Thursday, July 7, 2011

Interview: Becca Ritchie


I've got author Becca Ritchie joining me on the blog today to answer a few questions about her young adult Wynter Chelsea series, so I'd like to extend a big Supernatural Snark welcome to her and I hope you all enjoy the interview!

If Amanda were to give us all short descriptions of Jack, Dustin, and Trevor, what might she say about each of them?

Jack - an overprotective brother who tries to act more like her father, which she does not appreciate.

Dustin - her best friend; he doesn’t curse, doesn’t normally raise his voice, is a saint among men but still gets irritated by his own brother, Trevor Wynter. Amanda puts Dustin on a high pedestal and believes he’s unattainable in any way other than friendship.

Trevor - even though he’s not related to Amanda, he’s like the annoying little brother you want to go away. So she would probably tell everyone he’s the most annoying human being on the planet while others actually find him comical.

You have your choice of any of the abilities your characters possess; which would you most like to have?

Jack’s ability to conjure items. There’s a limitation - he can only conjure things he can hold, but still, the power to conjure money or groceries would be fantastic. Telepathy and empathy have too many negative qualities, which is definitely seen in the book since those powers cause more harm than good.

If each of your four protagonists could be partnered with either a comic book hero, a movie star, or a character from another book to help them in their fight, who would each of them choose and why?

Trevor would choose Pyro from X-Men comics because he’s a pyromaniac for one and he even looks up to Pyro, the fictional character, in Wynter Chelsea by name dropping him a few times. Jack wouldn’t take anyone and just fight alone. He’s too prideful to want someone else to share his power in leading. Amanda would probably choose Sam and Dean from Supernatural (hopefully they come in a package) because they’re experienced hunters and nice to look at, and Dustin would be not so happy that there’s more young hunters around. He’s not the type to try to make her jealous, so he would choose a neutral person like Bobby from Supernatural just to even things out.

What is your favorite element of the supernatural world you’ve created in Wynter Chelsea?

The Marathaca. He’s the big bad of the series, and with all the demonology I used in the first book, he was the only supernatural being I created rather than researched. He drives the first book and has served to be quite an interesting character. That being said, I also love where the Wynters and Chelseas live because it’s gritty like most of the book. They could easily move because Jack can conjure money, but they chose to stay in New Jersey because their legacy developed there for hundreds of years.

The search for their parents takes Jack, Dustin, Trevor, and Amanda across the US; is there a particular place here that is a favorite or one you’d most like to visit?

Colorado. I have family in Denver and Telluride. I’ve also visited Breckenridge which is breathtakingly beautiful. I love everything about Colorado from the air, the mountains, and the woods. Hopefully that beauty somewhat came across in the book amidst all the demons.

Since you work in television, can you tell us your favorite book-to-TV series or book-to-movie adaptation?

Vampire Diaries, hands down. I’ve never read the book though (not sure if this counts then) but it’s by far my favorite TV show on air right now. It has beautiful writing, storytelling, and acting.

Do you think, if they could, your characters would ask you to change anything about them, their circumstances, or the world they live in?

I think deep down, they all want to be able to tell other people that they hunt supernatural and not feel like they’re putting that person in danger. Because of the secrecy, they really have to lean on each other, and sometimes when you can’t talk to your sister or your family friends, you’re just left contemplating things on your own and that can be painful and lonely. Amanda would probably want the opportunity to go to college as well, but because of their circumstances, that can’t happen.

Can you give us a quick “on the next episode” type preview of what’s in store for everyone in book 3?

Book 3 picks up right where Book 2 (The Sublimity) leaves off, and I am striving to keep away from the usual supernatural plot lines of Heaven vs. Hell, so keep that in mind at the end of Book 2 because what you believe might not be the exact answer. I know it’s very cryptic.

Thanks for having me on your blog, Jenny!

Thanks so much for stopping by Becca! For more information on Becca and the Wynter Chelsea books, you can find her here:

Website
Blog
Facebook
Buy on Amazon

WYNTER CHELSEA: THE LEGACY

Few know of the demonic beings that plague our world, threatening to destroy it. But for two families, it is a familiar battle they have fought for ages.

The Wynters and the Chelseas live for the hunt, to kill those who prey upon the innocent. Four children, born of these two dynasties, are now in their teenage and young adult years. The three boys-Jack, the conjurer; Dustin, the telepath, and Trevor, prescient one-are all warriors, well aware that their destinies are sealed. Then there is 17-year-old Amanda, the one who has been protected and guarded all of her life-much to her great questioning and dismay. She is the special one, the empath and first girl born to the families. Burning with the fever to fight, Amanda constantly challenges the status quo, but to no avail. When their parents inexplicably disappear, Amanda's dream of joining the legacy wins out, and she goes to battle with her brother and her lifelong friends. But as the four follow a dangerous path across the United States, a long-buried affection surfaces between Dustin and Amanda, and each must confront their hidden emotions . . . and ultimate reason for their existence.

24 comments:

  1. Heh, I love your question about pairing each character with another to help them fight. It really gave me a good idea as to what the four protagonists are like!

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  2. Glad to meet another Vampire Diaries fan! :)
    Wonderful interview! Wynter Chelsea is now on my wishlist.

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  3. I loved the questions about the characters. It definitely made curious about the book. And I would love to be able to conjure items. It would be handy we you lose you keys etc. Great interview Jenny.

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  4. Aylee - Thanks! I always like getting extra tidbits about the characters:)

    Misha - Right? You can never have too many Vampire Diaries fans:)

    Nic - Me too, it would be so nice to just make things appear when I need them. Such a time saver:)

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  5. Nice post :=D
    And I sure liked that she picked Sam and Dean ;)

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  6. Great interview Jenny. I love getting to know the authors before I read their books..:)

    Ill have to check this one out!!

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  7. She mentioned X-Men. The interview is automatically awesome. I've never read this series, but the post is great! Love what the premise seems to be, and I will have to pick the first book at some point (after I get through the TBR pile *muttermutter*)

    Thanks, Jenny!

    -Linds

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  8. I remember you review on this one. Love the interview!

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  9. Great interview.
    I haven't heard of this series until now, but def. going to check it out.

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  10. I haven't heard of this but I've got it on my TBR now. Sounds great! And I'd love to be able to conjure stuff!

    ~Alyssa
    Teens Read and Write

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  11. Dude, the ability to conjure items? That's AWESOME! Think about it--unlimited access to free books! :p
    Fabulous interview!

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  12. Blodeuedd - Me too, she has very good taste:)

    Tina - Me too! It makes reading their book a little more personal I think:)

    Linds - Right? X-Men are made of win.

    Savy - Glad you enjoyed it:)

    Laura - Thanks! Hope you give it a try:)

    Alyssa - Me too, it would make getting through the day so much easier sometimes:)

    Lauren - I like the way you think. I would be conjuring up books like crazy!

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  13. Oh, I really want this one now!
    First off: brilliant interview Jenny and Becca!
    Second: Becca, your book looks absolutely amazing! I'm going to keep an eye out for your book now!
    Thanks for the brilliant interview!
    Oh, and Jenny, thanks for following Fortnight of Guests! Can't wait for your post tomorrow! :D

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  14. Love Supernatural! =) That is so hilarious that Amanda would choose to partner with Sam and Dean. I would have to do the same. ;) I really like the sound of this series. Thanks for giving us a taste with an interview with the author!

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  15. Oh, I love the ability to conjure things. I could definitely hold a beefy literary crush long enough to make him real if I had that ability. LOL

    And when I was too young to remember, I lived in Colorado. I've always wanted to go back for a visit.

    Fun interview!

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  16. Megan - Glad you enjoyed it! And I'm looking forward to being on your blog tomorrow:)

    Bailey - I do too! I would conjure myself up a Sam and Dean if I had that ability:)

    Missie - I want it too, and I like your idea for using it. I would be conjuring book boyfriends left and right. Wouldn't the hubs be surprised to come home and find a house full of shirtless men? *dreamy sigh* ;-)

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  17. What an interesting way to have a Q&A! So interesting and fun. I really want to read this now. Oh and yes... CO FTW!

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  18. Oh, the TV adaptation for Vampire Diaries is really good. I thought the book series was okay but I'm in love with the show (and Ian Somerhalder). My favourite series from L.J. Smith is The Secret Circle so I'm looking forward to seeing what they do with it on TV.

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  19. Glad to find another fellow Xmen and Vampire Diaries fan! I've noticed a really big trend of YA books featuring demons lately. This series does sound interesting and I've got it on my tbr pile. One of these days that pile will get smaller. *Sigh*

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  20. Great interview! I'll have to check out this book and your review. I'm glad you find a fellow Vampire Diaries fan. Love that show! It's such a guilty pleasure of mine.

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  21. Great interview! I just got Becca's book today. I can't wait to read it.

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  22. Melissa - Glad you liked it:)

    Zahida - I'm in love with Ian as well. I was pretty strongly on Stefan's side in the books, but I'm all Damon on the show:)

    Rummanah - One of these days my pile will get smaller too, but that day is far, far away:)

    Christina - Me too, I'm a little behind on it, but it just makes catching up all the more fun:)

    Alison - Thanks! Looking forward to your thoughts on it:)

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  23. YAY for TVD!!! I haven't read the books either and I know I won't. I don't want the books to ruin the show for me! Usually I always that the other way around!

    I would love to visit Colorado sometime!

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  24. Great Interview!

    You really ask the questions that I wish I could come up with :)

    I love that Colorado is her place to want to go--been there a handful of times, one of the most beautiful states in the continental USA!

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