Interview w/ Marta Acosta + Giveaway

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of reading Dark Companion by Marta Acosta. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and then found myself adoring Ms. Acosta just as much (well, more of course!). I knew I had to bring her on the blog and finally have. I didn't have to threaten her or anything. :O  Haha.. just teasing. :P

So today, I have a treat. A lovely interview with Marta, and to top it all off--a fantastic giveaway that you'll find at the bottom! Hope you enjoy!

First off, thanks so much for being on the blog with us today!

Thanks for inviting me here, Pixie, especially after I made some snarky pixie comment in a book and you called me on it!

Quick! What are you thinking right now? (those who have read Dark Companion would get this reference)

I am thinking “I am so behind on all my work!” I’m trying to catch up on all the emails I had to let sit in my inbox while finishing a book for a new editor. It’s a big secret, but maybe not for long. Thanks for the nod to Mary Violet.

What inspired you to write Dark Companion?  Could you tell us a bit about how the idea came to be?

I’ve always loved Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre and other gothic stories, and I wanted to write a modern story with gothic conventions: the poor orphan, the isolated and strange setting, sinister secrets, rich people who have dark desires, and the natural world having an important role. Dark Companion isn’t an update of Jane Eyre, which is perfect as it is, but I tried to capture a little of the mood.

Did you write any of your characters based on real people you know?

No, and that’s why I call it fiction! I just make up the characters. They become more developed as I think about them.

What inspired your main names? Mary Violet, Jane, Jack…

A good friend has a sister named Mary Violet. I’ve never met her and I have no idea what she’s like, but I fell in love with the name and saved it for just the right character. Jane is named in honor of Jane Eyre. Initially Jack’s name was Edward, for Edward Rochester, but then another Edward became very famous, so I changed the name. I promised a pal at a party that I’d named a character after him, and he’s Jacob, aka Jack. My pal Jack isn’t like my fictional Jack, except that they both have a sense of humor.

Is there a sequel to be expected?

I’m working on a story featuring Mary Violet for a proposed gothic mystery series. The first book is tentatively titled Mary Violet and the Mystery of the Silent Songbird. Mary Violet is invited to an ancient poetess’s decrepit mansion to help curate her papers. While she’s there, MV experiences ghostly happenings and uncovers clues to an unsolved mystery. She also meets some supercute guys and writes poetry.

Any other upcoming writing projects?

Please see above! Also I have a top secret book coming out in June 2013. I’m not at liberty to discuss it yet, but it’s funny. At least, I think it’s funny. In fact, I think it’s awesome.

Now I want to know about YOU!

 

Where are you from?

I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, where I still live. We have great moderate weather – leave the doors and windows open every day of the year sort of weather. The downside is earthquakes.

If you couldn’t write, what would you be doing instead?

I would be reading. If I had any practical skills, I’d be an electrician. Then I could fix things around my house. I don’t have practical skills, so I have been a publicist for nonprofits. I loved doing that.

Favorite books/authors?

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Persuasion by Jane Austen

A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole

Middlemarch by George Elliot

The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss

Fingersmith by Sarah Waters

 

What’s your biggest pet peeve?

That I only get one pet peeve. I have a kazillion peeves. I’m very peevish. I walk around the house grumbling, “I am so annoyed.” It’s my mantra.

Angel or Spike?

Spike in Buffy, but Angel in Angel. Well, I like Angel better in his series, but it’s always Spike with me. Always a trashed out car, surly attitude, and cranked up sound system blasting punk.

Dean or Sam?

It used to be Dean, but I love me some Evil Sammy. He was so much more interesting without a soul.

If you could become immortal (turned into a vampire, some kind of supernatural being, etc.), would you?

Good question. I might, but I’m afraid I’d be even more annoyed with people. I’m sure that I’d eventually use my immortality for evil, not for good, so I’d probably decide to spare humanity and decline the offer.

Scenario: You get the chance to bring one of your characters to life. Which one and why?

Milagro! I love Milagro from my Casa Dracula series and I’d love to be her friend. I created her from aspects of my favorite characters and her good-natured enthusiasm would cheer me out of my peevishness. I miss her quite a bit and think about writing a story or two featuring Mil and her new husband. They’d be like Nick and Nora Charles of the Thin Man series – lots of cocktail parties and murders to solve, but with paranormal creatures.

Quick! What are you thinking now?

I’m feeling that I’m betraying Mary Violet by choosing Milagro, but MV has lots of friends and a big loving family. She doesn’t need me as much.

Thanks so much for joining me on the blog and answering my questions!

Thanks so much for inviting me to be here and to be so patient in getting my answers! I know everyone talks about how bad pixies are, but I think you’re proof that pixies can be good. Well, goodish!

Anything else you would like to add?

Blah blah website blah Twitter and blah blog!

 

 

Now for an additional treat. Marta and her team of awesome peeps are providing a hardcopy of Dark Companion to one lucky person. It’s U.S. only, though. Sorry! But be sure to enter below! It’s a great read. Here’s a link to my review from earlier this year in case you’d missed it.

Giveaway time! Rules are simple:

U.S. only
13+
You don’t have to be a follower (but you can if you want!)
Ends on 10/21/12

Enter in the Rafflecopter form below!




 

 

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