Interview and Scavenger Hunt with Heather Brewer

We're celebrating the relaunch of The YA-5 with Halloween in July week! Together with YALITCHAT we've gathered four spooktakular authors who write about things that go "bump" in the night! Yesterday was Nancy Holder's turn and if you missed the interview and scavenger hunt to win a signed copy of POSSESSIONS or THE EVIL WITHIN, click here! We hope you enjoy the interviews and insights with these fabulous writers as well as the scavenger hunt (see details at end of each interview) throughout the week. On Wednesday, Heather Brewer, Claudia Gray and Nancy Holder will be chatting at Midnight Eastern over on twitter during YALITCHAT's Spooktakular celebration! For now, boo! Up next, Heather Brewer!

1. You could write about anything in the world but you choose to write about things that go bump in the night, why?
ANSWER: Because darkness is in my nature. Ever since I was very young, I’ve been drawn to spooky things, intrigued by them. They say to write what you know, and what I know tends to lurk underneath my bed at night.

2. What do you say to people who think YA books can't be scary and romantic?

ANSWER: I say that they don’t truly understand what YA is. YA is such a broad spectrum of topics that there’s room for anything and everything. And when you think about it, there’s not much difference between a cute boy giving you goose bumps and the hair on the back of your neck standing on end because of the skeery thing behind you. In both cases, your heart rate increases and your adrenaline rushes. The emotions are strangely similar.

3. Vampires or werewolves? Or is that a dumb question?

ANSWER: Without a doubt, Vampires. I’m not a dog person. And I could never make out with anybody that needed to wax that much.

4. What are you working on now?

ANSWER: I’m currently working on the first book in my new series about a vampire slayer. It’s called: THE SLAYER CHRONICLES: BEGINNING. Fans of THE CHRONICLES OF VLADIMIR TOD will know exactly who this series is about. BEGINNING will hit stores Fall 2011.

ANSWER: I’m also working on BLOODBOUND, a series about a strong girl, swords, and giant, drooling monsters. That series will begin Spring 2012.

5. What are you afraid of?

ANSWER: Clowns. And water. But mostly clowns.

6. What are you dressing up as this Halloween?

ANSWER: I still haven’t decided yet! But considering the insane amount of costumes I own, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. Last year I was a zombie. This year I may be a vampiric squirrel. It depends on my mood.

7. Would you rather read a book that was suspenseful or scary?

ANSWER: I have to choose?! I think these things go hand in hand. In a perfect world, anyway.

That being said, I’m still looking for the book that will really scare me. Hopefully I’ll find it someday.



8. Ok, admit it, you watched Blair Witch with one eye open, right?

ANSWER: Nah. Blair Witch was funny! And now, every time I’m in a wooded area, I wander around shouting, “Josh! Joooosh!”

9. Have you seen Paranormal Activity? Were you scared to death or did you not even bat an eyelash?

ANSWER: Haven’t seen it. After the disappointment of Quarantine (which turned out not to be horror, but just a two hour screamer video), I’m hesitant to see Paranormal Activity. The previews look like it’ll be a similar deal. But please, if I’m wrong, someone correct me!

10. What's next for you now that Vlad is going to be out of high school?

ANSWER: A lot of fangtastic travel and tons of writing, as I finish up BEGINNING and the first book of BLOODBOUND. And, as always, reigning over the Minion Horde. :)

Thanks for stopping by, Heather. You are truly one of a kind! xoxo

---ENF OF INTERVIEW---



And now for the first few clues in the Heather Brewer portion of the scavenger hunt.

1. In Bloodblound, what is Kaya's power?
2. What grade is Vladimir Tod in?
3. What is "minion bling?"
4. Does Heather own a dog? (hint: answer can be found in THIS interview)

Visit Heather's website for the answers!

Prize: A signed copy of ELEVENTH GRADE BURNS or a Bathory Bats T-shirt (2 winners, one prize each).

Purchase Heather's books!

Visit Michelle Zink's or Nancy Holder's interview and scavenger hunt pages!

SCAVENGER HUNT RULES

The scavenger hunt lasts all week! You must answer all the questions CORRECTLY to win the prize from THAT author! You may enter more than once to better your chances of winning at least ONE prize. But you may only win ONE prize for the week. Each day a new author interview will be posted along with new questions. You must visit the author's website to learn the answers to the questions posted here then post your answers in the comments section on The YA-5's site in order to win a prize. Contest ends July 23 at midnight Eastern time. Winners will be announced the week of August 2, 2010.