Book Chick City: Interview & Giveaway with Malorie Blackman

Interview & Giveaway with Malorie Blackman

Wednesday, September 09, 2009 | Posted by Book Chick City |

Those of you who have been following my reviews of the Noughts & Crosses series will know how much these books affected me. So, I am really excited to welcome Malorie Blackman to Book Chick City for a chat. Don't forget to enter the contest at the end of the interview!

BCC: Hi Malorie, it's so great to have you here. Firstly I wanted to say that I thought the Noughts & Crosses series was absolutely brilliant. I loved book 1, Noughts and Crosses, which is now up there with my most favourite books of all time. Did your own life growing up influence the Noughts and Crosses series?

MB: The simple answer to that is yes it did. But my life growing up has influenced all of my books in one way or another. Some of the events that happened to Callum, especially when he is at Heathcroft School are inspired by real events that happened to me. And the incident on the train when he was sitting in a first class carriage and got hassled by the ticket inspectors also happened to me.

BCC: Originally a trilogy, why did you decide to write a fourth book?

I never intended to write a fourth book but the character of Tobey wouldn’t leave me alone until I wrote his story. But I see Double Cross, the fourth book as more of a standalone book, the fourth book in the Noughts and Crosses sequence but not part of the Noughts and Crosses trilogy.

BCC: Who is your favourite character from this series?

MB: Callum. So when I was writing the ending of Noughts and Crosses I was in tears!

BCC: This series was so good I couldn't really distinguish between adult and young adult. The writing is just so mature and deals with many serious and sensitive issues. Why do you think that these novels were targeted at the young adult market?

MB: Because that’s who I wrote the books for to be honest. I wrote the books first and foremost for the teenager in myself. They were the kinds of stories I would love to have read as a teenager. And I remember as a teenager, getting very annoyed with adults who thought I knew nothing of the world and that was the way it should stay until I was 21! It’s just a lovely bonus for me that so many adults have read the books too. A lot of parents at events and book signings I attend tell me that their teenagers are the ones who got them to read my books. I think that’s amazing. Mind you, whenever my teenage daughter recommends a book, I always read it, because she recommends so few!

BCC: I loved all the characters in the series, especially Sephy. I even cried while reading the first three books. Did you feel emotional while writing them?

MB: Very! I lived, breathed, loved and hated with each of my main characters. I felt as they felt and I hurt when they did. I grew to think of my characters as real people so when bad things happened to them, I really did feel it. That sounds kinda bizarre but it’s true.

BCC: Is Double Cross the final book in the series?

MB: A definite – probably!

BCC: You have won many awards. Is there one that stands out - one that you are particularly proud of?

MB: Yes, winning the FCBG Red House Children’s Book Award for Noughts and Crosses. I think it’s the fact that all the books which make it onto the short-list and then the overall winner are chosen by over 25,000 children and young adults nationwide. That makes it truly jaw-dropping and humbling to win.

BCC: What are you working on at the moment?

MB: Yes, my next book - and I’m afraid, that’s all you’re getting! I never talk about my books whilst I’m writing them. I’m superstitious that way!

BCC: Did any other authors influence you as a writer?

MB: A number of authors have inspired me. I think I prefer the word ‘inspire’ rather than ‘influence’. Every good book I’ve ever read inspired me. Every book that made me laugh, cry, get angry, think or dream inspired me. Any book where I got totally lost in the story has inspired me. And writers like James Berry and Alice Walker certainly inspired me to try and become a published writer myself.

BCC: What kind of books do you enjoy reading?

MB: Any book with a strong plot and interesting characters that I can care about. I’m not into books that navel-gaze. And if I get to page 50 and still have no clue what a book is about, I’m afraid it will go down and probably not get picked up again. Life is too short.

BCC: What are you reading at the moment?

MB: Numbers by Rachel Ward. And I’m enjoying it very much.

BCC: What music do you like listening to?

MB: Anything that moves me, soothes me, rocks me or makes me think or feel. So that would be music by Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Green Day, Linkin Park, All American Rejects, Maxwell, Joe, Mozart, Rob Thomas, D’Angelo and several hundred others.

BCC: How are the piano lessons going?

MB: They aren’t. I passed my grade 2 piano and gave up my lessons as I got too busy. But I hope to take up lessons again in the very near future. I miss my lessons very much.

BCC: Thank you so much Malorie. It's been a real pleasure.

MB: You’re welcome!

If you would like to know more about Malorie Blackman and her books them visit her website: www.malorieblackman.co.uk

To read my review of Noughts & Crosses go HERE

To read my review of Knife Edge go HERE

To read my review of Checkmate go HERE

To read my review of Double Cross go HERE

Okay, onto the CONTEST: to win the entire Noughts & Crosses young adult series all you have to do is the following: [NOW CLOSED]

Follow this blog
Follow me on twitter (use link on sidebar)
Leave a comment on at least one of the reviews I wrote of this series (links above)
Leave a comment here letting me know you have done all the above. Include an email too so I can contact you if you win.

That's it. This contest is open to everyone and ends 23rd Sept - Good luck!

A HUGE thanks to the publishers Corgi at Random House Children's Books for being so generous and supplying these amazing books for my giveaway.

Labels: Author Interviews, Giveaways, Malorie Blackman

33 comments:

LovesSam said...: I love these books, I cried so hard reading them. Amazing!; 9 September 2009 14:45
Aramena said...: You don't have to enter me in the contest as I have the whole series, but just wanted to chime in and say how much I loved Noughts and Crosses. I was looking for titles for my daughter who was a pretty picky reader, and this book was recommended to me. My daughter loved it so much that I read it after her and then began collecting the rest of the series.; 9 September 2009 15:04
Sandy Nawrot said...: The books have all sounded fabulous. On top of that, you can't help but smile when you see her face! She is full of joy - you can see it in her eyes! Anyway, please enter me in this very generous giveaway! I am a follower! rnawrot at cfl dot rr dot com; 9 September 2009 16:09
Sarah said...: These books look fab!
I follow your blog and on twitter (seriouslykooky).; 9 September 2009 17:04
Catriona said...: I've already got the books too :) so you don't need to enter me, but I just wanted to say that I LOVED this series so so much! And I reread it all again before Double Cross came out! Also, I was extremely lucky in that I got to meet Malorie Blackman, and she is such a lovely person! x; 9 September 2009 18:40
Ryan G said...: Please, Please, Please enter me!
These books sound wonderful and the interview was brilliant.

I already follow your blog through Google Friend Connect. I already follow you on twitter @Ryan_Groff, and I left a comment on your reveiw of Noughts & Crosses.

fforgnayr@yahoo.com; 9 September 2009 20:00
thebookaddict said...: I am already a follower of your blog and on Twitter (@thebookaddict). I left a comment on your review of the first book, Noughts & Crosses. Great series...can't wait to read!

miller4plusmore(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Thanks!; 10 September 2009 04:55
RKCharron said...: Hi :)
Thanks for bringing these books to my attention. I hadn't heard of them before and because of your glowing review(s) and this interview with Malorie Blackman, I have put them on my ToBeRead list.
:)
I am already a Member of your site.
I now Follow you on Twitter.
I commented on your review of Naughts & Crosses. (I wanted more info on the first novel).
:)
Thanks,
@RKCharron
xoxo; 10 September 2009 08:21
kohsamui14 said...: http://twitter.com/kohsamui14/status/3883576166
following, posted comment and tweeted... and love the books...
have as great day
Rosie; 10 September 2009 09:36
Fiction Vixen said...: Wow, what a great giveaway! Thanks so much to you and Ms.Blackman. I'm excited to read this series.

(following your blog and on twitter, & I commented on your review of Noughts & Crosses.); 10 September 2009 21:26
Debbie F said...: Please include me!
I follow!
I follow you on Twitter!
I commented on Knife Edge.
thanks
dcf_beth at verizon dot net; 10 September 2009 21:33
sarah said...: i have done all the points you asked (review left on first book)

s.a.broadhurst@talktalk.net; 10 September 2009 22:01
Shooting Stars Mag said...: Can i enter if i'm from the u.s.? At any rate, I commented on the first review Noughts and Crosses, I follow the blog, and follow on twitter: @shootingstarmag

-Lauren
lauren51990 AT aol DOT com; 11 September 2009 01:47
Sassy Brit said...: Hi! I've commented all of the reviews, since I went in to read them anyway. I'm very interested in this series, and wasn't sure if I was 'too old' lol for them.

I have to say the author looks a lot of bubbly fun!

I'm a follower, here there and everywhere!

Sassy dot Brit at gmail dot com

Thanks for this opportunity!; 11 September 2009 11:39
Park Avenue Princess said...: This looks like a really interesting series and Malorie seems like a wonderfully kind woman. You can "hear" it in her "Voice"...Plus, she has my music tastes! : )

Yes, I've done ALL of the above!

Thank you both for letting me participate in such a wonderful contest!

x0xx Amy; 11 September 2009 17:57
Shellie (Layers of Thought) said...: I would love to win this series that you so highly recommend.
I follow your blog.
I now follow you on Twitter -(layersofthought)
Left a comment on the first in the series.
I have also posted your giveaway on my blog. Layers of Thought Gotta Love Give Aways
Thanks a bunch!; 11 September 2009 19:14
wade said...: Sounds great please include me!
I follow your blog
I follow you on Twitter(cqueen2)
I commented on Double Cross

thanks

wadesherry@hotmail dot com; 12 September 2009 02:45
Beth said...: Thanks for the giveaway. Please enter me.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com; 12 September 2009 03:50
I Heart Book Gossip said...: Please count me in.

I am a follower.

cindyc725 at gmail dot com; 13 September 2009 15:43
Catherine (On The Nightstand) said...: All right, let's see.

I'm already following you via the RSS feed and on Twitter. And I just left a comment on Noughts and Crosses. :)

My email is catherine[at]amynta[dot]org :); 15 September 2009 13:11
Sue said...: I'm so intrigued! I just have to say that I love the picture of the author - she's so stunning. Thanks for the lovely giveaway.

s.mickelson at gmail dot com; 15 September 2009 23:12
Angiegirl said...: Thanks for this excellent giveaway. Please enter me!

I follow your site. I follow you on twitter, and I commented on your NOUGHTS & CROSSES review.

angiegirl (at) gmail (dot) com; 17 September 2009 18:26
Jaime said...: I follow your blog
copperllama at yahoo dot com; 17 September 2009 20:40
Jaime said...: I follow you onTwitter
copperllama at yahoo dot com; 17 September 2009 20:40
Miss Eliza said...: Hope I win! I've done all that you asked oh Book Chick!

eliza.lefebvre[at]gmail.com; 21 September 2009 08:32
Debbie F said...: I have never heard of this series but it sounds wonderful! Please enter me! I follow you on twitter @dcf_beth

Thanks~!

dcf_beth at verizon dot net; 21 September 2009 14:11
Mark said...: i follow this blog; 23 September 2009 03:27
Mark said...: i follow you on twitter

@phraud2001; 23 September 2009 03:28
Mark said...: I posted on another of your reviews

http://www.bookchickcity.com/2009/08/book-review-knife-edge-by-malorie.html; 23 September 2009 03:30
cherdon said...: I wanted to follow you but I cannot as the google friends connect bar is down :-(; 23 September 2009 13:13
cherdon said...: I follow you on twitter

ID - iamcherdon; 23 September 2009 13:14
cherdon said...: I left a comment on your Noughts & Crosses review.; 23 September 2009 13:18
cherdon said...: I have done all the above aside from the fact that I cannot follow you do to google friend connect glich. Hope that doesn't affect me entering.

cherdon@sympatico.ca; 23 September 2009 13:20