I've really been enjoying having the opportunity to discover new stories and meet new authors through Happy Lil' Book Tours. I honestly believe that one of the most important things I can do as an author is to build relationships between both the writing and reading communities.
I have always enjoyed hearing about those powerhouse writing groups of the past that spurred one another on in their pursuits. My favorite of these groups has always been C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkein, and G.K. Chesterton. How seriously awe inspiring would it have been to sit and just listen to these master story tellers talk about their philosophies, imaginative worlds, and dreams of the future. Iron sharpens iron, and building these connections that can help all of us to encourage one another and push us forward is invaluable.
This week I had the great pleasure of getting to know Karyn Sepulveda, the author of Choosing Xaverique (pronounced Zaver-reek). I enjoyed learning more about her characters, as well as her writing process. I also got her to give me some pronunciation details, because I always want to know how the author intended things to be said. Here are her answers to my interview quesstions:
1.) There is a lot of debate in the writing community over whether to be a planner or a pantser (literally flying by the seat of your pants when writing.). Which camp would you say you typically choose? When it comes to your characters, are you rigid in their development, or do you give them room to evolve on their own throughout the book?
I am definitely a happy medium between the two. I always start a story as a pantser and just see what comes out - but I usually get stuck, so I then go back and plan and plot my storyline and the story evolves from there. I let my characters develop freely throughout my writing - I don't create character profiles for them or anything that planned out. But I do spend a lot of time during my editing process, scrutinising my characters and ensuring that what I have written is true to each character's personality.
2.) If you could meet one of your characters in real life, which one would it be, and what would you do with that character?
I love this question! I would meet Noah. I have no idea how, but I would try to make him realise that he is good at heart, that he deserves and is worthy of Gabby's love.
3.). What is something you can tell us about your characters that is not revealed in the book? (For example favorite food, music style, secret talent, etc?)
Gabby is a very creative person. She loves music and sees the beauty in random things, such as buildings, bridges, trees... Noah loves reading or did as a child but hasn't allowed himself to read for a long time... Mia loves desserts, anything sweet she loves and can be won over with... Zac is an artist, he sketches, usually complicated scenes from video games...
4.) If your main characters were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would they take with them?
Tricky question! Gabby would take her iPod/phone for music, photos of her family and water. Noah would take a book, his wallet (which is the only present he remembers receiving from his mum) and matches.
5.) Do you have plans for a sequel in the future?
Yes! I'm in the final editing stages of the sequel.
Here is more information about the book:
Choosing Xaverique
By: Karyn Sepulveda
Summary from Goodreads:
Reality and fantasy collide when Noah and Gabby meet. Both have secrets: they are not human,
cannot be killed and are falling in love with each other.
Gabby Valis is a regular fifteen year old; her biggest worries in life are friends, boys and her
annoying brother Zac. But her life is shattered the day she finds out she is not human. She had no
idea she belonged to a secret species which has evolved from humans; ‘Xaveriques’. After being hit
by a car, her body is forced to heal itself, and Gabby’s powers are unleashed…
‘I died this morning. At exactly 8.17 am my heart stopped beating and I lay cold and still in the
street. At 8.24 am my heart resumed beating, I jumped up from the dusty pavement and ran home.
Confused? Well, that makes two of us.’
———————————————————————————————————————-
Click the graphic above or the link below to read the first 2 chapters of Choosing Xaverique. You
will be hooked!
www.karynsepulveda.com/#!chapter1/z6jys
———————————————————————————————————————-
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29444742-choosing-xaverique
amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/Choosing-Xaverique-Karyn-Sepulveda-
ebook/dp/B01C3CKMWI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467610273&sr=8-
1&keywords=Choosing+Xaverique
————————————————————————————————————————
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Karyn comes from a background in teaching and theatre. Teaching drama, and writing and directing
Theatre in Education productions. She’s always loved creating stories and characters, so completed
a Masters in Creative Writing at Macquarie University.
It was here that her journey of writing Choosing Xaverique began. Now, six years later, she is just a
little bit thrilled it has finally been published! Karyn is currently working on the sequel to Choosing
Xaverique, slated for production later this year.
AUTHOR LINKS:
Website: http://www.karynsepulveda.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29444742-choosing-xaverique
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karynmsepulveda/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karyn_sep/
——————————————————————————————————
Blog tour Schedule:
Monday July 4th: Tegan (twrshelton.wix.com/bookdragondreaming)
Tuesday July 5th: Jen (http://www.happylilbooknook.com)
Wednesday July 6th: Abby (http://www.instagram.com/snowydayreviews)
Thursday July 7th: Elizabeth (http://www.instagram.com/throneofshatteredbooks)
Friday July 8th: Jordan (http://www.readbyroe.wordpress.com)
Saturday July 9th: Shivani (http://www.doodlingoverpages.wordpress.com)
Shuani (http://www.nicheofabooknerd.wordpress.com)
Sunday July 10th: Sarah (http://www.transientdrifter.blogspot.com)
Blog Tour Organized by:
Happy Lil Book Tours
Hosts were provided with a copy of the book for review purposes in exchange for their honest
reviews and opinions.
Please be sure to check out the other accounts participating in the tour as well :)
My personal review is up on Goodreads. I gave the book 4 stars. It was a really fun and interesting story. I particularly liked the way she dealt with young teenage love. I have read other reviews that criticized how quickly the romance got started, but my response to them is, clearly you have never been a young teen girl. I thought Karyn very accurately described exactly how silly and ridiculous every little detail can be, from over analyzing every brush of skin on skin, to daydreaming endlessly and obsessing about when the next moment of contact will take place. I'm super curious to see where her story will head in the next installment.
No comments:
Post a Comment