1)WHY DO YOU TELL STORIES? Because there is no better way to take a break from reality than by diving into a new and different world with colourful characters spawned from my own imagination. I tell stories because the process is cathartic and the end result is something I love sharing with others, offering readers entertainment and escapism, and if I manage to provoke discussion, elicit emotion and to get people thinking a little differently about the world then that's great too. 2)GIVE THE AUDIENCE ONE PIECE OF WRITING OR STORYTELLING ADVICE: Be authentic and stay true to your characters. Some stories will require opening a vein but don't be afraid of digging that deep. Some stories will hurt to write, and they should. 3) TELL US, WHY WE SHOULD READ YOUR BOOK Hm, because I like to think my book is a little different from the usual YA fair. I think LGBT and minority characters deserve a greater place in genre fiction, particularly science fiction, so I'm quite proud of the fact that *Obscura Burning *features a bisexual protagonist who's in love with a Latino boy and Navajo girl. *Obscura Burning *doesn't shy away from darker themes either and I'm so happy my editor and publisher, Etopia Press, never asked me to censor the content. That said, the story is dark and does include self-harm, abuse and alcoholism so it's not a book for everyone. 4) RECOMMEND A BOOK, COMIC BOOK, FILM, OR GAME: SOMETHING WITH GREAT STORY. GO! Wow, so many! Yikes. This is cruel, making me pick just one. I think I'd have to recommend a little known Belgium made film starring Jared Leto. It's called *Mr Nobody *and is one of the most fantastic movies I've ever seen, melding various story lines into a coherent whole that all stems from a little boy's inability to make a life altering decision. It's an amazing film and if I could one day write a book telling a story as intricate and astounding as this film's then I will feel truly satisfied. Here's the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oU_aIfityBQ
Info about the author:
I'm a YA author with a penchant for the dark and strange. I primarily write speculative fiction but enjoy literary writing as well. I occasionally delve into adult genres too. I'm a musician and have a Master's degree in music, but I prefer writing strange stories, baking peanut butter cupcakes and playing with my shiba inu. I'm repped by Jordy Albert of the Booker Albert Agency.
Her links:
website: http://suzannevanrooyen.com/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5306442.Suzanne_van_Rooyen
To buy her latest book, simply click on the cover below:
