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Interview and Giveaway for Conjured by Sarah Beth Durst!

Saturday, September 28, 2013



1) Did you have a specific inspiration for the plot?

There's a myth that inspiration always comes as a lightning strike.  Sometimes it does.  But sometimes it's more like little flames that are drawn to each other -- sometimes even when you're not looking.

CONJURED was like that.  Eve began as a minor character in another (unfinished) story, but I couldn't stop thinking about her and soon she eclipsed her genesis and became the heart of this story.

Sometimes you just have to follow your instinct -- or more accurately, your passion.  If there's a character you can't stop thinking about or an idea that nags you when you're doing something random, like cleaning the dishes or taking a shower... sometimes you have to take the risk and follow it where it leads you.

2) What would you do/how would you react if you were in Eve's position?

If I were me... well, I wouldn't be me.  And that's Eve's most serious problem: she has no identity.  She has to build herself up from scratch, trying to separate truth from lies and memories from dreams.  She has to go from no one to someone.  If I were in her shoes...  I hope that, like Eve, I'd be able to string the pieces together and come up with a new whole self that's my own design, not someone else's.  

3) What is one power you would love to have and why?

I'd love to have telekinesis because it has such potential for awesomeness.  Then again, I'd feel such guilt if I didn't use it to save the world on a regular basis!  Great power, great responsibility, and all that.  Maybe it would be easier to have a smaller power... like never saying anything stupid.

4) Who was your favorite secondary character to write about?

I adore Malcolm.  He was really comforting to write because he's full of such solid strength and integrity.  But the character who was most fun to write was Zach.  He has a tendency to babble, and he only tells the truth.  Writing him felt a bit like turning on a faucet of refreshing water.

5) If you could choose a love interest from the book, who would you choose?

Malcolm.  Zach's a bit too young for my taste, plus he and Eve need each other too badly for me to interfere.

6) Are you currently working on any other novel?

Yes.  Actually, two!  My next novel, THE LOST, will be coming out from Harlequin/Mira in June 2014.  It's my first novel for adults and the first in a trilogy.  My next YA novel, MIND OVER MAGIC, will be coming out from Bloomsbury/Walker in fall 2014.  I'm really excited about both!

Thank you so much for interviewing me!



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19 comments:

  1. I would be awesome just to have unlimited energy and never have to sleep. Imagine the things you could accomplish.

  1. Unknown said...:

    I would want to be invisible because I find it awesome to sneak up on people. Thanks for the giveaway!

  1. Chelsea B. said...:

    I am so excited for this novel!

  1. I've always wanted to be able to fly. Besides the advantage in getting around I think it would be great fun too. Thanks.

  1. Grampy said...:

    I know I would have answered "X-Ray Vision" back in Junior High, but nowadays I think I'd much rather fly, as long as I didn't have to flap my arms to do it! I doubt I'd get very far that way. If I could fly, I could go see my grandson whenever I wanted, even though he's a couple thousand miles away.

  1. Steph said...:

    I think it would be cool to have infinite knowledge/wisdom. I'm not sure if that's a power or not, but it would still be awesome! I have been DYING to get a copy of this book! Thanks so much for the giveaway!!

  1. I would like to have the power to heal so that I could cure sick children.

  1. The ability to move things without touching them.

  1. I would like to be able to read minds so I would know if someone is telling the truth or not.

  1. Veronica Vasquez said...:

    The ability to read minds could come in rather handy

  1. Natasha said...:

    The power to heal would be awesome to have.
    Thanks for the chance to win!

  1. Carmen B. said...:

    Telekinesis would be awesome! But I think I'd like the ability to understand things and find out patterns just by looking at something would be even more amazing.

  1. Meghan said...:

    Invisibility would be great! Thanks for the giveaway!

  1. Unknown said...:

    I would love to be able to teleport! I could go anywhere in the world in an instant and have the ability to leave embarrassing situations! Thanks for the awesome giveaway! :D

  1. deasuluna said...:

    I would love to have control over one of the elements most likely water. It would make everything so much easier like cooking. :)

  1. Unknown said...:

    I've wished that I had the power to pause and restart time since I was a little kid. As an adult, I still want that power - pause the kids, take a nap, then restart time when I woke up. (Though they did make a Twilight Zone episode like this if I remember correctly, and it didn't end well...)

  1. Anonymous said...:

    I would like to be able to teleport because I love to travel to different places and that would eliminate all the travel hassle. Thank you for the giveaway!
    Bonnie Hilligoss
    bonnie at bonnieanddave dot com

  1. I got to meet Sarah at a signing a few weeks ago! She is super duper nice! I can't wait to read this!

  1. Unknown said...:

    Sounds like a great read!