Oh my gosh guys!!! Guess who is here today!!?
Yes the amazing and talented Chelsea Pitcher!!
You guys have no clue how excited I am about this interview!! I love this author to pieces so...
Let's share the love and all that good stuff right?
;D
~The Author:
Chelsea Pitcher is a native of Portland, OR where she received her BA in English Literature. Fascinated by all things literary, she began gobbling up stories as soon as she could read, and especially enjoys delving into the darker places to see if she can draw out some light.
~The Interview:
1. Was writing The S-Word as emotionally hard as it was for us readers?
This is such a great question, and it’s something I’ve thought a lot about with this story. To be honest, it’s harder for me to read about dark things than it is to write them. The reason for this (at least, as far as I can tell) is that writing about things, even very difficult ones, is a way of talking about them, a way of letting them out. So even though certain passages of the book were emotionally difficult write, after I’d done it, I felt better, like a weight had been lifted.
2. What was the inspiration for The S-Word?
I started writing this story at a time when there was a lot about bullying and teen suicide in the news. I wanted to write about the link between these things, and how even a seemingly small act of cruelty can have a strong impact on someone’s life. Everyone’s dealing with so many things, and we can’t make the assumption that our words don’t matter to them. So with The S-Word, the idea was to illustrate all the difficult things teens are faced with on any given day, to really articulate why bullying can be so devastating.
4. How well did you have to plan each characters role in Lizzie's life and the affects they had on her?
Some of the bigger things, I knew early on. I knew there would be a lot of misunderstandings and a lot of surprises in the story. But for many characters, I didn’t know their specific roles until I got deep into the plot. I knew from the start what Marvin did, or didn’t do (no spoilers, you guys!) but I wasn’t sure of Kennedy’s, Shelby’s or Jesse’s roles until each was revealed to me. I think certain characters surprised me as much as they will surprise the reader.
5. Throughout the book pages of Lizzie's diary are revealed. How did writing her diary pages differ from the mystery with Angie?
Lizzie had such an innocence to her, whereas Angie didn’t have much innocence left at all. So with Angie, she would say and do almost anything; she had no censor. But Lizzie kept secrets, even in her own diary, because she was so scared of being seen. I had to coax the secrets out of her, piece by piece. I was into maybe my third draft of the story before Lizzie finally told me everything.
6. Do you tend to favor one of your characters? If so who and why?
I have a soft spot for Jesse. He’s such a sweetie pie. But I have warm feelings for a lot of my characters, including Angie, who can be hard to love sometimes. As long as a character has good heart, and isn’t physically hurting people or anything, I can often find at least one redeeming quality.
7. What would you have told both girls after "the incident"?
Be brave. The people in your life want to love you. They want to help you. But, as hard as it is, you can’t always wait for help to come for you in this world. Reach out. A hand will be there.
8. Are there any new projects underway? What can you tell us about them if so?
I’m working on a story that’s set slightly in the future, when a maniacal leader has taken over the U.S. It’s up to a couple of immortal teenagers (I know, that phrase sounds funny, but I promise, in the story it works) to save the day. And the world.
~The Book(s):
The S-Word
Release Date: May 7, 2013
by, Gallery Books
First it was SLUT scribbled all over Lizzie Hart’s locker.
But one week after Lizzie kills herself, SUICIDE SLUT replaces it—in Lizzie's looping scrawl.
Lizzie’s reputation is destroyed when she's caught in bed with her best friend’s boyfriend on prom night. With the whole school turned against her, and Angie not speaking to her, Lizzie takes her own life. But someone isn’t letting her go quietly. As graffiti and photocopies of Lizzie’s diary plaster the school, Angie begins a relentless investigation into who, exactly, made Lizzie feel she didn’t deserve to keep living. And while she claims she simply wants to punish Lizzie’s tormentors, Angie's own anguish over abandoning her best friend will drive her deep into the dark, twisted side of Verity High—and she might not be able to pull herself back out.
Debut author Chelsea Pitcher daringly depicts the harsh reality of modern high schools, where one bad decision can ruin a reputation, and one cruel word can ruin a life. Angie’s quest for the truth behind Lizzie’s suicide is addictive and thrilling, and her razor-sharp wit and fierce sleuthing skills makes her impossible not to root for—even when it becomes clear that both avenging Lizzie and avoiding self-destruction might not be possible. {Goodreads}
~The Giveaway:
The Prizes:
1 finished copy of The S-Word
The Details:
US and CAN only!!!
13 years or older to enter!
winner has 48 hours to reply before a new winner is chosen.
Thanks for stopping by!!
Good luck!!!
(p.s....you need this book!! So enter like crazy k? If I could I would reward everyone who reads this post a copy but alas I can't. But seriously!! This book is flipping amazing! Just go read my review to see how obsessed I am haha)
Happy day to you!! ;P
~Jaiden
