Interview & Contest: Laurie Boyle Crompton Author of Blaze

Hello Internet!

Yesterday you read my review of Blaze by Laurie Boyle Crompton and today I'm happy to welcome her to my humble home on the interwebs to answer a few questions.

First off…tell us a little about you? 

I grew up in a rural area and moved to Long Island just outside New York City as soon as I was able to. I love the city in the way that only country bumpkin transplants can and still get excited about riding the subways. We also have a small trailer upstate in New Paltz across from a farm where my family spends weekends and summers and where I love to write.
 

In BLAZE, what was your favorite scene to write? And just because I am mean to my blog readers please refer to it by either page or Chapter number and not give any more details than that. Also, if you can explain (without spoiling) why you like this scene then please do.   

Ooo – fun question! There’s a scene that starts on page 52 that was a lot of fun to write! It was a chance for me to really channel my inner-fangirl in a way that seems romantic instead of pathetic. It has all the perfect elements for a comic book geek’s first kiss but of course it doesn’t go the way you’d expect. 

Was there a reason you choose the setting of BLAZE to be in Pennsylvania? Will future books be set here as well?

That rural area I mentioned growing up in? Yep, it was Western PA. I still visit ‘home’ a few times a year and love it there. My next book with Sourcebooks, The Real Prom Queens of Westfield High is set there as well and I have a number of ideas for future books with that setting. My book that’s coming out with FSG next year is set in New Paltz where our trailer is. Perhaps I should try moving around more since I’m clearly too lazy to research new settings. 

BLAZE talks a lot about comic books, what are some of your favorites? If you could live in one of them which would it be and would you have a super power?

Jean Grey is my favorite character and if I were to choose one world to live in it would absolutely be Xavier’s school for the gifted where he teaches the X-men. The constant crowd of mutants would keep things interesting I think. I wouldn't need all of Jean’s powers, but definitely wish I could fly. Like, more than a grown woman should wish she could fly. 

I noticed that in your bio it says you once spray painted your car pink and at one point Blaze does something similar, how much of you is represented in her?

I love the fact that I was able to write that pink car into one of my novels! Blaze's role as the Eternal Chauffeur to the gang of Soccer Cretins came from my vast experience shuttling younger siblings about in that pink car. And we'd often play the Cows game that's described in the beginning of the book. In fact, my family just played 'Cows' this past summer as we drove across Spain; although I suppose we should have called the game 'La Vaca.' 

What are your thoughts on the interior artwork that’s found in BLAZE? Did you get to work with the illustrator to bring your vision to life? I’m also very sad that the artwork wasn't in the egalley I read and can’t wait to get my hands on a finished copy to see it! 

The artwork is amazing! I’m so thrilled with the way the finished book came out and can’t wait for everyone to see it. The book was written first and the awesome illustrator Anne Caine worked off my text. I was thrilled with how perfectly she drew the images I had in my head! She also captured just the right amount of classic influence which would be true to Blaze’s drawings. 

Can you share with us anything about your current project(s)? And will we be seeing the Blazing Goddess again? 

Besides The Real Prom Queens I have a book coming out with FSG/Macmillan in 2014 that deals with an adrenaline junkie who falls while rock climbing and who must learn to overcome her fears in order to embrace life again. There aren't any plans for a sequel to Blaze right now, and I’m happy with where the story leaves off. But as with superhero comics I guess you never know…

Any parting words?

Thank you so much for having me and for all you do to promote the wonderful world of YA books! I hope everyone enjoys reading Blaze’s story and I love to hear from readers! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway  

 

- Contest is open to US/Canada addresses only

- Contest will close at midnight EST on 15 Feb 2013

- To enter you must be 13 yrs of age or older. If younger than 13 please have your parents enter on your behalf. 

- Prize is provided and shipped by publisher