Author Interview: Lisa McMann

YALLFest is just around the corner. This festival is held in Charleston, SC and celebrates all things YA and authors and readers and everything in between. Think good food, good conversation, and your favorite authors galore. It is a paradise.

You can click here to see what awesome authors will be there.

To help celebrate, Book ‘Em! will host author interviews with some of the authors that will make an appearance. Today, I am hosting author Lisa McMann—squee!

What one thing do you need to have when you write?

Silence.

Best writing tip you ever received?

“Think of the one thing your main character would never, ever do. Now make her do it.”

What are you working on now?

We’ll be ramping up the releases of books 5, 6, and 7 in the Unwanteds series, so I’m working on Unwanteds book 5 right now.

What is your favorite genre to write in? To Read?

I really enjoy writing in a variety of genres, from realistic to paranormal to dystopian fantasy. At the moment, fantasy is winning, but that could change at any moment. My favorite genre to read is memoir.

At what point in the development of an idea do you know that it will become a full-length novel?

As soon as I have a one line concept that gives me a little shiver.

To learn more about Lisa McMann, her writing, and/or where you can catch her on tour, visit her website.

You can also find McMann all over social media: Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and Pinterest.

Thank you to YALLFest for providing the interview.

Happy Reading!

     - The Hodgenator

Author Interview: Michelle Hodkin

YALLFest is just around the corner. This festival is held in Charleston, SC and celebrates all things YA and authors and readers and everything in between. Think good food, good conversation, and your favorite authors galore. It is a paradise.

You can click here to see what awesome authors will be there.

To help celebrate, Book ‘Em! will host author interviews with some of the authors that will make an appearance. Today, I am hosting author Michelle Hodkin. ***please excuse me while I faint for a moment***

Okay, I am back. Yes, Michelle Hodkin! If you have not introduced Mara Dyer into your life, this is the perfect time. It’s October, the month of the spine tingle. This is the perfect book to enhance that spine tingle feeling.

Describe your book in 5 words
Romeo and Juliet meets Hitchcock

What is the hardest line to write- the first or the last?
I spend a lot of time thinking about my first lines. A lot of time. Too much time. Luckily the last lines usually come to me as I write. 

What is your favorite genre to write in? To Read?
What I love about YA is that I don't have to choose a genre. I can blend elements and mess with conventions from all of them—horror, mystery, sci-fi, fantasy, whatever. I'm not sure I could choose a favorite, if I were ever told that I had to. And my reading is all over the place, but right now I'm reading a lot of old school sci-fi and fantasy, with some literary fiction thrown in. 

What one young adult novel do you wish you had when you were a teen? Why?
The Magicians by Lev Grossman. It's not YA, but it is about a teenager who reminds me of my teen self. And maybe also my adult self. Anyway. I basically push the book into the hands of everyone I meet. It's just that good.

What are you working on now?
A secret project that is secret. But I'm wildly excited about it, and I think my readers will be too.

Umm…yes Michelle, “wildly excited” is the nice way to put it. I know fall just started, but I am already ready for June 2014 just so I can read the next installment of Mara Dyer’s story, ‘The Retribution of Mara Dyer.’

I am serious guys, you have to add the Mara Dyer series to your life. You will not be disappointed. I promise.

Look at these covers - LOVE them!

To learn more about Michelle Hodkin, her writing, and/or where you can catch her on tour, visit her website.

You can also find Hodkin all over social media: Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and Pinterest.

Thank you to YALLFest for providing the interview.

Happy Reading!

-                      The Hodgenator

Author Interview: Lisi Harrison

YALLFest is just a little over thirty days away in Charleston. It’s a festival that celebrates all things YA and authors and readers and everything in between. Think good food, good conversation, and your favorite authors galore. It is a paradise. To say the least.

You can click here to see what awesome authors will be there.

To help celebrate, Book ‘Em! will host author interviews with some of the authors that will make an appearance. Today, I am hosting Lisi Harrison, author of ‘The Clique’ series.

What one thing do you need to have when you write?

A scented candle. Each book has its own scent.

Describe your book in 5 words

Popular freshmen’s secret journals revealed.

What is the hardest line to write- the first or the last?

First. 100%

Best writing tip you ever received?

Stop writing in the middle of a chapter instead of the end. It will be easier to start up again the next day.

What one young adult novel do you wish you had when you were a teen? Why?

Stargirl.

Tell us 5 random facts about yourself.

1.    I can’t run.

2.    I have a tattoo with a type-o. It’s supposed to say, “creativity” but it says, “dry.”

3.    In college I thought it would be cool to get a tattoo written in Chinese characters.

4.    I was supposed to be on one of the planes that crashed into the World Trade Center. I changed my reservation at the last minute. Now every time I look at a clock it says 9:11.

5.    I can’t stand being asked about my “favorites.” I don’t have favorites. If I did I’d forget what they are the minute you asked and would remember them the minute you leave. It’s maddening.

6.    I prefer to give 6 random facts.    

Where's your favorite place to write?

My  office.

What are you working on now?

Pretenders #2: License to Spill.

                    

What is your favorite genre to write in? To Read?

What did I just tell you about “favorites?”

At what point in the development of an idea do you know that it will become a full-length novel?

When I can describe it in one sentence. And do it without cringing.

Be sure to check out Harrison’s latest novel: Pretenders. “We’re all pretenders.” Click here to add it to your Goodreads shelf or to learn more about it.

To learn more about Lisi Harrison, her writing, and/or where you can catch her on tour, visit her website.

She can also be found on Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Thank you to YALLFest for providing the interview.

Happy Reading!

-      The Hodgenator