Before I Wake by Rachel Vincent: Interview & Giveaway {KismetBT}

Q: Hi Rachel! I am such a huge fan! Tell me, did you always know the ending to the Soul Screamers series before you started writing? Is that something that you demand from your ideas before you start writing?

A: Thank you! And no, I didn't know the end of the series until I started plotting the final book, WITH ALL MY SOUL, last month. But I did know how many books I wanted to write in Kaylee's world, and what the theme of each book would be.

Q: Were there any inspirations for the main characters either emotionally or physically from your own life? (Kaylee, Todd, Nash)

A: No, they're fictitious characters, and though their strengths are idealized sometimes, they have characteristics and flaws I see in real life, in real people. I think of them as real people, which helps me keep them in character, if that makes sense.

Q: I love that the Netherworld terrifies me, how did you envision that world in your head initially? Has it changed much as the books have progressed?

A: I like that it scares me too, and that was my goal for it all along. I wanted it to be a creepy carnival-mirror image of our world, all warped and scary. The place from which most evil springs. :)

Q: I know you are crazy busy with two totally different series at the moment. How do you transition your mind between writing young adult to adult in a short amount of time?

A: Actually, I've just ended both the Soul Screamers and the Unbound series, but I've also started both a new YA and a new adult project (neither of which I can talk about yet), so the challenge hasn't really changed. Balancing my time, not just between series, but between my private life and my work remains my biggest challenge. To transition between the YA and adult projects, I tend to read YA (my own, and others') and watch Teen movies (I'm not ashamed!) before I start a new YA book, then I switch to grittier movies and music before and during adult books. That helps me keep my head in the right game.

Q: Is there a genre you like more?

A: Not really. I watch all kinds of movies and listen to all kinds of music, and I usually read paranormal,YA contemporary, and horror. And sometimes mysteries and thrillers.

Or we're you asking about my writing? If so, YA typically comes easier for me, but I enjoy writing for both audiences. And, of course, I write paranormal/urban fantasy for both age groups.

Q: What differences (besides age) are the most prominent?

A: There's not as much difference as you might think. It's mostly a matter of perspective. Adults think differently (and about different things) than does the typical teen. They're at different stages of life. Teens tend to be experiencing firsts (or nearly-firsts) and adults have more long-term worries.

Q: Twitter-style question: Describe the Soul Screamers series in 140 characters.

A: Teen bean sidhe battles evil w/a group of supernatural friends & frenemies, while maintaining grades & an after-school job.

Q: If you had to jump into the life of any of your characters (feel free to pick a few) which would it be and why?

A: None! My characters all live very tough lives. I'd rather write about them than live them. :)

Q: What is your writing space like?

A: Messy. Comfortable. Big monitor and ergonomic keyboard in my office, or MacBook Air with smaller screen but low-profile (and super fast) keyboard in my recliner.

Q: What advice would you give unpublished writers to make their publishing dreams come true?

A: Stop dreaming and start working. Goals are more practical than dreams. No one's going to hand you a career in publishing, but it is there for the taking, if you're willing to write, and rewrite, and agonize over every sentence. This job is SO much more work than it looks like.

Q: What are you currently working on?

A: I just finished the first draft of the seventh/final Soul Screamers book, so this week I'll be rewriting it in preparation to turn in.

Thanks for stopping by Rachel!!

About Before I Wake - Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Indiebound

I died on a Thursday-killed by a monster intent on stealing my soul

The good news? He didn't get it

The bad news? Turns out not even death will get you out of high school...

Covering up her own murder was one thing, but faking life is much harder than Kaylee Cavanaugh expected. After weeks spent "recovering," she's back in school, fighting to stay visible to the human world, struggling to fit in with her friends and planning time alone with her new reaper boyfriend. But to earn her keep in the human world, Kaylee must reclaim stolen souls, and when her first assignment brings her face-to-face with an old foe, she knows the game has changed. Her immortal status won't keep her safe. And this time Kaylee isn't just gambling with her own life....

About Rachel Vincent - website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, YouTube
A resident of San Antonio, Rachel Vincent has a BA in English and an overactive imagination, and consistently finds the latter to be more practical. She shares her workspace with two black cats (Kaci and Nyx) and her # 1 fan. Rachel is older than she looks-seriously-and younger than she feels, but remains convinced that for every day she spends writing, one more day will be added to her lifespan.

There are two awesome giveaways for this tour:
1. The first give-away is a daily one for the chance to win a copy of Before I Wake! To enter the daily give-away, check out the Rafflecopter widget below:

2. Grand Prize: The second give-away is for a grand prize of a pink iPod nano engraved with "Soul Screamers"! The Grand Prize winner is chosen from all daily entries!

*Please note that both the daily and grand prize give-aways are for US/Canada participants only. See full contest rules here.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out the rest of the tour for more chances to win:

Monday, June 11th- Fiktshun

Wednesday, June 13th - Harlequin Paranormal Blog

Friday, June 15th- All Things Urban Fantasy

Monday, June 18th  - I Just Wanna Sit Here and Read!

Tuesday, June 19th Book Birthday -  Book Soulmates

Wednesday, June 20th - Late Bloomer Online

Friday, June 22nd - Mimi Valentine

Monday, June 25th - Tynga's Reviews

Wednesday, June 27th - The Page Turners

Friday, June 29th- A Cupcake and A Latte