Interview: Susan Stec (author of The Other F Word)

Today I'm welcoming Susan Stec to the blog to talk about her new YA novel, "The Other F Word." 

1. What was your inspiration for this book?

My enchantment with fae and their mystical world. I find it interesting how they are portrayed in different countries, and illustrations in beautiful books by authors like Judy Allen, Brian Froud and Alan Lee only peak my imagination—encourage creativity. Usually they are portrayed mischievous and menacing—sometimes wicked-scary and ugly. I wanted to pen these wonderful creatures' ways teens could relate; yet open a whole new word of what ifs.

2. Would you classify your writing as plot driven or character driven? 

My writing is always character driven, dialogue and action heavy. Fellow writers I workshop with often tell me I need more description and narration, and I try. I really do. But that's soooo does not work for me. I have to let the characters show the readers who they are.

3. Can you tell us a little about your main character?

Dekram is a mixed-breed fairy girl who has only one loyal friend, Layol. Everyone else hates Dekram because her mother, a Water sprite, married her father, an Air fairy. She's shunned and considered a freak of nature. Mixing elements was just not acceptable until she came along. To make things more difficult, the elders in Wandermere are overly protective of Dekram. That stings Soahc—Miss-Everybody-Has-My-Number-On-Speed-Dial—and impin' cranks enough hatred that Soahc and her friends, Etah, Bacs and Mirg create chaos for Dekram wherever she goes. As Layol might say, "For the love of Disney, Dek, just let me pix 'em!"

4. Without giving away too much, tell us a little about the main conflict in this book.

The adults have a well-kept secret. Dekram is 'marked' for a union with another 'fated' fairy named Detaf. What the teens in Wandermere do not know is the two fairies must be mated;  the fate of their race depends on it. Only problem is, Dekram has chosen someone else—the forbidden one, Nesohc.

5. What do you hope readers take away from this book? 

That making inappropriate decisions based on what you think you see, and listening to those you think have your best interest at heart, can swiftly become a severe and irreversible lesson. Everything is not always what it seems. Actions create reactions. And thinking for yourself, being who you really are, taking a stand for what you believe in can never be as bad as what you lose if you chose to be someone else.

6. What song best describes your writing style?

What Does the Fox Say? by Ylvis

7. Night Owl or Early Bird?

Night Owl

8. Skittle or M&Ms?

M&Ms

9. Who are your favorite authors?

Authors I have read out, or whose books I've read more than once: Stephen King, Anne Rice, Brom, Carl Hiaasen, Kim Harrison, Patricia Briggs, and Charlaine Harris.

10. Can you tell us about any future projects?

I'm working on book 2 in my Dead Girls Never Shut Up series (YA paranormal with ghosts, necromancers, doppelgängers, and teen romance. The 2nd novella and book 1, in my Dark and Deadly (adult) series. And in my crazy, quirky, vampire series, The Grateful Undead, I've just started book 4.

The Other F Word is on Sale in Kindle for 0.99 right now!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: One's real life is so often the life that one does not lead~~Oscar Wilde

I've always been weird, even as a child—might've been influenced by all those fairies and trolls living in and around the streams behind Grandma's house. Today I live with my husband and three King Charles Spaniels on 50 acres of woods, fields, and streams in upper Michigan.

More about me and my books: http://thegratefulundead.blogspot.com/

Where you can purchase my books: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=susan+stec&x=14&y=15

Connect with me on: https://twitter.com/Suesan0814 

https://www.facebook.com/GratefulUndead

www.goodreads.com/author/show/4556170.Susan_Stec

https://plus.google.com/100832701976536983931/posts?hl=en

http://www.wattpad.com/user/SusanStec

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