Rae Carson is the author of the YA fantasy trilogy The Girl of Fire and Thorns. The trilogy concludes with today’s release of The Bitter Kingdom, and Rae sat down with Hypable to discuss scones, weirdness, and the validation of her heroine.
Hypable’s interview with Rae Carson:
Could you tell us 5 random facts about yourself?
1. While vacationing on Hawaii this year, I learned that mosquitos find me delicious.
2. I think ice cream is delicious.
3. I once tried to make ice cream in my specialty blender, but it turned into a writhing, viscous, alien life form.
4. I’m pretty sure the world will meet its demise through alien invasion.
5. That, or we’ll all be eaten alive by mosquitos.
Tell us about your journey to becoming a writer.
I wrote and wrote and wrote. Finished a few things. Submitted them to editors. Got rejected a bunch. Finally sold a book. At which point there was hyperventilating and screaming and dancing orangutans. Okay, probably not dancing orangutans, but that moment is such a blur in my brain that it’s possible there were dancing orangutans.
Why do you feel drawn to the stories you write?
I tend to write about questions I don’t know the answers to. Like: Why do people make up myths and then believe them unto death? Is anything at all worth killing for? Are coconut scones better than apricot?
How did you create the character of Elisa?
I had just dumped this totally douchey guy who was obsessed with my weight – even though I was fit enough to run 6 miles every day. My final revenge was to write about a full-figured girl who was a total hero.
The Bitter Kingdom is the final book in your trilogy. How is the experience of writing each book been unique?
The first book was hard because I was totally new to writing and had no idea what I was doing. The second was harder because the first book did well, and there were all these EXPECTATIONS, and I was terrified that I would never write something good again. (I ended up really loving book 2, so, PHEW!) The third book poured out of me like water in the space of about two months.
How did you build such a unique fantasy world and system of magic?
Well, there’s a fine line between “unique” and “weird,” and I’m pretty sure magic navel bling errs on the side of “weird.” I got the idea for it while I was getting my belly button pierced. Don’t worry, my navel bling is not magical.
Has any part of the writing process surprised you?
Yes! I’ve been completely shocked to discover how much of my job is NOT writing books. There are blog posts, interviews, appearances, social media, edits, procrastinating on Twitter…
What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author?
I was at a novel critique workshop with eleven other writers, when someone said of my book, “This is horrible. It’s the second worst submission at this workshop.” At least it wasn’t the worst!
What has been the best compliment you’ve received?
A recent email from a reader said, “The Crown of Embers book spoke directly to my heart. I feel like you wrote it just for me.”
Where’s your favorite place to write?
My office, with its bright orange chairs and sky blue wall décor and righteous sound system.
How do you approach writing villains or antagonists?
I try to keep in mind that every villain is the hero of his or her own story. Very few “bad guys” actually set out to do evil.
How do you construct the world and tonal environment of your story?
Very carefully.
Which is easier to write: The first line or the last line?
It’s middles that are hard for me!
What is your favorite chapter or scene you’ve written recently?
There’s this scene in The Bitter Kingdom where Elisa and finally , and it was sooo fun to write because it was such a long time coming. I made those characters really earn their moment of , poor things.
Which one YA novel do you wish you had when you were a teen?
The Hunger Games. I think I would have realized that I was a YA author a lot sooner if I’d read that as a teen.
What is one thing you wish you’d known when you sat down to write your novel?
I really wish I’d known the difference between “lay” and “lie.” My poor copyeditor.
Do you have things you need in order to write? (i.e. coffee, cupcakes, music?)
I need solitude. My office is basically my Fortress of Solitude, except instead of ice there are kitties and a space heater.
What are you working on now?
Another fantasy trilogy, this one set during the California Gold Rush. It will be a lot like The Girl of Fire and Thorns, but with covered wagons. And a girl who is a BAMF right from the start. And cholera.
Bonus question! What is the weirdest thing you have ever tasted?
I so super did NOT enjoy my one taste of sea cucumber.
About ‘The Bitter Kingdom’:
The champion must not waver.
The champion must not fear.
The gate of darkness closes.
Elisa is a fugitive.
Her enemies have stolen the man she loves, and they await her at the gate of darkness. Her country is on the brink of civil war, with her own soldiers ordered to kill her on sight.
Her Royal Majesty, Queen Lucero-Elisa née Riqueza de Vega, bearer of the Godstone, will lead her three loyal companions deep into the enemy’s kingdom, a land of ice and snow and brutal magic, to rescue Hector and win back her throne. Her power grows with every step, and the shocking secrets she will uncover on this, her final journey, could change the course of history.
But that is not all. She has a larger destiny. She must become the champion the world has been waiting for.
Even of those who hate her most.
For more about Rae Carson:
Rae Carson has survived seventh grade, flag-football, and customer service to become the author of the acclaimed young adult fantasy trilogy The Girl of Fire and Thorns. Rae is a former cheerleader, and lives in Ohio with her husband, her cats, and her step-sons. You can connect with Rae on Facebook and Twitter, and contact her through her website, RaeCarson.com.
The Girl of Fire and Thorns, The Crown of Embers, and The Bitter Kindgom are all now available for purchase at Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and other booksellers.
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