Today is our last day with Elizabeth Sharp and she has provided us with a fantastic interview about her and her book Natural Selection. Don't forget to at least answer the question at the bottom to be apart of our giveaway!
What was the inspiration behind your story, Natural Selection?
Natural Selection was actually a perfect storm of ideas. Three separate ideas came together one day. The first was a young adult novel about a teenage girl discovering she was more than human. The second was about a teenage girl and her unique family structure that focused on issues teen dealt. Many of the people who read it felt it was too dark and depressing, but I loved the characters and their relationship. The final idea dealt with a society filled with hatred and mistrust, though this one isn’t quite as dominant in Natural Selection as it is in the sequels.
Natural Selection was actually a perfect storm of ideas. Three separate ideas came together one day. The first was a young adult novel about a teenage girl discovering she was more than human. The second was about a teenage girl and her unique family structure that focused on issues teen dealt. Many of the people who read it felt it was too dark and depressing, but I loved the characters and their relationship. The final idea dealt with a society filled with hatred and mistrust, though this one isn’t quite as dominant in Natural Selection as it is in the sequels.
How did you go about deciding what age Amelia would be?
I can’t even begin to tell you how many times Amelia’s age changed I the course of writing this story. I had her as old as seventeen at one point and as young as twelve. In the end I decided to start her at fourteen simply because I liked showing her dealing with these deeper issues at the same time she is struggling with the very normal teen issue of starting high school. It just seemed like a good place to start.
I LOVED how you followed Amelia and her mother’s reading selections! (Who doesn’t love H.P. Mallory after all?) What gave you that idea to subtly bring up other books and authors instead of just saying that she was reading a book about a sparkly vampire?
It started off as my attempt to give some depth to Amelia, showing her tastes. I also liked the idea that if the reader liked the idea of something she is reading they can go look for it and actually find it.
Will there be more to Amelia’s story?
Oh, definitely. There is a second novel already being edited and a third being ploted. Some of the other characters introduced will also be getting their own stories. So you haven’t seen the last of Amelia.
Who is your greatest influence in the writing world?
When is the best time to write? Where is it that you do your magic?
First thing in the morning is the best time for me. I am most productive then. I usually start at my desk in my office, but often migrate to stretching out on my bed with either my Live Scribe pen or my laptop.
If you were one of the species you mention in your books, which would you be?
I’d want to be a djinn. At least the half-breed kind.
I feel like I’m constantly saying, “this book took unusual yet fascinating turn” when it comes to reading indie paranormal books, but its true! It seems like most of the traditionally published books I find end up being about faeries or vampires and occasionally witches, but indie books exceed those limitations, truly creating new worlds and characters never thought of before. Do you agree? Why do you think that is?
I think the traditional publishing world is limited by their constant market analysis and bureaucracies. They have a line of people to answer to and are so concerned with the bottom line that they can’t take the chances that independents can.
Thanks Elizabeth for coming by! It's been fantastic having you here this week!
I can’t even begin to tell you how many times Amelia’s age changed I the course of writing this story. I had her as old as seventeen at one point and as young as twelve. In the end I decided to start her at fourteen simply because I liked showing her dealing with these deeper issues at the same time she is struggling with the very normal teen issue of starting high school. It just seemed like a good place to start.
I LOVED how you followed Amelia and her mother’s reading selections! (Who doesn’t love H.P. Mallory after all?) What gave you that idea to subtly bring up other books and authors instead of just saying that she was reading a book about a sparkly vampire?
It started off as my attempt to give some depth to Amelia, showing her tastes. I also liked the idea that if the reader liked the idea of something she is reading they can go look for it and actually find it.
Will there be more to Amelia’s story?
Oh, definitely. There is a second novel already being edited and a third being ploted. Some of the other characters introduced will also be getting their own stories. So you haven’t seen the last of Amelia.
Who is your greatest influence in the writing world?
When is the best time to write? Where is it that you do your magic?
First thing in the morning is the best time for me. I am most productive then. I usually start at my desk in my office, but often migrate to stretching out on my bed with either my Live Scribe pen or my laptop.
If you were one of the species you mention in your books, which would you be?
I’d want to be a djinn. At least the half-breed kind.
I feel like I’m constantly saying, “this book took unusual yet fascinating turn” when it comes to reading indie paranormal books, but its true! It seems like most of the traditionally published books I find end up being about faeries or vampires and occasionally witches, but indie books exceed those limitations, truly creating new worlds and characters never thought of before. Do you agree? Why do you think that is?
I think the traditional publishing world is limited by their constant market analysis and bureaucracies. They have a line of people to answer to and are so concerned with the bottom line that they can’t take the chances that independents can.
Thanks Elizabeth for coming by! It's been fantastic having you here this week!
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