Monday, July 12, 2010

Kiersten White: Paranormal Creatures and Steph's Celebrity Boyfriends

There are only three more books coming out this year that I'm dying to read, and PARANORMALCY, by Kiersten White is one of them. I have a little over a month to wait (unless I win an ARC somewhere). Don't get me wrong: there are others that look interesting, and I'll read them, but …

Paranormalcy

Isn't this a great cover? I've never used an official book description on my blog before because I like to explain why I loved a book when I recommend it. However, seeing as I haven't actually read this one, I borrowed the following description from GoodReads.

Sixteen-year-old Evie's job is bagging and tagging paranormals. Possessing the strange ability to see through their glamours, she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency. But when someone--or something--starts taking out the vamps, werewolves, and other odd beasties she's worked hard to help become productive members of society, she's got to figure it out before they all disappear and the world becomes utterly normal. 

Normal is so overrated.

Tell me I'm not the only one who gets excited just reading the description. And to further tantalize you, I have a short quote from the book to help you get a feel for Evie, the main character.


"You aren't going to kill us?" the speaker asked, eyeing me suspiciously.


"Why does everyone keep asking me that?" Seriously, did I look like some sort of psycho assassin? Maybe it was the pink sneakers. Or the heart earrings?


Now you know why something pink and/or sparkly will be part of the giveaway. I just haven't found the right something yet. And to go with the pink and sparkly theme - for the interview - Kiersten's answers will be highlighted in pink.


What's the best part of having Steph for a critique partner?

Partnering with someone so much more talented than myself is an excellent way to stay humble.


Seriously though (which isn't to say that the previous statement wasn't serious), Steph is an incredible editor. She loves reading, and she loves teenagers, and she loves love and relationships and BOYS. She has an incredible talent for taking your manuscript each time she reads it and, no matter where it is, pointing out what needs to happen for it to reach the next level. She never tries to make it her own, just helps me figure out how to refine what I already have and somehow make it even more my story than it was before.


I fully credit her editorial advice with pushing me to the the point where I was good enough to get published. So if you hate my book, please blame her. It's all Steph's fault.


But aside from the fact that she is a brilliant writer and an incredible critique partner, Steph is one of the most genuinely kind and generous people I know. There is nothing about her that isn't delightful, and I don't know where I would have been without her friendship during these last couple of very crazy years. I feel very, very lucky that we found each other. And while I can't get a tattoo of her name for religious reasons, I may very well try and adopt her one of these days.


I know that Evie's favorite color is pink, but what's her favorite food?

You know, I'm not much of a food person. (I say, after desperately scouring the house for something--ANYTHING--salty, please for the love I need a snack.) I notice these gorgeous, food-related passages in other books, but I never seem to have any in mine.


That being said, Evie has a special affection for a certain pizza place's greasy, gooey cheese pizza, since she ate it on one of the best days of her life.

Does she have a favorite paranormal creature at the beginning of the story?

Absolutely! Although there's no love lost between Evie and vampires, she completely adores Lish, IPCA's main coordinator and Evie's foul-mouthed mermaid best friend.


Evie also happens to have a least favorite paranormal. That would be Reth, her faerie ex-boyfriend with some personal space issues.


Myself? I like Reth a lot more than Evie does...he's PRETTY.

How did you end up married to a part-vampire?

After living for two years in Romania and Transylvania, Hot Stuff came home with a few new...personality traits he was missing before. That first time I met him, when he looked up and his huge blue eyes met mine, that was it for me--that was all it took.


Thinking back on it now, I probably should have suspected something supernatural about it. No one should have eyes that enchanting! Still, I have no regrets, and our quarter-vampire children are incredibly beautiful and also sun-resistant. Although my son *is* slowly sucking the life from me by waking me up every single night in the middle of the night...

How many of Steph's celebrity boyfriends have you met, and which one is your favorite?


Most of them have been by at one point or another, although they don't ever stay with us because they miss their custom bunk-beds at Steph's house too much. Also, we don't have a Nintendo 64, which means they all fight over who gets to play games on the computer, and of course my kids fight with them too, and it's a big mess that ends in me sending everyone to time out and then giving up and taking us all out for ice cream and the beach.


Anyway...James McAvoy was one of the first things Steph and I bonded over. He's really a lovely person, although he's constantly losing his passport and calling us in a panic. He stops by when he's in California and we chat about our mutual adoration of Steph. But don't leave any chocolate out when he's around, because he's a notorious sugar-thief. His emails are nearly incoherent, but we don't much care because we mostly just like listening to him talk.


So he's probably my favorite, but I'm actually prouder of Lee Pace--did you know I introduced them? Lee and I had been friends for a while (since I started watching Pushing Daisies and decided we had to be friends) and I kept catching him reading Steph's blog--for hours on end--and pouring over my emails with Steph, smiling that sweet smile of his over her funny things and getting really stressed out and worried when she was having a bad day. So finally I forced him to just get on a plane and go see her. He was so nervous! But of course all went well and he's blissfully happy to be part of the Celebrity Boyfriends staff.


Really, they're all lovely people, as you'd expect anyone who loves Steph to be. Except I'm kind of terrified of Thom Yorke.

Yes, Thom Yorke can be a bit intimidating. My favorite is Chris Martin. He had Steph send me butterflies from one of his concerts because he knew I was a fan. I appreciated the thought, and I appreciate your taking time out of your busy schedule to answer my questions, Kiersten! I love reading your blog, and I can't wait to get to know Evie!

If anyone would like an extra contest entry, just leave a comment on this post. I'll make sure it goes in the drawing. And if you missed my contest post and interview with Stephanie Perkins, there's still time to read it and enter. The contest closes this Thursday, Midnight PST.

And I just remembered I have dinner in the oven. Be glad you're not eating at my house tonight.

31 comments:

  1. James McAvoy? Very, very jealous Kiersten & Steph.

    And yay for Kiersten's book I love things pink & sparkly! :)

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  2. Loved the interview. I can't wait to read her book and the cover is amazing!

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  3. I love pink and sparkly and I'm excited for this book to come out. Great interview :)

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  4. Great interview. I am really looking forward to reading her book.

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  5. Another great interview, Myrna. Thanks for stopping by, Kiersten!

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  6. The celebrity boyfriends in scarfs post was my favorite. :)

    Lovely interview and Paranormalcy is going to be huge! Congrats to Kiersten! :)

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  7. Kiersten is so awesome. Thanks for the interview!

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  8. Great interview! Can't wait for the results, it makes me want to read even more :)

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  9. Myrna, I'd take even a burned dinner if it meant someone else was making it.

    And thanks, everyone! It means the world to me that you're excited to read Paranormalcy : )

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  10. GREAT interview! (I'm still laughing.) :o) Thanks, Kiersten and Myrna!

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  11. Now you've got me all excited for this book too! Also, I've been planning on naming my child Evie for awhile. I hope not too many parents get the same idea... :(

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  12. I know, Dani. I KNOW!

    Ms. Darcy, would you mind introducing me to your brother? ;o)

    Thanks, Brenda Jean! Or is it Brendajean?

    I'm so glad you liked it, Donnas. Thanks for commenting!

    Thanks, Krista! I wrote the first chapter to the book I've been brainstorming, and I love it! But don't worry, I'll work on yours today. :o)

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  13. Yes, Susan, that was a great post. I liked where she introduced paintings of various men in the Lourve so that we could vote for which was the hottest better though. Steph is so funny.

    You're welcome, Debbie!

    Thanks, Maile! And thanks for the post!

    I only burned it a little, Kiersten. If you lived closer, I'd invite you over and persuade you to loan me a Paranormalcy ARC. ;o)

    I'm SO glad it made you laugh, Jackee!

    Jude, I'm surprised you didn't snag one at BEA. And (for your sake) I hope parents don't all start naming their kids Evie. It's confusing when they're all named the same thing.

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  14. Myrna, if you wrote the whole first chapter in a day, I think I may have to poke my eye out with a spoon... :)

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  15. Nice interview, can't wait to read this one.

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  16. Krista, it was a short chapter. Drop the spoon.

    Thanks, Jenny!

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  17. I actually guffawed. Yep, a half-laugh, half-snort just exploded from my mouth:)

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  18. This book sounds so good, it's insane ! Awesome interview ! Haha, a lot of people tend to love pizza ! :D

    ~Alison

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  19. Oh, I'm smiling and laughing and wanting to hug Kiersten so hard right now!! Except she doesn't like hugs, so it would be like . . . a really, really hard AIR-hug. I would pretty much be bear-hugging myself and pretending it was her.

    Does that make me sound creepy?

    Thanks for this FANTASTIC interview, Myrna, and thanks to my darling Kiersten.

    (Air-hug, Air-hug, Air-hug)

    Everyone, you will *LOVE* Paranormalcy! It's even more funny and clever and romantic than it sounds!! (And the second one is even MORE awesome. Ha!!)

    And I'd like to repay this compliment right back:

    "[Kiersten] is one of the most genuinely kind and generous people I know. There is nothing about her that isn't delightful, and I don't know where I would have been without her friendship during these last couple of very crazy years. I feel very, very lucky that we found each other."

    Me, too.

    Thanks again for having us, Myrna!

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  20. Krista, those are the best (unless you're eating or drinking)!

    Yep, Alison, I know I like it.

    Stephanie, you're so welcome! You both gave me AWESOME material to work with! Thanks, Stephanie, for making this giveaway so much fun!

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  21. Hmm. Somehow I lost Kiersten in that last sentence, but clearly she belongs there. So, please, do me a favor and read it with "Stephanie and Kiersten," instead of "Stephanie." Thanks!

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  22. Can't wait to read this book! And super interview! So funny. And how cool to be such good friends with the editor. I'm sure it made the process so much more pleasant.

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  24. LOVE both Steph AND Kiersten. Interviewing both of them was a fantastic idea, as they're so connected. Wish I had thought of it! :)

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  25. Normal is so overrated .... I like it. And I agree. I oncorporate paranormal stuff by mixing science with the superbatural and all kinds of crazy stuff happens. Best wishes for your continued success.

    Stephen Tremp

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  26. Myrna...you are a dad-gum celebrity! How fun this all is! You are inspiring...and amazing!

    Keep it up!

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  27. Steph, for you I would endure a hug.

    Although I do really like the vaguely creepy but endearing image of you enthusiastically bear-hugging yourself.

    Carolina--Actually, Steph isn't my editor, she's my crit partner. But she is a genius and would be a brilliant editor. However, if she quit writing to edit I think anyone who has read her stuff would stage a massive protest.

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  28. Kiersten — I'm bear-hugging myself again, just for you.

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  29. Foul-mouthed mermaid? How great is that!

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