For what audience was this book written? Which character was her favorite? Where did her inspiration come from? Why did she start the group Kentuckiana Authors ?
For what audience is this book intended?
This book is for those who like dark, twisted, psychological thrillers. It is not for young teenagers. I’m thinking New Adult genre. It’s also not for Christians. It does have faith weaved in it, but it’s kinda like going to a bar to teach the lost. Not a place for the saved to hang out.
What would you like your readers to get from this book?
I want them to one, enjoy the read. It is fiction and it’s supposed to be fun. Two, if things in this book bother you then do something about it. And three, sometimes just being there isn’t enough. Some friends require a deep intervention.
Is suicide ever beautiful?
When it is, it’s called sacrifice, so no. I don’t think it’s ever beautiful.
Did you have a specific inspiration for Cosette’s character and her problems?
Personal experience is the basis of all real literature—George Henry Lewis – So yeah, I am that inspiration. No details will be given.
The story takes place in the same area you live in. Did you have to do any research before writing the book?
No, I’ve lived here so long I didn’t need to do any. It’s funny though, I’ll be driving down the road saying, “That’s where Cosette’s brother is buried and that’s the alley she killed someone.”
Which of the characters is your favorite? Why?
I love Chris. He is so much fun to write. He’s cute and funny and has an all-American boy image, yet…
Which scene is your favorite? Why?
I like the scene with the child-abusing couple. Cosette takes a turn in that one. Love it! And I love the Christmas Eve scene with Chris’s family. They’re fun to write also.
Which scene was the most difficult for you to write? Why?
The opener. I knew how I wanted the story to end. It’s that first step, the hook, that was the most difficult.
Why did you start Kentuckiana Authors? Could you tell us a bit about that organization?
I started Kentuckiana Authors because I was missing out. I missed deadlines to book fairs, missed author signings, missed lunches with book clubs and I was frustrated. I figured I wasn’t the only one so I started it not just for me but to help everyone else out. I thought if we all were connected we could help support each other, keep each other informed.
How long have you wanted to be a writer? How did your desire to write manifest itself?
I won a literary award in the fourth grade. They paper sucked but hey, I was only nine. I didn’t start writing seriously until I was in my thirties. I had another series, YA, and I had an interested publisher from one of the major houses. Right before I was to sign the contract, he suddenly passed from a stroke. I was devastated. I hung up my pen and didn’t write anything for several years. Then I remembered a line from a letter I received. It read ‘Suicide is Selfish’. I thought about it and wondered, how could someone make it not selfish? That is how this book came about.
Do you feel that it is important for a writer to also read a lot? What are your favorite types of books to read?
I love to read. Not just to learn how to build characters, places, scenes. But to dive into worlds I will never see. My favorite author is Neal Shusterman. His Unwind series is dark and twisted. The characters are not only believable but he makes you ache for them. His other Skinjacker series is fantastic and the books stick with you months later.
Do you do any work besides writing? If so, what is it?
I work with the City of Jeffersonville coordinating the Writer’s Row for Steamboat days. I have the Kentuckiana Authors website, and another website coming out this summer, and I’ll be working with battle of the books later on this year.
What are your thoughts about self-publishing vs. traditional publishing?
I know there are benefits to both, however, after my publisher passed away my series was orphaned. No one would touch it, no one had time, and it had a stigma on it. Also with that series, I didn’t care about what my cover looked like or how it was edited. I just wanted it out. But with MBS I was picky. I wanted everything done my way and you can’t do that with a publisher. I didn’t want to depend on anyone but myself. “If it has to be, it’s up to me.”
How do you split your time up between family, friends, and writing?
I write while the kids are in school and my husband’s at work. After they come home I try to pay attention to them but sometimes it’s hard. Especially when I’m in the middle of writing out the best chapter of my life!
If you could spend one hour with just one person, dead or alive, whom would you choose? Why?
Jeremiah- not the bullfrog – the prophet from the Bible. He preached and preached and warned Israel to straighten up or they’d be taken away into captivity, but no one listened. He ended up dying in Egypt after being taken captive. He never saw the Israelites go back home. I would like to take him to Jerusalem to show him they made it back. Maybe not all the way, but they did make it back.
Do you have any advice for writers out there who aren’t yet published?
Keep writing, reading, and editing. Grow thick skin and do it because you love it, not because you think you’ll get rich.
Where can your fans find you on the internet?
Here are the links to find me.
https://www.facebook.com/atty.eve
https://www.facebook.com/MyBeautifulSuicideSeries
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18658192-my-beautiful-suicide
https://twitter.com/Atthaliah
http://www.AttyEve.com/
And here are the links to buy me, well, to buy the first three books in my series. I’m not for sale.
Amazon links:
My Beautiful Suicide
Controlling Cosette
How to Kill a Pedophile
Recommended Article: My Beautiful Suicide – a Review
