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Monday, June 20, 2011

Interview with Suzanne Young, Author of A Need so Beautiful

Welcome to today's stop for Suzanne Young's blog tour for A Need So Beautiful! Suzanne stopped by today to answer a few questions about her book (which I thoroughly enjoyed- review to come soon!) Let's get started-
Suzanne Young
Suzanne Young currently lives in Portland, Oregon where she uses the rainy weather as an excuse to stay inside and write obsessively. After earning her degree in creative writing, Suzanne spent several years teaching middle school language arts. Now she can be found at home chasing after her two children and writing novels for teens. Learn more about Suzanne at www.suzanne-young.blogspot.com.


A Need So Beautiful is a book unique in premise with a fresh take on angelic principles of light and dark. What inspired you to stray away from the traditional angelic elements played out in the majority of YA books today?

I hadn’t read any angel books when writing this book, but to me the idea of Charlotte’s existence not being grounded in any one religion was important. I wanted her to a being of the light, an honest love that doesn’t follow traditions. Something pure and without prejudice.

2.       What three words would you say best describe main character Charlotte, a girl whose fate is both fascinating and terrifying?

Brave, Kind, Forgotten

3.       As A Need So Beautiful kicks off, we learn that Charlotte already has a relationship with Harlin, her dreamy motorcycle-riding boyfriend of two years. In a genre where most protagonists meet and rapidly fall in love, what prompted you to switch things up and have Charlotte firmly planted within a committed relationship right from the start?

I feel that you can learn a lot about a character by their interactions with others. And I wanted to have high stakes, something truly wonderful (her relationship with Harlin) that she would fight for. I’m definitely a fan of the established, healthy relationship. I do it again in my next series as well.

4.       You spent several years teaching in the middle school system. Do you think being around young people has helped to bring a sense of authenticity to your character’s speech and actions? Do you ever draw aspects of your characters personalities from teens that you have worked with?

I think teaching helped me with my pacing. I taught reluctant readers and starting out, I kept them in mind. Would they turn the page or set the book down? But I didn’t draw from them or their lives. I had enough angst of my own.

5.       The end of A Need So Beautiful is very open-ended and leaves much to the imagination. Can you give us some insider scoop on how you see Charlotte’s story progressing? In addition, do you already have her path mapped out or are you letting the creative muse guide you where it will? 

A Want so Wicked is finished and heading into revisions. I really wanted to make sure the sequel had a story of its own and wasn’t just a continuation of the first book. 



A Need So Beautiful
A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL BY SUZANNE YOUNG

We all want to be remembered. Charlotte's destiny is to be forgotten.

Charlotte's best friend thinks Charlotte might be psychic. Her boyfriend thinks she's cheating on him. But Charlotte knows what's really wrong: She is one of the Forgotten, a kind of angel on earth who feels the Need—a powerful, uncontrollable draw to help someone, usually a stranger.

But Charlotte never wanted this responsibility. What she wants is to help her best friend, whose life is spiraling out of control. She wants to lie in her boyfriend's arms forever. But as the Need grows stronger, it begins to take a dangerous toll on Charlotte. And who she was, is, and will become—her mark on this earth, her very existence—is in jeopardy of disappearing completely.

Charlotte will be forced to choose: Should she embrace her fate as a Forgotten, a fate that promises to rip her from the lives of those she loves forever? Or is she willing to fight against her destiny—no matter how dark the consequences?


Be sure and check out The Teen Book Scene for more of Suzanne Young's tour stops. Her next stop will be on Wednesday, June 22nd where she will interview with Just Your Typical Book Blog.


3 comments:

Gabbie said...

Great interview! I've been looking forward to reading A Need So Beautiful for a while now. I'm really excited to hear that its been mixed up abit with Charlotte already being in a relationship. Can't wait!!

Kelly Hashway said...

Very nice interview. This book sounds great!

Christina / Book Addict said...

Ahh! The interview had me at "teaching in the middle school system." I must read this book now! I love it when teachers become writers. Thanks for sharing this interview and I can't wait to read this.