Fractured Light Interview and Giveaway

Fractured Light is a YA novel written by debut author Rachel McClellan. 

Summary taken from Rachel McClellan's Blog

Ms. McClellan was kind enough to sit down and answer some questions that I had about her book. So, without further ado.... here are her answers!
(I'm in blue and Ms. McClellan is in purple)

• What was your inspiration for writing “Fractured Light”?

The idea for Fractured Light came to me when I overheard someone talking about how they could see people's aura's, you know the "light" that supposedly surrounds us? Then I thought how cool it would be to turn that light into a power, one that's considered sacred, but, when pushed, can be turned into a powerful weapon.
I thought it was very cool how Llona was able to use her light as a weapon made her a powerful character! (in more ways than one...)

• What were your first thoughts when you found out you were going to be a published author?

Honestly I was scared. I wanted to be published and had been trying for a while, but when it actually happened I was so nervous. People would be reading my stuff? I felt like my brother had stolen my diary and was going to read it to all of his dumb friends. I’m sort of over that now. 
Hmmm... I've never thought of publishing being like that. Great analogy, even normal people like me can understand that feeling.
 

• What made you decide to use “Auras” and “Vykens” as your protagonists and antagonists? Have you always been interested in this type of lore or was it something you just came up with randomly during research for your book? Did you have to do a lot of research for this novel?

I wanted to come up with something new, but still have the paranormal elements that everyone loves. The concept of an Aura came easily to me, but the Vyken was harder. I researched a lot of names, and finally settled on Vyken – one I made up. All the other monsters had already been used a bunch of times. I didn’t have to do much research, a benefit of writing urban fantasy.

I was wondering why I had never heard of a Vyken before... makes perfect sense now :)

 
• I know that you are in the works on a sequel to “Fractured Light” right now, how many more books in this series can we expect to be released? Can you give us a “sneak peek” of the second book? For example, what’s the title and what is it about?

Fractured Light is a trilogy. I just sent book two, tentatively titled FRACTURED SOUL, to the publisher. It will be available February 2013, and the third one shortly after that. The second book is awesome, if I may be so bold. It’s set at Lucent Academy, a school for Aura’s, but things aren’t as safe or peaceful as everyone thinks, specifically Llona. In addition, Llona has to deal with what happened to her in the end of Fractured Light. She meets some new characters and delves more into the paranormal world. You’ll see more of May, and her awesome ability with fire, and Christian will be there, too, but there’s trouble in paradise.

(Oh! I'm not sure how I feel about trouble in paradise! But I sure can't wait to read and find out what happens... )

• If you were Llona, and you knew that a Vyken was after you and seems to be playing a game of cat and mouse with you, what would you do? Would you stand behind your guardian and let him fight your battles for you? Or would you fight back?

I’m so for fighting back. Out of my way Guardian or I’ll explode Light up your….wait, you’re hot? Well in that case, hang around while I kill this Vyken and then we’ll talk. 

Haha! I love it! A girl after my own heart...

• Are you the kind of writer that plans out every step of her book before she writes or are you the “fly by the seat of your pants” type of writer?

I have a general idea where I want the story to go, and I always know my ending. Once I figure out the beginning, I’ll lightly outline the next few chapters ahead, but I never go beyond that because I find the story changes too much. Llona doesn’t even let me tell her what to do. 
She does seem very hard headed... but, hey, it turns out pretty well with her calling the shots!

• What was the hardest thing you had to go through in order to have your first YA book published?

Hanging on to my confidence through rejections. There were times when I wondered why I was doing it, but then I’d only have to start writing again to know why. The haunting characters that appear to me only want their stories to be told. Even if the rest of the world never gets to know them, someone has listened to their tale and they are at peace. 

Well, I for one, am very glad that you kept your confidence and pushed until you were able to have their stories told!

• What advice would you give to up and coming writers?

Learn and study the craft. I mean really do it. And never think your work is perfect, because it’s not. Take advice from others, in fact, seek it out. 
 Excellent Advice!!

Well, Thank you so much Rachel for taking the time to answer my questions!

Thank you!

 

I hope that you have enjoyed reading this interview. Rachel McClellan has worked long and hard and is finally getting to see it all pay off! Amazon published her book a few days early so you should go and buy it!
If you don't want to have to buy it, Rachel has been kind enough to sign a copy of her debut YA novel "Fractured Light" which will be given to one lucky winner!

Fill out the form below to enter! Good luck :-)

~Stephanie
Check out my Shelf Candy post on Fractured Light
Read my Review here

a Rafflecopter giveaway