About a month ago, I was approached to be a part of an amazing blog tour called A Cornucopia of Dystopia based solely around dystopian fiction by the amazing Danya of A Tapestry of Words and Casey of The Bookish Type. How could I possibly refuse?!
Long story short...I had the amazing opportunity to read Awaken by debut author, Katie Kacvinsky, who took time out of her busy day to answer a few of my questions for all my readers? So, check out the interview below, and be sure to check out the lineup for the rest of the tour!
Yikes. I’m really bad at this but here you go: Dystopian romance, anti-technology drama.
2. What made you decide to write a dystopian novel?
I write the kind of books I want to read. I love science fiction and dystopia because you can take the fictional themes and apply them to real life. I also look at where our culture is headed with all of our digital devices and it freaks me out. I think we’re losing touch with what makes us human and that’s what inspired my story.
3. Finish this sentence..."If I weren't an author, I would be a ____."
Movie director. Or, I’d be an assistant to James Cameron who is my favorite director.
4. What is one message you hope your readers will come away with from Awaken.
I think we are all caught up in the digital age. Even though many of these technologies have so many benefits, I think they can also be addictive and waste a lot of our time. I hope people will think about their own habits and remember that it’s okay to unplug once in a while.
5. Technology is at the core of Awaken. Do you ever fear that the world be the way it is in the novel?
In some ways we are already there; technology is the core of our own society right now. But, I’d like to think that we’ll never make it to the extreme I write about.
6. You could virtually workout on a computer or do a physical workout in the real world. Which do you choose, and why?
I’ve tried working out to DVDs but I much prefer running outside or playing sports with friends. I can’t even play Wii video games. It makes me laugh to watch people do it; I think they look really stupid. I’d rather invest in a tennis racket and a pair of shoes and go play the game outside instead of swatting my hand at an invisible ball moving on a screen.
7. Is there anything specific you'd like to tell your readers?
If you like a good love story, you’ll like by novel.
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions, Katie! Now for the rest of you...do you want a chance to win an awesome ARC of Awaken for yourself?! Here are the rules: This international giveaway ends on April 15, 2011 at midnight EST. Random.org will pick the winner and the winner will be emailed directly. You do NOT have to be a follower, but if you are, it is much appreciated!
Fantastic interview, Melissa! I love the sound of Awaken because it's so close to our world with the way technology is progressing so quickly and becoming an integral part of our society. Thanks for organising the giveaway :D
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! Awesome that she would want to be a movie director or assistant to one. As a writer, I agree with her on writing. Write the books we want to read!
ReplyDeleteWonderful interview! I love the premise of Awaken. It seems very thought-provoking.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
The interview is too short but it seems that the author knows what she wants to do with her books. I also prefer going outside than play computer games, even the best.
ReplyDeleteTerrific interview. I love the questions, but I can't help thinking how many of us bloggers are so digitally connected. I am really interested in reading this book, though to see where Katie takes this story. Thanks for the interview and giveaway
ReplyDeleteI love that she writes what she wants to read. Makes me want to write a book, too.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! Book sounds very interesting! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! :) A movie director huh? Maybe she could produce Awaken, hehes...
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with her about liking working out outside more than inside with the TV or something.
ReplyDeleteThough I do like playing Wii every now and then ;)
Great interview!
Sounds like a powerful book. Great interview
ReplyDeletel agree, technology is part of out society! I don't think it will ever get to a point where we don't ever go out though.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the interview and giveaway, ends a day before my birthday so hope it brings me some luck! =)
Fantastic interview ladies! Her comments about the Wii made me giggle, I've watched my husband play games/do the workouts on it and he looks ridiculous:) And how much fun would it be to direct movies? I would love to be on a movie set all day.
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited for this book, it sounds amazing! And thanks for the giveaway :]
ReplyDelete"I write the kind of books I want to read." <--I really like this mantra! Brill.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! I'm just gonna say, though... Wii tennis made my arms ache the first few times I played it! I still vote yes on Wii-workouts. :P
I think it makes total sense to write the books you want to read. It also means that you probably have a good idea about the genre, and I think that means you can write a better book.
ReplyDeleteI agree about unplugging from technology. I mean, the Web is great, and you can do so much stuff with mobile technology, but I think sometimes we rely on it too much. When you can do something simply yourself, or can spend a weekend away from the computer and cell phones, I think it's a good thing.
Wow great! I kinda have a bit of trouble with the Wii thing too. It's so funny watching someone pad up and down pretending to 'ride a bike' LOL. I can't imagine a world where we did all our exercising indoors.
ReplyDeleteI read Awaken late last year and loved it!
Thanks for the interview and giveaway, this book looks awesome! I'm not a big fan of games like Wii Sports, but I do like Just Dance, because it actually makes you move and it's really tiring! But it's fun so it doesn't feel like exercise :D
ReplyDeleteI've been loving on dystopian lately so I'll add this to the list. I love working out outside as well but also enjoy playing Wii with my brothers. Sure we look silly but we have a good laugh! Great interview - thanks!
ReplyDeleteI hope we'll never to make it to that extreme either with technology! Great interview!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great message. I should really take that into consideration more often...
ReplyDeleteAmen to number 4! Sometimes it is good, but sometimes it is really bad.
ReplyDeleteI'm always amazed by how many people have a hard time entertaining themselves without internet or cable. The dependency is sad.
Great interview :)
I agree with you when you say that the world is losing touch with their human sides. When I go out to eat and look around, everyones on their phones. It's really sickening that people can't hold a normal conversation anymore.
ReplyDeleteAwesome interview! Thank you for sharing and for this amazing opportunity!<3
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with Katie... Today we wouldn't be able to do much without technology. Technology is a great thing. But sometimes I feel sad to see simple things disappear... Like written letters. I love write and receive letters, or even postcards. But nowadays people (including me sometimes, I have to be honest!) prefer sending a message on the phone or an email, or update their status on Facebook or Twitter...
ReplyDeleteIt's just a little example, there are more important things... But I like to attach importance to small things :)
So true what the author says. My son doesn't even know how to make a phone call or talk to a girl, they just text each other. When I need to talk to the parents we have to go to great lengths to find the house number. We are getting far to techy in this world.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway Melissa!
Heather
Awesome interview, and I'm excited for this book! Romance + Dystopian = <3333. And, hm, I'm not really much of a tech-y or anti-techy in terms of exercise. I enjoy DDR and Wii sports (as stupid as I look doing it), but I also feel accomplished when I do real sports outside of tech. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! And brought to my attention a new book. :) Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview, Melissa! I still need to read this book :)
ReplyDeleteGreat interview Melissa! 4 is very important ... which reminds me I should be studying for my midterm :)
ReplyDeleteI have put this book in my wishlist. I think I have to check its excerpt. I hope I will get the chance to read the book
ReplyDeleteNice interview. Would love to read more question and answers.
Great interview! I love the cover of this book it sounds amazing and I cant wait to read it =)
ReplyDelete+JMJ+
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! This is the first time I've heard of Awaken and I'm totally intrigued. I love Dystopian Fiction and have been a little down on technology lately (Yeah, I know how funny that sounds coming from someone who has a blog . . .), so it sounds like something I'd love to read.
And it's heartening to know that Katie is a James Cameron fan. (I wish I could ask her: Which do you prefer: T1 or T2? There's really no right or wrong answer, but if she picks T1, I'll probably love her forever.)
Great review! It's funny that Katie talks about how we all spend too much time enamored with technology, considering the fact that I've been catching up on blog comments for the past hour and a half.
ReplyDeletenice interview! thanks for the international giveaway too!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! Thanks for the giveaway! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for this offer and this the interview. lisapeters at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteJames Cameron. Awesome. I would be an assistant to John Hughes. :D Great Interview and thank you for the giveaway. <3
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm really hoping I actually filled out that form and entered this already. . . :s
ReplyDelete