Good Choice Reading: Interview w/ author of Falling Under

Hey Everyone!

Today we are sharing our interview with the author of "Falling Under" by Gwen Hayes. I read it back in December and really enjoyed it! Check out my review here: Review: Falling Under by Gwen Hayes.

And now our interview with Gwen...Enjoy!

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Interview with Gwen Hayes

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Thanks for having me! One of the best parts about being a YA author is that the blogging community is so active. It's great to see so many people talking about my favorite thing: books!

I write young adult romance with a smattering of adult romance when the mood hits me. I like mixing up genres, but my favorite is paranormal because I can make my own rules up. I've yet to have a vampire get on my case about incorrect procedure.

How did you come up with the idea of Falling Under?

The first line haunted me for days. I had no idea what it meant or why it was coming to me because I'd been writing a romantic comedy at the time. I finally gave in and just opened up a Word doc and wow...I was stunned by the story.

Was it hard coming up with the title?

Most of my titles come to me pretty easily, actually. I think that Falling Under really captures the tone.

Did you have any part at all in designing your cover?

Isn't the cover gorgeous? I did have the opportunity to tell my editor what I liked about other YA covers out there, and the mood I thought was necessary, and then I had to let go and believe they would what was best for the book. When I signed with NAL/Penguin, it was because I had confidence that they were the best publisher for me--so I just let it go. My editor is amazing, she was able to communicate everything we'd discussed to the art department, only more in a more coherent fashion than I could have--and then...just wow...the art department made me cry with how beautiful they made it.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

I don't set out to write to a theme--I don't think most authors do. I imagine that if someone had told some of our classic authors that their books would be taught in schools, they would never have believed it. It's my feeling that themes and symbols are a subconscious thing. So really, the only message I want my readers to grasp is that reading is cool. Keep doing it. And whatever YOU take from the story is what the message is.

While writing Falling Under, who did you envision as Theia and Haden?

I get asked this a lot--I didn't envision anyone that I know of. They are completely new people to me--but I would love to hear who the commentors would choose to play them in a movie or TV show.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

I was afraid to write FU for awhile. It was different from my usual voice and there is a creepiness in it that makes me wonder what I put in my tea. When I finally let myself start it...it was even scarier. So, I learned that breaking out of my comfort zone is where the magic happens. Also, in copy edits, I learned that "Tater Tots" is capitalized.

Tell us your latest news?

As we're doing this interview, I'm writing the sequel to Falling Under. I'll be turning it in the day FU is released into the wild. So far, it has completely unraveled poor Theia's world even more than the first one did.

Thank You so much for taking the time to answer our questions! :-)

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More information on Gwen and her YA Novel Falling Under...

Book Trailer