Gwen Hayes - Author Interview: Teen/Young Adult Author

What kinds of fiction did you read as a teenager, and did you have some favourites?

I went through a brief phase with the Sweet Valley High series as a teen, but there wasn't as much YA back in the olden days (1980s) so I moved right on to Stephen King, Danielle Steel, and V.C. Andrews. And, oh my goodness, we passed around Judith Krantz novels like they black market goods. So not appropriate for our age group.

Would you say your reading as a teenager has had a distinct influence on how you write fiction now, and why?

Actually, I wish I had read more books about people my own age a teen.

I'm not sure if there was a distinct influence on my writing during that time period--I'm more inclined to think that all the reading I have ever done has influenced my writing and continues to do so. The art and craft of storytelling is learned through exposure to storytelling in all its forms. Even terrible books can be a wonderful influence. Once you point out what isn't working for you while reading it, the less likely you will be to repeat the mistake.


What did you do before you became a published teen/young adult novelist, and how did you come to write your first teen/young adult novel and get it published?

I still am a bookkeeper for a small company.

I'd always been interested in writing, but it wasn't until 2007 that I decided to really pursue it. I began writing romance, but had a story percolating in my head that I knew was about teens. That story still sits on my hard drive--but it taught me a lot.

I wrote a couple other stories, but I knew when I started Falling Under that it was special. I began writing it in the spring of 2009, acquired my agent in September, and we sold it in December of that year. The book came out four years to the date that I joined a writing forum because I promised myself to try to be a published writer.

How would you describe your style of teen/young adult fiction or your approach to writing teen/young adult fiction?

I try to be honest with the characters and let them tell the story, even when that means they do things I wish they wouldn't. As a mother (of teens) sometimes it's hard to resist mothering my characters. For instance, if my daughter wanted to date a boy like Haden, we'd have words.

I don't want to teach lessons or preach to my readers, but I think that taking a character through his or her triumphs and failures naturally imparts some wisdom because the characters is learning life lessons. And if I've done my job well, the reader is living vicariously through my character, and will learn something about themselves through the experience--even if that something is "Don't date a demon."

Who is another author whose teen/young adult fiction you admire and why?

I am eagerly awaiting Sarah Ockler's new book, which comes out the same day as mine on January 3rd. I really love her voice and I always want to grab her protagonists into a big hug because they feel so real. She's fantastic.

How would you summarise one of your teen/young adult novels in one paragraph?

Dreaming Awake (releases January 3, 2012)

When Theia Alderson first encountered a mysterious, handsome boy in her dreams, she never imagined how finding Haden Black—and falling in love—could change her life. To save Haden, Theia sacrificed everything. And the dangerous bargain she made could have lasting repercussions.

How would you describe the appeal of this novel to teen/young adult readers?

I think the appeal of my books are in the romance. I am unabashedly romantic, according to one my reviews, and I am perfectly fine with that. I love love. Despite all the other plot points in my novels, I always think of the main plot as the love story.

How would you summarise a chapter from this novel in one paragraph?

I don't want to give away any spoilers! How about....What do you do when you become what you fear most?

How would you describe the contribution this chapter makes to the novel?

Dreaming Awake explores what happens after the initial fall into love for Theia and Haden. It's about relationships when the real work kicks in. It's also about not losing yourself or your values when faced with adversity as much as not losing yourself when you become part of a couple. Also, there is danger and intrigue. Fun stuff! But the chapter itself is about facing your most flawed self and either changing or accepting it.

To what extent would you say fiction written primarily for young readers is different from fiction written primarily for adult readers?

The only thing that should be different about writing fiction for young adults is the age of the protagonist. If writers are "writing down" or even watering down their fiction to sell it to the young adult market, they are doing it wrong. So, the real question is: How is writing a teen protagonist different from writing an adult protagonist? From my experience, teens live closer to the surface of their impulses and emotions than adults because they don't have as many experiences that have jaded them yet. Everything is more intense before you learn to proceed with caution. So I've had to let the character act in a way that feels irrational to me, but natural for them.

Author website: www.gwenhayes.com



Kaylie Newell - Author Interview: Debut Novelist

What kinds of fiction did you read as a child and teenager, and did you have some favourites?

As a child, I read a lot of fiction about animals. Horses in particular. I was a horse nut! I read every book in The Black Stallion series, some of them twice. As I got older, I read a lot of romance. My mom always had Harlequins lying around, so I started early on those (earlier than my mom probably would have liked) and I fell in love.

Would you say your childhood and teenage reading has had a distinct influence on how you write fiction now, and why?

I definitely do, because the more you read, the better you write. I’m sure that discovering books at a young age taught me, even if subconsciously at the time, how to write. Those books gave me my first glimpse into character development, plot and world building. They taught me what makes a reader pick up a book, and more importantly, finish it.

What did you do before you became a published novelist, and how did you come to write your first novel and get it published?

I worked for many years in the records section of a small police department. I’d been writing short stories for years, but one day I decided to shoot for the moon and write a romance novel. It had always been a dream of mine, so after six months of writing, another six months of editing and several months of rejection, I was ecstatic to hear that a publishing company wanted my book. Feeling that it was now or never to try and build a writing career, I made the decision to quit my job and write full time. I’d never be able to do this without my wonderful husband’s support and for that I’ll be forever grateful.

How would you describe your style of fiction or your approach to writing fiction?

I write romance, so I think I write with a pair of rose colored glasses on. I like my stories to be realistic. To a point. Then I like the fantasy to take over. I mean, we all know some men wear socks while naked. But in our stories, we can leave that part out :)

Is your first published novel standalone or part of a series, and what advantages or disadvantages does this present for you?

My first book, A Death That Lingers (releases on November 21st-woohoo!) is a standalone book. I think when I started writing it I really couldn’t wrap my mind around anything more than just the immediate story at hand. But now I can really see the wonderful aspects of having a series. Readers often say, “I wasn’t ready for the story to end!” With a series, you can delve deeper into the character’s lives and the lives of those around them. Also with a series, your reader base is established with the first book. If it’s good, those readers will keep coming back for more. I definitely think I’d like to try my hand at a series in the future.

Have you found writing your second novel easier or more challenging than writing your first novel and why?

Ugh. My second book was SO much harder to write. And that surprised me. I’m still not quite sure why it gave me so much trouble, but it did. I actually had to stop at the halfway point and go back to wipe out a big chunk of the story. It wasn’t going in the direction I wanted it to, even though I had the outline pretty much worked out. My characters were feisty and rebellious. I had to reign them in a little.
I guess each book is different. They’re like your kids. Each has a distinct personality. Some are easy to work with, others are difficult. But you love them all.

Who is another novelist whose fiction writing you admire and why?

I absolutely adore Stephen King. He’s my hero. I have an autographed copy of On Writing that I keep by my computer for inspiration. The guy is an amazing story teller, but even more than that, he’s a master of the English language. He can take just a few words and weave them into the most incredible sentence that you’ll find yourself going back to read again and again, just for the sheer enjoyment of it.

How would you summarise your debut novel in one paragraph?

A Death That Lingers is a romantic suspense with a supernatural twist. My favorite kind! It was written in the spirit of books by Karen Robards with a sprinkling of Alice Hoffman thrown in for good measure. Here’s the blurb:

Josie Collins’ story is just beginning when she finally summons the courage to leave her famous, abusive husband and return to her hometown among the winter wheat of Kansas. She thought she’d escaped him this time. But she was wrong. When he is killed in a fiery car accident on his way to find her, it’s clear he may have died, but he has no intention of letting her go. With his death, an unthinkable evil is born. His presence only seems to intensify when Josie develops a rapport with sexy young police Chief, Paul Stark. Their attraction is undeniable, and Josie immediately knows there’s something special about the tall, brooding officer with the long jagged scar down his face. He has a nightmarish past, and what Josie soon learns, is that Paul has lost someone too, and is haunted by love, even as she is haunted by obsession.

How would you summarise a chapter from your debut novel in one paragraph?

I love the first chapter, because it sets up the rest of the book. At the beginning of Chapter One, Josie is packing her bags to leave. Her husband is a world famous musician. Handsome and talented, but very cold and abusive. She heads back to Kansas, anticipating a brand new life running the family’s antique shop. All these thoughts are running through her head. When will he come after me? What will he do if he finds me? She’s terrified, but she’s been pushed to the absolute breaking point. And that’s where the story begins. At her breaking point.

How would you describe the contribution this chapter makes to the novel?

This chapter is where you learn how bad Josie had it. How rotten her marriage was. How horrible her husband treated her. It’s also when you see what kind of life is awaiting her. And how much she stands to lose if she can’t finally be free of him. It’s my hope that the first chapter introduces you to a frightened young woman who discovers strength she never knew she had. Until now.

Author website: www.kaylienewell.com