L.A.H.E : You have a wonderful site called YA Trailer Park. Do you have any book trailer tips?
ST : Thank you! Try and match the trailer to your book as well as you possibly can. For example, my book, Raven, is a bit dark and mysterious and I think my trailer reflects that. Also be sure to include links to your website at the end of each trailer.
L.A.H.E : What’s your favorite scene from Raven or your upcoming release December Moon?
ST : My favourite scene is when the ghost of Ruby Madison suddenly appears out of thin air. That was fun to write!
L.A.H.E. : Who/what provided your greatest inspiration in writing December Moon?
ST : The Raven Saga was inspired by a visit to Powell River in Canada in 2009. It was such a beautiful and mysterious spot that my mind went into overdrive and the ideas started to come to me back then.
L.A.H.E. : What struggles did you have to overcome in writing December Moon?
ST : Raven was written in the first person and December Moon in the third person. At times, it was difficult to get that right. In a sense, it was easier to get Lilly’s thoughts across in the first book whereas the second, I had to take more time to figure out how to do it.
L.A.H.E : Who would be cast in the movie of December Moon?
ST : I love this question. There are quite a few characters so I’ll just give you a few that I would love to see in the movie version:
Lilly – Georgie Henley
December – Chloe Moretz
Jo – Alexandra Daddario
Oliver – Colby Paul
Ben – Charlie Cox
Rose – Sally Fields
L.A.H.E. : GREAT CAST! What’s the most awkward moment you had [and wouldn’t mind sharing] in high school?
ST : Oooh that’s a tough one! Actually, my experience of school was pretty tame… nothing exciting or awkward ever really happened, to be honest. I guess I was very boring! Sorry!
L.A.H.E : Do you have any advice for new writers?
ST : Don’t let negative reviews get you down. Everybody has their own opinion and sometimes that means that some people aren’t going to enjoy your book. If they choose to be negative and nasty about it, that just makes themselves look bad… not you. Never give up. If you believe in yourself, then go for it!
L.A.H.E. : What are you working on now? Can you share a blurb from your new book?
I’ve actually been working on a chick lit book for a while (with frequent breaks!). It’s called Forever Fredless:
Aged ten years old, Kate stumbles upon the most beautiful boy she has ever seen, but she is whisked away by her parents before she gets the chance to meet him.
Years later, she continues to compare all potential mates to the boy she dubbed Fred, but no-one comes close… except a handsome stranger with whom she has a disastrous one night stand. So bad in fact, that she decides she must move on with her life and forget about her soulmate. But when she finds herself the heir to a massive fortune and her story is plastered all over the tabloids, all kinds of characters come forward claiming to be the boy she loved and lost.
Will she find him? Or will she be, Forever Fredless?
L.A.H.E. : What fuel flavors your prose? [chips, popcorn, chocolate, etc….] ?
ST: Dark chocolate!
L.A.H.E. : If you could take a trip anywhere in the world, where would you most like to go?
I’ve always wanted to go to Texas, actually! I’m not sure why, it just really appeals to me.
After the inexplicable disappearance of Lilly Taylor’s parents, she has no choice but to move to Canada where she unravels some frightening yet intriguing family secrets…
Her whole life had been based on a lie. Lilly had grown up in a loveless home with a father who she had barely ever seen and a mother who was… well, not very motherly.
After they mysteriously disappear without a trace, Lilly is sent to Canada where she finds a whole new way of life. A life filled with love and people who care for her. But that’s not all she discovers, Lilly also finds out that she isn’t who, or what, she thinks she is.
Lilly has a very special ability and it’s just a matter of time before her true self starts to shine. And when it does, her life will never be the same again.
Raven is a fantasy novel for children and young adults set in the beautiful province of British Columbia.
On her 15th birthday, December Moon discovers she is the descendant of a family of witches, kept in the dark her entire life in an effort to protect her. But when Lilly, her best friend, finds herself in danger from one of the world’s most evil vampires, December will do everything in her power to stop him. December Moon is a fantasy novel for children and young adults set in BC, Canada.
Thanks for stopping by Laurasmagicday, Suzy! You had me at “the ghost of Ruby Madison”!
Thank you for having me on your blog, Laura!! This was a really fun interview to do!
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I will HAVE to visit The Powell River! And your cast? OMG! Amazing. I do hope we can whisper in Hollywood’s ear. You have a future as a casting agent me thinks! Who does your covers, BTW. December Moon is absolutely haunting!
OH, yes…and I forgot to ask you this one, but how did you get the idea for YA trailer park? It’s brilliant!
lol thanks Laura! I hope Hollywood is listening too. How amazing would that be!!?
I actually pinched the Trailer Park idea from a few other people… it’s good isn’t it?!!!
You never know:) I like the phrase “pinching ideas.” Lucky for YA authors you did! 😀
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