Author Interview: Mary Lindsey {Shattered Souls}

Hi everyone! I'm SO excited about today's tour stop. Author, Mary Lindsey has stopped by to answer some questions. She's one of the first author's subjected to my crazy interview questions. I was so nervous typing up these questions... I'm not exactly an interviewer, hehe. However, I love her responses and ALL of the awesome pictures she sent me.

Below is everything you need to know about Mary, Shattered Souls, and where to find more information on both. I hope you enjoy this post!


About Mary

Mary Lindsey's debut young adult novel, SHATTERED SOULS, is scheduled for release December 8, 2011 from Philomel/Penguin.

Having received a B.A. in English literature with a minor in drama from the University of Houston, she currently teaches acting to children and teens at a private studio in Houston, Texas.

Mary lives with her husband, three kids, two dogs, her daughter's pet rats, an Australian Bearded Dragon, and dozens of Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches.
She is represented by Ammi-Joan Paquette from the Erin Murphy Literary Agency.

About Shattered Souls

A thrilling debut story of death, love, destiny and danger

Lenzi hears voices and has visions - gravestones, floods, a boy with steel gray eyes. Her boyfriend, Zak, can't help, and everything keeps getting louder and more intense. Then Lenzi meets Alden, the boy from her dreams, who reveals that she's a reincarnated Speaker - someone who can talk to and help lost souls - and that he has been her Protector for centuries.

Now Lenzi must choose between her life with Zak and the life she is destined to lead with Alden. But time is running out: a malevolent spirit is out to destroy Lenzi, and he will kill her if she doesn't make a decision soon.

Advance Praise for Shattered Souls
 
"Drawing readers into a world where the past holds secrets that can offer salvation or destruction, with spirits haunting every nook and cranny, Mary Lindsey crafts a tale that is frightening, beautiful, and wonderfully memorable."

--Andrea Cremer, New York Times bestselling author of Nightshade

And now, here is my interview with Mary:

Everything in italics after Mary's answers are my responses.

1) When did you decide you wanted to be an author? Why?

I kind of fell into writing by accident. I’ve always been a reader. I loved books so much, I majored in English Literature with a focus on the classics. That involved lots of literary analysis, but no original stories or creative writing. The first time I ever wrote a piece of my own was just over four years ago. My daughter was talking to me about a teen romance she’d just read and she was lamenting the fact that there were not many books in which the hero was just a guy who she believed could really exist…maybe with magical powers or something, but was not a creature perceived as evil or dangerous. Just on a whim, I told her I’d write her one. I’ve no idea what possessed me to make a promise like that; but I made good on it, and wrote a chapter a day for her, ending on her birthday a month later. I discovered I loved writing, and two books later, I produced Shattered Souls and received an offer of representation from my agent.

That is amazing! I'm curious to know what book your daughter had read. 

2) Where is your favorite place to write? Favorite place to read? Are they the same place?

My favorite place to write is on the porch of my river house.

 
I also like to write in my breakfast nook because of the light and jungle feel.


 
And in my office. Again, because of the light and most of all…


… I love the view from my desk.



When I’m doing edits, I work in my “cave” which is in a closet right off the office. It has a large monitor, where I can put documents side-by side. It also has bi-fold doors that act like blinders so I can’t see the rest of the house. It keeps me on task.

I’ll read anywhere I can, but I like to lie in bed to read—my favorite luxury in my most luxurious place.

I'm so jealous! The scenery, and not to mention the space, is amazing. I'd be embarrassed to show you where I read and work!

3) Is there a book you love so much you can read it over and over again? Which one is it, if there is one?
 
There are lots of books I read over and over again—some for the story, some for the writing. My re-reads include: The Thorn Birds, Harry Potter, Howl’s Moving Castle, Ender’s Game, Interview with the Vampire, The Vampire Lestat, The Thirteenth Tale, and Garden Spells. 

---Sadly, I own all of the Harry Potter books and haven't read them. Shame on me!  

4) What inspired you to write Shattered Souls?

I knew I wanted to write a ghost story. I also knew I wanted it to include an historical disaster that would produce a lot of unresolved dead guys. I toyed with the San Francisco Fire, the Civil War, World War II, but then, a high school student of mine told me she was reading a book for English that she hated. Trying to help her out, I offered to read it with her, like a buddy. She agreed, and I read Isaac’s Storm. It was amazing. I’d learned about the Great Storm of 1900 in high school, but the book made it real for me. I had my disaster. My enthusiasm for the Isaac’s Storm made it more tolerable for my student, but I’m still not sure she ever fell in love with it. 

I love how inspiration can come from any source. It's new and definitely creative! 

5) Can you describe Shattered Souls in five words or less?

Dark, dangerous, forbidden love story. 

I'm sold!

---Thank you so much, Cyndi, for hosting me on your blog and for participating in Teen Book Scene’s Shattered Souls Blog Tour! 

Thank you, Mary, for stopping by. I've had such great joy in reading your answers... and especially putting this post together.

For more information on Mary and Shattered Souls, please follow the below links.

Mary's Website

 

Shattered Souls at Penguin

Goodreads

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

For more information on the Shattered Souls tour via The Teen Book Scene, please visit HERE.