Monday, December 12, 2011

Author Interview: Sharde Richardson + Watched


As part of the promotional tour through Teen Book Scene, I have the pleasure of welcoming author Sharde Richardson to the blog today to answer a few questions about her paranormal young adult release Watched. Watched is available now and you can read my full review here!

If you suddenly found yourself with the ability to see demons, what is the first
thing you would do?

I’d probably hide, pray for my Sentry to show up and hope that he/she would know what to do.

Is there some aspect of Mikayla as a character you are most proud of?

She’s brave. As you can tell from my answer above, I lack that quality.

Watched has an absolutely stunning cover; what is the last book that caught your eye simply from cover design alone?

Thanks! I’ll be sure to tell Claudia, the artist, that you said that. I guess the one book I’ve seen recently that caught my eye from cover design alone would be Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn. There are different covers for this book, but if you find the one that makes you say, “Oh, I get it!” then you’re looking at the right one. It’s not particularly stunning, as it is clever.

(For those interested, here it is on Goodreads with its various covers)

What has been the single most rewarding part of writing your first novel?

People actually want to read it. I think I could live without being paid, just knowing there’s someone out there enjoying something I wrote. It kind of makes me immortal.

Let’s say there are demons after you and you have nothing on you but the clothes on your body and a pocket full of Q-tips. You can’t use a car as a getaway option because you have a record number of speeding tickets to your name and can’t risk one more ;-) What is your escape strategy?

I DO have a record number of speeding tickets to my name. How nice of you to bring that up! I guess I’d have to invoke the powers of the tooth fairy and fly away. No, seriously, the answer is obvious, Jenny. I’d just do as most Hunters and fade.

Thanks for having me, Jenny.

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions Sharde! You can find more information on Sharde and Watched here:

Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter

WATCHED

Mikayla doesn't want much: just to rock out to her favorite band, become the next Kwiki Stop video gaming champion, and keep her Q-tip habit under control. What she does want is the sight of the sudden inexplicable dark auras around everyone to stop. Problem is, those auras are demons and Mikayla is the last trait holder with the power to ban them. Which is a total buzz kill.

To make matters worse, the town folk of Sulphur Springs don't look the same, and her classmates are a little dark in the eyes. There are murders, suicides, reckless skinny-dipping, gratuitous use of Q-tips, and newfound powers that Mikayla must learn to control.

Her past becomes present when a shape-shifter tells her what her true identity is, and how to keep the demons of Hell from nipping at her Converse. Through him she'll discover who to trust, who to kiss, and how valuable her abilities are to the right beings. Because the evils of Hell aren't staying down without a fight...

Or without her soul.



21 comments:

  1. I loved Watched, it was one of my favorite 2011 reads! Mikayla rocked my world :D Sharde.. Sharde is just fabulous and I seriously love her! She is such a fab writer AND a sweet, charming person :) Thanks for a great author interview!

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  2. LOL! If I suddenly found myself with the ability to see demons, I'd probably hide first too! x)

    Ahhhhh, I really want to read this one!! I just LOVE that cover (it sort of reminds me of Little Red Riding Hood, in the best possible way!) and the synopsis sounds amazing! :) And I definitely agree: the best thing is knowing that people actually want to read your book. And I definitely do!! <3

    Awesome interview, you two! I can't wait to read Watched now! :)

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  3. Truly gorgeous cover! I know we're not supposed to judge books by those, but...they DO make the first impression for a story, and you only get that opportunity once.

    Great interview - love the honesty, Sharde, and congrats on your piece of "immortality" - isn't it amazing to think your words will live on and on?

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  4. I don't blame Sharde one bit. I'd also scream and hide. Unless they are the cute demons then I'd ogle them for a second and then hide. Hehe.

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  5. Evie - I enjoyed it overall even though I had a little trouble with some of Mikayla's slang. Definitely want to read the second one though!

    Mimi - And me as well. Chicken, party of one:)

    BJ - Isn't it?! I love that background, it's my favorite part since it makes the red of her hood really pop:)

    Rummanah - I think we'd all probably be hiding together the super strong and brave women we are apparently:) I like to think I'd kick butt, but I'm almost 99% certain that wouldn't happen:)

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  6. I like your thought about not getting paid just loving that someone read it :) (even if of course getting paid is awesome too ;)

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  7. Wonderful interview! I agree with Blodeuedd, I love her answer for the fourth question :)

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  8. Great interview I haven't heard of this one before. It sounds like my kind of read though it sound really mysterious! =)

    Giselle
    Xpresso Reads

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  9. Lol, if I suddenly started seeing demons, I'd go online and try to find a reasonable diagnosis for myself (because I'm not going to admit I'm crazy) and/or see if I suddenly gained some new powers. Then I'd hide :)

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  10. Blodeuedd - Getting paid is awesome, but I can't imagine how cool it would be to know people were buying and reading your book:)

    Lea - Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it:)

    Giselle - There's definitely a lot of mystery happening with this one, I liked that about it:)

    Zahida - I would like to suddenly gain some new powers in that situation, at least then I'd have a fighting chance:)

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  11. I'm excited to read this book! I love the cover and the interview!

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  12. Sounds like an awesome book! I would totally hide if I were to see a demon, I'm such a wimp!

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  13. Oh good interview. I think I'd go and hide too! LOL

    I also need to read the second book. That cliffie is too evil! :)

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  14. I admit, I was skeptical at first, but you had me at "gratuitous use of Q-tips."
    Loved the interview, as well ;)

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  15. Ha! Fun interview questions Jenny!

    I agree, the cover is stunning. And no worries, I'd hide right behind you, Sharde.

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  16. Re: question 1, I'm pretty sure I would hide too. Eep!

    Great questions. =)

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  17. Savy - Good! I'm glad:)

    Candace - Me too. I'd be frozen in place most likely, unable to even move my feet to run away:)

    Melissa - It was evil! It got an out loud "NO" from me:)

    Riv - She definitely uses a lot of Q-tips. Not for her ears though. She's kinda quirky:)

    Missie - I think we'll all just hide together. Though that may give us away:)

    Ashley - Thanks!

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  18. Cute interview. I've never quite understood the overuse of Q-tips but my husband is guilty. And I do think the cover is gorgeous and unique.

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  19. I love the demon questions! As for the first one, I'd probably hide and then freak out a little. Though when I think about it, I probably would for the other one too... Lol. Great interview! I'm so curious about this book. :)

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  20. Ha! I'd probably hide as well if I saw a demon. :) (I'm such a chicken. lol!) Wonderful interview!

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  21. Not only would I hide but I would probably find the nearest hospital because I think I would be losing my mind. Once we determined I wasn't losing my mind then I would P-A-N-I-C :)

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