Author Interview:Brooke Taylor + Giveaway!

I am very pleased to welcome YA author Brooke Taylor on the blog for an interview about her book Undone, welcome Brooke!

First, can you tell me and the readers something about yourself and about your book?
UNDONE is a story about the intense friendship between the two teenage girls, Kori and Serena. Serena believes she knows Kori inside and out; but it is only when Serena loses Kori that she begins to learn about who her friend really is. Here’s the official blurb:

Kori Kitzler is the "dark angel" of her high school: beautiful, mysterious, the subject of rumors. Serena Moore is just an average girl, until a run-in with Kori in the bathroom in eighth grade. When Kori tells her that they are more alike than she thinks, Serena is instantly intrigued, and their fateful friendship begins.

When the girls are asked to complete a writing assignment listing the five things they would want to happen--their five ways to tempt fate--Serena doesn't take it seriously. But when something tragic happens to Kori, Serena is left with her loneliness and Kori's five things. Can Serena complete her best friend's tasks, or will she leave her list undone?

When did you know you wanted to write professionally?
I’m one of those—I’ve-always-known kind of people. Or at least as soon as I could write, I was writing stories. One of my favorite days in school was when we made our own stories and even made hardback covers for them. But it wasn’t until a few years ago when I joined a local writers’ group and learned about agents and editors and all the publishing basics that I really went for it.


What inspired you to write your book Undone? What influences and experiences did you bring into the book?
It’s funny—there are lots of little inspirations for scenes and characters and such, but what started the whole book was a license plate on a car that read “CCCCCF8” aka seize fate. And I’ve always had an interest in the concept of fate, so things just started rolling from there. I’d also done a similar exercise to the fate assignment in Undone and everything on my list did in fact come true. Finish writing a book was one of my five things.

What do you like most about writing for young adults?
I like having a legitimate reason for watching teen television shows and movies. But mostly I love hearing from teens. I get the best fan mail and really love hearing about what they’ve taken away from the book.

Since you are a YA writer can you tell us what you were like as a teen? Does that influence your characters and if so, how?
I’ve always been a daydreamer—so classes were really hard for me to stay focused in. I was always more interested in the various interpersonal dramas than in school work. I hated the clique mentality, but cliques were a major factor for the majority of my teen years.
My characters are essentially their own people, but I’m sure my own experiences influence them.

What did you read as a teen?, which authors inspired you the most? And which are your favorite books and authors now?
The YA books that were out when I was a teen were the Sweet Valley High books and similar kinds of series books. They were quick reads, though—so I also picked up literary books like Dracula. I read it a lot. Now I have too many faves to list. But I always recommend John Green, Jay Asher, and Judy Blume to fans of my book looking for similar reads.

What's your favorite and least favorite part of being a writer?
My favorite part is hearing from readers and my least favorite part is edits. I don’t like to be reminded how little I learned about grammar and punctuation. (see daydreaming above)

Do you have a dream for the future of your writing, something you love the accomplish?
I just want to continue writing and relating to teens. There a few awards I’d love to win too…*cough* Printz *cough*.

You can win a copy of Brooke's book Undone! One lucky commenter will win! You can also enter by email with the topic UNDONE, at marjoleinbookblog at gmail dot com

extra entries: become a follower of my blog, or post about it on your blog, twitter or facebook (leave the link) please leave your mail info in the comment so I can contact you if you win.

Open international, and contest ends at the 30th of March!!

MANY THANKS, BROOKE!