Author Interview: S.R. Wells, author of On the Bright Side

Today I have S.R. Wells on the blog, chatting up her up and coming tween novel On the Bright Side. I've got to tell you guys, this novel looks adorable! Thanks for stopping by!

1) Describe ON THE BRIGHT SIDE in 140 characters or less.


OTBS is about a tween angel assigned to protect her school nemesis who's now dating her crush. Intead, Gabby starts pranking her mortal & unleashes a dark side.

2) So Gabby dies at 14 and is in a sort of limbo. What three things does she miss the most about Earth?

1) her best friend (and crush) Michael
2) her mom
3) her jeans because now she's stuck in white fat pants for eternity

3) Gabby's put in charge of looking after her enemy. What advice do you think she'd give someone who is paired with someone they don't like or put in a similar situation?

Well, at first she would say: pssst, have you tried the Prickly Dead Arm Charm OR did you know if you blow on their neck, they get the chills. But in the end, Gabby would tell someone that things are not always when they seem on the outside. That you never know what someone is going through or how your actions can ripple into something worse than you wanted or expected. And sometimes doing the things you think will make you feel better about yourself, actually make you feel worse.

   4) Can you tell me your reaction when you saw your cover?

I love it. Vania at VLC Photo does a great job of taking my vision and capturing it in a way I did not expect.   This cover captures the spirit of Gabby to the core. It think its cute and fun. There are not many paranormal tween books (true tween) and most of the middle grace paranormals are illustrated. I love that she captured the age and spirit in a real photo.

5) What is the difference between writing for teens and writing for tweens?

Well, teens are a little bit more insightful than tweens. Tweens have that kid side where they want to hug their moms yet that teen side where they want independence. They are inbetween which describes Gabby exactly. The romance is different in tweens. They are more light and border on a crush. Whereas teens are usually full blown love.

6) Have you read anything lately that you'd recommend?

For tweens? I love Alyson Noel's Riley Series - the spinoff of Evermore. I think Riley and Gabby would be great friends and have lots of fun.

7) Can you tell us anything about any future projects you have in the works?

I have an Anthology (In His Eyes) coming out with some other indie authors on Feb 14th. It is comprised of short stories that are all from the perspective of the hot guys in our books. Also, the sequel to Untraceable (my YA wilderness thriller) comes out sometime late summer 2012.

As if the devil’s food cake at her wake and the white fat pants she’s stuck wearing for eternity weren’t bad enough, fourteen year-old Gabby is quick to discover that Cirrus, the main rung of Heaven, is a far cry from the Pearly Gates. Here, Skyphones and InnerNets are all the rage. At her first Bright ceremony, G.O.D., the automated assignment system, spits out Angela Black, Gabby’s arch nemesis and longtime fencing rival. As a Bright, Gabby has to protect Angela, her assigned mortal, in order to move up through the training levels of heaven. 

Back on earth, Angela starts hitting on Michael, Gabby’s crush and should-have-been boyfriend. Gabby’s pranks to quell the love are harmless at first until the school dance sabotage gets completely out of control. Then, Celestial Sky Agent, Clarence, who happens to have anger management issues of his own, steps into reveal that Angela has big problems, and what she really needs is Gabby’s help. Determined to right her wrong and ease her mother’s grief, Gabby steals an ancient artifact that allows her to return to earth for just one day. But if Gabby’s not careful, her well-meaning mission just might shift the very foundation of Heaven, Earth, and every place in between, causing the danger of the dark side to roam free.

Here' what people are saying about On the Bright Side:

"S.R. Johannes delivers a cute sci-fi thrill ride for middle graders! Even in death there is a BRIGHT SIDE!" - Addison Moore, author of the bestselling Celestra series

Clever and charming, ON THE BRIGHT SIDE is the story of a reluctant guardian angel, her still-breathing crush, and the frenemy she’s assigned to protect. A great read! -Suzanne Young, author of A Need So Beautiful, A Want So Wicket (6/12), and The Program (2013)

“ON THE BRIGHT SIDE is both hilarious and heart-warming – a tale that’ll have you hoping that there really *are* spunky and determined angels like Gabby who’ve got our backs.” - Kristin O’Donnell Tubb, author of Selling Hope & The 13th Sign (2013) (Feiwel & Friends)

"With a smart, snappy heroine and a heart-warming crush, ON THE BRIGHT SIDE is a page-turning new take on guardian angels that left me begging for a sequel!" - Gretchen McNeil, author of Possess and Ten (9/12) (Balzar + Bray)

Thanks a million time to S.R. Wells for stopping by!