Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Interview With Jessica Shirvington and Contest


So I'm certain you have all gathered by now from my review of Emblaze, I’m a bit of a fan. Okay, a lot! It's a fun series with a kick-ass heroine, how can it not be anything but? With that I am now extremely thrilled to have Jessica Shirvington join us today to talk about Emblaze, Violet and the rest of the gang. (And don't forget to check out the giveaway at the end of the interview too!)


Jessica, thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview.  
You are welcome. Thanks for having me as a guest! 

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the Embrace books and am excited that we are part of your blog tour! By the way, every time I use honey now, I think of Lincoln. That is in no way a complaint!
Haha!

Congratulations on getting picked up by CW! How did you celebrate the news?
There could possibly have been some awkward happy dancing. But to be honest, there are so many stages to a production getting off the ground, right now I am just in a holding pattern waiting to see what happens.

Do you remember the moment that sparked the idea for Embrace?
It was never one perfect moment when the entire story came into my mind. I clearly remember the day I opened my laptop and typed the names Violet and Lincoln at the top. I remember that day because it was the beginning of a major shift in my life. From there it was research and building blocks.

Violet really develops into her own in Emblaze. I’m sure you’ve had a lot of fun watching her grow up. What’s your proudest moment of her?
Yes, she has. My intention has always been for her to grow on the page in every way. And I guess it sounds kind of geeky, but I am proud of her character. She is strong and determined, but she is heartfelt and fallible too. She makes big mistakes but she can admit to them too. In EMBLAZE she puts everything on the line for her friendship with Steph. When others want to put her safety first she has none of it. I think in many ways, those scenes bring her into her own.

Violet and Lincoln have a very clear sense of what’s right and wrong.  Phoenix and Onyx on the other hand are wild cards being Exiles. Do you feel you have a wider berth with their characters because they’re much more unpredictable?
Definitely. And at the same time, I feel that because of their innate darkness I have to be always aware and true to it. No one just flips a switch and makes someone who has only ever known darkness suddenly only choose light. It was very important to me that that never be the case. Especially with Phoenix. He struggles against who he is, but he is who he is at the same time (does that make sense...?)

We’re going to have a bit of fun now. Our motto here at BiblioJunkies is “books, boys and pie”. So … what book had the biggest impact on you as a teenager?
When I was a teenager, I was reading a lot of Patricia Cornwell. The Kay Scarpetta books were one of the few series that really held my interest.

If you could put together your dream cast, who would you have as Violet, Lincoln and Phoenix?
I really don't know. I get asked this a lot and I have given answers before like - a Jensen Ackles or Chace Crawford for Lincoln, or Sebastian Stan for Phoenix. But the truth is I love the idea of unknown actors playing the roles. It seems weird having actors step into their characters when they are already famous for playing someone else. 

Finally, if Lincoln were to make you a sweet treat, what would that be?
He'd probably make something relatively healthy, but also divine. Maybe a perfect apple tart tatin with gooey vanilla ice cream. :-)

Thank you Jessica for spending some time with us today. It's been fun! And also a big thanks to Sourcebooks Fire for helping to arrange this interview. To learn more about Jessica, check out her website http://www.jessicashirvington.com


And as a special treat for stopping by, BiblioJunkies is giving away one autographed copy of Entice. To enter, simply answer this question: Which side would you be on - Grigori (light) or Exile (dark)? This contest will run through Sunday, March 17. One winner will be chosen and contacted. This contest is open to US residents only. 

Good luck and happy reading!
~ Bel

4 comments:

  1. Grigori (the good guys) or Exile (the bad guys). Which side are you on?

    Grigori of course!

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  2. I'd like to say Grigori but if I'm being honest, probably Exile. Isn't more fun to be bad?

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  3. Exile, I always love the bad guys.

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  4. Not entirely sure. I am usually team good tbh but sometimes bad can be tempting.

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