At Open Book Society we do our best to get some insight into stories from the authors themselves. Here’s a great interview with the author of Awake at Dawn, C.C. Hunter
Brought to you by OBS Staffer, Haley.
OBS: Where does your inspiration to write come from?
C.C.: Great question. I’ve actually been asked this one a lot so I’ve had a lot of time to think about my answer. And it’s kind of funny. Some writers will tell you that they were born with a pen in their hands and by the time their umbilical cord fell off, they’d finished the first draft of their first novel. Not me. I was raised in the south, where all my family tried to one-up each other with their stories. You could say I grew up surrounded by storytellers. And while I was good at it, I was also dyslexic, which means writing was not my strong suit. (Now, standing up and telling my story to an audience? That I could do with no problem, which is probably why I enjoy giving talks so much.) Anyway, I was twenty-three before I told my husband I wanted to be a writer. It took years…lots of years that I spent teaching myself how to put my talent of telling a story on paper. I think I may be finally catching on, too.
OBS: I’m a huge, yes HUGE, fan of the Shadow Falls novels! How did you come about the idea for the series?
C.C.: It’s a funny story. You see, the idea of the paranormal camp actually came from my editor. However, I’m what we authors call a character-driven writer, meaning a story doesn’t come to life for me until I have my characters in my head. For some writers, it’s the plot or the setting. But not for me. So, before I started writing the book, I spent a good week taking a mental trip down Memory Lane and revisiting my youth. What I mean is I recalled all the things that were important to me at that age, all the issues I dealt with, and I used them to help me create my array of characters for the series. So many of the issues I write about in the series—Kylie’s parents splitting up, Miranda’s dyslexia—are issues I lived through. So the beginning inspiration for the Shadow Falls series really stemmed from my editor’s two-word idea of a “paranormal camp,” but the story didn’t start coming together until I fleshed out my characters. I guess you can say that the story behind the series is really my own life experiences—not that I know any vampires, shape-shifters, werewolves, witches or fairies. At least I don’t think I do. LOL.
OBS: I think all fans of the series are waiting on pins and needles for the release of Taken at Dusk. Has an official release date been decided?
C.C.: Oh, thanks so much for asking. Writing Taken at Dusk was an emotional experience for me. I’ve mentioned a few times in blog posts that a character dies in the book. Thinking about it still makes me tear up, so I’m warning all my readers to my a box of tissue nearby when they start to read it. The book will be released on April 10, 2012. And I can’t wait!
OBS: I’ve heard you’re writing a fourth and fifth book in the series. Have you decided on titles yet? How are the stories coming along? Do you think you’ll end at five or keep going until you feel the story is complete?
C.C.: I’m writing book four now and it doesn’t have a title yet, nor does book five. I don’t know which boy Kylie will end up choosing—those kinds of details I never discover until I’m actually writing that scene. As things stand right now, book five will be the last book in the Shadow Falls series . . . but you never know. I love writing about Kylie, and the response to my books have been so gratifying.
OBS: Do you plan on writing more YA Paranormal Romance novels after the Shadow Falls novels are complete?
C.C.: Yes, absolutely! In fact, I’ve discussed a new series idea with my editor and I’m really excited about that project, although it’s a few more years away. As soon as I have some details to share, I’ll let you know.
OBS: I really enjoyed your short story Turned at Dusk. Do you have plans to write anymore for the series?
C.C.: Oh, thank you so much. I really appreciate hearing that. I have talked to my editor and we’re talking about doing a few more short stories. I don’t have any concrete info to share but as soon as I do, I’ll be posting it on my blog.
OBS:Do you have plans to do any book tours? I know I’d love a chance to meet you in person and I’m sure all your other fans feel the same way! If so, can you give details about the tour?
C.C.: Again, thank you. One of my favorite things, besides writing, is meeting my readers. I was in Dallas on October 22nd and did a lecture and signing. Had a total blast, too. I do have some appearances coming up, and will be posting them on my website site on my event pages soon.
OBS: Is there a particular YA Paranormal novel or series that you’re enjoying at the moment?
C.C.: You know, I enjoy reading a wide variety of books, in a lot of genres. Right now, I’m really enjoying Sophie Jordan’s Firelight series. She always keeps me turning those pages, and Vanish is no exception. A good writing buddy of mine, Gemma Halliday, has a new YA mystery out now with Harper Teen called Deadly Cool. She’s a funny lady.
OBS: If there is one thing you’d like the readers of the Shadow Falls novels to take away from the series what would it be?
C.C.: Good question. I think it would be the message that everyone is different and unique in their own way, and we should learn to accept them—and ourselves—just the way they (and we) are.
I also hope readers enjoy reading the books as much as I enjoyed writing them.
OBS: Is there any way for fans of the Shadow Falls novels to obtain signed copies of the books?
C.C.: Yes. Katy Budget Books have several signed books on hand.
http://www.katybooks.com/
OBS: If you could spend a day with any fictional character, who would it be and why?
C.C.: Hmm. This is a toughie. There are a lot of fictional characters I’d like to spend some time with—like Mia from the Princess Diaries. (What’s not to love about a princess?) And Bella from the Twilight series. (I’d be asking her why she chose Edward, when she had that awesomely hot werewolf Jacob. LOL)
