Welcome to our first Twitter-view. What’s that, you ask? It’s an author interview, done Twitter-style. Our first victim, err, guest is none other than Cybils Award winner Courtney Summers. In addition to her books, Courtney’s a pretty regular blogger on topics relating to teen lit and writing, and this week, she posted a powerful piece about unlikable characters (which, ahem, she knows a bit about writing).
You’ve seen my review of her Some Girls Are, published in January of this year, and you’ll be excited to hear she’s got a third book coming out in December titled Fall for Anything. Want to win a copy? Read to see how you can win your choice of either of her current titles or a preorder of Fall for Anything.
Tell me a bit about your end-of-year title, Fall for Anything. What should we be prepared for?
It’s an exploration of grief. Prepare for a different kind of protagonist and hopefully lots of heartache! And people falling for things.
Thanks! I feel good writing them. I like to test my limits. I want people to respond to my text, for better and for worse.
Robert Cormier for his fearlessness. CK Kelly Martin for her realism.
Usually I start out with a specific scene flashing in my head and build from there. I know what idea to pursue when I feel a “click.”
Do you have a place you go when you’re writing? Mentally or physically is fine.
I work wherever I can. Mostly in my bedroom, sometimes in the kitchen. As long as I have my headphones on, it’s all good.
What are you listening to?
Lady Gaga, of course!
Tell me a bit about the celebration you had when Cracked Up to Be was this year’s Cybils winner.
The day was a blur. I happy-danced around the house, spilled coffee on myself & it didn’t hurt one bit. Well, it hurt later. But that’s ok!
It would be called JEBEDIAH & THE VEREVOLVES. A boy named Jebediah. Vampire/werewolf hybrids that must be destroyed. That is all I can say.
Ice cream = beautiful. I love mint chocolate chip or just plain chocolate (with maple syrup on top!).
Looking for inspiration.
Do you GoogleStalk yourself?
Why? Who have you been talking to? If they said I had a problem they’re lying! Lying! I can stop anytime I want to! I mean–no. Never.
What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
Don’t let anyone talk you out of it.
I know you like to draw. Will you share a drawing?
My latest is a peacock (representing justice) attacking a werewolf (representing all that is wrong with the world).
Cry for many hours and build a sand castle of tears.
I was the goodiest goodie-goodie that ever gooded a goodie. That sounds so wrong. I MAY have cheated on some tests…
Tell me the wildest thing about you that would be totally embarrassing for others to know. Please.
Next question, please! 😉
Thanks Courtney for visiting and talking to us!
Now on to the goods — want to win one of Courtney’s books? Fill out the form below before July 25. We’ll pick a winner at random, who will get their choice of either winning Cracked Up to Be, Some Girls Are, or a preorder of Fall for Anything.
