I've had the wonderful pleasure of connecting with the incredible Adelaide Thorne! She is a remarkable young woman with a true talent for writing. She is a YA Sci-Fi author of an incredible trilogy. Her second book will actually be released in the upcoming weeks! (More information at the bottom of the interview).
Adelaide Thorne
Author of "Whitewashed" trilogy: Book I, The Trace
Book II, The Integer (releases Nov 5)
Genre: YA Sci-Fi
1) What inspired you to write?
My mother is a writer. After reading her book, I wanted to be just like her. I've always been plagued (or gifted? You tell me) by the craziest daydreams, and the only way to quiet them down was to write them down. It seemed the natural thing to do. Got an idea? Write it. I never questioned it much.
2) What was the hardest scene/post you ever had to write? What was the easiest?
The hardest scene I've ever written was chapter one of my first book, The Trace. Boy, did that chapter go through so. many. revisions. I just couldn't get it right! It was my first book, and the BEGINNING, and I had no idea how to start it in such a way that captured the mood I wanted. Literally, it took five+ years to perfect. FIVE YEARS!
As far as the easiest scene... hmmm. I don't think I've written that yet. :D I write too painstakingly for it to ever feel breezy.
3) How do you select the names of your characters?
Ummm, is it bad if I say long-winded internet searches? That or staring at my bookshelf for last names, because most of the characters in my books go by their last names; I'm not so great at cranking those out. My main character's name, Ella, was stolen from my favorite childhood book (let me know when you figure that out!). Other characters' names came from the suggestions of friends or family. The rest came from Google.com, thank you very much.
4) While writing, did the story go as planned or did it take a turn you didn’t expect?
Oh boy. I'll just say The Trace originally started as a book about a girl who plays soccer. Needless to say, it got a HUGE face-lift! As we write, we realize what works and what doesn't. Sometimes, we have to write poorly before we can write well. Most times, actually.
5) Are you proud with the work you’ve done or do you wish you could’ve done more?
Hey, that question isn't fair. ;) I'm a perfectionist, so it's easy for me to notice everything lacking in my writing. However, that's not too healthy of an approach, so I work toward being proud of what I've written. Are my books flawless? Of course not, but they're mine, and they'll always be something I cherish. I find it's incredibly hard to have a healthy attitude toward one's own work. Either we're too negative or too vain. There has to be a middle ground somewhere! I'll let you know when I find it.
6) If you could live in one literary universe, what would it be and why?
Hmmm. Probably Star Wars. 1) I want a light saber. 2) I want to be able to jump off a tree and land on my feet. 3) Telekinesis and telepathy. I mean, this is all supposing I'd last as a Jedi. Are there "Squib" versions of Jedi? That's probably what I'd be - pining after Force powers while I mop the Jedi training room.
7) Do you find it hard to keep your Faith in your writing career?
I wouldn't have much of a writing career without my Faith, so the short answer to that is: no!
8) What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
First of all: FIND HONEST FRIENDS! Just think of every painful audition in American Idol. Someone thinks they can sing because their grandmother's next-door-neighbor believes in them, so they take a plane trip right into Humiliation, California, and we get to witness Simon rip them to shreds. Sure, maybe some of that is staged, but you get the point.
Writing isn't spitting words onto paper; it's a craft - and, like any craft, requires fine honing.
Having a natural propensity toward writing doesn't make one a writer. We all (myself 110% included) have to continue learning and learning and learning about how to write. So there's my convoluted answer. Find friends who will give you honest feedback about your writing, and never believe you're too smart to read a dang book about grammar.
Adelaide and I connected and I was blessed to receive her first book, THE TRACE, on Kindle! My books are also Sci-Fi, so you can already tell I'm a huge fan. I'm currently reading it and I get so upset when I have to put it down! The story is so engaging and you never know what will happen next. (A full book review will be available once I finish :) )
I'm so excited to share with you that the second book to her trilogy, THE INTEGER, is going to be released on NOVEMBER 5!
Logline: Someone in the MTA is keeping secrets. I wish I could say it wasn't me.
Adelaide is offering a BOGO for her books! If you buy Book 1 THE TRACE you'll get Book 2 THE INTEGER for free! Visit her website (www.adelaidethorne.com/bogo) for more info!
[ Lasts from Oct 22 - Nov 11 ]
To learn more about Adelaide Thorne and her books, visit her website (www.adelaidethorne.com) or follow her on Instagram (@adelaidethorne.author).