Today I'm pleased to welcome author Andrea Heltsley to the blog to talk a little bit about her young adult novels, and life as a writer.
What was the plot of your very first piece of unpublished fiction you ever wrote?
Ah, my first piece of work. It was about a girl who finds out she is a witch and the princess in another realm. She is kidnapped along with other supernatural beings her age that play a part in her new role as princess. Together they form the governing council to the princess. Their role is to bring the warring supernaturals to peace.
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated or did you always just know you wanted to be a writer?
I always wanted to be a writer and got a lot of encouragement as a student in grade school and high school from teachers.
How did you come up with the idea Dissolve?
It started with the idea of a girl who could dissolve into particles, then a murder even though I didn’t have a clue as to whom yet. Then I decided they should be on the run, a road trip for the girls. The story evolved from there.
As you were writing Dissolve, was there a particular scene or character that surprised you, like doing something you didn’t expect or a scene taking you somewhere you hadn’t planned?
Yes, the buried alive scene. It went so smooth and I let the characters dictate everything about that scene, just going with where they took me.
Tell us a little bit about your upcoming books Divine Destiny, Dancing with Demons, and Devour.
Divine Destiny is the sequel to Dreamwalker. It is about what happens next, and the groups plot to help other super naturals from being in the evil clutches of Persephone.
Dancing with Demons is the sequel to Dancing with Death. It is about the main character struggling with her new identity and her struggle with saving her life without taking another’s life. New characters are brought in with surprising twists.
Devour is a vampire novella that I am currently working on. I am writing this book strictly on the characters. I am letting them guide me through the story as coming of age vampires and lots of romance. This should be out by January 2013.
Do you have a favorite fictional character, male and female? Why?
Yes, I love Boone from Dreamwalker. He is such a bad boy and super sexy. He has compassion while maintaining his bad boy ways. Yummy.
Do you have a favorite series that you've written? Why?
Dreamwalker. I did the most work on this one. The dreams all have dream interpretations to them. I did a lot of research for dream meanings and used certain elements to portray the meanings behind things. I also loved the characters.
When you’re not writing, what do you like to do?
I always love to light a smelly good candle. I write to my ipod playlist which holds about 800 songs of all varieties. I do most of my writing sitting up in bed with my dogs wrapped around my legs. My two Italian greyhounds are very calming. I can’t write when anyone else is around, it’s too distracting.
Read any good books recently?
Too many as a matter of fact, right now I am reading Heather Hildebrand’s Dirty Blood Series and loving it. My favorite was Alyssa Rose Ivy’s Derailed. It was awesome sauce. Flight by Alyssa Rose Ivy was also good.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging when starting to write a new series?
I love writing new series. There are so many possibilities as to where the characters are going to take me. The stories have a life of their own.
If you could be one of your characters from any of your books, who would you chose?
That’s tough.
I would have to say Nessa from Dissolve. She has the ability to read minds as well as a compassionate friend. She has a lot of great qualities.
What are your favorite five Young Adult novels and why?
1. Alyssa Rose Ivy- Derailed- it was more new adultish, but was a story with such heart, I couldn’t help but fall in love with it.
2. Jennifer L Armentrout’s Half Blood series is absolutely amazing.
3. Rachel Caine’s Morganville Vampire series is awesome.
4. All of the Richelle Meade novels are beyond fantastic.
5. The Significance series by Shelly Crane is so romantic, I am in love with it.
Which do you prefer hard copy books or e-books? Why?
I love, love, love to read on my kindle. Something about having a library at my fingertips is just satisfying.
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Thanks so much for taking the time to answer our questions! More information on Andrea Heltsley and her upcoming novels can be found below:
Upcoming Novels
Murders have plagued the woods in the past, making them a place of fear. Eighteen year old Wendy and her friends become worried when a new string of murders come to their high school. After a horrible car accident, Wendy returns to school, going from wallflower to popular overnight. As the murderer edges closer to Wendy she realizes things are changing. She is afflicted with nightmares that are all too real and she herself is undergoing unnatural changes. Learning the truth about her past, could be the key to saving her future.
Callista is a royal vampire who takes the blood from her victims and erases their memories afterwards. She goes undetected until a victim named Chase approaches her the next day with all his memories intact. He is intrigued and she is attracted. What happens when a vampire mixes with the mortal world? Chaos. Callie is brought to the Vampire council and they must decide what to do with Chase. Do they kill him, or turn him to protect their secret?
I am a biology nerd who decided it was more fun writing than dissecting. I have written three novels and four more will be out in 2013. I live on coffee and read like a robot. My husband and two italian greyhounds usually have to tear me away from the computer...imagine that. :)
Thanks so much for hosting me, you rock!
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@Andrea Heltsley
ReplyDeleteThanks for agreeing to be spotlighted! :)