google-site-verification: google935433b691795853.html KRISTY BERRIDGE: Author Interview with Komal Lewis

Wednesday 28 November 2012

Author Interview with Komal Lewis


Describe your novel in twenty words or less.
It’s about a mean girl, and a “freak”. It’s about childhood friends who grow apart and learn to forgive.

What were some of the biggest obstacles that you had to overcome while writing?
I used to be a HUGE procrastinator and would put off the writing. I also had a few health problems which got in the way. Finally, I was just very insecure. I was scared to let people read my work, and it’s still hard if I happen to see a negative review of my book, but I am learning to let those insecurities go.

Are you also a reader, and if so, what’s your preferred genre?
I love most genres, but lately I have been addicted to Contemporary Romances. They make me so emotional!

If you could have dinner with one person dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Kurt Vonnegut. I would love to pick his brain about his stories, and by the end of the night I would hope that some of his quirkiness would've rubbed off on me.

Do you have any weird little habits that get you in the writing mood—downing a bottle of wine, eating an entire bar of chocolate, fornicating on a porch swing?
I must have a bottle of water. And I need to be sitting in my “spot” which is actually nothing special, just the sofa.

What sets your book apart from others in the same genre?
I wasn't afraid to make my main character mean. Like, really mean. She’s also selfish, makes stupid decisions, and complains when things don’t go her way. Let’s face it, there are people like that in the world and I’m fascinated by what makes them that way. In many Young Adult novels, the “mean girl” is usually a side character, but I wanted to see how readers reacted when they were placed in the mind of a mean girl.

Okay, so I bet you secretly hate one of the characters in your novel. Who is it and why?
I hate Ashton’s dad for what he did to her mum.

You’re on death row and it’s your last meal. What will you choose to eat?
My mum makes THE BEST Mexican food ever. It’s entirely vegetarian because she uses lentils, but don’t let that put you off. It is delicious!

Tell us three crazy things about yourself that you wish no one else knew (I promise I won’t post this … but I lie).
I only drink water (which people think is really weird for some reason). I have the mind of a hormonal teenage boy (I can’t believe I just admitted that!). I say randomly weird things that can be taken out of context (like that “hormonal teenage boy” remark).

Are you a scruncher or a folder? (Yes, this is a toilet paper question)
I’m a folder!

If you had to pick one song to be the soundtrack to your novel, what would it be and why?
With Me by Sum 41. The song really inspired me while I was writing Impossible. And I get to see Sum 41 next year at Soundwave (a music festival they have in Australia) so I’m super excited for that!



Do you have any future projects lined up that you want to tell us about?
I have lots of future projects! My Young Adult Paranormal novel, Runaway Mortal is coming out in February, which I’m super excited for as it’s been in the works for almost two years now. I also have the second book coming out in the With Me series, Falling for Hadie. Don’t worry, it’s not a direct sequel, so it won’t be about Ashton (for those people who don’t like Ashton)! And I’m also working on a secret New Adult novel on the side which I plan to release mid next year.

E-book or paperback, what’s your preference?
If you’d asked me this a year ago, I would’ve said paperback, but I’ve changed my tune. My Kindle app on my phone is my best friend. It’s so convenient (and cheap!) buying e-books, but do love paperbacks too. I can’t decide!

What books or authors have most influenced your writing style?
I do love my Australian children’s authors like Andy Griffiths, Morris Gleitzman, Paul Jennings and Emily Rodda. As for non-Australian authors, I love the randomness of Lemony Snicket (A.K.A. Daniel Handler)! C.S. Lewis, Tolkien, and Philip Pullman are some influences too.

If you were stuck on a deserted Island would you choose:
a) A total hottie to keep you company over the lonely nights ahead.
b) A solar powered Kindle with limitless reading potential.
c) Tom Hanks and Wilson to help get your ass off the Island.
Ooh, we’re getting down to the tough questions now. Well, I need a holiday, so I’d stay on the island with my solar powered Kindle.

Who has been your biggest support on your writing journey, and please, feel free to add my name here …
There’s this wonderful woman named Kristy Berridge who has helped me so much (Kristy Berridge made me say this!). But, seriously, my husband and my critique partners, Erica and Michelle have been my biggest supporters on my writing journey. I don’t know what I’d do without you guys. *Gets all mushy and sentimental*

What is one of your favourite scenes from your novel? Feel free to provide a small excerpt to entice the readers.
This scene is referred to as the “kitchen counter scene”. It’s kinda steamy!

Her hand touched my cheek and she turned my head so I was forced to look at her again. There was a flash of blonde hair, and then Ash’s lips were on mine. For a split second, I thought I was dreaming. She couldn't really be kissing me, could she?
The tension in my mouth eased and I finally regained control of my senses. I pushed her back and crushed my lips against hers. A moan escaped Ash’s mouth as I pressed against her harder. Those sweet lips of hers were hungrily tearing against mine like she might die if she didn’t have me. Her kisses were driving me insane. Sure, I’d kissed girls before, but none of them compared to this. Maybe because none of those girls had been this girl. 
None of those girls had been Ashton.
I pulled away and Ash looked up at me in surprise, her cheeks a deep pink. Placing both hands on her waist, I lifted her up onto the counter top. Before she had a chance to say anything, I resumed kissing her. She sighed deeply against my mouth and wrapped her legs around me so there was no space between us. I could feel every inch of her body and she could feel every inch of mine.

If you had to cast your characters, who would you reconcile to play their parts?
I never once thought about this while I was writing, but a lot of readers have been asking me this question so I finally did a bit of Googling to find the perfect actors. I picture Alex Pettyfer as Luca. Alex has that longish, messy, unkempt hair that I imagined Luca to have, and I’m pretty sure his eyes are green too. Alex would need a lot of tattoos, and his hair needs to be much darker, but I can see him pulling off black eyeliner and a punk rocker wardrobe. Teresa Palmer (an Australian actress who was in December Boys with Daniel Radcliffe) would be great as Ashton!




Any last words? (feel free to write Kristy Berridge is super awesome right here)
Kristy, you ARE awesome! Thank you so much for hosting me on your blog and for the great questions. I really appreciate it!

And now you can stalk Komal at these locations!



2 comments:

  1. thanks for the beautiful post :D

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you for hosting me! And thank you for adding the visuals. You are awesome! :D

    ReplyDelete

Yes! I absolutely love your comments, and, now that I have read through the blogger instructions and actually know how to answer them, we are all sweet - so please, write!