As part of the blog tour for the release of her wonderful debut Defiance, C J Redwine has kindly stopped by to answer a few questions...
What inspired the idea for Defiance?
For years, I’d had the idea of a Leviathon-like creature living underground with the capability to destroy our world if anyone accidentally released him. Then one day I saw a picture of a fortress and it reminded me of a city-state. I said “What if we lived in city-states again? Why would we do that?” One idea collided with another, and Defiance was born.
I loved getting the story from both Rachel and Logan’s POV! What made you decide to write the story this way? And was one character easier to write for than the other?
I’d written half of the story from Rachel’s POV when I realized that Logan’s stake in the story was equal to hers. Plus, he does some REALLY cool things while apart from her, and I wanted the reader to see that. Rachel’s POV was easier to write because Logan is so logical and scientific, and I am so … not.
Do you have a favourite scene in the story you can share?
I don’t know if I have one favourite, but I do love the scene when they finally get their first kiss. They earned that! (Also, first kiss awkwardness for the win!)
Defiance is the first book in a trilogy. Can you give us any hints for what’s next in store for the characters?
Hmm … *looks to see if publisher is watching* I can tell you that things are going to get worse before they get better, there are multiple enemies hunting them now, and that readers will get to know the secondary characters much more in book 2.:)
What was the publication process like for you?
The process itself has been wonderful. I really connect with my editor and with her help, I turned Defiance into the story I always meant to write in the first place. The process leading up to getting published was a long, bumpy road full of rejections (as it is for many!), and I’m grateful for it because it taught me not to take a single part of my career for granted. I’ve been blessed.
Are there any authors who have been a strong influence on you?
Yes! Probably too many to name, but I’ll choose a few of the biggest influencers. C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia was the first fantasy series I read. I was in the second grade, and it just opened my world up. It was like someone shone this huge spotlight on all these possibilities, and I dove headfirst into fantasy and storytelling, and I’ve never looked back. J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series is like studying a master’s class in plotting, world building, and character development. Plus, who doesn’t want to believe in magic? Reading her books (again and again and again) taught me that the only limits to a writer’s imagination are the ones we place on ourselves. And finally, my friend Myra McEntire who writes a fabulous time-travel series (Hourglass, Timepiece) really knows how to capture the awkward loveliness of first love and first kisses. I was struggling to hit the right notes in Defiance and just started asking myself “What would Myra do?” and suddenly all the romantic scenes just worked.
What is a typical writing day like for you? Do you have any ‘must-haves’ before you can sit down and write?
The only must-have I need for writing is my playlist. I build one specific to each story, and as soon as those particular songs start playing in that particular order, I’m immediately immersed in the story. I have a toddler home with me, so my writing day is wedged in during her nap and then after she and my school-age boys go to bed at night.
What is your favourite aspect of being a writer? And the most challenging?
My favourite aspect is the joy of discovering a new story. I love the adventure of not knowing what will happen next until it comes out onto the page! The most challenging for me is writing the beginnings. I invariably end up revising 5 or 6 times before I nail it.:)
----
Thanks C J! I can't wait to find out what is next in store for Logan and Rachel!!!
The next stop on the blog tour is over at Totally Bookalicious tomorrow.
You can find C J at her blog and on twitter.
What inspired the idea for Defiance?
For years, I’d had the idea of a Leviathon-like creature living underground with the capability to destroy our world if anyone accidentally released him. Then one day I saw a picture of a fortress and it reminded me of a city-state. I said “What if we lived in city-states again? Why would we do that?” One idea collided with another, and Defiance was born.
I loved getting the story from both Rachel and Logan’s POV! What made you decide to write the story this way? And was one character easier to write for than the other?
I’d written half of the story from Rachel’s POV when I realized that Logan’s stake in the story was equal to hers. Plus, he does some REALLY cool things while apart from her, and I wanted the reader to see that. Rachel’s POV was easier to write because Logan is so logical and scientific, and I am so … not.
Do you have a favourite scene in the story you can share?
I don’t know if I have one favourite, but I do love the scene when they finally get their first kiss. They earned that! (Also, first kiss awkwardness for the win!)
Defiance is the first book in a trilogy. Can you give us any hints for what’s next in store for the characters?
Hmm … *looks to see if publisher is watching* I can tell you that things are going to get worse before they get better, there are multiple enemies hunting them now, and that readers will get to know the secondary characters much more in book 2.:)
The process itself has been wonderful. I really connect with my editor and with her help, I turned Defiance into the story I always meant to write in the first place. The process leading up to getting published was a long, bumpy road full of rejections (as it is for many!), and I’m grateful for it because it taught me not to take a single part of my career for granted. I’ve been blessed.
Are there any authors who have been a strong influence on you?
Yes! Probably too many to name, but I’ll choose a few of the biggest influencers. C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia was the first fantasy series I read. I was in the second grade, and it just opened my world up. It was like someone shone this huge spotlight on all these possibilities, and I dove headfirst into fantasy and storytelling, and I’ve never looked back. J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series is like studying a master’s class in plotting, world building, and character development. Plus, who doesn’t want to believe in magic? Reading her books (again and again and again) taught me that the only limits to a writer’s imagination are the ones we place on ourselves. And finally, my friend Myra McEntire who writes a fabulous time-travel series (Hourglass, Timepiece) really knows how to capture the awkward loveliness of first love and first kisses. I was struggling to hit the right notes in Defiance and just started asking myself “What would Myra do?” and suddenly all the romantic scenes just worked.
What is a typical writing day like for you? Do you have any ‘must-haves’ before you can sit down and write?
The only must-have I need for writing is my playlist. I build one specific to each story, and as soon as those particular songs start playing in that particular order, I’m immediately immersed in the story. I have a toddler home with me, so my writing day is wedged in during her nap and then after she and my school-age boys go to bed at night.
What is your favourite aspect of being a writer? And the most challenging?
My favourite aspect is the joy of discovering a new story. I love the adventure of not knowing what will happen next until it comes out onto the page! The most challenging for me is writing the beginnings. I invariably end up revising 5 or 6 times before I nail it.:)
----
Thanks C J! I can't wait to find out what is next in store for Logan and Rachel!!!
The next stop on the blog tour is over at Totally Bookalicious tomorrow.
You can find C J at her blog and on twitter.
1 comment:
Oh I've just finished reading this book so I was very excited to read your interview :)
I'm so looking forward to the next book in the series now!
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