Mundie Moms

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Outpost Blog Tour: Author Interview & Giveaway


I'm thrilled to be the final stop in MacKids's Outpost Blog Tour. Today's stop features an interview with author Ann Aguirre as well as a giveaway!


Hi Ann! Welcome to Mundie Moms. With your series,  I feel like the setting itself is like it's own character. Has the setting changed for you at all from when you wrote your first draft to Outpost's published book, or is it just as you first envisioned it to be?

I had a set idea of what the world is like from the beginning, so it hasn't changed in my mind. However, the way the world is perceived by Deuce (and others) isn't necessarily the truth. This is a prime example of an unreliable narrator, though in her case, it's not because she's a liar, only that she's been inaccurately educated. I can't wait for her to learn even more in the last book, Horde, where all truths are revealed and the questions will be answered. 

Do you find yourself cheering a certain character on more than the others, or do you feel you cheer them all on equally? 

I have a soft spot for Tegan. Survivors deserve special credit and recognition; I know some readers felt I was dismissive of her situation, but in fact, Deuce lacked the emotional tools to handle the matter more sensitively. While I wanted to hug and comfort Tegan and offer her counseling, those modern devices have no role in a dystopian world. I did the best I could within Deuce's framework; and she does learn in Outpost that there are different kinds of strength. Tegan is a wonderful character, and I think readers will be delighted by the conclusion to her journey. 

What was one of your favorite scenes to write about in Outpost?

While I'm known for grit and action, I love writing "mush" as my husband calls it. Which means my favorite scenes are the tender, romantic ones with Deuce and Fade. Without spoilers, it's safe to say the scene after the Cherry Blossom festival is my favorite in the whole book. But the one at the end where Deuce says something fierce and determined (again no spoilers) to Fade about their relationship? I love that one too. 

Sometimes we hear from authors that their second book was harder to write than their first, because characters tend to change and grow from their first to second book, and don't always do what the authors wants them to do. Did you find this to be the case with any of your characters in Outpost? 

No, Outpost unfolded the way I wanted it to. Sometimes it was frustrating to write because I knew what was coming, and I feel a bit evil in tormenting my characters so. I don't have the fortitude to torture my fictional people for twenty books as some authors do. I live for the day when I end a series, so I can let my characters be happy. 

If you could write in one of your favorite fictional characters into your series, who would you choose and why?

It would totally be Gandalf. Then if readers find mistakes in my books, I can legit say, "A wizard did it."

You can visit Ann via her Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

About the Book:


Deuce’s whole world has changed. Down below, she was considered an adult. Now, topside in a town called Salvation, she’s a brat in need of training in the eyes of the townsfolk. She doesn’t fit in with the other girls: Deuce only knows how to fight.

To make matters worse, her Hunter partner, Fade, keeps Deuce at a distance. Her feelings for Fade haven’t changed, but he seems not to want her around anymore. Confused and lonely, she starts looking for a way out.

Deuce signs up to serve in the summer patrols—those who make sure the planters can work the fields without danger. It should be routine, but things have been changing on the surface, just as they did below ground. The Freaks have grown smarter. They’re watching. Waiting. Planning. The monsters don’t intend to let Salvation survive, and it may take a girl like Deuce to turn back the tide.



Check out these cool links:
Ann Aguirre is part of our Fall 2012 Fierce Reads campaign and she will be going on a multi-city and multi-author tour in September. Get the details here

Don't miss the new Fall Fierce Reads trailer which Outpost is included in.

Check out the Outpost trailer, as well as the Enclave trailer.  

Read a excerpt of Outpost on the Fierce Reads Fan Page.

Don't miss the free Fall 2012 Fierce Reads chapter sampler for e-readers now available for download, which includes Outpost.

You can read Ann Aguirre short story, Endurance, that takes place in the same world, but focuses on Thimble and Stone, and bridges the gap between Enclave and Outpost. 

The Giveaway:

Want to win a copy of both Enclave and Outpost? Than be sure to leave a comment along with your email address in the comments below! Normal Mundie Moms giveaways rules apply. Open to residents of the US & Canada.

Don't miss the rest of the Outpost Blog Tour:
Tuesday 9/4                       http://www.thebookmonsters.com/
Wednesday 9/5                http://www.twochicksonbooks.com/
Thursday 9/6                      http://www.thebookcellarx.com/
Friday 9/7                            http://www.pageturnersblog.com/
Saturday 9/8                      http://www.wastepaperprose.com/
Monday 9/10                     http://www.mariaselke.com/
Tuesday 9/11                     http://www.almostgrownup.net/
Wednesday 9/12              http://www.goodchoicereading.com/
Thursday 9/13                   http://mundiemoms.blogspot.com/


38 comments:

  1. I love how Ann likes some characters more than other but still has to be true to the story and the characters that move it forwards:)

    I'd love to win these book - the excerpt is awesome:)

    ccfioriole at gmail dot com

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  2. I would love to win both of these. Love the excerpt. Thanks for the giveaway.

    Lizzi0915 at aol dot com

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  3. These books are so good! Fade is my absolute favorite character; what happened to him in Outpost made me cry, along with the ending. Thanks for the giveaway! :)

    brightsunflowers (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  4. I like the mudic for the Firrce Reads trailer. It really matches the book sway. I really can't wait for these books! Hope I love them!

    sudhamalee(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  5. I do like seeing acharacters grow throughout a series. I expect some hard times for them but also look forward to when they find good in the end. The Fierce Reads trailer is great!

    Cambonified(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  6. Great interview. It was great to hear how Ann felt about writing book 2 because I have heard it's harder to write too. My daughter loved book 1 and I want to read it. She'd love if I won this.

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  7. looks so good- follow via gfc
    drakebdog@gmail.com

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  8. I can't believe I haven't read this series yet. I'm usually all over anything with zombies!
    I don't really want to put my mailing address in the comments, but here's my email:
    aroomwithbooks(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for catching my typo! I meant email address :)

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  9. I'm so bloody excited for this sequel. Enclave kept me on my toes until the very end. Now I need more!!!

    Vivien
    deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

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  10. I freaking love Enclave! I am so escited to read Outpost!!! Thanks for this giveaway!~

    3r1ca93[at]gmail[dot]com

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  11. I really hope we get to see more Fade! I love reading about him! I've heard a little about a triangle... which sucks because I'd rather that didn't happen. But oh well, because I loved Enclave! Thanks for the giveaway!

    Alyssa Susanna
    lilleetleet(at)verizon(dot)net

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  12. I would love to read these books thanks for the chance!

    myra0502 at yahoo dot com

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  13. I'd like to read both these books. Thanks for the giveaway

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  14. These look really interesting!! Thanks for always providing good book recommendations!

    yomandee17@yahoo.com

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  15. I am so excited to read this one! Thanks for the awesome giveaway=)

    ansindt@hotmail.com

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  16. I have been dying (no pun intended) to read Outpost!!!
    And, I'm so glad they kept the awesome cover design - it's so unique and completely creepy :D

    Thank you for the wonderful giveaway <3
    GFC: Mary DeBorde M.A.D.
    zenrei57 (at) hotmail dot com

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  17. I have been super excited for these books. They sound so good and the cover of Outpost is so creepy. I love it!
    desiree1612@hotmail.com

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  18. Thanks for the great giveaway. Of course Gandalf would be a great character in so many books. Maybe we should start a fan fiction campaign to write him into books like Catcher in the Rye or On the Road. That would be fun dontcha think?
    carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx

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  19. That must be a typo, I'm sure you don't want us to leave a mailing address here, right?

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    Replies
    1. Right! I'm so sorry, that was huge typo! I would have deleted any comments that had an address in them.

      Delete
  20. Sounds like it takes a lot of discipline not to coddle a character in order to keep another character IN character. I hadn't thought about certain notions being out of place in a dystopian world...kinda scary.

    whatinabox at gmail dot com

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  21. I loved Enclave! Deuce is such a kick-ass character and I can't wait to see what happens with Fade!

    Thanks so much for the giveaway!
    Leanne
    leannessf at gmail dot com

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  22. Loved the trailer!! I'm excited to read this series!
    deedee [at] grifmail [dot] com

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  23. Thanks for the chance to win!
    natasha_donohoo_8 at hotmail dot com

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  24. I got the first book as a office secret santa gift (this person knew me really well) and I loved it! I had never heard of it but since reading I’ve told a lot of people about it. It’s really unique. Not a plot I’ve read before which is nice.

    Thanks!,
    Markella

    markella.whetzel AT gmail.com

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  25. Hear really terrific things about this series and cannot wait to read it!

    Susan Light
    books4susie@aol.com

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  26. Sounds great. Thanks for the chance!

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

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  27. This book sounds so good, I can't wait to read it! Thank you for the giveaway! :)

    laughs4life14(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

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  28. Can't wait to read the "mush" scenes with Deuce and Fade. Great interview!

    candicerjames [at] gmail [dot] com

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  29. Nice blog...found you on the blog roll of The Non Reluctant Reader.

    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews
    http://silversolara.blogspot.com

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  30. I'm looking forward to reading Outpost!
    gfc - mamabunny13
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

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  31. This is one series that I'm constantly asking myself why I haven't read it yet. It is smack dab in the center of my favorite genres! Thanks for the awesome giveaway, as always, and the lovely reviews. *hugs*

    pherlaithiel (at) gmail (dot) com

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  32. I read the first one as an ebook and loved it! I would love to have them both in print :)

    lexiboo202(at)gmail.com

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  33. I would lovr to win these!! They sound reall good!! Lightstar1996@gmail. com

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  34. These all sound amazing! Thanks for the giveaway! raventheflamebird@gmail.com

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  35. I absolutely LOVED Enclave, and can't wait to get my hands on Outpost!

    TaraTagli at gmail dot com

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  36. Thank you to all who entered! This giveaway is now closed.

    ReplyDelete

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