I have the pleasure of welcoming author Bethany Griffin to the blog today. Bethany is the author of young adult novel, The Masque of the Red Death, which received BCC’s very elusive 5 stars! Today Bethany talks about where and when she writes and what she’s working on now.
Hi Bethany, welcome to Book Chick City. For those who aren’t familiar with The Masque of the Red Death can you tell us a bit about it?
Thematically Masque is about developing the will to survive in a completely bleak world. It’s about realizing there is always something to live for. Araby begins Masque as a completely broken character. The only reason she hasn’t committed suicide is because her mother already had to deal with the loss of one child (Araby’s twin brother). She’s smart and she’s kind, but those attributes have been eclipsed by her despair. She’s a character who has to learn what she wants to fight for. She is a character who is betrayed by almost everyone and has to learn to stand on her own two feet.
How did you research The Masque of the Red Death and is it the first in a series or a stand alone?
I didn’t really do research, since it’s a completely fabricated post-apocalyptic world, but I’m fascinated by the middle ages/dark ages, so I knew a good bit about plague, and of course I read Poe’s story multiple times. It’s a two book series. The second book, Dance of the Red Death will be released in 2013.
When and where is your favourite time/place to write?
I usually write in the evenings, but on the weekends I get up insanely early sometimes and write all day. I bought a MacBook Air specifically so I’m not tied down to a specific place…but I spend a good deal of time on my back deck. (I included a picture below—I’ve actually updated the space with a chaise lounge and a big umbrella, so I spend hours there reading and writing and revising.
What was the last book you read and enjoyed and which authors do you admire?
I’m reading Bitterblue right now and loving it. I admire Stephen King because he can see into human beings and make characters come to life. I admire Cormac McCarthy because he can make ugly things beautiful.
What are you working on now?
Finishing revisions on Dance of the Red Death and a short story set in the Masque world, Glitter and Doom, that’s due this fall, and will be released in February.
Bethany Griffin teaches English Literature, History and Creative Writing. She has written one previous young adult novel, Handcuffs, and a blog.
Her new post-apocalyptic young adult novel, The Masque of the Red Death, was published earlier August 2012 by Indigo.
To find out more about Bethany and her books, visit her website, www.bethanygriffin.com. You can also connect with her on Twitter (@_bethanygriffin).
4 Comments
Oh my, sounds like a great book and such pretty covers it has. Ooooohh, I need to read Masque of the Death. Barnes and Noble here I come! Great interview, I didn’t know she had any short stories coming out. Weeeee.
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The cover made me stop. The interview made me add the book to my wish list. Great stuff . Thanks!
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Sounds great…and I love the covers
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Thanks for a great interview. I always like reading about how a writer goes about creating these little worlds.
Have to admit, this book sound really interesting and both covers look fantastic
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