Title: FORBIDDEN
Author: Eve Bunting
Pub. Date: December 1, 2015
Publisher: Clarion Books
Format: Hardcover, eBook, & audiobook
Find it: Amazon | Barnes
& Noble | iBooks | Goodreads
In early-nineteenth century Scotland, sixteen-year-old
Josie, an orphan, is sent to live with an aunt and uncle on the rocky, stormy
northwest coast. Everything and everyone in her new surroundings, including her
relatives, is sinister, threatening, and mysterious. She's told that Eli, the
young man she's attracted to, is forbidden to her, but not why. Spirited,
curious, and determined, Josie sets out to learn the village's secrets and
discovers evil, fueled by heartless greed, as well as a ghostly presence eager
for revenge. An author's note gives the historical inspiration for this story.
Today we welcome Eve for an interview. So great to have you with us today, Eve. Take it away!
Did you always know you wanted
to be a writer or did you want to be something else?
Actually, I didn't want to be a
writer. My ambition was always to
be a nurse and I tried. But a
nurse who faints when she sees blood isn't very useful. So I gave up that idea.
I didn't begin thinking about being a writer till I was fairly old. And I'm still at it. And getting older by the minute!
How long does it take you to
write a book from start to finish?
A Y.A. novel,
because of its length , takes longer to write than a short picture book. Forbidden took almost a year to
write. My most recent picture
book,Yard Sale took about a
month. But the thinking part can
be just as long. Yard Sale lived
inside my head for months before I was satisfied and could start writing.
How do you come up with themes
for your stories?
Quite often
the theme is the start for me. I'm pondering the story plot as I am out walking
. Sometimes a theme is as simple as an old proverb. Practice makes
perfect. Persistence pays off. Never give up. Sometimes, if the theme is not obvious
at the start it will come as the story progresses, growing out of the
character's development.
Do you have a schedule of when
you write?
I don't have
a schedule when I write. I write
when I want to, and that is usually every day. Mornings are best for me. I've been known to leave the
breakfast dishes in the sink.
How are you able to balance
other aspects of your life with your writing?
Who says my
life is balanced?
What elements do you think make
a great story line?
I think a
great story needs suspense,
conflict, true characters who
speak believable dialog.
What was the hardest thing about
writing a book?
Interruptions.
How many books have you written
so far? Do you have a favorite?
I have
written more than 250 books, from pre-school to YA.
Hard to pick
a favorite. I love them all.
Do you have a favorite
character?
Since I was a
young adult myself I have always loved Jane, in Jane Eyre.
Where do you write?
I write in
what we grandly call our "library." Before my sons grew up it was their bedroom. It is lined
with books. (And also has an
exercise bike that I'm supposed to use but don't.)
When deciding on how to
publish, what directed you to the route you took?
It took me a
long time to research which publishers published what kind of book. I read new children's books in bookstores,
in the public library and perused
magazines such as Publishers Weekly. But after a while I pretty well knew who
published what.
Have you gotten feedback from
family about your book(s)? What do they think?
They brag.
What kinds of things do you
like to do outside of writing?
I like to
take long, thinking, solitary walks, preferably along the shore.
I like to go
to lunch with my writer friends and talk about editors, contracts etc. And of course, I love to read.
What kinds of advice would you
give to someone who wants to start writing?
If you
seriously want to write, take a writing class. I did. That was
how I started. If possible, find a class that's called Writing for Publication.
What is your favorite book?
favorite author? Do you have an author that inspired/inspires you to
write?
I don't
really need inspiration to write.
I just do it. (I've already talked about my favorite books and authors.)
Do you have any go to people
when writing a book that help you with your story lines as well as editing,
beta reading and such?
No. But I am part of a writing group and we
criticize and help each other. We
meet every week.
Are you working on anything
now?
Yes. I am working on a middle grade novel to
be called The Wizard's Room. Wish me luck!
Thanks so much for stopping by today, Eve. It was great having you with us!
Also known as Evelyn Bolton and A.E. Bunting.Anne Evelyn Bunting, better known as Eve Bunting, is an author with more than 250 books. Her books are diverse in age groups, from picture books to chapter books, and topic, ranging from Thanksgiving to riots in Los Angeles. Eve Bunting has won several awards for her works.
Bunting went to school in Ireland and grew up with storytelling. In Ireland, “There used to be Shanachies… the shanachie was a storyteller who went from house to house telling his tales of ghosts and fairies, of old Irish heroes and battles still to be won. Maybe I’m a bit of a Shanchie myself, telling stories to anyone who will listen.” This storytelling began as an inspiration for Bunting and continues with her work.
In 1958, Bunting moved to the United States with her husband and three children. A few years later, Bunting enrolled in a community college writing course. She felt the desire to write about her heritage. Bunting has taught writing classes at UCLA. She now lives in Pasadena, California.
Tour Schedule:
Week One:
11/23/2015- The Cover Contessa- Interview
11/24/2015- Book Briefs- Review
11/25/2015- A Dream Within A Dream- Guest Post
11/27/2015- BookHounds YA- Interview
Week Two:
11/30/2015- Just Commonly- Review
12/1/2015- Curling Up With A Good Book- Interview
12/2/2015- Novel Novice- Review
12/3/2015- The Reading Nook Reviews- Guest Post
12/4/2015- Mundie Moms- Review
Oh I love that Eve loves Jane Eyre! :) Great interview!!
ReplyDeleteTerrific interview, and this looks like an intriguing read!!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview, stunning cover. I'd love to read Forbidden!
ReplyDelete