A website dedicated to books in the Young Adult genre, featuring book reviews, author interviews contests and much more!


Sunday, September 20, 2009

Interview with Megan Crewe and Contest!


Today I'd like to welcome author Megan Crewe, who stopped by to talk about her recently released debut novel, Give Up The Ghost.


In Give Up The Ghost, Cass’ mission is to expose her fellow students’ bad conduct with the help of her ghostly friends, who are able to dig up all sorts of dirt - such as lying, cheating, stealing and spreading rumors. When you were in junior high or high school, did you ever do anything to misbehave or have something done to you that still makes you cringe to think about?

I didn’t do anything as bad as the things Cass calls people on, but there is one thing I’m not very proud of. I was in choir in junior high, and there was another girl who I talked with sometimes that I started to realize was considered pretty uncool by the more popular kids. So I stopped talking to her and ignored her when I saw her. Not my most shining moment!

Unlike many YA novels where the protagonist has a supernatural talent, Cass not only accepts that she can see and talk to ghosts, but she actually welcomes them into her life. What gave you the inspiration to write a novel where the main character didn’t run away or try to hide from her powers?

I think I was mostly inspired by the fact that I hadn’t seen it done very often! I figured there had to be some benefits to being friendly with ghosts—what might they be? What would my main character do when she discovered them? A lot of the story came about just from answering those questions.

What type of research did you do in preparation for Give Up The Ghost? Also, being that this is a novel about ghosts, have you or your family members ever had any otherworldly encounters with them? If so, did you draw upon those in writing your novel?

I did some research on girl bullying—the book ODD GIRL OUT was a great help in understanding what had happened to Cass and how it had affected her. The ghost stuff I just made up! I’ve never seen a ghost, and as far as I know no one else in my family has, either.

What was your favorite aspect about writing Give Up The Ghost and conversely, what was the most difficult part of the process? Would you go back and do anything differently if you had the chance?

My favorite thing to write was Cass and Tim’s developing friendship—it was so fun to write their conversations and see Cass struggle between wanting to stay protected and wanting to open up. The most difficult part was keeping Cass sympathetic. She has a pretty sarcastic, defensive sort of voice, and I had to balance that with showing her vulnerabilities so the reader could see why she is the way she is and that there was more to her.

I’m not sure there’s anything I would do differently. I think it’s ended up working out well in the end, and if I changed something I’d be afraid it’d change something else for the worse! (That’s my philosophy about just about everything in my life.)

Do you remember writing the first words of Give Up The Ghost and are they still in the novel today? Is there a certain line, scene or passage from the book that is a particular favorite of yours as well?

The original first line was, “Right before she died, my sister and I had a pretty crap relationship.” That line (slightly modified—“crap” became “defective”) is now a few pages into the first chapter.

My single favorite line is probably, “I have friends, I wanted to tell her. You just wouldn’t believe they exist.” I’m also very fond of the passage where Cass goes down to the playground by the beach, listens to the waves, and thinks about her sister’s death.

If you were to attach a musical score to Give Up The Ghost, what type of music do you picture playing during prominent scenes? Was there any music you listened to that helped inspire you with character development or mood setting?

I listened to a lot of Lisa Germano and Dresden Dolls while I was brainstorming the book, and I think that’s the sort of music Cass would like, so it would probably fit. “Trouble” by Lisa Germano captures Cass’s emotions almost perfectly.

Being a debut novelist, can you share with us the moments that have been both the most exciting and also the most frightening in the publication process so far?

Exciting moments: Finding out the book was going to be published in the first place! Seeing the page proofs laid out the way the actual book would look, seeing the cover for the first time, getting the ARCs, getting to see and hold the finished hardcover. Meeting with booksellers and librarians who are enthusiastic about sharing the novel with readers. Hearing from readers who’ve enjoyed it.

Frightening: Waiting for the deal to be confirmed (and worrying it might not work out after all), waiting for each editorial letter (and worrying about whether my editor was happy with my revisions), waiting to see the cover (and worrying I might not like it), waiting to hear readers’ thoughts on the book (and worrying they might not like it). Mostly, waiting.

If there was one thing in particular you hope readers will take away from this novel and apply to their own lives, what would that be?

That ultimately it’s better to risk getting hurt and to try to connect with people than to let your fears make you close yourself off.

Will Give Up The Ghost be a stand-alone novel or the first in a series? Can you tell us about future projects we can look forward to?

Right now Give Up the Ghost is a stand alone, but you never know! I have other YA novels in the works, both paranormal and fantasy. You will likely see more ghosts. I can say no more!

Megan is offering one lucky winner a chance to win a final, hardcover copy of
GIVE UP THE GHOST!

All you have to do is comment on this post with your email address!

93 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Book Butterfly: Thanks for posting this! I would love to WIN a copy of Megan Crewe's Give Up the Ghost. I love a good ghost story.

Thanks.
Wendy C.
lulubee(at)hotmail.com

+1 RT on Twitter @wendyreads09

jpetroroy said...

I'd love to enter!
jpetroroy (at) gmail (dot) com

+1 I tweeted at https://twitter.com/jpetroroy/status/4149559872

Tales of Whimsy said...

Oh please enter me :)

suitejuju(at)gmail(dot)com

cait045 said...

Ghost stories are the best. Sign me up

usignolc(at)yahooDOTcom

Erica said...

I would love to be entered!

+1 tweeted http://twitter.com/thebookcellarx/status/4149607924

:) Erica
thebookcellar@wi.rr.com

Gina said...

Great interview! I love the message she imparted at the end....if you don't risk getting hurt, you risk never being happy.

Count me in on the contest too....I'd love to read this one.

+1 - tweeting! (http://twitter.com/GRgenius/status/4149722927)

grgenius(at)go(dot)com

Jessica B said...

Yay! I'm DYING to get my hands on a copy, please enter me!

+1 For posting it on my sidebar at: shutupimreading.blogspot.com

shutupjessicasreading at gmaildotcom
Jessica

Misty said...

I need a good ghost story. Count me in!

~Misty (mbradenwf@gmail.com)

holdenj said...

Please count me in, I like the sound of this one!
Megan sounds like a nice person to interview, I enjoyed reading all of it. And I could relate to her highschool misdeed of stopping talking to someone, unsure if it were a cool enough thing to be doing. Thanks for the giveaway!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

JJ said...

Trying to win some books for my teenagers. lol Thanks. :)

gahome2mom/at/gmail/dot/com

Jessy said...

I can't wait to read this, please sign me up!

findjessyhere at gmail dot com

Sara said...

I'd love a chance to win! Great interview as well... :)

+1 linked to sidebar @ http://thehidingspot.blogspot.com

grochowskis@hotmail.com

Orchid said...

This book sounds great. Please enter me. :)

hauntingorchid (at) aol (dot) com

Debbie F said...

Please include me!!!

Thanks
dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Sita said...

I've been trying to win this one from other blogs. I really want to read it!!

jennifer(dot)henkes(at)gmail(dot)com

Sita said...

+1 have tweeted it by clicking through the retweet button

Ellz said...

I would LOVE to win a copy of this book. LOVE LOVE.

zenfoxflowerATyahooDOTcom

Ellz said...

I posted on my contest sidebar at
http://ellzreadz.blogspot.com/

zenfoxflowerATyahooDOTcom

D Swizzle said...

enter me!

danielleeloko78@aol.com

Lilixtreme said...

Count me in!

+1 linked to my sidebar: http://lilibethramos.blogspot.com

lilibethramos@live.com

AnAddictedBookReader said...

Awesome, thanks!
Adrienne
adrienne2093 at comcast dot net

Just Your Typical Book Blog said...

Great interview! I've been seeing this book everywhere. Count me in :)

Amber
justyourtypicalbookblog(at)hotmail(dot)com

Mariah said...

I cannot wait to read this book!

posted in sidebar http://mariah-readingadventure.blogspot.com/


silverbookgirl@yahoo.com

Sara M said...

Count me in!

Sara M
silentalibis AT yahoo DOT com

Linna said...

I'd love to read this book. Please do enter me. :D

linna.hsu at gmail dot com

Literary Deviant said...

Great interview, I would love to receive this book.
+1 I will link it on my page
www.handmedownbooks.blogspot.com

Literary Deviant said...

oops my email is Eliseguevara@gmail.com

Liz said...

I want this book SO bad!!
+1 I posted on my sidebar
lizdoglover.blogspot.com
-Liz

liztapioka14[at]yahoo[dot]com

Sandra Stiles said...

Please enter me.

skstiles612@yahoo.com

michelle said...

Great interview! Please enter me in the contest.

MichelleK
mishcara at gmail dot com

+1 shared at StumbleUpon http://mishme.stumbleupon.com/

Anonymous said...

Great interview! Thanks for posting!

tashiluvsu@live.com

Kimberly B. said...

Hi there! I'd love to win this! It's the perfect time of year to read about ghosts. Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
beax0002 (at) umn (dot) edu

Beth said...

Please enter me. Thanks for the chance

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Cecelia said...

I'd love to be entered for this - please put my name in! :-)

celialarsen(at)gmail(dot)com

donnas said...

Please include me. It sounds like a great book.

Posted it on the sidebar here: http://donnasbloghome.blogspot.com/

bacchus76 at myself dot com

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

I think you did a great interview!

I would love to win the book so I could read it.

dancealert at aol dot com

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

I posted the contest to my blog
dancealertreads.blogspot.com


dancealert at aol dot com

Wrighty said...

I've been so anxious to read this book and your interview makes it sound even better. I always like to hear about the behind the scenes process from an author. Thanks for your giveaway!

+1 added to my sidebar
www.wrightysreads.blogspot.com

5wrights1[at]verizon[dot]net

Renee (BlacknGoldGirlsBookSpot) said...

I love YA fiction and paranormal stuff too! This looks awesome, I'm always excited to read about new authors! Please enter me for Give up the Ghost!

XOXO~ Renee
steelergirl83(at)gmail(dot)com

+1 I tweeted the contest!
http://twitter.com/steelergirl83/status/4165472879

Miss Haley said...

enter me please! i'm a follower and i've posted this at twitter.com/haleymathiot and on my blog post at: http://haleymathiot.blogspot.com/2009/09/todays-giveaways_22.html

haleymathiot(at)yahoo(dot)com

Sage Ravenwood said...

Wicked awesome contest! I love a good ghost story. This book almost reminds me of the movie "Frighteners".

Please include me in this drawing. Thanks for the opportunity! Indigo
ravensquietscreams@gmail.com

Bingo said...

I would love to win this. I think the interview was really well done. I liked hearing about how she felt being a first time author and waiting to see if her book would be published. It is nice to see such a fresh approach to her craft.

Anonymous said...

Sign me up!

quixoticjade@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Please enter me.

lovestoread0708 at yahoo dot com

Trista said...

Please enter me!

Trista.Stephens@fnf.com

Donna Gambale said...

I've seen this book around a lot, and I can't wait to read it! Please enter me into the contest.

+1 - Linked to First Novels Club sidebar

firstnovelsclub [at] gmail [dot] com

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the interview. I love to hear writers thoughts about writing!

+1 tweeted (justkeepreading)

foltzsfantasticbooks at gmail.com

Sab H. said...

Enter me please!

+1 Link to contest: sidebar
http://crystalreviews.blogspot.com/

crystalreviews[at]gmail.com

Sarah said...

Awesome interview. I like how the ghost aspect is completely made up on her part.

+1 I linked this contest to my sidebar.

Thanks for the great interview and contest, Kim!

Sarah
two_of_hearts_101 at yahoo dot com

Andrea said...

I would love a chance to read this book!

And I blogged about the contest here.


belle2211(at)yahoo(dot)com

Poppy said...

This book looks so good! Enter me please!

wyrdkatt(at)gmail(dot)com

Heidi V said...

Sounds like a good read!

Please enter me...

Thanks
heidivargas [at] live dot com

Brittany said...

Great contest. This looks amazing.

+1 linked on my sidebar

thanks
teensatthelibrary[at]yahoo[dot]com

A Passion For Books said...

Great interview! I hope she does plan to make a sequel sometime. I still have some unawnsered questions.

Casey
paranormalfanatic@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

HI!
+1 i blogged here:
http://yarockstarlette.blogspot.com/2009/09/book-butterfly-win-give-up-ghost-by.html

harajukualice@yahoo.com
-Haley

Kristen said...

Would love to win this!

bittahsweetharmony@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I want to enter

bjhopper@me(dot)com

Unknown said...

Blogged

http://bridget3420.blogspot.com/2009/09/giveaway-list_4384.html

Dahlia (TheBookShopaholic) said...

I'm highly interested in this book.

thebookshopaholic(at)hotmail(dot)com

+1 For linking about this post
http://thebookshopaholic.blogspot.com/2009/09/contests.html

Anonymous said...

Would love to win a copy of what sounds like a winner. Will add to my wishlist as Christmas is coming up. Good luck and hope to see more of books in the future.
+2 follower
lisa@mrheatingandair.com

Nicole said...

I would love to win this book. It sounds awesome.
mybookviews[at]gmail[dot]com

Loralei said...

What a wonderful interview. I like how she talked about her junior high days and how she wasn't proud of how she treated others. Totally puts into perspective that not everyone is created equal. The books sounds wonderful. Thanks for the contest.

lj9142 at hotmail dot com

Sylvia said...

Why do you have such great contests?? I really want to win all of them! But anyway, I've been waiting for this book to come out so that I could finally read it, hopefully this will be my chance to read it finally!

sylvia_uy4@yahoo.com

Mishel (P.S. I Love Books) said...

I really enjoyed reading your interview with Megan. I've heard great things about the book and the interview made me want to read it even more =)

I posted a link to this on my sidebar (http://creativitygone.blogspot.com)

Thanks so much!!

mishtakes AT gmail DOT com

Frankie Diane Mallis said...

Would definitely like to enter!

frankie.mallis@gmail.com

Jordan Perryman said...

I want to read this book so so bad!

jmoose09@gmail.com
posted in sidebar

http://insidethemindjm.blogpost.com

Bella F. said...

I love paranormal YA! and i really hope you decide to make it a series Megan, b/c that makes it even more fun :D

~Isabella F.
iroquois.girl@yahoo.com

Van Pham said...

would love a chance to win this!



van

Littopandaxpress(at)yahoo(dot)com

niki nicole said...

Please enter me! I want this book so much!

Ashley said...

I'd love to win this, thanks!
booksobsession(at)gmail(dot)com

+1 posted on my sidebar at http://booksobsession.blogspot.com

Chelsea S said...

I would love to read this. Thanks!

saulpaugh.chelsea(at)gmail(dot)com

Bezzy said...

Who doesn't love a good gost story they are always so exciting.... I would love to win this book so i can get a look at what kind of books you write.... I can't wait.. It sound so intresting and looks sso cool i can't wait to read it lol pick me please!

bezamogea@yahoo.com

I HOPE I REALLY WIN!!!

CallMeKayla said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
CallMeKayla said...

very cool! reminds me of a show I used to watch as a younger child.. too bad i cannot recall it's name..


kaylajohnson3969@sbcglobal.net

Froggy said...

Please enter me!

I linked this on my sidebar too
http://froggaritavillesbookcase.blogspot.com

Froggy
froggarita@gmail.com
http://froggaritavillesbookcase.blogspot.com
A Blog with Bite!
http://blogwithbitereviews.blogspot.com

sarah said...

my teens are all about the fantasy.
sm65@indiana.edu

Bookie00 said...

Man it would be awesome to win! homefri794@aol.com

SerieslyReady said...

It's always nice to read author interviews; this one is no exception. I'd love to win Give Up the Ghost.


tbutterful(at)yahoo(dot)com

Diana Dang said...

faked_sugartone at hotmail

thankss

I ♥ Book Gossip said...

Please count me in.

+1 Blogged
http://juniperrbreeeze.blogspot.com/2009/10/october-contests.html

~The Book Pixie said...

I'd love to have a final copy of this book. Count me in please.

+1 Tweeted: http://twitter.com/thebookpixie/status/4829347989

~Briana
thebookpixie[at]yahoo[dot]com

Tena said...

would love a chance to win this book
Ü

tenasocla@aol.com

Tena said...

Tweet Tweet Tweet
http://twitter.com/5150mommy/status/4851609927

tenasolca@Aol.com

Ivy said...

I would love to enter this giveaway.
Thanks

ivybookreadertimes@live.com

Marie (MUM) said...

This sounds like a great book. Count me in.

+1 Tweeted: http://twitter.com/utah91960/status/4880296873

Marie
utah91960(at)yahoo(dot)com

Name: Aine said...

sounds great! thanks.

aine.onetwistedpixie@gmail.com

Paradox said...

Great interview! Give Up the Ghost sounds like such a cute paranormal book!

+1 Tweeted: http://twitter.com/ParadoxRevealed/status/4880800611

paradoxrevealed (at) aim (dot) com

CherylS22 said...

I'd love to read this book - please count me in!

Thanks ~ megalon22{at}yahoo{dot}com

Meghan said...

Please enter me!
mdondero@sprynet.com
Thanks. :)

L said...

Enter me please!

lovinfitch(at)aol(dot)com

ParaJunkee said...

Excellent interview as usual. I would love to enter this contest.

parajunkee (@) gmail.com

I'll tweet (parajunkee)

Julie@My5monkeys said...

i would love this book

aprilmom00 at gmail.com

Nancye said...

This book sounds great! I would LOVE to win it!

Tweet! Tweet!!
http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/4906207460

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net