Blue Moon
The Immortals Book 2
by Alyson Noël
Just as Ever is learning everything she can about her new abilities as an immortal, initiated into the dark, seductive world by her beloved Damen, something terrible is happening to him. As Ever's powers are increasing, Damen's are fading—stricken by a mysterious illness that threatens his memory, his identity, his life.
Desperate to save him, Ever travels to the mystical dimension of Summerland, uncovering not only the secrets of Damen's past—the brutal, tortured history he hoped to keep hidden—but also an ancient text revealing the workings of time. With the approaching blue moon heralding her only window for travel, Ever is forced to decide between turning back the clock and saving her family from the accident that claimed them—or staying in the present and saving Damen, who grows weaker each day...
The Immortals Book 2
by Alyson Noël
Just as Ever is learning everything she can about her new abilities as an immortal, initiated into the dark, seductive world by her beloved Damen, something terrible is happening to him. As Ever's powers are increasing, Damen's are fading—stricken by a mysterious illness that threatens his memory, his identity, his life.
Desperate to save him, Ever travels to the mystical dimension of Summerland, uncovering not only the secrets of Damen's past—the brutal, tortured history he hoped to keep hidden—but also an ancient text revealing the workings of time. With the approaching blue moon heralding her only window for travel, Ever is forced to decide between turning back the clock and saving her family from the accident that claimed them—or staying in the present and saving Damen, who grows weaker each day...
IBT talks with Alyson Noël:
IBT: If you could chose one fictional character to bring into real life, who would you choose? AN: Mr. Darcy. But for purely selfish reasons.
IBT: How did you survive being a teen?
AN: I barely survived being a teen! And as corny as it sounds, the books I read really helped me get through it. I was raised by a single mom, money was scarce, I had to pay for all my own stuff, which required me to work- a lot, and once you're concerned with making the mortgage payment, worrying about who's going to be prom queen seems a little frivolous. But as tough as those times were, I wouldn't change a thing (nor would I repeat it!), because they made the person I am. But along the way, good books were always available, serving as the ultimate, affordable, escape from my troubles, and I read them voraciously!
IBT: Have you ever written something you feel uncomfortable writing, knowing that your family and friends will probably end up reading it?
AN: Well, I was a little nervous when my mom read my adult novel, FLY ME TO THE MOON. The thought of her reading some of the sexier scenes still makes me blush! But mostly, I try not to think about stuff. I just try to tel the story in the best way that I can.
IBT: What do you think are the biggest issues that teens need to be thinking about today? Do you think teens today are looking for quality in the books they read, or just to live vicariously through superficial characters?
AN: I thinks teens today are inundated with such serious issues (war, climate change, a global failing economy- anyone?) they cannot be blamed for wanting to escape into a superficial character or two (or three!). And honestly, I don't have a problem with that. If the purpose of art is to make us experience something outside of our box, then I really think "quality" books can do that as well as more "superficial" reads. And personally, I'm a big fan of both!
IBT: How have the books you've read inspired that books you've written, if at all?
AN: Reading ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT'S ME MARGARET made me want to be a writer too. I'd always been an avid reader, but Judy Blume's books were the first that seemed to address me directly. She wrote about real life issues, and I want to do the same. Then later, in high school, I fell in love with JD Salinger's CATCHER IN THE RYE, I could totally relate to Holden's feelings of isolation, oh, and I loved F Scott Fitzgerald's GREAT GATSBY too (another book about not fitting in, hmmm, wonder if there's a theme here?!), so yeah, I was definitely inspired by those books and I tend to write about similar themes too.
IBT: What is the strangest thing you have ever gotten inspiration from? Where did the inspiration for that character of Ever come from?
AN: Well, I'm not sure if it's strange, but four years ago, I lost three people I loved in a five-month period, then shortly after that my husband was diagnosed with leukemia (he's in full remission now!), and it felt like the end of the world. But when the dust began to settle, I was inspired to write SAVING ZOE (about a girl struggling to overcome her sister's murder) and CRUEL SUMMER (about a girl who experiences great loss and change). So when I began writing EVERMORE, I realized I still wasn't finished exploring the subject, only this time I decided to give it a paranormal twist, having Ever undergo a near death experience only to awaken with psychic powers that allow her to communicate with the dead (among other things!).
IBT: Many writers say that parting with a character is hard. Do you ever look back on a character and wish you had changed something about him or her?
AN: No. By the time I've finished a book, I'm sad to leave the characters behind but eager to move on to the next ones. I don't really like to look back!
IBT: What is one thing such as sky diving, or any other daring thing, would you love to do but are too afraid?
AN: I'm terrified of heights. Seriously. Terrified. So back when I was still dating my husband and he wanted to go zip lining through the cloud forest in Costa Rica, I pretended to be all for it. But when my husband said he wanted to stay an extra day just so we could do it, I realized how much he'd been looking forward to it, and not wanting to be a party pooper, I agreed. In the end it was exhilarating, frightening, exciting, and terrifying- and while, I'd never, ever, do it again- I'm glad I tried it! I'm all about facing my fears, but now that I've faced that particular fear- I don't think I need to do it again!
IBT: What do you do when you are faced with writer's block? What helps you get over it?
AN: I don't really get writer's block since reading Robert McKee's STORY where he states that writer's block occurs when you don't know enough about your characters or their world and the cure is further research. So anytime I get stuck, I step into the world I'm building, and in no time at all, it sparks the next event and the one after that, and I'm off and writing again. Works every time!
IBT: Paris is the one city I cannot die without first visiting. Do you have a place you've yet to visit but cannot live without?
AN: I totally agree that you should definitely not die without visiting Paris- it's my favorite city! And while I've traveled a lot both when I was working as a flight attendant and on my own, there's still so many places left on my list it's hard to pick one, but Seychelles Islands would be a nice start!
IBT: I'd describe my life as a comedy of errors, how would you classify your life: Comedy, Drama, Roamnce, Sci-Fi/Fantasy?
AN: A dramedy for sure! I'm always looking for the funny in any situation- even the pathetic ones!
Winner will be announced shortly!
