Kiersten White graciously met with me the night before Thanksgiving to do the following oral interview that I transcribed thereafter.
Julia: What was your inspiration for writing “Paranormalcy”?
Kiersten: My inspiration for writing “Paranormalcy” was I was bored. That’s how most things in my life start whether they turn out good or bad. The previous books I had written had elements like the girls were psychic as the basic premise, but I wanted to do something with more fantasy elements in a real world setting. So I came up with the idea of the “International Paranormal Containment Agency,” which I thought was a clever idea, but I didn’t know what I would do with it. And then I got Evie’s voice in my head, and once I got her voice in my head it really just spun out because her voice was so engaging and so fun to write in, and her world view was so good for telling a story.
Julia: What was your inspiration for writing “Paranormalcy”?
Kiersten: My inspiration for writing “Paranormalcy” was I was bored. That’s how most things in my life start whether they turn out good or bad. The previous books I had written had elements like the girls were psychic as the basic premise, but I wanted to do something with more fantasy elements in a real world setting. So I came up with the idea of the “International Paranormal Containment Agency,” which I thought was a clever idea, but I didn’t know what I would do with it. And then I got Evie’s voice in my head, and once I got her voice in my head it really just spun out because her voice was so engaging and so fun to write in, and her world view was so good for telling a story.
J: What is your favorite part of “Paranormalcy” and why?
K: I really like the flirting scenes. I really, really enjoy writing dialogue. Dialogue for me is always the funnest part. I enjoy flirtation. I enjoy the back and forth and the cuteness factor, and the cleverness factor is always very fun for me to write.
K: I really like the flirting scenes. I really, really enjoy writing dialogue. Dialogue for me is always the funnest part. I enjoy flirtation. I enjoy the back and forth and the cuteness factor, and the cleverness factor is always very fun for me to write.
J: Were you surprised at the number of people who bought your book? Or did the numbers meet your expectations?
K: I definitely was surprised. I was not expected to hit the New York Times Bestseller's list. They weren’t anticipating me hitting it, but I did have a lot of support in people who were excited about it. I have 3500 followers on Twitter. I’ve got at least a couple thousand people who read my blog, and so I knew I had the ground support. I was obviously shocked but very gratified by it, and I felt very grateful that all of these people who were interested in it actually went out and bought it. That’s the thing . . . all these people read my blog, but are they going to go out and buy the book. So it was surprising but very gratifying.
K: I definitely was surprised. I was not expected to hit the New York Times Bestseller's list. They weren’t anticipating me hitting it, but I did have a lot of support in people who were excited about it. I have 3500 followers on Twitter. I’ve got at least a couple thousand people who read my blog, and so I knew I had the ground support. I was obviously shocked but very gratified by it, and I felt very grateful that all of these people who were interested in it actually went out and bought it. That’s the thing . . . all these people read my blog, but are they going to go out and buy the book. So it was surprising but very gratifying.
J: What supernatural being would you love to be and why?
K: I wouldn’t want to be a vampire. I wouldn’t want to be a werewolf. I wouldn’t want to be a hag, although sometimes I resemble one (J & K laugh). I think it would be the most fun to be a faerie even though they are amoral, bordering on evil. But to be able to go anywhere, anytime you wanted would be pretty fun.
K: I wouldn’t want to be a vampire. I wouldn’t want to be a werewolf. I wouldn’t want to be a hag, although sometimes I resemble one (J & K laugh). I think it would be the most fun to be a faerie even though they are amoral, bordering on evil. But to be able to go anywhere, anytime you wanted would be pretty fun.
J: Do you have other book ideas in store after the “Paranormalcy” series is finished?
K: I actually have a ghost story that I just finished another round of edits and rewrites on that I really love. I have another trilogy that I don’t say anything about at all because I am very protective of that idea. And then I have a historical fantasy set in Romania that I would like to write someday.
Now that you are intrigued, catch the rest of the interview tomorrow here on my blog to see how Kiersten White made it all happen and get some great advice from this lovely author!
Now that you are intrigued, catch the rest of the interview tomorrow here on my blog to see how Kiersten White made it all happen and get some great advice from this lovely author!
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