Interview: Vicki Green

Author Interview of the Week

This week's author interview is with Vicki Green, author of the Forever Series!

What made you want to be an author?

Seriously, one night I just decided to sit down and put the dream that has been in my head down on paper. I really didn’t know if it would be any good or if I could write it well enough. But, I guess deep down I always wanted to write and I have a very vivid imagination so I thought, why not? The inevitable in all dreams is that you wake up, so you never get the complete story. But as I wrote the story kept unfolding in my mind. The more I wrote the more I wanted to publish it and share it with everyone. To have that feeling that there might be people out there that could love it as much as I do kept me going.

Who has inspired you the most?

Oh, so many! I know it’s a cliché but the first books I really read in my life was Stephanie Myer’s Twilight. But after that, I got into reading Fan fiction for a long time. I actually read some of the most popular Author’s and their stories before they published them as they were writing them chapter by chapter. It was antagonizing waiting for each chapter to be updated but awesome at the same time. Then there are the other Author’s that are so popular that I have come across as their books were recommended by your blog as well as others.

Can you tell us about some of your earlier days of writing?

This is my first book so really I don’t have any early days yet.  J But I can tell you what a thrill it is to get an idea, at 1:00 in the morning, and have to get up to go write it down. Then, while writing, that feeling of your idea’s coming together and when you’re done with a part, the accomplishment you feel is invigorating.

How different is it being an Indie author?

It can be frustrating at times and is a lot of work. You have to self-promote yourself and your book. But it can also be fun, making new friends along the way.

Can you tell us a little about the Forever Series?

My Forever Series #1 of course is My Savior Forever. This is about Cassie, her horrific life growing up and how Jesse saves her from being kidnapped, keeping her protected and safe and how they fall in love while trying to locate her kidnappers. Series #2 is being worked on currently.

Who is your favorite author?

I would have to say Colleen Hoover is one that I respect and admire but I have so many it’s not fair to choose.  

What has been the best experience so far on your journey as an author?

I have made some great new friends and all the people who support my endeavors.

Can you give us some insight on any upcoming projects?

I am currently writing #2 of my Forever Series. I am hoping to release ‘Together Forever’ before the end of 2013.

What advice can you give to any upcoming authors?

Go for your dreams! You won’t know if anything will come from it unless you take that leap! You have to take the bad with the good, but the rewards are so worth it!

Thanks so much, Vicki for interviewing with us! Don't forget to check out her website listed below and pick up your copy of the Forever Series!

Vicki Green Website

Review: EVERMORE by Alyson Noel

[Info:]


{Title:} EVERMORE (The Immortals, Book One)


{By:} Alyson Noel


{Publisher:} St. Martin's Griffin


{Release Date:} February 3rd, 2009


{Pages:} 320


[Description:]

Since a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, Ever can see auras, hear people's thoughts, and know a person's entire life story by touch. Going out of her way to avoid human contact and suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high school—but everything changes when she meets Damen.
Damen Auguste is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy. He's the only one who can silence the noise and random energy in her head—wielding a magic so intense, it's as though he can see straight into her soul. As Ever is drawn deeper into his enticing world of secrets and mystery, she's left with more questions than answers. She has no idea just who he really is—or what he is. The only thing she knows to be true is she's falling deeply and helplessly in love with him.

[Thoughts:]

I was a little unsure about the first book in the Immortals series by Alyson Noel entitled EVERMORE. I heard a mixture of things about it -- I heard it was INCREDIBLE, and hard to put down. And then I also caught word it was a "rip off" of Stephenie Meyer's TWILIGHT. That bit of news particularly bothered me, since I'm definitely NOT a fan of Ms. Meyer or her work, especially after I met her in person some time after New Moon came out and found she was VERY disrespectful to her fans. But ANYWAY, back to EVERMORE. I decided to get it over with, moved it up on my To Be Read pile, and purchased each installment as they came out.

And I am SO glad that I did!

EVERMORE is a unique take on life, weaving fantasy and reality beautifully by integrating aspects of various religions/spirituality/beliefs/customs/etc. with history and the modern day. There isn't some insane suspension of disbelief, which a a bit refreshing for a more supernaturally themed novel. Don't get me wrong, I love my crazy out there books too, but this particular book really entertained me with how easily she made it all flow together.

Alyson Noel gives a great cast of characters to go along with the already intriguing storyline. Each are memorable and unique, from the curious Ever with her psychic abilities, to the dashing and mysterious Damen, and especially Ever's best friends -- two misfits, Miles and Haven. Not to mention, Ever's lovable (and dead) little sister Riley.

Another thing I personally enjoyed in this series in general has been the art history references. I don't recall if they are AS prominent in EVERMORE, but I know it definitely is in BLUE MOON, SHADOWLAND, and DARK FLAME. And, seeing as I'm an Art Major in college, one that really loves her Art History courses, I love reading the references and know exactly the artist or piece being referred to. I feel like earing an A in History of Art I and II is paying off in my everyday life.

EVERMORE is the sort of book I enjoy reading -- the kind that stands out from everything else out there -- no matter what some people may think. EVERMORE is the sort of book that delights me in the fact that once I think I have everything all figured out, I end up being proven completely wrong and left speechless.

So, head out and pick up Alyson Noel's EVERMORE. You won't regret it.
And stay tuned for my reviews of the rest of the books in the IMMORTALS series.


~Angel

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Interview: Stephanie Kuehnert

Photo by Chad McGavock

NOTE: This is an interview I did quite a while back, before BALLADS came out in stores! But, I still found it interesting and thought it was worth a repost. Hope you enjoy and check out her books!

 

Can you tell us some about your earlier days with writing?

 

Well, I've been writing seriously since high school. In high school, I focused more writing 'zines. I wrote a series of feminist zines and then three per-zines (or personal zines), which contained personal essays, mostly about the things I was going through at the time, getting through the pain from an abusive relationship and trying to help drug-addicted friends. Those were some pretty painful years. After high school I wrote a bunch of short stories... if you can call them that. They were really more prose poems. I desperately needed feedback to help me find my voice and the direction of my work and I finally got that when I was 21 and started attended the Fiction Writing program at Columbia College Chicago. Being around other writers really inspired me and I started writing furiously and getting feedback that helped me shape my stories into something. That early work would lead to my first and second novels.

What sparked your inspiration for I WANNA BE YOUR JOEY RAMONE?

I've loved punk rock since junior high and have been particularly inspired by female punk musicians. I wanted to be one, but I don't have that kind of talent, so I created Emily because I wanted to live vicariously through her. I also would love to live in a world where a female-fronted band is the biggest thing out there, so I created that world in a novel. It's a tribute to all the female musicians I've loved.

Has your life changed considerably now that you're a published author?

Nah, not really except for that now I get fanmail which is awesome and makes me happier than I can tell you. I did quit my full-time job, but that's not because writing is paying the bills. I'm back to the part-time job I had in grad school, bartending. It gives me more time to write and I'm taking a gamble, hoping it will pay off and I don't regret giving up benefits and retirement and all of that!

What is one of the most unusual events that has occurred since IWBYJR debuted? Any bizzare signings?

I did have a kind of bizarre event recently. A reading where my audience was two librarians and a teenage girl (those are the people I'd expect) and then a younger boy and two older men. Like the boy was probably in 6th or 7th grade which is too young for my book and one of the older men was probably in his 70s or 80s. He asked me to define punk rock. He also asked why my hair didn't match my shoes (my bangs and converse sneakers are both pink, but different shades). I still had fun though. I had to choose a new section to read at the last minute because of the age of the boy, but both of the older men bought the book. I don't think the one who asked me about punk rock will read it, but I think the other might! On the other hand, this Sunday I am reading a major rock club in Chicago with Irvine Welsh, the legendary author of Trainspotting. It's going to be a much different audience and *gulp* way bigger... It takes all kinds. That is the fun of it!

What has been the best experience on your journey to becoming an author so far?

Oh there are so many! I've meet some amazing authors. I've done some great events. I've gotten to talk to musicians I admire. Working with MTV Books has been totally amazing. But probably the best thing of all is hearing from and especially meeting people who enjoyed the book. Especially meeting teen girls who remind me of me at that age. I am so happy that my book provided them with an outlet because I know how much I needed that.

"Women Who Rock Wednesday" is a brilliant idea! Why did you decide to honor women of the arts in your blog?

 

Well, I started by featuring 5 women who rocked during the week that IWBYJR came out. It seemed right since IWBYJR was a tribute to the women who rocked my world in many ways. And then I realized that there were so many more women that I wanted to feature and that unfortunately in many artistic fields (music certainly comes to mind), women still aren't given as much attention as men. I wanted to do something about that, so I decided to start featuring women that rock my world. I'm trying to mix it up and feature all kinds of artists and people at different places in their careers. This month I already interviewed a young fashion designer and I will be interviewing a pretty well-established author and a band that I think is going to be the next big thing. At least they deserve to be. Since I understood what feminism was, I've been trying to empower women, so this is just another part of that. And Wednesdays definitely get more hits on my blog than any other day so I'm glad people are enjoying it!

Who is your favorite rockstar?

My all-time favorite rock star is Kurt Cobain. It sounds cheesy but Nirvana truly changed my life. I admire Kurt as a musician and a human being. He used the fame he had to get the word out about causes that meant a lot to him and about bands that deserved attention. He was very supportive of women and I quoted him at the beginning of IWBYJR about women being the future of rock n roll. I wish he'd stuck around, the world needs him.

My favorite living rock star is Courtney Love. I know she's controversial, but she's total rock 'n' roll, baby and her lyrics, particularly on her first two albums, I wish I could write the novel equivalent to that. She's so honest and raw.

Finally, do you have any upcoming projects? Can you tell us a little about them?

Yep, my second book, BALLADS OF SUBURBIA, is due out from MTV Books in Summer 2009. Probably in July. It's about a teenage girl who has always felt like a misfit in her suburban town. She finally finds her place among the other punks, skaters, freaks, and geeks that hang out in a park at the center of town, but her life and the lives of her friends are pretty troubled and things start to spiral out of control. It's basically a classic coming of age story. And since I'm pretty terrible at these summary things, you can just read the first chapter on my website at http://www.%20stephaniekuehnert.com/backstage.html

Thanks for dropping by, Stephanie!

Visit her website:
http://www.stephaniekuehnert.com/

~Angel