Thursday, November 4, 2010

Author Spotlight: Victoria Schwab & Giveaway!

Please Welcome:
Victoria Schwab author of The Near Witch


1) Could you tell us a bit about yourself. 

Victoria: Well, I'm 23, and I love cupcakes. What's funny is that I'm more of a black-turtleneck-and-cup-of-tea kind of girl, but man do I love sugar. If you follow me at all online, you'll see how frequently I talk about it. I' m also pretty obsessed with exercise (thankfully). I spend most of my time writing or wandering.


2) What was the inspiration for writing The Near Witch? 

Victoria: NW was actually inspired by a single line that ran through my head one day: "The wind on the moors is a tricky thing." It was shortly followed by another line: "There are no strangers in the town of Near." Those two lines wandered around my head for months, and I had no idea what they were. And then one day, I sat down, and there was a book to go with them.


3) Were there any personal experiences that went in to writing The Near Witch? 

Victoria: Well, I wrote the whole book in my last semester of college, while juggling an obscene number of courses and a senior thesis on character archetypes using a color wheel. Most of that last semester is a blur, but I would also carve out 2 hours of time in the evening and go to the local coffee shop, sit in a corner with a cup of this amazing herbal tea, and write. It was a lovely experience, because I came to associate the book was calm and quiet, this precious little peace in the middle of a very hectic, very stressful period.


4) Was Lexi's character based on anyone or was she a purely made up character? What is she like? 

Victoria: Lexi Harris is made up. I have one or two characters I infuse with actual people, but for the most part, everyone I write possesses some piece of the person I wish I was. Or in the case of villains, they possess a piece of the person I don't want to be. I take aspects of people and break them down into even smaller pieces, and use those flecks to infuse and inform my characters, but if a character too closely resembles someone I know, I can't write them the way I need to.

Lexi is strong. And lost. She is fiercely independent, and trying to fill a space in her life that seems to be widening. She is curious almost to a fault, and determined to prove to anyone who challenges her that she can take care of herself.


5) What was your inspiration in the cover art for The Near Witch? 

Victoria: Well, the thing about being the writer is you don't have much say! Disney*Hyperion takes care of the cover art (and I LOVE what they've done). But it's based on the very first scene in the book :)


6) Do you plan to have The Near Witch as a stand alone novel or part of a series? 

Victoria: I would love there to be a second book. If it works out that way, though, the second book will stand on its own. I love reading series, but when it comes to writing it, I want each book to have closure. So, NW was originally written as a stand alone, but over the course of writing and editing, a new story, its own story, began to grow, and I'd love to tell it.

7) Do you write to music? If so, what is your favorite?

Victoria: Here's the thing: I LOVE music. I can brainstorm to it, and build characters to it, but I can't actually write to music with lyrics. I work very hard on the actual crafting of sentences, their rhythm and flow, and my brain can't manage my own words and song lyrics at the same time. If I need music while writing, I play classical or lyric-free, such as scores from movies.



8) What do you plan on doing in the future? 

Victoria: Writing books, I hope. I have a new series idea I'm working on, and the fact is, I will always have a project going. Writing is my sanity. In case you assumed I would say that and meant what would I do in the future in addition to writing, I would also like to be a college professor :) Or a treasure hunter.

9) What are you reading right now? 

Victoria: I just finished Delirium, and then A Touch Mortal, and now I'm onto a few friends' books on my computer (one of the perks of being a writer :p). Also about to start The Mortal Instruments! It's been sitting on my shelf, waiting for its chance.

10) Who are a few of your favorite authors? 

Victoria: Such a hard question, but definitely Neil Gaiman Cassie Clare, Suzanne Collins, Kristian Cashore, Lauren Oliver, and so so many others. I find new ones every day, but these are always on the list because of their mastery of language and suspense. I disappear into their books.

11) Anything you would like to add? 

Victoria: Just thank you for having me and being so kind and welcoming to my book! I write stories to have them read, and the notion that soon my first book will be in the hands of others is still to me a glorious, surreal, and terrifying notion.




Where to find Victoria: 
Website
Blog
Goodreads.com


The Near Witch: The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children. If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company. There are no strangers in the town of Near. These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life. But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true. The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him. As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy. Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab’s debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar: a song you heard long ago, a whisper carried by the wind, and a dream you won’t soon forget. 

The Near Witch comes out August 2, 2011 make sure to check it out!!

*************
Because Victoria is so awesome, she is offering up a pre order of The Near Witch!!!

So you wanna win one??
Well sure you do!
Just fill out the form!
Open International!
Ends November 15th!

Want some extra entries??

+1 be a follower
+1 Follow Victoria's Blog HERE!
+1 Comment on interview

So there you have it. Good Luck and Happy Reading!

EDIT: Contest Closed

53 comments:

Christi said...

Great interview--The Near Witch sounds incredible, adding to my ro-read list!I think the cover is pretty cool, too, you should definitely take the credit for that! ;o)

Book Loving Mommy said...

Wow! I cannot wait to read this book! And I love the character's name...Lexi is my daughter's name :) Thanks for a great giveaway!

j said...

Lexi sounds like a great character. Can't wait to read this one! Thanks for the giveaway! :)

A.J. said...

I love sugar too. hehe :D
This book sounds really interesting; can't wait to read it. :) Thank you for the giveaway!

Misha said...

Loved the interview! The book sounds great.

danya said...

I'm glad to hear the Near Witch is a standalone - too often books in a series just leave you with so many questions and don't have a satisfying story arc of their own! I'm excited for the Near Witch - thanks for this giveaway :)

Missie, The Unread Reader said...

OMG! Yes!! Thanks for introducing me to this author. I love her answer on making NW a series.

I love series too, but it is my belief that each story should be able to stand alone as well. That is why I can't deal very will with cliffhangers. I want my closure! LOL

Great interview. Thanks for sharing.

Ricki said...

It's great to see such a young author!

Anonymous said...

Looking forward to reading this! Great interview! That definitely makes sense to listen to lyric-free music when writing so the words are not so distracting.

Thanks for the giveaway!

Melissa (Books and Things) said...

Sounds like an interesting book. Plus I do love that the cover at least has something to do with a scene in the book. :)

Booklover-Book Chicks said...

Awesome interview! Seems like a awesome book! =)

Michelle at Clover Hill Book Reviews said...

Drool...sounds like a fabulous book :) Enjoyed the interview.

Kate said...

This book sounds really good, and I love the cover. Great interview and thanks for the giveaway!

Fi-chan said...

Oh I like the inspiration story for the book, having 2 sentences wandering in your head. I wonder how that feels. :D

thank you btw!

Madalena said...

Oooh, this is so going on my wishlist.
I love the current cover! It's so 'haunting'. :)

AmburHostyn said...

Awesome interview :)
The Near Witch sounds like an amazing read, thanks for the chance to win it :D

♪♫ Ambur
Burning.x.Impossibly.x.Bright

Trisha Wolfe said...

I've been waiting to get my hands on this book, it just sounds amazing. Great questions and wonderful answers! Thanks so much for doing this giveaway!

Pokadots1121 said...

The was an awesome Author Spotlight. I can't wait to get my hands on that book.

Anonymous said...

Loved this interview!
Very well done. This looks like an amazing book, can't wait to read!

Lisa (Lisa's World of Books) said...

great interview! soundds like a good book

Vivien said...

Great interview. I've been wanting to read this book for some time now. I think the cover is gorgeous.

Reading Lassie said...

I LOVE cupcakes, too! The Near Witch sounds like a good read. Thanks for the great interview!

Reading Lassie said...

PS I am sorry I think I accidentally doubled my entry. Can you delete the other one? Thank you, sorry again.

Erin W said...

Awesome interview! Can't wait to read the book!

Nic @ Irresistible Reads said...

Great interview. It is amazing she she was inspired by one line. I like hearing how a story comes together and also the cover :)

Great giveaway :)

Llehn said...

I've been in love with the premise of The Near Witch ever since I heard Tessa Gratton drooling over it!!

Jessica @ a GREAT read said...

Been hearing about this book here and there and starting to get more than just curious! Great interview!

Jessy said...

I'm glad the Near Witch will be a stand alone. It is so hard keeping up with all of these series. Your favorite authors are just a few of my favorite authors too! Thanks for the giveaway!

Kristen My Bookish Fairy Tale said...

Loved the interview! And I agree with Jessy its hard to keep track!

Thanks for the giveaway!

Kristen
My Bloody Fairy Tale

Wall-to-wall books said...

Hi, I found this contest on the "Book Blogs" site.
The book looks great! Would love a chance to win. I love reading Author interviews, it makes the Author seem more real.

EVA SB said...

Interesting interview and I really love the cover of the book - it would definitely encourage me to pick up this book in a book store.

Elise said...

Thanks for the interview and giveaway. I love learning about authors!

Darlyn said...

I have to say I never heard of the author but thanks so much for introducing her to us. Great interview and giveaway!

Precious said...

Great interview! The Near Witch has been in my wishlist for a few months now! :D

Miss Page-Turner said...

I am reading Delirium right now!I love it, good taste:) I would love to read The Near Witch aswell. Love the interview structure and of course the answers!

PinkStuff28 said...

I liked your interviewq..mostly the first part when you talk about the book ..

I would like to hear your oppinion about Mortal Instruments Series :)

Lauren M said...

Great interview! I totally agree with all your favorite authors! *jealous of your reading Delirium*

I can't wait to read The Near Witch when it comes out! It sounds so amazing!

Victoria Schwab said...

Wow, thank you all so much for the excitement!

PinkStuff28, I'm actually a huge fan of TMI. I am in awe of the pacing and the world, and relish the chances to disappear into it.

Jolene and Family said...

Great interview and your book sounds amazing. Ahhhh, can't believe your reading Delirium, must have that soon. Can't wait to read your book :)

Bookworm Lisa said...

Thanks for the interview. Some of her favorite authors are also on my list. I hope this works out for her and that she is able to continue with the series

aurora M. said...

Love it! Great interview ♥ Hope I get a chance to read this book because it sounds really good.

Pisinat said...

Sounds really interesting... I'm happy to read we have a lot of favorite authors in common :) Wish the best for her!

whitewolfreads said...

Awesome interview! I haven't heard of this book before but I'm definitely putting it on my TBR pile. Too bad it's not a series but having closure is nice too I guess.

Unknown said...

Looks like an interesting book! Definitely adding on my tbr pile. Great Interview btw, and thanks for the giveaway.

Edna said...

Thanks for the interview and giveaway. I've been hearing about this book and it does sound interesting.

Hee! A treasure hunter, that does sound like fun!

FairyWhispers said...

sounds great,

would love to read it.

:D

regards,

maidenhealer@hotmail.com

Klemocius said...

Great interview! I wonder why nobody does it in France... (I mean interviews on blog ;) )
This books seems to be really good!

P.S. I'm sorry, my english is so bad!

Ashley @ Bookaholics Anonymous said...

Awesome interview. I look forward to reading this one when it comes out.

Soultified said...

Fantastic! I'm so looking forward to this book after this interview and plot overview. =)

Kelly aka yllektra(I Work For Books) said...

Great interview!
The Near Witch sounds pretty amazing and I'd love to read it! :P

Also, I think a lot of people write to music without lyrics.. Lyrics distract their concentration.

For me, I always do everything with music, preferably alt. rock, but any music apart from really loud one will do! :P

Thanks for the chance to win this XD

Book Kritik said...

Can't wait for the book! Also, I think your link to her blog is broken or it might just be me...

~The Book Pixie said...

Like Victoria, I love music but can only truly write to it if it has no lyrics. It also needs to have the volume somewhat low. Great interview and I can't wait for The Near Witch! :D

~Briana

Casey (The Bookish Type) said...

Great interview! I'm always so jealous of authors who get to read their friends' awesome books wayyyyyy in advance! It's really cool that she wrote this book while she was still in college! I've found that teen/twentysomething YA writers are the most authentic (unsurprisingly). Her thesis sounds really intriguing as well!

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