Author Interview: Artist Arthur (Manifest)

I am very excited to present part of a Community Interview with Artist Arthur (author of Manifest) . A group of bloggers were asked to provide questions for Artist and after she answered, we were able to customize our our interview to post. I think this was a great idea and I was happy to participate. I have posted the link to each person who asked a question. Feel free to explore the other bloggers who participated and check out their custom interview for other questions asked.

My Question: Kate: Other than an author, what profession would you love to have, and why?
Artist: I think I’d like to be a teacher if I didn’t have a fear of getting up in front of people. I’d like to know that I’ve taught someone something, that I’ve given knowledge they didn’t have before. To me, that’s a lasting impact.

Cleverly Inked: Do you feel being able to Manifest is blessing or a curse?
Artist: I think that any type of growth can only improve who and what you are, thus a blessing.


The Library Lurker: Was it difficult to go from Romance to YA?
Artist: No, actually it wasn’t. I like to read different genres so I generally like to write the same types of stories as I read. It just takes concentration on the current project at hand.

Diana Dang: How do you write out your stories? Plan them? Let the characters decide? Or only when you have an "aha!" moment then you put it down?
Artist: I’m a planner. I get the idea then I run with it. My outlines are usually about five pages long and that’s just on the characters, not actually the story. I know, overkill right? LOL

Jo: Why did you decide to write a YA novel, and why in the fantasy genre?
Artist: I was encouraged by a lot of people in my life to write something interesting for our youth. I’m a believer in signs so I figured with so many people saying the same thing, I owed it to myself to give it a try. I love paranormal and so far my romance has been contemporary so this was my opportunity to do something totally different.

Star Shadow: How did you come up with the amazing idea for the base for this book and the Mystyx group/powers?
Artist: I love watching the weather channel. I kept thinking that something has to be left behind after all these storms and natural disasters. My daughter came up with the names of the Mystyx characters and I gave them powers. I wanted different powers, ones that would fit each character specifically.

Dwayne: Since Manifest is infused with paranormal mystery, do you have a personal paranormal experience that you can share with us?
Artist: Sometimes I’ll be in a room by myself and think I see shadow or feel like someone or something has moved past me. It’s weird and doesn’t happen all the time, but each time it does, I wonder…

Anne: Are any of your characters based on real people?
Artist: Each of my YA characters is based on a variety of people. My daughter, myself as a teenager, teenagers from my church, some I hadn’t ever met. I’m an observer so I take tidbits from people that I see and think would be interesting in a character.

ladystorm: If Manifest became a movie who would you like to see play the main characters?
Artist: I’ve actually been asked this a lot in the past month so I’ve been thinking about it. I like Selina Gomez for Sasha. Zac Efron would be great for Jake but I think he might be too old. Kiki Palmer for Krystal.

LuAnn: What sort of research did you need to do for your novel?
Artist: I had to find books on the weather that would back up what I’d seen on the weather channel. Books on Greek mythology that I already had because I love the subject in general. Then, I just wanted to spend time with teenagers to get a real feel for their lives, loves, issues, dreams.

The Brain Lair (KB): Is Artist your real name? Also, how did you guys find the model for the cover?
Artist: Yes, Artist is my real, legal name. ☺
I have nothing to do with the design of the cover beyond giving a character and sometimes a scene description. The publisher takes care of all of that. I just happen to agree wholeheartedly with their choice.

Diva's Bookcase: Is the character of Krystal based on yourself or someone that you know? I'd like to know where you got the inspiration for such a headstrong, but young character.
Artist: Krystal is a combination of myself and my daughter. We are extremely moody and stubborn, but once you get to know us you can’t help but love us. Ok, that might be exaggerating, but yeah, I drew a lot of my own experiences and feelings as a teenager and then on some moods I’ve seen my daughter in to create Krystal.

Jami: Who are some YA authors that inspire you? Can you name any YA novels that you read and loved recently?
Artist: I’m so in love with Rachel Vincent’s Soul Screamers. I really enjoy Laura Halse Anderson and Alyson Noel as well. Just recently I read Fallen by Lauren Kate and enjoyed her voice.

MissAttitude: Why did you decide to not only make Krystal African American, but also one fourth Native American?
Artist: I wanted all the characters to be unique in their backgrounds and upbringing. My family has some Native American (Cherokee) so it was a natural mixture for me.

Amy J - Book Addict: What one place would you love to do an author signing at? Town? The one place you have always dreamed you would sign at and mean ultimate success for you!
Artist: Salem, Massachusetts. I would love to feel the energy left over in the air from the long ago witch trials.

A big thanks to Artist & the bloggers who participated in this fun interview!