Today we're excited to have The Shattering author, Karen Healey stop the blog to answer a few of our questions about her newest release.
Congratulations on your recent release of The Shattering! What inspired you to write this story and did you find it hard to write from three points of views?
The story came from Keri - I thought of someone who prepared for everything, but couldn't cope with something she hadn't prepared for, especially because the idea of magic in her logical world didn't make any sense to her. Writing from three points of view wasn't very difficult, since they all felt very distinct to me, but editing them was a little more tricky - my editors felt Keri and Janna were too similar in voice. In the end, I wrote down lists of exclusive vocabulary for both of them and went through the whole manuscript with a fine-toothed comb. It was less organic airy-fairy inspiration and more dogged determination that got me through that one!
I really liked the different elements you incorporate into The Shattering. You have a great mix with your rich mythology, the folklore, suspense, romance, and your murder-mystery. Which of these elements did you enjoy writing into your story the most?It's the mix itself that appeals to me most! I really like multi-genre stories, and the interesting things you can do with one genre playing off another. But I've got to say, I really liked writing the scene where SPOILER and SPOILER break into SPOILER'S house. Classic crime tropes, so much fun! I also enjoyed writing the romance scene where SPOILER and SPOILER get it on. And then there's the climax, which I really can't even mention because of all of the SPOILERS, but it tossed all those genres together in a huge blender and I loved it.
One of the things I admire about your writing with The Shattering, is you're not afraid to tackle some of the tougher themes like suicide, racism and bullying. As an author, why do you feel it's important to have these themes in your book?I don't think all literature for teenagers should be all doom and gloom, and indeed, even in this book, which does have tough themes, I'm more than happy to chuck in a few jokes (and, of course, make outs). But teenagers do encounter racism, suicide, and bullying - not to mention a fear of coming out, depression and anxiety - and I do think it's important to address those issues in fiction. For people who have encountered these issues personally, a book can be a way telling them that they're not alone, that other people feel these things or have been hurt by these same injustices. For teenagers that haven't encountered those issues, reading about them can be extraordinarily eye-opening, and encourage compassion and understanding, which I think are really great things!
Speed Round Questions:
Back packing in Europe or taking a cruise to the tropics?
AUGH I love Europe but loathe backpacking and like the tropics but hate tiny cabins! OKAY EUROPE.
Chocolate or vanilla?Chocolate, every time
Reading a book in a quite cafe or reading beside the pool?Cafe. I am a person who burns.
Fall or Winter?
Vampires or Werewolves?Vampires, totally.
Paranormal or Contemporary? Can't we all just get along, she said piteously.
Seventeen-year-old Keri likes to plan for every possibility. She knows what to do if you break an arm, or get caught in an earthquake or fire. But she wasn't prepared for her brother's suicide, and his death has left her shattered with grief. When her childhood friend Janna tells her it was murder, not suicide, Keri wants to believe her. After all, Janna's brother died under similar circumstances years ago, and Janna insists a visiting tourist, Sione, who also lost a brother to apparent suicide that year, has helped her find some answers.
As the three dig deeper, disturbing facts begin to pile up: one boy killed every year; all older brothers; all had spent New Year's Eve in the idyllic town of Summerton. But when their search for the serial killer takes an unexpected turn, suspicion is cast on those they trust the most.As secrets shatter around them, can they save the next victim? Or will they become victims themselves?
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sounds like a great read!
ReplyDeleteOh wow this sounds good, chilling, but good! Thanks for a fun interview ladies, and for introducing me to another great book and author.
ReplyDeleteJessie- It's definitely a unique read. I really like the mythology that Karen uses.
ReplyDeleteHeather- It is! You're so welcome :)