Writtled: Lisa M. Stasse: Author Interview

Monday, August 6, 2012

Lisa M. Stasse: Author Interview

Hello all,

Today, I have another author interview for you, this time with Lisa M. Stasse. She has a YA out by Simon & Schuster called THE FORSAKEN, and it looks kind of amazing. Beneath the interview you can find links to all THE FORSAKEN goodness and more about Lisa. Enjoy (because I know I did)!

Lisa's Bio:

Lisa M. Stasse was born in Syracuse, New York, and has since lived in Spain, Russia,
Hawaii, and North Carolina. She graduated from Cornell University with a degree in
Government and English literature, and is currently a digital librarian at UCLA. Lisa
loves watching science fiction movies, cooking Spanish food, and dancing around
her house to 80's music (when no one is watching). She lives in Santa Monica,
California with her husband and their two-year-old daughter. All three of them are
learning how to surf.

What made you start writing?

I've always wanted to be a writer, ever since I was in high school. I always wrote short stories, and I tried several times to write a novel, but never finished one until The Forsaken. And then of course it took me a while to revise and polish it, and get it into shape. I've always loved books. My parents tease me because I used to carry a dictionary around with me as a little kid (I know, I was a total geek!)

Do you listen to music while you write? Or do you have to complete quiet? OR something in between?

I love listening to music when I write. It helps me stay energized (I also need coffee too). I'm sure my neighbors are sick of me, because I play my music pretty loud. I listen to all kinds of stuff, although my tastes drift towards Cat Power, Feist, Florence and the Machine, La Roux, Radiohead, and The Cure (among, like, a thousand other bands).

What has been your favorite moment so far since you’ve been published? (or that led up to you being published?

The best moment was when my agent called me and said that The Forsaken had sold to Simon & Schuster. I was actually walking home from the local Whole Foods at the time. I was SO excited. It felt totally surreal. Seeing my book in stores has also been really awesome. And it's been amazing to meet so many new people (both in real life and online) and make new friends.

What’s the best piece of writing advice you’d give to a newbie YA writer?

I guess I have two pieces of advice. The first is to read as many great books as you can. And to read widely as well. I read 3-5 books/week, and they range from YA to thrillers, to classics, to graphic novels, to the occasional nonfiction book. You never know where inspiration will come from. The second big piece of advice is to write something everyday. It doesn't have to be fiction. It can be a blog, or in a journal, or whatever you want. But the more you write, the better you'll get at it. But some days it's hard to write, so you have to remember to keep pushing yourself forward, even if it gets tough.

If you had to choose a song to go with THE FORSAKEN, what would it be?

"Raise Your Weapon" by Deadmau5.

Here's the book cover for THE FORSAKEN: