Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Interview & Giveaway with Bree Despain, author of The Dark Divine series

Today I've got Bree Despain on the blog to talk about her series Dark Divine which includes, The Dark Divine, The Lost Saint and finally, The Savage Grace. I haven't read the last two, though I own both, but I loved The Dark Divine. We're talking about everything from how her characters changed to what it was like to end a series.

1) Can you describe THE SAVAGE GRACE for us in 140 characters or less?Um, no. I've always had a problem with brevity. That's why my books are so darn long. :)

2) Tell us a little bit about what it feels like to end a series? How did you come to terms with that?I was surprised by how hard it was the say goodbye to my characters--and I coped by turning in drafts of the book without the final two chapters. I kept on refusing to write "the end" up until right before the book went to press. I wanted it to be the "perfect" ending. I'm still now sure if the "perfect" ending is something that is actually attainable, but I did get a lot of joy from one of my closest friends telling me that she thought I got the ending "just right."

3) How has the character of Grace grown throughout the story? Did her growth surprise you?The best thing about writing THE SAVAGE GRACE was getting to see just how much the characters were able to grow through the series. I really wanted to give Grace the opportunity to develop her powers and become a leader--but she ended up surpassing my expectations and developing a special talent that becomes central to the plot, and who she becomes as a person. But I can't tell you what that special talent is--you'll just have to read the book to find out!

4) What is one character that took a life of their own or didn't end up at all like you'd originally thought?There's a new character in THE SAVAGE GRACE named Brent who is actually based on a close friend. My friend kept pestering me to put him in one of my books, and I finally decided to grant his wish. My first intention was for the character to just be in the background, but once I infused him with my friend's sarcastic personality, he ended up becoming one of my favorite characters. He also plays an important part in the climax of the story.

5) If you had a time machine and could change anything about the story, what would you change and why? Or would you anything?I can't think of anything I would change. I am very happy with how everything has worked out with the story.

6) What's been your favorite moment since you've gotten published?The launch party for my first book will always stand out in my mind as one of the best moments of my life. I was blown away by how many people came out in order to support me and the book store made me feel like I was a rock star for the entire night.

7) What character from another YA novel would fit well in one of your books?Damon Salvatore from Vampire Diaries. Mostly just because I love him. (You and me both! I bet he would be an interesting character in your world though.)


8) Can you give us a sneak peek of one of the songs off THE SAVAGE GRACE playlist?
"Howl" by Florence + The Machine

9) Have you read anything great lately that you'd like to share?UNDER THE NEVER SKY by Veronica Rossi

10) What are you working on right now?I'm working on a new book that is supposed to be published in Fall 2013. It's a book I've had in my head for several years and I am so excited to finally get to write it.

Thanks so much for stopping by! You guys need to check out this series. And Egmont USA has offered up a chance for one of you guys to check out the entire series!


Giveaway Time!

I've got a copy of The Dark Divine, The Lost Soul and The Savage Grace up for grabs to two lucky US readers.

Rules:
  • Must fill out form
  • Must be 13 years or older
  • May only enter once
  • US giveaway only
  • Giveaway ends April 25, 2012
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck to everyone!

41 comments:

  1. That's cool that you wouldn't want to change anything in your books. :) Congrats!

    Also, I totally feel you on brevity. It is way overrated. I have so many difficulties using twitter, because I keep having to pare things out of my comments. Sigh.

    I haven't read any of these books yet, but I've been really curious about them!

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  2. That's pretty cool how she included one of her friends in the book and he became a favorite character. And Florence and the Machine are AWESOME:) Great interview, I'd love to win this series:)

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  3. Awesome series and awesome interview! I love these books so much!

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  4. I love that Bree loves Damon Salvatore and that Florence + the Machine are on her playlist! Great interview!

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  5. Ugh I have had this series om my TBR pile forever!! Great interview.. No I just want to read it more.. Thanks Amber!
    xoxo
    Steph

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  6. Awesome interview! I have not read this series yet but I need too. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  7. I haven't had a chance yet to read Savage Grace but Brent sounds like a cool new character. Can't wait to read it!! Thanks for the interview.

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  8. I met Bree last year when she was at our Library. She was so nice. Can't wait to read the final book! Loved the first two.

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  9. I absolutely love that she added a completely new character based on someone she knows. Awesome! It's always interesting to see where certain characters take us. Can't wait!

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  10. I love the way Bree talks about how hard it was to end her series and how she felt like she wouldn't change anything about it given the chance. I haven't read the series yet, although it has been recommended to me - and the fact that she loves it so much makes me want to read it even more, knowing that she thinks it perfectly written as is. I also like that she read and loved Under the Never Sky by V. Rossi, because I read that one a while back and it was fantastic!

    Great interview, ladies! Enjoyed reading it!

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  11. I loved Under the Never Sky - cool to see she read it!!!!

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  12. Grace develops a special talent? I have to know! I would love to own a copy of these books. I borrowed the first from a friend and have been curious about what happens ever since!

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  13. It's nice to hear she wouldn't change anything. Although, I suppose maybe even if the author did she wouldn't want to tell us eh? ;)

    I haven't really heard of this series until the last one was released (or close to being released?) but it sounds so good! I can't wait to get my hands on it soon.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  14. I love Damon, too. If you think he would fit in your book, then I should like it as well. Thanks for a chance to win it!!

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  15. Thanks for letting me know that the book isn't overly preachy with religious elements. I would not like spending my time reading it if it were.

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  16. Christina Kit. in the rafflecopter

    Listening to Bree talk about her characters, about how Grace grew and how Brent is a lot like her friend, you can really tell she loves them:)

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  17. I really want to read under the never sky too! Thanks so much for the giveaway

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  18. Thank you so much for this awesome giveaway! These books have been on my TBR list for a long time now!!

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  19. I love Damon from Vampire Diaries!!
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  20. I think it's great that she wouldn't want to change a single thing in her books. I must be missing out, then, because I haven't read a single one of them yet! Thanks for the chance to win them!

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  21. Bree, I feel the same way when I write. I hate writing "the end" but when I do, I want it to be perfect, so I spend a lot of time on it.

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  22. I have wanted to read these for quite some time.....Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win.

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  23. This series has really grown on me. If only I can find a copy of The Savage Grace already!

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  24. It's a little sad the series is ending, but I can't wait to read it. I loved reading how the character Brent came to exist!
    rlawrence110 at yahoo dot com

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  25. I always enjoy it when authors share characters that take on a life of their own, in a literary fashion. It makes me more interested in meeting that special character. :-)

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  26. Knock, Knock.
    Who's there?
    Tank.
    Tank who?
    You're welcome!

    HOPE TO WON :D

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  27. How satisfying it must feel to have been able to see this series to fruition and be pleased with the outcome. Thank you so much for sharing with us and giving us readers the opportunity to benefit from your talent and making me smile:)

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  28. Great interview! And Bree loves Damon Salvatore and Florence and The Machine, we could be besties, lol! I also just read Under the Never Sky and loved it!

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  29. I'm a total book nerd and never heard of these books, now.. I want to read them! :)

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  30. Thank you for making your books long, I definitely perfer that to short books. Grace has been an amazing heroine. She definitely grows up from The Dark Divine to The Lost Saint and I can't wait to see how she ends up in The Savage Grace. I would love to see Damon Salvatore in your series. But I don't think he would like being around more werewolves lol. I can't wait to see what your new book is about, especially since I know how well you can write and create such amazing, real characters.

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  31. Ooooh, lets put Damon Salvatore in every story. I just love his sexy eyes :>

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  32. While I've seen the covers around, I can't say I know much about Bree books...aside from all of them having lovely covers.

    I am glad to hear she doesn't want to change anything in her novel. Rarely..if ever have I written anything I didn't want to edit.

    Under the never Sky is on my TBR list~
    I hope I'll get to it soon!

    Lilian @ A Novel Toybox

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  33. I haven't read any of this series, but I'd really like to!

    Great interview! Mmm, Damon Salvatore. Mmm, Ian Somerhalder... Love the song by Florence + The Machine, too! And that's really cool that a character was based on a friend and became a critical character!

    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  34. I loved The Dark Divine, but haven't read The Lost Saint yet! I would love to win these, as I'm really looking forward to see what happens next, especially with Grace's development! :)

    Thanks,
    Leanne

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  35. Great interview! I love this series and can't wait to see what happens. Thanks for the interview and giveaway!

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  36. Can't wait to read the whole series!

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  37. This series sounds so good! I would love to read all the books.

    that's so sweet that you added your friend as a character :)

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  38. This is one of my favorite series. Thank you for the chance to own it.

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  39. It's difficult for me when I am reading the final book in a series. If I love the books I never want the story to end. I can't image what it's like to write the final book.

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  40. Writing books is a person's life, having to say good-bye to a series you've worked so long on has got to be hard. It's like closing a chapter on a part of your own personal life.

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