-grandma, both of who were raised in North Carolina, so there was a lot of Southern influence in my house. My mom has also lived in the Outer Banks for almost twenty years, which gives me the opportunity to spend even more time there.
Margie: My mom grew up in a Gatlin-sized town where we spent our summers, so we all had that in common. Visits to Charleston and Savannah and the Outer Banks helped fill in the details, but also both Kami and I have been hugely influenced by so many amazing Southern writers.
You had me at Savannah…but still. I must know more.
Tell us a bit about the story.
Kami: BEAUTIFUL CREATURES is a paranormal romance, and an epic Southern gothic. It’s the story of Ethan Wate, a boy who lives in a small Southern town, where nothing ever happens. He has been dreaming of a girl he’s never met, and one day she steps out of dreams and shows up in his town. But Lena isn’t like the other girls in Gatlin.
Margie: He’s forced to choose between the comfortable life he’s always had as one of the insiders, and this girl who captures his heart. On top of that, there’s the small matter of a curse…
You wrote this novel together. This intrigues me! I’ve always wanted to write a book with someone else–how did you make this work? Was it written every other chapter? Or….?
Kami: Let’s just say it involves many colors of highlighter and more than a few cases of Diet Coke.
Margie: We write over each other just like we talk over each other. It’s more of a process of erosion than creation; we draft and chip away and redraft and chip away until neither one of us can remember who has written what.
Is Beautiful Creatures a stand alone or a series?
Kami: It’s the first book in a series. Book 2 comes out in December 2010.
Margie: But we love how many people have asked us that, because we wanted the book to feel like it could stand on its’ own as a novel.
Who were some of your author influences?
Kami: Flannery O’Connor, Harper Lee, Ray Bradbury, Anne Rice.
Margie: Harper Lee, Eudora Welty, Susan Cooper, Diana Wynne Jones.
Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird
If you two could live on a desert island with ANY character from YA fiction who would it be and why?
Kami: I’d love to hang out with Mr. Hyde. I think we could talk a few things out. Maybe he’s not really YA. A close second would be Astrid from RAMPANT. I’m a huge fan of strong female characters in YA novels, and you don’t get much stronger than a girl who slays evil unicorns the size of SUVs.
Margie: I have a few questions for Fire (FIRE) and Katsa (GRACELING) so Kristin Cashore would have to loan them to me.
What book are you most looking forward to in 2010?
Kami: I can’t wait for Melissa Marr’s RADIANT SHADOWS, Holly Black’s WHITE CAT, Cassandra Clare’s THE CLOCKWORK ANGEL, Sarah Rees Brennan’s THE DEMON’S COVENANT, Carrie Ryan’s THE DEAD-TOSSED WAVES, and Kristin Cashore’s BITTERBLUE.
Margie: You mean aside from Heidi R. Kling’s SEA? All of the above. And I can’t wait to read Malinda Lo’s follow up to ASH.
(Aww, shucks. Thanks, Margie!)
Dead-Tossed Waves, coming this spring, by Carrie Ryan
When does BEAUTIFUL CREATURES debut?
December 1, 2009
Any movie plans yet? Who would you two ideally star in the roles?
Kami: We stick to writing and let our agents handle the rest. As far as casting, I think it’s fun for readers to imagine that for themselves. But I will say, I can promise that I won’t be in it.
Margie: LOL. Me neither ?
(Don’t forget about me- I was in high school plays–*acting chops*)
Happy Thanksgiving! I know what I’ll be reading!
You can keep up with Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl at www.BeautifulCreaturestheBook.com.
Visit Little, Brown’s Beautiful Creatures website at www.SomeLovesAreCursed.com.
A commenter picked at RANDOM will win a Signed-Something from the authors! So comment away!
Putnam Palooza! Win a SEA ARC!
The Bookologist: http://the-bookologist.blogspot.com/2009/11/contest-putnam-palooza.html
is holding a contest giving away THREE Putnam Juvenile books, including SEA!
:)
win me!
New Moon Re-Imagined: Team Jacob Style
(Disclaimer: I wrote this for Jacob fans & just for fun. I love Edward and the wonderful Twilight series.)
Camera slowly circles over a canopy of trees.
Emo music plays
A pale Edward is looking pained (as usual) Bella is pouting and looking like she just swallowed raw egg yolk (as usual). ZOOM IN.
Edward:You are my life. I would never hurt you. But I’m leaving you alone in the forest for entirely nonsensical reasons knowing you will either a) be vampire bait or b) see a
Bella: (mumbles something incoherent)
Edward: (disappears)
A creepy vampire enters. Eyes are snake red. He is drooling over Bella’s alluring human scent.
Edward: (glances back over his shoulder) I would turn around…but Mexico calls..goodbye MY LOVE~!!
Suddenly–there’s a fursplosion in the forest. The sound of pounding paws. A scent of hot dawg.
Bella: (barely audible): Jake? WT-?
As Were-Jacob: chases off red-eyed vampire guy, morphs back into a human…of sorts? No, he’s entirely too hot to be a real human. Bella goes all buggy eyed along with the entire theatre audience. Including grown women. Etc.
Bella: Jake! You’re a wolf! And you’re hot now! And you saved my life!
Jake: Thanks. I gained thirty pounds to keep this role. Think it paid off?
Bella: (drooling) Um. So you want to go fix motorcycles so I can stare at your pecs?
Jake: (flexes) Hell, yeah. Is that marshmallow Cullen gone for good?
Bella: (transfixed): What’s a Cullen?
Jake: (kisses her. Nobody interrupts. The phone doesn’t ring. Bella doesn’t chicken out. The entire theatre has tiny little heart attack/swooning like eruptions.)
*Epilogue*
After graduating from high school and college and THEN graduate school, Bella and Jacob get married and have a healthy litter of werepuppies, which Bella names various versions of Charlie: Charlotte, CJ, Chuck…you got it– Bella still mopes from time to time, but only during full moons.
And she is never cold again.
THE END
Magic in Realism
With all the glittery vampires and fursploding werewolves* et al, I think we sometimes forget how much magic, real magic can be found in the Everyday.
I recently read three spectacular YA novels in a row. All with soulful, male narrators. All contemporary YA.
None of them involved the supernatural, yet all three featured demons, ghosts and monsters.
Real ones.
The kind of monsters we face everyday, whether it be a nasty relative, a secret in the past…a sadness in our hearts that we can’t quite escape, or simply our own resistance to chasing that dream that is just out of reach.
I’ll talk about Flash Burnout by L.K. Madigan first because this book I just put down (had to force myself to put down to write this.) My eyes are still burning from the last few chapters–in a word, the book is phenomenal. Hitting on all the major themes in humanity: family, friendship, loyalty, love–all the things that matter–the novel is picture-perfect in tone and style. Unafraid to tackle the dark and cringe-worthy corners of humanity, the story is filled with heart and hope and humor. I loved this beautiful book.
The Secret Year by Jennifer R. Hubbard, fellow Tenner, was another gem. Out in January, The Secret Year is a story of a Colt–a boy trying to get over his past, while clinging on to the savory memories he’s not ready to let go. His “past” being a secret relationship with an alluring girl from the other side of the tracks. Another contemporary YA filled with great plot, longing, and unforgettable main character.
Lastly, Struts & Frets by Jon Skovron, a book and author I’ve featured here. Another soulful narrator, Struts & Frets deals with real heavy issues–features complicated characters, a smart and honest teen relationship and most-importantly reminds us readers never to give up on our dreams.
And you know what that is folks?
Magic.
Happy Reading!
*Not that there is anything WRONG with sparkling vampires. I’ve got my ticket to see New Moon along with everybody else. :) Yet I digress…
Clown Car! -The Long Version of YA Weekend–
Since courtneywrites was so cool (as I predicted she would be) I invited her to join debbieduncan and I for the Fall notyourmothers Bonanza in San Francisco. A certainly memorable for night for many reasons, one being I was driving my new hybrid Highlander (which Twitter named The Seamobile). I don’t normally drive on our S.F. adventures because me and freeways and traffic and one-way streets don’t normally mix well. But I was up for it!*
Armed with Sea gifties (bookmarks! magnets! Blue & orange envelopes with sea turtle stamps and popsicle stickers–yes, someone had fun at the stationary store–) we headed into the city.
I mean, we headed to the freeway ENTRANCE which was stopped.
Instead of racing toward S.F. as I imagined, we inched toward S.F.–which was fine due to excellent company. Courtney and Debbie both write for Middle Readers so they talked agents and story etc. while we listened to the Glee soundtrack Debbie made us for the road trip (awesome!)
We got to the event right on time (So Much Traffic) and Courtney introduced me to Barry Lyga (Boy Toy) who she knows from New York. I said hello to literaticat and Mary and Alicia and Martha and Sarah Quigley and Cheryl Herdman. Met Daisy Whitney (fellow Tenner) among others (so many people!) and lkmadigan whom I’ve wanted to meet since our days in the Debs together. Lisa was on the panel with sarazarr , Barry Lyga, Allan Zadoff and Andrew Smith.
Everyone read. Barry’s was an excerpt from Goth Girl Rising (which I bought) that was from a POV of a teenage girl complaining about her boobs. Or rather the fact that boys are always staring at him. He was charming and funny and reminds me of Jack Nicolson from Witches of Eastwick. (Yes, the devil.) But in the best possible way!
Sara Zarr was terrific. She read from her new novel Once Was Lost (which I also bought.)
L.K. Madigan read from her fabulous book (of which I’m halfway through-so of course ALSO bought) Flash Burnout. AND from her upcoming Mermaid novel! Generously, she asked all the authors in the audience to please stand. So a bunch of us did. It was such a sweet, special moment. Have I said how much I adore the YA community?
Funfest 2009 continued with Allen Zadoff reading from his hilarious novel Food, Girls and Other Things I Can’t Have. The room was laughing so hard. I’ll never look at a boy in gym shorts the same way again (not that I look at a lot of boys in gym shorts, but I digress…)
Afterwards I was lucky enough to join the author panel for dinner.
We went to Opera Cafe and I ordered a giant cheeseburger. We had skipped eating (Traffic!) and I was mighty hungry. At dinner, I got to chat with Allen (whose second book is about theatre!) and Lisa (who I love, see above) about life and writing and most importantly how she is following up her debut contemporary novel with a fantasy–which is exactly what I’m planning following SEA with JADE.
Her fantasy also involves surfing and takes place in a beach town like Half Moon Bay.
I gave everyone their gifties and everyone liked the shiny bookmarks. Jenn especially liked the turtle stamp. :)
As usual, she pulled off a fantastic event.
After dinner the fact that Seamobile has an Optional Third Row seat was announced. And everyone is piling into my car.* (Apparently they hadn’t gotten the memo about me and one-way streets.)
Barry and Mary pile into the back seat, which is a TIGHT SQUEEZE. Barry’s looking like, “Seriously?” and I’m like, “OH YEAH.” Everyone is cracking up. Allen and Courtney sandwich between the car seats–Debbie (wisely) calls shot gun as she’s The Navigator. And off we go.
Like this. Only blue.
Barry looks so uncomfortable in the rearview mirror. Mary is making many a colorful comment.
I threaten to turn on the Glee soundtrack if they don’t behave. On full blast.
They behave.
We cruise through interesting neighborhoods and Allen comments that he is glad he is not walking. Yeah.
Then we see a group of Marines in full uniform with scantily dressed girls under a brightly lit marquee. I comment that it looks like a poster. Someone comments that I should get out more.
Flipping on the hazards and pulling over NYC style (I used to drive in NY, I have mad moves) Allen dives out.
Getting Mary & Barry out proves trickier.
I nearly cruise down a one-way street going the wrong way (of course) and onto the trolley (train? bus?) tracks until Debbie the Navigator corrects me. We pull over (again) flip on the hazards, and Courtney, petite, adorable Courtney, has to jump into traffic and manipulate the Optional Third Row (which is not easy under the best conditions) and Barry/Mary dive out (well, more like stumble as there is VERY little room.)
We bid them farewell and we’re off. Ending a perfectly lovely evening in style.
Clown Car style.
Authors Allen Zadoff, L.K. Madigan, Sara Zarr, Barry Lyga and Andrew Smith listening to a question. (I know it’s a bad picture. It’s all I got!)
SO many writing events!
I promise to do a big wrap-up on Monday but for a teaser, check out author courtneywrites darling blog post and pictures of her big speaking engagement at Kepler’s Books for her second novel Positively.
Also, everyone should buy it. Because it’s awesome and so is Courtney.
http://courtneywrites.livejournal.com/41253.html
And lkmadigan lovely lovely wrap-up of the Not Your Mother’s Book Club extravaganza with Sara Zarr/Barry Lyga and more (again, my post is coming…)
Here: http://lkmadigan.livejournal.com/157063.html
Penguin Summer 2010 Catalog! Hamlet!
Can you wade through all the nifty titles and find SEA?
(Hint: page 127!)
http://booksellers.penguin.com/static/pdf/pyrg-summer10.pdf
Almost as exciting as catalog?
Thanks to kellyrfineman hot tip I’m going to see him
as
on
The first weekend of December in New York. :)
It’s a business trip first and foremost. Meeting with my editor and agent and will also see a bunch of author friends likejonnyskov speak at Books of Wonder that Sunday.
Winter Manhattan plus Shakespeare (Jude Law! Broadway!) plus writerly friends and colleagues and events has all the ingredients for a fantastic pre-holiday weekend.
As long as I can keep the Zombies at bay. ;)
The Dangers of Writing YA
I’m not talking about censorship/sex/drugs/your neighbor thinking you act like a teenager.
I’m talking about ZOMBIES.
So last night I became one.
Seriously.
I was in Spain. At least I think it was Spain because everything was red-roofed and red streets and there were a lot of yummy smells in the air.
Smells like BRAINZ.
I was bit almost immediately and then knew (because I read THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH by carrie_ryan) that I would turn. Quickly. And I did.
A useful side character came up (like a good side character should) and warned, “Don’t look in the mirror.”
So of course I spent the rest of the dream –between diving out of windows/infecting other people/hiding from watchmebe who was chasing me with a bow & arrow (SISTER’S RED style?)–looking for a mirror.
When I found one it was blurred and cracked like all good story mirrors are. My reflection looked something like this:
But you know, with blue eyes.
I grabbed a roll of TP (which was handy, natch) and wiped off some of the blood and brainz and got back to work doing what zombies do.
That’s about when I found my family casually picnicking on green grass apparently unaware of my current state.
I watched from afar as a wolf. Who looked just like Sam from SHIVER by m_stiefvater
Except, you know with yellow eyes
So he waltzes out of the woods and BITES MY YELLOW LAB ON THE BACK OF THE NECK KILLING HIM INSTANTLY.
Am I upset?
Not really. I casually think, “He’s going to morph into a werewolf later–he’ll be fine.”
As I am OOZING BLOOD AND BRAINZ.
I blame said authors mentioned above. And YA in general.
Needless to say, I escaped unscathed.
I had to tell The Boy all about said dream before school this morning. His comment?
“That’s great nobody cut your head off–you know that’s the only way to kill a zombie.”
Lesson learned? YA is a world I never want to stop visiting.
SEA Cover is up on Amazon! Library of Congress too. :)
Wow.
Two biggies in one day!
(Thanks to Twitter friends for letting me know!)
http://lccn.loc.gov/2009028321
Here’s the Library of Congress summary of SEA:
Despite recurring nightmares about her mother’s death and her own fear of flying, fifteen-year-old Sienna accepts her father’s birthday gift to fly to Indonesia with his team of disaster relief workers to help victims of a recent tsunami, never suspecting that this experience will change her life forever.
Here’s the amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Sea-Heidi-R-Kling/dp/0399251634/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1253219363&sr=8-1
I’m so tickled SEA is grouped with Beautiful Creatures and Hush, Hush in a special pre-order package!
Beautiful Creatures is getting astounding reviews and Hush, Hush is just yummy. Can’t wait to read both of them.
Have a great weekend, all!
LINGER cover revealed!
Spring green perfectly complements the winter blue of Shiver, doesn’t it?
And the first teaser paragraph is lovely.
Check it out here: http://m-stiefvater.livejournal.com/133366.html?view=4665590#t4665590
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