Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Interview with Gena Showalter

Please help me welcome the always fun and fabulous, Gena Showalter, to the Fictionistas today! Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Paranormal Romance, Contemporary Romance, and Young Adult novels from a multitude of publishers. She has appeared in Cosmo and Seventeen magazines, on MTV, and has also been featured on many regional and national news programs.

And get this, one lucky commenter is going to win a signed copy of Intertwined, her amazing new YA novel!

Tell us something surprising about yourself. I recently polled my friends (Jill Monroe, PC Cast and Kresley Cole) on this very subject. They said they were surprised to know how shy I really am, that I was once a cheerleader, I’m deathly afraid of fish, I firmly believe snipes sneak out of my closet in the middle of the night to nibble on my toes, and I like to wear boy underwear.
How did you get the inspiration for Intertwined? One day I saw a (sexy) teen boy in my mind. (Yes, I’m a cougar) He was talking to himself and everyone assumed he was mental. Only he and I knew he was actually talking to the souls trapped inside him. Intertwined was born from there.

What authors do you read?
Jill Monroe, Kresley Cole, PC and Kristin Cast, Meljean Brook, Nalini Singh, Karen Moning, Stephenie Meyer, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Jennifer Crusie, Jeaniene Frost, Deidre Knight, Candace Heavens, JR Ward, Jessica Anderson, and so many more! I love me some authors.

Who is your favorite character (of your own or another book)?
I have two. Edward from Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight. And Lachlan from Kresley Cole’s A Hunger Like No Other.
Both men are SEXY. Maybe because they are beyond powerful and willing to sacrifice themselves for the women they love. Lachlan even chews and claws off his own leg to escape his chains and reach his woman. I’m still waiting for my husband to do something similar for me.

What five things are always in your purse?
A Wisp (it’s a small, packaged toothbrush that has a drop of toothpaste in the center), blotting paper, a tiny notebook, a pen, and my Blackberry.

What music are you currently listening to?
The Veronicas

Tell us about your pets.
I have three slobbery English bulldogs, and they like to sleep under my desk while I’m working. Two words: toxic gas. You might understand why my muse fled for her life a long time ago.

One item of makeup you can't live without.
Chapstick. Is that makeup, though? I only wear the other stuff when I’m at a writer related function. But chapstick. . . it’s my one true love. (Baby, if you’re reading this, you’ll be my own true love just as soon as you claw that leg off!)

First thing you drink in the morning.
Coffee. Always. Characters tend to die when I write without coffee.

Worst high school memory. So many choices, so many bad decisions . . . Let’s see, let’s see. Okay, I know. I’ll go with something cosmetic. First, some backstory. (Hey, I’m a writer. It’s necessary.) See, I have naturally curly hair. Or rather, naturally wavy hair. But back then, tight curls were in, and so, hoping for a little extra poof, I got a perm -- and I walked out of the salon looking like a poodle. Though it’s been fifteen years, I’m still battling those stupid curls.

If you could go back in time and talk to the teenage you, what would you tell her?
First, I’d dropkick her for getting the perm. (Not that I’ve repeatedly dreamed of doing that or anything) Then I’d tell her to follow her heart and start writing now rather than waiting until years later.
What are you working on next?
Unraveled, the sequel to Intertwined.
The stakes are higher and the romances between my leads are heating up. Aden still has the souls trapped inside him, knows his own death is closer than ever, and has all manner of creatures hunting for him.

Thanks for the great interview, Gena! And y'all don't forget to comment so you're in the running to win a signed copy of Intertwined! (You might want to follow us too, just so you don't miss the announcement of who wins.)

82 comments:

  1. Yay Gena! The book sounds amazing.

    Great interview ladies

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  2. Thanks so much, Gena and Kristen! I really loved this: "I firmly believe snipes sneak out of my closet in the middle of the night to nibble on my toes,"

    I thought I was the only one! I am so afraid of closet-monsters that my sweet and wonderful husband makes sure the closet doors are firmly closed every night. He hasn't offered to claw his own leg off for me, though...

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  3. Great interview!

    "...Lachlan even chews and claws off his own leg to escape his chains and reach his woman. I’m still waiting for my husband to do something similar for me." LOL. You too?! ;)

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  4. I laughed out loud! Great interview!!

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  5. Great interview! I love Gena's (can I call you Gena?) Lords of the Underworld series. I'm also a YA librarian, so I suggested that they pick up the new YA Harlequin line (mostly because I wanted to read Intertwined!). Thanks!

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  6. If there's no coffee, is life even worth living? Seriously, great interview, Gena. Intertwined sounds spooky-licious. Can't wait to read it.

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  7. Anonymous9:07 AM

    Hehehe, great interview! :)

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  8. I don't have any closet monster (my closet is filled with books and yarn), but I do have the troll/goblins that live between my bed and the bookshelf. I'm fairly certain they're out for my toes!

    I've read a bit about Intertwined here and there and I'm really anxious to read it, it looks very promising (interestingly I just read the YA books in the Alien Huntress series this weekend).

    I've never heard of this blog before, but I'm adding it to my RSS feed anyhow... Just don't tell my dad, okay? He already thinks my shelves are full as it is!

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  9. Love Ms. Gena Showalter! Great interview!!

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  10. Ooo, Intertwined sounds yummy. I can't wait to read it. Thanks for writing, Gena. So far, I've loved every one of your books. Keep up the good words. =o)

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  11. Great interview. Thanks. No need to enter me though. I have Intertwined.

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  12. Awesome interview - am a UK-based GS fan (love her YA books)

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  13. I cannot wait to read, enter me

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  14. I can't wait to read 'Intertwined'.

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  15. I did not know Gena was writing a YA book, I am excited to read it (ooooh a sequel too!)

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  16. Great interview! I can't wait to read this book. Looks like she has similar tastes in authors as me too :)

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  17. This book sounds amazing. Thanks for sharing with us. Love That if you don't drink coffee characters tend to die...lol! A friend of mine did the perm thing 2 years ago and she like you ended up with the poodle look and didn't want to go out for 2 months after that. She will be happy to know that it does happen to other people. ;)

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  18. Great interview! I'm looking forward to reading Intertwined.

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  19. Belli710:43 AM

    Looking forward to reading your new book. It sounds very interesting!

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  20. I love Gena's books so much that I have bought her YA books in the Teen Alien Huntress series and will buy Intertwined even though YA is one of the genres I like to read the least. That's how far my love for Gena's books goes LOL

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  21. Anonymous10:52 AM

    Awesome Interview! Coffee...what can I say about coffee...it is the nectar of the Gods and without it people could very well potential die. ;)

    Can't wait till Sept for the book release.

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  22. Great interview! Though fpr me it's tea in the morning...then again, if i switch to coffee, maybe I'll become more productive! :-)

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  23. Jennifer Eisenhut11:01 AM

    Gena cracks me up. Love her work...it's one of the few authors that give me something to look forward when reading her books. I will be adding this blog to my favorites..great interview.

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  24. Aleksandra11:10 AM

    HAHA... very nice Gena. I'm sure you looked wonderful as a poodle. ;)

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  25. Oh I love Gena Showalter! The very first book of her's I ever read was one from the Altantis series The Nymph King. It was love (or lust) at first read. I couldn't stop myself from getting my hands on anything and everything she's ever written. I eagerly await each novel she publishes and stalk her blog incessantly. She definitely transformed this future physician into a closet romantic. I can't wait to rush home from school to pick up this book which I will sneak in between pharmacology and ambulatory care!

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  26. LOL...I agree with you Gena without coffee I wouldn't be able to function. Every morning I grab my coffee and hit the computer for your web site. (seriously) I really enjoyed both interviews today and can't wait for both releases. Have a Great Day!!!!

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  27. Anonymous11:59 AM

    Great interview. this sounds like a great book. Please enter me

    lovestoread0708(at)yahoo.com

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  28. I still want curly hair. I don't think I'll ever get over it despite all the bad perms I've suffered in my quest.

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  29. Wow! I must say that we have a few things in common and thanks to this interview I would have never known! (Maybe that might be stretching it) I love to write and should have wrote a book ages ago, but I tend to keep reading and have a problem with priorities. I can't wait to read Intertwined. I think it's an awesome idea and I want to see what you do with it.

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  30. Loved the interview and love the idea of Gena writing YA. That's a great twist for a fave author of mine and the genre I love most (YA).
    Still will have to wait till I get it here in Spain, but I'm preparing my credit card to make a huge comand on some online bookshop :).

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  31. Great interview with Gena. Can't wait for Intertwined to release, it sounds amazing! Thanks for the opportunity to win. :-)

    Jen

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  32. Anonymous12:33 PM

    Great interview. Shy? Why do I find it hard to believe that someone who would do a interpretive dance of Kresly Cole's books (on camera) is shy? Hmmm.

    Good luck with the book!

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  33. Enjoyed the interview and congrats on the release I've been looking forward to it! tWarner419@aol.com

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  34. Loved this interview! And now I am impatiently waiting for the arrival of another AMAZING Gena Showalter book! I'm gonna go crazy waiting for all these books ladies!

    I must try the Kresley Cole book you mentioned!

    Thanks oodles for the great interview!

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  35. Awesome interview. I, too, have had perms I regretted. LOLOL

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  36. Anonymous1:04 PM

    Awesome interview and congrats on your new release!

    I love Gena's books so please enter me in the contest too!

    Thanks,

    Terri W.

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  37. What a great interview. This book sounds hot, Gena. I stumbled a bit over the shy comment, ;) but totally relate to the curls. Mine are natural though, and I spent way too many years wishing they weren't.

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  38. shuzluva1:36 PM

    I love me some Gena Showalter! Can't get enough of your writing. Great interview, thanks!

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  39. Haha! I have to echo the person who commented before me. Thanks for a hilarious interview!

    celialarsen(at)gmail(dot)com

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  40. The premise for this is brilliant. I'm dying to read it!!

    Thanks so much for joining us at Fictionists, Gena. I'm a bit of a fangirl. *blush*

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  41. Super interview. Putting your book on my list to read.

    Bev

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  42. Great interview. Intertwined sounds great. Congrats on the release.

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  43. Anonymous2:11 PM

    I love Lachlan from Kresley Cole’s A Hunger Like No Other also.

    Liked the interview.

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  44. Hi :)
    Thanks for a terrific interview.
    The blog posts here never disappoint.
    Best wishes to all,
    twitter.com/RKCharron
    xoxo

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  45. Gena, I was a really shy kid, too - I hardly talked to anyone, even if it was to ask for something to drink. I just waited for them to figure it out, according to my mother (maybe I thought I could put the thought in their mind with my own!). But, in a real bit of contradiction, I danced during that whole time and not just in dance class. I performed in parades, nursing homes, granges, talent shows, recitals. If there was any reason for a person to dance, my sisters and I did it. I think it might be that I felt more comfortable on stage than off because onstage, I could pretend to be anyone I wanted to be. I think that's why I also write. So thank you for sharing your experiences, reminding me of mine, and of always being a bright spot in my day. I love your blogs and interviews! Good luck with Intertwined, it sounds fantastic.
    Margay

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  46. Great interview!
    Love your work Gena! I have quite few of your works :) Can't wait to read this one!
    Brenda J Weaver
    Romance Novelist
    http://brenda-weaver.tripod.com

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  47. Thanks for the interview! I'd love to read INTERTWINED.

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  48. Great Interview! So looking forward to Intertwined. I just love Gena Showalters books.

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  49. Hi, Gena! I'm a big fan of your PNR books, in fact you were one of the first I ever read so I can't wait to try your new YA book! I love cover of Intertwined. :)

    P.S: I'm SO waiting for the sequel to Playing with Fire!

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  50. Amanda Brice3:33 PM

    Gena, I totally know what you mean about still battling a perm, fifteen (or more) years later.

    I got a perm at age 12, right about the time I was going through puberty. My hair was kinda wavy, but straigh-ish wavy naturally, but after the perm it was super curly.

    And it never grew out. OK, fine. It's been 19 years, so it obviously grew out. I mean, think of how many inches it's grown since then and how many haircuts I've had in the interim. But the super curly tight curls never went away. Apparently young teens need to watch it with perms, because it can permanently change the texture if you get them at a time when your hormones were likely to change the texture of your hair anyway.

    So now I'm a naturally curly girl. But I swear I probably wouldn't be if I hadn't gotten that perm at age 12.

    Thanks for coming to visit us today and congrats on the new book!

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  51. I can't wait for this book! Great interview Gena, way to tease us with what's coming next for Aden. ;)

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  52. Cannot wait!

    Please count me in.

    cindyc725 at gmail dot com

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  53. This book looks awesome. Shoot, I'm excited to read the sequel mentioned in the interview and I haven't read the first one yet!

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  54. Hi Gena,
    I tried perms for 15 years to get the sprial curls, but never happened. Now the older I get and the longer my hair gets, the curlier it gets. And it has a mind of it's own, like havig Medusa hair. I know what your going throuh. I'd can't wait to read Intwined!
    Thank you for your time and the interview.
    Sharon K

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  55. I, too, could drop-kick my teenage self for a handful of awful perms. Thanks for sharing! Intertwined sounds eerie and uber-cool!

    ~Kristin Tubb

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  56. Fabulous intereview! I had no idea you were afraid of fish;)

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  57. Chelsea B.6:20 PM

    What a fun interview! I had a friend with really short hair, and I mean REALLY short hair, who one day desided to get a perm. Bad idea, such a bad idea....And I didn't laugh, honest....;) Just joking. Actually, we both laughed :)

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  58. Anonymous7:09 PM

    Great Interview.I am looking forward to reading Intertwined.Please enter me in the giveaway
    elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

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  59. This interview is So Gena. Loved all her answers...I still hate her for being so HOT! :) Her books are AWESOME, everyone should get them!

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  60. I can't wait for intertwined. I love you Gena.

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  61. Excellent interview. And the book sounds awesome!!!

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  62. Wow, multiple souls trapped inside a body? Haven't heard that one before. Great interview! I hope your dogs find a new place to sleep. LOL

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  63. I love Gena's books! Now if I could get her to do an interview at my site...lol

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  64. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  65. Love the interview, please don't ever stop writing, love everything you do. :D

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  66. Awesome interview! Loved reading what inspired you to write Intertwined.

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  67. Anonymous11:20 PM

    I just love your books. Can't wait to get my hands on the latest ones. I'm anxious to read Intertwined - but am absolutely in love with the Lords series! Awesome work!
    Cyndia

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  68. Hey Gena~

    Intertwined sounds so good and I am really looking forward to reading it!

    I keep waiting for my husband to demonstrate his undying love for me in some hugely painful way, too. It just does not seem to be happening.

    Have a great day!

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  69. Bethany11:32 PM

    Ouuuuu so excited for both of these books. Can't wait to read the new books but I will have to wait until I get home in september there is no book store where I am right now.

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  70. The book sounds fab, just what my three girls would like to read. I love fish, I keep tropicals but I am terrified of heights.

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  71. Yes, I have to have a few cups of coffee in the morning or my brain will not function right. I'm very excited about your new books coming out. Both in their right, Darkest Whisper, a trip back with the Lords, and Intertwined, a new line, Harelquin teen.

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  72. I love your books and can't wait to read more!

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  73. Definitely can't wait for more Gena Showalter!!! Love the interview and the concept!

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  74. This was a very fun interview! Found myself laughing out loud a couple of times. I would love to win this book!

    Thanks,
    kherbrand at comcast dot net

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  75. count me in please!
    throuthehaze at gmail dot com

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  76. Jessica8:54 AM

    I loved Intertwined and cannot wait for Unraveled! And for the record, I think I'd take Riley over Edward :o)

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  77. Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the chance to win!
    ruthann (dot) francis (at) gmail (dot) com

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  78. Shawna Lewis
    weloveourdogs@juno.com

    Oh this book sounds amazing thanks for the chance to win it. Love your blog keep up the great work!! Winks ;o) Shawna

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  79. Fabulous interview. The book sounds fantastic but how long will us poor people who live in the UK have to wait till it comes out?...

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  80. Great interview. :D I can't wait to read Intertwined.

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  81. Anonymous11:26 PM

    Please enter my name in your draw. Thanks.
    wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com

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  82. Book Looks great! Please enter me.

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

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