Hi Sara! First I want to say welcome back to Two Chicks on Books! I
freaking loved the DARK BREAKS THE DAWN and I can’t
wait for everyone to read it! And I am so happy that you could stop by for a
visit!
Thank you so much! I’m so thrilled you loved it and I’m so
happy to be back!
For the readers:
can you tell us a little bit about the DARK BREAKS THE DAWN and the characters?
DARK BREAKS THE DAWN is a fantasy reimagining of Swan
Lake. There are so many complex characters in this story that I loved getting
to delve into and write about—including
Evelayn, the Princess of Eadrolan (the Light Kingdom), Ceren, her best friend
who is more like a sister to her, Tanvir who is the new High Lord of the
Delsachts, and Lorcan, the Prince of Dorjhalon (the Dark Kingdom). All of these
characters have strengths and weaknesses, many of which you’ll see in DBTD, but
that will be revealed even more (and sometimes in VERY shocking ways) in the
sequel, BRIGHT BURNS THE NIGHT.
How was writing it
compared to the Defy series? Is it different writing a second series?
Writing this duology has been a very different experience
from writing the DEFY series. I was able to draft the three books of the DEFY
trilogy very quickly, often in huge spurts of inspiration that lasted for
hours. With DARK BREAKS THE DAWN and the sequel, I was dealing with quite a lot
in my personal life, and found it much harder for that same creative passion to
overtake me. This meant that both books took longer to draft than I had been
used to, but it was a great learning experience for me—that I can still write and create, even
under less than ideal circumstances.
Were any of the
characters in the book inspired by people from your real life?
Not
really. I think as authors, we are constantly observing and absorbing, but I
have yet to consciously model a character after someone in my real life. But
perhaps “stealing” bits and pieces here and there, yes. I think we all do that.
Who was your
favorite character to write? What about your least favorite?
Besides
Evelayn, my main character, I think my favorite was Lorcan. He is so complex
and has such a difficult life. He demanded much more attention than I’d first
anticipated giving him and actually threw me for some major loops in this book
and the sequel. While it can be terrifying as an author to give a character
“his head” so to speak, it is also exhilarating, and I can’t wait for everyone
to get to know him.
What is your
favorite passage/scene in DARK BREAKS THE DAWN?
I can
never pick just one – there
are so many! And some are very spoilery. But one of my favorite scenes to write
takes place in a cave, when Evelayn risks her life to go seeking something to
help her stop the war.
What kind of
research did you have to do for the story?
I did
all sorts of different research, but one of my favorite bits of “research” I
did was when I was lying in a hotel room, trying to rest while my kids watched
Wild Kratts on PBS. It was an episode about spiders, and in particular how
strong spider silk is. That episode sparked an idea that became an integral
part of the plot in DBTD! You never know where inspiration (and research) can
take place!
Who is your
ultimate book boyfriend?
I’m
terrible at picking just one…but some
of my recent favorites are Rhysand (ACOMAF), and Anton (BURNING GLASS). Very
different men, but both very swoon-worthy!
What inspired you
to write YA?
I’ve
always naturally gravitated to YA, as a reader and a writer. I love the urgency
at this time in a person’s life, when characters are experiencing so much for
the first time—love,
death, independence—and when
they are figuring out who they really are and want to be.
Lightening Round
Questions
What are you
reading right now? Or what do you have on your TBR that you’re dying to read?
My TBR
is a mile high! As soon as I finish editing BRIGHT BURNS THE NIGHT, I am
currently dying to read FLAME IN THE MIST, THE STAR TOUCHED QUEEN, A COURT OF
WINGS AND RUIN, and my ARC of CRYSTAL BLADE!
What Hogwarts
House would the Sorting Hat place you in?
I always
end up in Gryffindor when I take the tests.
Twitter or
Facebook?
Instagram.
J I love pictures.
Favorite
Superhero?
My mom.
Favorite TV show?
I don’t
have a TOP favorite, but I did just binge watch How I Met Your Mother and Heart
of Dixie while I was on bedrest (I needed light, fun shows to keep my mind off
of things) and thoroughly enjoyed both.
Sweet or Salty?
Sweet.
Unless it’s chips with salsa and guacamole.
Any Phobias?
I can’t
stand the sound of napkins tearing, so I hate using paper napkins.
Song you can’t get
enough of right now?
Believer
by Imagine Dragons is my workout jam right now, and HandClap by Fitz and the
Tantrums
2017 Movie you’re
most looking forward to?
SO many! Guardians of the Galaxy 2 and Wonder Woman are at
the top of the list! And of course THE LAST JEDI!!!
Thanks so much Sara for answering my questions! I can’t wait for
everyone to read DARK BREAKS THE DAWN!
Thank YOU!
