Hello and welcome to the first week in our Indie/Small Press month for Blogger Talk: Novel Exposed! Jessica (Confessions of a Bookaholic) and I are really excited that this month is finally here and for the first week we'll be spending some time visiting with and celebrating all things Chelsea Fine! So sit back, hang out and get to know one of our favorite authors & characters.
Currently available from Acacia Publishing
Check out my review of Anew: HERE
Synopsis: Two years ago, Scarlet awoke in the forest alone, afraid, and unable to remember anything. Lost and confused, her life was a mystery...until she met a boy with a familiar voice.
Gabriel Archer has a voice from her past, and Scarlet's determined to remember why. She immerses herself in his life only to discover he has a brother he's kept hidden from her: Tristan Archer.
Upon meeting Tristan, Scarlet's world becomes even more muddled. While she's instinctively drawn to Gabriel, she's impossibly drawn to Tristan--and confused out of her mind. As she tries to piece together her history Scarlet realizes her past...might just be the death of her.
Currently available from Firefall Publishing
Synopsis: Sometimes love is meant to be. But sometimes...love is the death of you....
Seventeen-year-old Scarlet has just died. Only, dying isn't unusual for a girl under a centuries old curse that left her semi-immortal.
This time, though, she comes back to her current life instead of awaking in a new one, and she realizes the curse is changing. Together with the immortal Archer brothers, Scarlet must piece together her life and try to break the curse before her impending death comes again.
Currently available from Acacia Publishing
Check out my review of Sophie & Carter: HERE
Synopsis: While other high school seniors are dreaming about their futures, Sophie and Carter are just trying to make it through each day. Carter is overwhelmed by issues at home as he struggles to support his mother. Meanwhile, next door neighbor Sophie is left to care for her three younger siblings in place of their absent and troubled mother. All that holds these two best friends together is each other, and knowing that each night they'll sit together on Sophie's front porch swing and escape from reality, if just for awhile. But as their relationship reaches a turning point and high school graduation nears, will their friendship become something more?
Interview:
The fandom! I never—in a million years—would have guessed that readers would fall so hard for my characters. Especially Tristan. I knew I was in love with Tristan, but I wasn’t sure if my readers would feel as passionately about him. But they do! I also love getting emails about how quirky Nate is or how silly Heather is or how devastating the Tristan/Scarlet thing is—it blows my mind! And it makes me want to write more and more because I know that readers out there will connect with my characters. It’s incredible—and I never saw it coming.
What have been some of your biggest writing challenges?
Writing details, haha. When I sit down to write, I want to get straight to the point—dialogue, emotions, reactions—I don’t want to describe what the coffee shop looks like or what my characters are wearing. That’s just boring to me. So I really have to push myself to write in things like the weather and scenery.
Another challenge I face is writing itself. As a personal rule, If I don’t feel it, I don’t write it. What does this mean? Well, it means that when I feel inspired to write, I can type for 12-15 hours straight and get a third of my novel done—awesome! But it also means that when I’m not feeling it, I’m completely unproductive—which is not awesome. When I force myself to write, I usually find that my story lacks heart. And a story without heart isn’t a story at all. So there are a lot of days where I get no writing done. But those tend to be the same days I stumble upon a new inspiration. So whatever.
For those out there who haven’t picked up the series yet, could you share a nice juicy teaser with us all?
Short teaser:
One brother suffered without love when she was dead. The other suffered in pain when she was alive. Worst. Curse. Ever.
Longer teaser:
“I know you.” Scarlet’s lips parted as she took a step closer to Tristan, her eyes running up and down his face and lingering in certain places. “I know you.” She took another step closer.
Wind blew across the porch, lifting a strand of her dark hair and blowing it across her perfect face. The scent of her shampoo met Tristan’s nose and he involuntarily inhaled.
A rush of memories—shoved to the depths of his soul in punishment—broke free and flooded his mind. Memories of love…memories of life…memories of torment…death….
He swallowed his emotion. He couldn’t afford to show any weakness, couldn’t afford to give himself away. Forcing a look of indifference upon his face, he took a slow, even breath.
Scarlet’s face was now only inches from his, and he thought his heart would bruise the inside of his chest if it beat any harder.
“Who are you?” She tilted her head in curiosity, staring at him with wide eyes as if she were in a trance, fascinated by what stood before her.
He knew the feeling.
Her blue eyes flashed, changing from their normal blue to an electric blue—lighting up her face, and Tristan’s hammering heart stopped.
It was happening. Scarlet’s eye color was shifting from healthy blue to deadly blue. Tristan began to panic.
She’d seen him and now her heart would pull for him, fiercely tearing itself in half, bringing her closer to death.
He needed to run away. He needed to be far from the beautiful girl before him. He needed to keep her safe.
From her own heart.
But instead he stood there, drinking her in like he was a thirsty man and she was water in the desert.
Because Tristan’s soul…his foolish and hopeful soul…wanted Scarlet just as much as she wanted him.
As a writer I know all of your characters have a special place, tucked away in your heart. Is there one who talks to you a bit more than the others? Is there one you’re a bit more attached to then the others? And if so, why?
My protagonist has a best friend named Heather and, by golly, Heather is my cornerstone. I’ve never once had to edit, revise, or change a scene with Heather in it—because she makes the story super real for me. When I’m writing Heather, I just fly. Maybe because she’s the only non-supernatural character in my story? I don’t know. But she’s funny and annoying and irreverent and emotional and…something about her resonates in me. I heart Heather and I love writing her.
If you were casting the series for a movie and had your pick of any cast, who would be your perfect Scarlet, Tristan & Gabriel be?
I think Lucy Hale (Pretty Little Liars) would be a great Scarlet.
And I love Tyler Hoechlin (Teen Wolf) as Tristan/Gabriel.
Lastly, could you tell us what you’re currently working on? And when will we have a chance to read it?
I’m currently working two contemporary YA love stories, and a thriller. The love stories will probably be out in early 2013. And the thriller…well, that one might take longer to publish. ;) There is a slight, slight chance that I might have a short, contemporary love story out this Christmas, but I’m not sure yet. Fingers crossed!
Chelsea, thanks again for visiting today and for taking the time to be part of this months Blogger Talk. We're both HUGE fans and love ya tons! You and your writing and characters are amazing! Know you are welcome here any time! <333
Website/Blog | Twitter | Facebook
Add Chelsea's books on: Goodreads
Order the books online:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository
Check out the Playlist for Anew: HERE
Anew Book Trailer:
*I am not compensated at all for any of the links within this post.
Great interview! I read a bit of Anew but I haven't finished it yet. I love the cover!!
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