Cara Lockwood Interview and GIVEAWAY!

A couple of days ago I reviewed Cara's upcoming paranormal chick lit book, Every Demon Has His Day (review here). YA book lovers might know her better as the incredible mastermind between the Bard Academy novels, about a boarding school that's haunted by the ghosts of famous writers. Whoa!

Haven't read them yet? Sound like something you're interested in? Or do you just want to get to know the incredibly kind Cara a little more? You're in luck, because Cara graciously allowed me to review her book, interview her, AND host a giveaway for her books on my blog! Please give a round of applause to welcome...

CARA LOCKWOOD!

1. What sources of inspiration did you draw on to write Every Demon Has His Day?

I'm sad to admit this, but I'm addicted to the History channel. I watch WAY too many specials about Armageddon and possible end-of-the-world scenarios. As I was watching one of these shows, I started thinking about what would it be like if demons were like middle managers and disgruntled employees. This is how I think. I'm always trying to find the humor in something - even the end of the world. I'm an oddball that way. Anyway, that's sort of the starting point of Every Demon Has His Day.

2. Are any characters in "Every Demon" based on people you know? Who can you relate to in the novel?

All the characters I write are in some way influenced by people in real life. No character is typically a carbon-copy of any one in particular, but I take traits and quirks from real life and put them into different characters. I like to think that all the characters are in some way relatable. I think Constance is probably the most approachable for me. She's a real person who's thrown into this crazy world of demons and talking dogs. I would hope I could be as level-headed. But the most entertaining characters for me are the demons - Yaman and Shadow. I find them the funniest.

3. Your YA Bard Academy series is about a boarding school where students encounter the ghosts of famous dead writers. How much research did you have to do in order to write the books?

Well, I reread many of the classics and I did a little research into the biographies of many writers. I was a "lit nerd" in high school, and to some extent, still am, so I hate to even call it research. It was more like recreational reading.

4. I'm interested in your writing process. Do you have a particular time or place where you do your writing? Plan ahead or just let the words come as they will?

I used to try to keep to a certain time and place when writing, but since having kids (two little girls, one age 2, and one seven months), I write when they take naps! If that means lugging my laptop with me in the minivan, so be it.

5. How often do your own life experiences make it into your novels?

Like all writers, my own life experiences color my work. I don't usually put exact scenes from my life in a book (honestly, no one wants to read about scenes from my life right now - they involve lots of diaper changing), but I do use general experience, like what it's like to face certain kinds of challenges. I may never have gone to a haunted boarding school, but I certainly know what it feels like to be a misunderstood teenager.

6. What are your thoughts on the covers for your books? Do you have ANY input, or do they kind of just pull the blinds over you?

I have a little bit of input, usually at the beginning, when my editor will ask me to pitch ideas. I've been really lucky with having great cover art, so I've never had to be a Diva and try to demand something be scrapped.

7. A recent debate on the YA blogosphere has been about online marketing. Do you feel online marketing is a useful and successful marketing strategy for authors? How much online stuff do you participate in to promote yourself and your books?

I do feel it's helpful. I read somewhere that most of us spend the majority of our working time in front of our computer screens now, so it makes sense to try to reach people. I'm a member of MySpace and Facebook (come friend me anytime!), and I do email newsletters (if you want to join, email join@caralockwood.com). And, of course, I've got my own web pages: www.caralockwood.com and www.bardacademy.com. I occasionally blog (www.caralockwood.blogspot.com).

8. Can you give us a slice of Cara-wisdom for aspiring writers? :)

My best advice is just read every book you can get your hands on. I think it was Faulkner who said that you can learn something from every book you read - even bad ones. And that's true. Learning about the fundamentals of plot and character development start with reading.

9. And finally, a sequel to "Every Demon," called Can't Teach an Old Demon New Tricks, is coming out in Fall 2009. (I can't wait to read it, by the way!) After that, what's next for you? Any upcoming books that we should watch out for? Are you planning on writing any more YA in the future?

I would love to write more YA, and more books, period, but I'm currently between contracts at the moment, so we'll see what happens. Hopefully, "Every Demon" will take off and I'll be writing book number three in that series next year!

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We hope your latest series attracts a legion of fans as well, Cara! To celebrate the April 6 release of Every Demon Has His Day (which you should all buy, it's paperback and fifteen dollars and a trillion dollars' worth of fun), Cara and I are hosting a GIVEAWAY for Wuthering High and The Scarlet Letterman, the first two novels in her Bard Academy series!

There will be TWO (2) winners:

1st prize gets SIGNED copies of both Wuthering High and The Scarlet Letterman, and

2nd prize gets a SIGNED copy of Wuthering High and, oh heck, I'm gonna throw in my copy of The Scarlet Letterman for you as well!

To enter, simply leave a comment below with a way to contact you if you win.

For extra entries:

+1 if you're following me or have already been following me, and let me know

+1 if you post about this somewhere else on the Internet (sidebars are fine), and leave me the link

+1 if you comment on my review of Every Demon Has His Day here

+10 (TEN!) if you buy a copy of Every Demon Has His Day when it comes out on April 6 and email me at stephxsu at gmail dot com with a picture of your receipt!

No need for extra comments; I'll calculate your extra entries myself. This contest is open WORLDWIDE and will end on Monday, April 13 (so that gives you a week to go buy Cara's latest book, if you so choose!). Happy entering, folks! :)