I’m very excited to tour Don’t Hex with Texas by Shanna Swendson (isn’t it a fabulous title).
Katie Chandler has fled fast-paced
Cobb is being plagued by a series of unexplainable petty crimes and other devilish mischief, and after her experiences in
And now for the interview……
What inspired the plot for your book?
This is the fourth book in my series, so the big-picture plot and characters were already established. But when I was traveling around
Why did you decide to write for teens?
I don’t write specifically for teens — these books are published as adult books, but they’re what I’d call “teen friendly.” There’s not a lot of content that would alarm parents, but I think that teens enjoy reading about what might face them after college when they enter the adult world (well, minus the talking gargoyles and frog princes, which haven’t been a big part of my adult life, although the ogre bosses certainly have).
What is your writing process like?
I like to plan everything and analyze it thoroughly, then I tear through a fast first draft, generally making it up as I go. And then I analyze it all over again and take it apart and put it back together again. I often write a first draft in a few weeks, then spend several months revising the book. No matter how much I plan, it seems like I don’t figure out what the book is about until I’ve written it.
What are you working on now?
I’m just starting the brainstorming process on an urban fantasy project, trying to figure out who my characters are and what’s really going on. And I’m revising a young adult fantasy novel that I hope to get submitted to publishers soon.
What do you do when you’re not writing?
I read a lot. I’m trying to read 100 books this year, and I’m right on target to do that. I’m also quite a TV geek, totally addicted to the Sci Fi Friday lineup, and then I have to discuss all those shows online. Or I get together with friends to do things like watch Doctor Who episodes, explore bookstores, go to various local events and festivals and, of course, eat out.
Who do you like to read?
Just about everything! My current addiction is Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series. I’m trying to ration them and only read a few at a time instead of greedily devouring the whole series at once. I love fantasy novels, mysteries, young adult books, adventure stories, science fiction, history, and I could go on all day.
SHANNA SWENDSON escaped the corporate rat race to be a novelist and pop culture essayist. She is the author of Enchanted, Inc. and Once Upon Stilettos, in addition to contributing essays to books about television series, authors, and novels. When she’s not writing or watching television and movies so she can write about them, she enjoys cooking, traveling, and singing. Visit her web site at www.shannaswendson.com or her blog
Swendson’s contemporary urban fantasy novels have enchanted fans of romance, chick lit and fantasy alike.
Thanks for the interview, Sara! I have a new author to add to my favorite’s list!
Shanna: we love Discworld here, too. We listened to a ton of them as audiobooks when the kids were in gymnastics and we routinely spent hours a day in the car.
I met Shanna at the PASIC conference last year– she’s awesome!
Great interview!
And I’ve already posted six random things about me and notified my own tagees! (Is that a word???)
It works for me, Bev!!
Thanks for reminding me about this one… I hajve the other three and need to comeplete the set!
Teri