Hey guys! Today we have a guest post from author Kelley York!
Today I'm asking her some questions that I was wondering while reading her awesome new book, Hushed.
Keep reading to see what she has to say!
Hey Kelley! Welcome to the blog!
1.
If you could describe Hushed in two short sentences, how would you describe it?
HUSHED is a dark look into the human psyche. It explores the deadly lengths some will go to for the ones they love.
2.
Hushed is such a unique read. Where did you come up with the idea for the book?
Really, it all started with Archer. I had the idea of wanting to write a boy who was broken and had a skewed sense of morals, and who killed people because he thought it was justified, even if it was wrong.
3.
The characters in the book are all so very interesting, especially Archer. Are they based in any way off people you know in real life?
Not at all. I did know a lot of girls like Vivian in high school—the girls who were always with guys who treated them terribly, but they seemed to think it was the best they could get.
4.
Who is your most favorite/least favorite character in the book, and why?
My favorite is definitely Archer. He's so broken and in need of a hug, and all I wanted was for him to have some hope that everything would be okay. Least favorite...probably Richter. He's meant to be a sleaze-bag of epic proportions. I hate Vivian, but I love her, too. She's a character I love to hate.
5.
Evan was one of my most favorite characters in the book. Was he an easy character to write?
For the most part, yes. Sometimes it took some work because he's a far more patient person than I could ever hope to be. Otherwise, he's sweet and laid back, so writing him isn't difficult.
6.
There were quite a few emotional parts in the book. What part was the hardest to write for you?
I'm not sure any of it was difficult to write, per se. But I do get very attached to my characters and sometimes I'll smile when I write something sweet, or I'll cry during the heavier scenes. I cried during a certain pivotal hospital scene in the middle of the book.
7.
This book had definitely has me hooked. Do you plan on writing more books in the near future?
Absolutely! I'm working on another one right now. At some point, I also want to rework my first book, which would be the first in a paranormal series.
8.
What type of books do you read in your spare time?
Primarily YA. Dark, edgy books are my favorites, and I've kind of been staying away from paranormal these days. I recently finished DROWNING INSTINCT by Ilsa J. Bick, and SAVING JUNE by Hannah Harrington.
9.
Did you always want to be a writer?
I always wanted to do something creative, though being a writer wasn't originally it. I used to want to be a character designer for video games. But the problem with being an artist like that is you have to draw what other people want you to draw. I got burnt out on my art, and threw myself full-force into writing. (Something that had been only a hobby before.) After finishing three books now, and working on a forth, I definitely know this is what I want to do for a living.
10.
If you were stuck on an island, what three books would you want with you?
(1) HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE by Diana Wynne Jones
(2) GONE, GONE, GONE by Hannah Moskowitz
(3) THE LAST UNICORN by Peter S. Beagle
Awesome answers, Kelley! Thank you for stopping by the blog today to share with us! So great to get to know you better!
'Kelley York delivers in this impressive debut. I was at the edge of my
seat waiting to see what would happen next! Bottom line, this was
unputdownable!!!' --- YA Fantasy Guide ---
'How exciting that we live in a time when gay teen protagonists can be
just as screwed up as straight ones -- and their stories just as creepy!'
--- Brent Hartinger, award-winning author of Geography Club and Shadow
Walkers ---
Author Bio:
Kelley was born and raised in central California, where she still resides with her lovely wife, daughter, and an abundance of pets. (Although she does fantasize about moving across the globe to Ireland.) She has a fascination with bells, adores all things furry - be them squeaky, barky
or meow-y - is a lover of video games, manga and anime, and likes to pretend she's a decent photographer. Her life goal is to find a real unicorn. Or maybe a mermaid.
Within young adult, she enjoys writing and reading a variety of genres from contemporary with a unique twist, psychological thrillers, paranormal/urban fantasy and horror. She loves stories where character development takes center stage.
Kelley's website:
http://www.kelley-york.com/blog
About the Book:
He's saved her. He's loved her. He's killed for her.
Eighteen-year-old Archer couldn't protect his best friend, Vivian, from what happened when they were kids, so he's never stopped trying to protect her from everything else. It doesn't matter that Vivian only uses him when hopping from one toxic relationship to another - Archer is always there, waiting to be noticed.
Then along comes Evan, the only person who's ever cared about Archer without a single string attached. The harder he falls for Evan, the more Archer sees Vivian for the manipulative hot-mess she really is.
But Viv has her hooks in deep, and when she finds out about the murders Archer's committed and his relationship with Evan, she threatens to turn him in if she doesn't get what she wants...And what she wants is Evan's death, and for Archer to forfeit his last chance at redemption.