Interview with Wendy Higgins, author of <em>Sweet Evil</em>
Woohoo! We're kicking off this second week of Pub(lishing) Crawl post-apocalyptic insanity with an interview from the amazing Wendy Higgins. If you haven't read Sweet Evil, then you guys are really missing out. Seriously, there's a reason this book has been making waves all over the blogosphere (and beyond!), and that reason is that it's awesome. Also, it's got some seriously hot romance with a seriously amazing female lead (and comparably amazing male lead to match her—oh Kaidan, be still my heart!). Truly, guys, I cannot recommend this book enough! [hr]
Sweet Evil
What if there were teens whose lives literally depended on being bad influences? This is the reality for sons and daughters of fallen angels. Tenderhearted Southern girl Anna Whitt was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She's aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but Anna, the ultimate good girl, has always had the advantage of her angel side to balance the darkness within. It isn't until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage and her willpower is put to the test. He's the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna. Forced to face her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns?
One thing I really loved about Sweet Evil was the quality of the writing. You can really tell Wendy Higgins has a Creative Writing degree (from George Mason University!). Oh, and stay tuned for Sweet Evil's sequel, Sweet Peril, which will be out at the end of April! Now on to the interview! [hr]
1) So Wendy, are you a plotter or pantser?
I've tried and tried to be a Plotter, but when I try to outline I just stare at the screen and scratch my head like a monkey. I've resigned to the fact that I'm a Panster and cannot do it any other way. I suppose I outline in my head as I go, lol. It's definitely not the way I'd choose to do things, if one had a choice in these matters.
2) I am SO the same. Even when I try to outline, I can never stick to it. I just figure it out as I go! So, when you write a scene, though, is there any special method you have for getting words on the page?
Usually a scene comes to me and I play it out as much as possible in my head, squeezing out details. Then as soon as I can, I sit down and type it all out. Sometimes "I'll have a scene brewing in my mind for days or weeks before it feels complete enough to write. Foggy details usually work themselves out when I start typing. It's crazy how it happens.
3) It's like magic, right? How it all just comes together? I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks it's wild. ;) Do you have any authors or books that really influence (or have influenced) you as a writer?
I'm a sucker for romance, and I enjoy mostly commercial fiction with strong characterizations and relationships. For those reasons I really love everything by Karen Marie Moning (adult romance), Richelle Mead (adult and YA), and Jennifer Armentrout (her YA).
4) Nice! I'm a pretty big commercial romance fan, myself (as are many of the ladies on Pub(lishing) Crawl!). So, along with romance, what do you like in your favorite literary cocktail?
Equal parts sweet romance, tangy characters, and fizzy setting -- shake until dizzy. Add a plot-twist of lemon for zest and a cherry of sexual tension. Yum. :)
5) Oooh, I love the "shake until dizzy" addition! Gotta have that in a book! But...oh-oh! Pub Brawl!! What's your weapon of choice?
I was sold on the icicle as the ultimate weapon after reading The Lovely Bones. And this is the perfect time of year for it...
Hahaha! Nice choice! Remind me not to cross you in a bar. ;) And also, thank you SO much for stopping by, Wendy!!
[hr] To celebrate having Wendy on the blog, we're giving away a copy of Sweet Evil! All you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter form and leave a comment letting us know if you've read Sweet Evil OR if you'd rather wear a halo or horns (figuratively, of course). a Rafflecopter giveaway [hr]
WENDY HIGGINS has a Creative Writing degree from George Mason University. She also has a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Radford, and once upon a time, she taught high school English—but that was before she became a mommy. She now lives in the D.C. area with her husband, daughter, son, and puppy Rue.