Thursday, February 2, 2012

Blog Tour: Fated by Sarah Alderson


Welcome to the 10th and final stop on the Australian Blog tour for Fated by Sarah Alderson! I hope you've all enjoyed the tour--there were some pretty awesome stops to beheld with some very unique (and often hilarious) posts to help celebrate the Australian release of Fated yesterday!

Today I have the chance to chat with the incredibly wise Sarah about her books, including the fabulous Fated and get an insight into this extremely talented author. Honestly guys, Sarah is an author to watch. I can see big things in her future!
Here's what transpired.....



Hi Sarah!
I’m such a huge fan of your books, both Hunting Lila and Fated and I’m so excited to have the chance to talk with you today!

I’ll dive straight into it, shall I?


1. Your debut novel Hunting Lila was released in August of last year and your second novel in a completely new series, Fated, hit shelves in January and here in Australia yesterday, both to rave reviews and instant success. How does it feel knowing how much people adore your work?
Oh my goodness. I’m not sure how to answer that. Except to say THANK YOU! I feel quite sheltered because I live in Bali and there are no bookshops here and most people don’t know that I’m a writer so I feel very distant from the notion of success. Most days I’m just writing in a bubble. I try not to read too many reviews (except the five star ones!) but I am aware of the huge love for both books particularly from bloggers and that’s been awesome to experience. It feels very humbling and incredible to think people love these characters which all came from my head and I still feel amazed on a daily basis that people have read books that I’ve written. It’s hard to get my head around. I’m making people happy just by telling stories – that is mind-blowing. So yeah, it makes me happy – particularly all the emails and tweets from people.

2. Hunting Lila, Fated and Losing Lila, the sequel to Hunting Lila? Wow, you’re a writing machine! Do you ever have to push yourself to write or do the words just flow?
Most days the words just flow and if I’m having to force it then I stop and do something else. But I love my characters and so I am usually desperate to keep writing to see what’s going to happen to them.

3. Every single one your characters in both your books are so well rounded and unique—they really seem to jump off the page at you, are any of them based on people you know?
Oh, yes! Not all though. I think as a writer in many ways you inhabit your characters – they all contain pieces of you because you have to dig deep and feel their emotions, even the truly evil characters – you need to understand WHY they’re that way and why they’re acting the way they are. Writers need a lot of empathy. It’s a pre-requisite for the job.

Is Lila me? No, but she definitely has pieces of me in her (her stubbornness, her insecurities when I was that age). Same for Evie (her snarkiness!). I tend to base characters on actors – only to get an idea of what they look like (you can see my fantasy casts on my website) but when I start a story I usually have no idea of their actual character until I start writing and often times I’m really surprised because they might be very different from who I first thought they were going to be. That’s one of the joys of writing.

The only ‘real’ characters in my books are Harvey (who is based on my best friend’s husband) and Evie’s dog Lobo.

4. If you could have any of the abilities any of your characters have in either Hunting Lila or Fated, which would you want and why?
I’d like to be a telekinetic shape-shifter. I’d shift so I looked like Angelina Jolie and be able to kick ass like Lila without having to lift a muscle.

5. What do you think would happen if Lila (Hunting Lila) and Evie (Fated) ever met?
That’s a great question and one I’ve actually thought about. I’m not too sure they’d get on. They’re very different. Evie’s a lot less naïve and more cynical than Lila. She’s tougher and more aggressive. I can see them teaming up well to fight the bad guys though. The one thing they do have in common is they’re smart, they ask questions, they really have a strong notion of wrong and right, and they don’t take anything lying down. So maybe they could band together as a crime fighting duo with a wicked line in put downs. And Lucas and Alex could be their wingmen.

(I'd like to see that! All four of them kicking evil butt!)

6. Not that we’d ever want them fighting, but who do you think would win in a fight, Lucas (Fated) or Alex (Hunting Lila)?
Oh man, I can’t have my two favourite boys fighting. I can’t answer that. Lucas is obviously the better swordsman and he has the advantage of being able to turn invisible. But Alex is a Marine trained in special ops. He’s brilliant at strategy and at performing under pressure. I think Alex would make smarter decisions after calibrating all the risks, whereas Lucas would throw himself into danger but is quick enough and lethal enough to survive.

(I kinda hate the thought of them fighting too, but imagine it. Muscles flexing, possibly shirtless?? Just think. They'd be all sweaty and.... Hmmm, sorry, I'm digressing....)

7. If we had a look at your bookshelf, what would we find there?
Well you’d have to look at my Kindle because I hardly have any books in Bali – they go all mouldy because of the rain. My favourite books of the last year though were Blood Red Road, The Sisters Brothers, White Oleander, On Jellicoe Road, Will Grayson, Will Grayson, The Red Tent, Snowdrops & Ready Player One. I’m looking forward to starting The Fault in Our Stars by John Green and The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides.

I’m also reading an amazing book called Half the Sky at the moment, which should be required reading. It’s a non-fiction book about projects in developing countries that empower girls and it’s so inspiring and also a very powerful reminder of how lucky I am. I honestly believe that girls can change the world. I’m all about empowering girls. That’s what I want to focus my energy on through my writing.

8. When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
When I was writing Hunting Lila. I’d never written before and very early on in writing that book I fell completely in love with the characters and with the act of writing. It was cathartic and exciting and wonderful to be locked in this world with Lila and Alex. I cannot describe the high I get from writing. I enjoy it so much that I simply cannot imagine doing anything else and being as happy.

9. If you could meet anyone, alive or dead, real or fiction, who would it be and why?
I wouldn’t mind meeting Alex in real life. I just wish he existed. And Lucas for that matter. But aside from the creations of my own mind I’d love to meet Nelson Mandela because I’m writing a book at the moment set in the 1980s, partly in South Africa, and it would be awesome to ask him some questions. He’s a great man.

Runners up: Donald Draper from Mad Men and Spike from Buffy. Yes, I am that shallow.

(Seriously, I'd totally like to meet, potentially kidnap Alex too. He's Yummy!)

10. I’m sure you’ve got tonnes more up surprises up your sleeve, but what can we expect from you next?
I’ve completed three more books since Fated (two sequels to Fated and a new standalone). I’m hoping we’ll have news to share on those soon. And right now I’m working on two new manuscripts – both new territory for me. One is a YA contemporary (with a thriller aspect to it) and the other is an adult book (the one set partly in South Africa) but the journey from starting a book to finishing one is a long and bumpy ride so we’ll see how they both go. I may end up ditching both. Hunting Lila has been optioned by an incredible production company and they’re about to start interviewing screenwriters so I’m hoping to be involved in that process and to learn from it (though I won’t be writing the screenplay myself!).

(*Drools* All those books! So eager to get my greedy little hands on them)

6 Quick Questions:

1. Cake or Ice-cream? Both together.
2. Day or Night? Day
3. Favourite Colour? Purple
4. Favourite Movie? (Top 3? Terminator, The Shawshank Redemption, Dirty Dancing)
5. Book or Movie? Book


I just wanted to thank-you so much Sarah for taking the time to answer my questions. It means the world that you’d take the time to chat with me. Personally, I cannot wait until the release of Losing Lila in August which seems so far away and I’m dying to see what you have in store for the next Fated book too! Good luck with all your future endeavors and I can’t wait for more from you :)

Visit Sarah!
Website // Goodreads // Twitter // Facebook



Discover Fated and Hunting Lila on Goodreads!


Read my reviews of Fated and Hunting Lila!




Make sure you check out all the previous tour stops!

24th January: Words on Paper - First Chapter Hosting
25th January: Novels on the Run - If you could control your Fate themed interview
26th January: Shiirleyy's Bookshelf - Video review
27th January: Tales of the Inner Book Fanatic – Fated Top Trumps and Fated Cast Battle Off
28th January: She Known as Jess - Grazia-esque magazine interview with the Fated cast
29th January: Read Me, Bookmark Me, Love Me Giveaway - 5 copies of Lila and Fated with posters!
30st January: Book Probe Reviews - Host video message to Aussie fans from Sarah
31st January: Sarah Alderson live facebook chat on the Read Me Love Me Share Me facebook page
1st Feb: Eleusinian Mysteries - Evie and Lucas Q&A
2nd Feb (Today): The Rest is Still Unwritten - Wise words interview from Sarah.

I'd like to say a massive thank-you to Caroline and Simon & Schuster Australia for putting together this amazing tour and for allowing me to be a part of it! I hope you've all had a fun time and have checked out some, if not all, of the other stops :)


12 comments:

  1. FANTASTIC interview, ladies!! I call for a spin off with the incredible four! Lila, Evie, Alex and Lucas. And OH. I want Jack there too.

    And why does the thought of Alex and Lucas fighting sound kinda...... sexy? BAD ME.

    And oh man, I really, really, really hope that Hunting Lila actually progresses to the CINEMA stage. Because that book would translate so well to screen with the action scenes and Alex scenes and the sexual tension and the Alex scenes and did I mention the Alex scenes?

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    1. Yes. I think Jack should be there too Brodie. How about the incredible five? One better than four? LOL.

      Umm, yeah. My mind is totally going bad right now anyway, lol. Nice picture though.

      I think it'd make an incredible film! Lots of action and tension and romance....and yeah, Alex scenes ;P Sounds like an award winner to me!

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  2. Wonderful post! I found the other day that Sarah has already written two more sequels to the Fated series . . . gosh I hope the publishers snap them up! Dying to see what happens . . . anyway I demand a Hunting Lila movie to be made right now! Would definitely see it twice. haha.

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    1. Honestly I'll read anything Sarah writes! I think she's incredibly talented author and hope her stories get snapped up as book as possible!

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  3. Aaah I love Sarah's books she's amazing and I cant wait to read Losing Lila. Lila is a fantastic character! <3

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    1. Me too!! Although the title has me a tad on edge. Losing Lila....not good *bites nails*

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  4. Wonderful interview! My goodness she has written all those books already. I am over half way through Hunting Lila and am loving it!! So fast paced. Alex is very 'yummy'. I read Catching Suki and I was hooked....very interested to find out who really is the baddies. I love the cover of Hunting Lila, but it sure doesn't give any indication of the explosive writing within its pages. I can't wait to see what is in store for me in Fated:D

    Michelle

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    1. Oh! So glad you're loving Hunting Lila, Michelle!! I hope you love Fated as well. I NEED to read Catching Suki soon--hopefully I can get it soon :)
      I actually really love the cover for Hunting Lila--it's simple, yet elegant, although it tells nothing of the incredible book it holds. Which is a good and bad thing.
      <3

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    2. I was only saying to Marissa, the cover is gorgeous and all but it doesn't give you any indication that it's these wonderful characters and the type of book it is. With Catching Suki, I think girl on cover is perfect!!

      I am really looking forward to Losing Lila now!!

      Have a great day!

      Michelle

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    3. Very true. I'm interested to see what the cover for Losing Lila will be like! I bet it'll be stunning. Yes! The model on Catching Suki is exactly how I picture Suki ^_^

      Take care Michelle <3

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  5. "I’d like to be a telekinetic shape-shifter. I’d shift so I looked like Angelina Jolie and be able to kick ass like Lila without having to lift a muscle."
    *sigh* don't we all?

    Uh, also? SARAH'S A BUFFY FAN! EEEEEEEEE! I didn't know I could even love her anymore! :OOO

    LOVE THIS INTERVIEW! Rachel, you're an inteviewering GODDESS! ♥

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    1. Ha! Sarah sure knows how to have us all girl-crush on her, huh?

      Awww <3 Thanks baby girl!!

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Hi everyone!

Thanks so much for leaving a comment at The Rest Is Still Unwritten! I read each and every comment, even if I don't reply to them all and appreciate your interest in my blog.

Hope you have a great day and Happy Reading!
~Rachel
xoxo