I’m thrilled to be part of the Author’s Taproom’s blog tour for Shannon Delany’s new series the Weather Witch. I was a huge fan of Shannon’s 13 to Life series and am really enjoying her new series. My review for the book should be up sometime soonish. Check out my awesome interview with Shannon below, as well as learn about how to win some awesome prizes and learn more about this awesome new book series.
About the book:
In a vastly different and darker Philadelphia of 1844, steam power has been repressed, war threatens from deep, dark waters, and one young lady of high social standing is expecting a surprise at her seventeenth birthday party–but certainly not the one she gets!
Jordan Astraea, who has lived out all of her life in Philadelphia’s most exclusive neighborhood, is preparing to celebrate her birthday with friends, family and all the extravagance they might muster. The young man who is most often her dashing companion, Rowen Burchette, has told her a surprise awaits her and her best friend, Catrina Hollindale, wouldn’t miss this night for all the world!
But storm clouds are gathering and threatening to do far more than dampen her party plans because someone in the Astraea household has committed the greatest of social sins by Harboring a Weather Witch.
Trailer:
Interview with Shannon Delany
Describe your book in five words or less.A storm of strife.
How does writing the Weather Witch series differ from writing the 13 to Life series? Do you find writing one harder than the other?
The voice and POV of Weather Witch is vastly different than 13 to Life. In 13 to Life you were Jessie, or Alexi... It was 1st person and you saw through their eyes only. Weather Witch is more removed in some ways. I'm tackling hard topics (again) but in a way I hope makes readers ask themselves questions. 13 TO LIFE was easier to write because (having done 5 books in 1st person POV) I have more experience writing that way.
Which character in the Weather Witch was your favorite to write and why?
Oh, wow. I actually enjoyed writing Bran the most. He's dark and troubled and there's just so much to him (even beyond the series' pages). He was like 13 TO LIFE's Max--a character who was only supposed to be cardboard--a tool to the story's progression or, at most, another character's foil, but he wouldn't settle for that.
Do you outline or just write and see where it takes you? Did you know the how the series was going to end before you started writing?
I don't really outline. I'm sure I should--I think it's what grown-up writers really do--but I tend to jot down my promotional ideas, do a synopsis, a few sketches and then I start writing. The most amazing thngs happen when you just write and let them happen. Pieces puzzle together and the "aha! moments" pounce on you.
What is harder to write, the first sentence or the last?
Honestly, everything in between is the hardest to write! I often know the beginning and the end and only need to tweak and tighten them a few times before I'm happy with them, but what many authors call "the soggy middle" is the area of a book where the plot bunnies roam and distractions catch the eyes of your characters.
What is your strangest writing habit?
The fact I don't currently have any writing habits? I used to, but writing has been a bit haphazard for me recently--many things beg for my attention so my schedule is all wonky and the only thing I do regularly is open the document I'm working on, skim a few paragraphs and dive in to the new writing.
I love the world you created in Weather Witch. What served as your inspiration for this series?
Thank you! I've always been fascinated by clouds and thunderstorms and the power they have. Connect that to my early memories of being on a sailboat with my mom and day and my love of history and places like Philadelphia, Herkimer, Bangor, and Salem and my hatred of slavery and torture as a means of gaining a person's compliance and BOOM you get Weather Witch.
If you could spend a day with a character from any book who would it be and why?
Hagrid from the Harry Potter series. He's a good-hearted guy, a bit of a bumbler, but tremendously intriguing. Plus he has interesting pets and a garden. I'm cool with all that.
If you had a time machine and could travel to any time and place, where would you go?
I used to say if I had all my immunizations up to date, water purification tablets and Purell aplenty I'd go back to the Renaissance and hope to meet Queen Elizabeth I, Grania O'Malley, and maybe see a Shakespeare play at the Globe. But now? I don't know. I'm finally starting to like the here and now. Or at least feel like I'm part of it.
What YA book do you wish had been published when you were a teen?
There are actually quite a few. I'm not sure if I would have enjoyed Harry Potter then (though I love it now) but I might have connected to The Hunger Games. I loved The Blue Sword and anything else with female heroes.
About Shannon Delany:
Shannon Delany has been writing fiction since she was a child. Inspired by a teacher in 4th grade and the creative endeavors of her parents, she was frequently encouraged to find her voice. First published in 8th grade in a short story anthology, she caught the writing bug for good and used her teen friends as beta readers but it wasn't until after being a middle school teacher that she pursued writing seriously. She freelanced for magazines and newspapers and then won the first-ever cell phone novel contest in the western world with 13 TO LIFE. An agent and a press release followed quickly and she was snapped up by St. Martin's Press where she has happily remained through 5 novels in the 13 TO LIFE series and three novels in the WEATHER WITCH series. She also contributes to charity anthologies, has a small heritage farm and a blog talk radio show called BOOKED! with Shannon Delany.
Blog Giveaway Information
Leave a comment on this post, including a method of communication, to be entered to win a mini-prize pack. Contest open internationally. Mini-prize pack includes:
- a signed mini poster
- a signed postcard and more story-related goodies
Tour-Wide Giveaway Information
Shannon Delaney will be giving away the following to a few lucky winners:
- a signed copy of Weather Witch
- a Weather Witch coffee mug with special goodies (all connected to the story)
- signed copies of 13 to Life and Secrets and Shadows
- a handcrafted mask
- a special metal and crystal bookmark
- a mini top hat
- a silhouette of their own profile cut and matted by me (it'll take a few weeks after getting their profile before I can get it to them, of course).
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I've only read Speak, and it was a pretty eye-opening book. Very sad :( If I Stay is a book that I need to read asap, as it seems like everyone else has read it except for me.
ReplyDeleteWow, the cover is great!!!
ReplyDeleteto the author- what was your favorite book as a kid?
Wow awesome post here! I just love your blog. I recently read and reviewed this book on my blog as well! New follower :)
ReplyDeleteI would love it if you would stop by my blog and follow as well!
Chelsey@Charming Chelsey’s
nice post :) http://wallpaper002.blogspot.com/
ReplyDelete