Author Interview: Angela Carling

Thanks for stopping by Shackled Weekend! 

Today is day two of the festivities. If you missed yesterday's book review of Shackled click HERE

or maybe you were here yesterday and your back for todays interview =D

Be sure to check back tomorrow where I'll be wrapping up the weekend with a giveaway! 

Without further ado...

Born Bookish: If your life had a theme song, what song would it be?

Don’t Worry, Be Happy (It’s an 80’s one hit wonder)

Born Bookish: You’ve written two YA books, both contemporary romances, yet the two couldn’t be more different. Unbreakable Love includes a touch of paranormal and is about a girl who falls in love with her guardian angel. Shackled is about a girl who gets involved in an abusive relationship. How did your writing process differ between the two?

Writing these two books was as different as the books themselves! I wrote Unbreakable Love about an hour and a half at night while everyone slept (after thinking about it all day of course). With Shackled, I almost couldn’t think about anything else until I wrote down Ryan, Lucy, and Mason’s story. Once my kids went to school, I sat at the counter and let the story pour out of me. It was almost as if I created Unbreakable Love and Shackled was already in my head and I just didn’t know it.

Born Bookish: Reading books on abusive relationships can be very upsetting, I imagine writing one to be the same? Were there times when you questioned yourself and/or didn’t want to continue writing?

I know Shackled is about a tough topic but writing it was a really positive experience for me. There were times when Lucy was cavalierly giving her freedom that my stomach would hurt and I’d have to walk away for awhile but I felt so inspired to write about her journey that I would always come back. Also, the storyline is a unique approach to a topic that often drowns readers in salacious details about beatings or sexual abuse. I hate that stuff and Shackled is not like that at all! It is a story about hope as such as it is abuse so it was awesome to write. (SPOILER ALERT) Plus, there is that one kick butt moment at the end that made it all worth it.

Born Bookish: A lot of authors use music to help them get into the mindset of their characters. Is this something that helps you? If so what was the main song that inspired each of your books?

Yes, music is a huge part of my life in general and inspires me. Before I wrote, I was in college and High School Choirs as well as trio and quartets that sang at different events. As for specific to the book songs…

·      Unbreakable Love: Time After Time by Cindi Lauper, because Nate and Jennie always seem to miss connecting.

·      Shackled: Jar of Hearts by Christina Perry just nails shackled!

Born Bookish: Which character was easiest for you to write? Why?

Celeste from Unbreakable Love because she can be bribed with frosting. I totally get her!!

Born Bookish: If you could be one of your characters, who would you be?

Marissa from Unbreakable Love. She was the perfect blend of candid, funny, and best friend awesomeness!

Born Bookish: If you had to read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Mean question. Probably the Chronicles of Narnia series all bound into one book.

Born Bookish: Who would play you in a movie?

Someone who got paid more than me, I’m sure.

Born Bookish: Twilight or The Hunger Games?

The Hunger Games, I love the political overtones and layered storylines!

Born Bookish: What is the best book you’ve read this year?

The Fault In Our Stars… powerful story!

Born Bookish: Do you have any new books in the works that you can tell us a little bit about?

I’m working on a book about two sisters. One is very envious of the other’s life and actually has a chance to take it over without anyone knowing. What happens after that will hopefully keep you turning pages. I’m also in the process of outlining a series that takes place in a fictitious town called Nowhere, Nebraska. This series of three books is going to be heavier on the supernatural than my normal work and also so fun to write because of the whole epic good vs. evil plot that I’ve got stewing in my twisted little mind :) I’m actually going to be holding a “name the character contest” on my blog starting in a few weeks so check it out to win an arc of the first book of the Nowhere series.

Born Bookish: Here at Born Bookish I have a segment called Breathtaking Book Covers where I post the cover image of a book that I think is stunning. 
Is there a book cover that has ever taken your breath away? If so, what book?

I loved both Under The Never Sky and also the stunning simplicity of Matched by Ally Condie