Becca Ritchie is the young author of the Wynter Chelsea books - a series about two families with a legacy of hunting those things that go bump in the night. After beginning Wynter Chelsea: The Legacy when she was just 14 years old, the book was published when she turned 17. Now a student at the University of Georgia, she's released the second installment in the series, Wynter Chelsea: The Sublimity, and she's actively working on book three.
I read book one a good while ago and was impressed by the dynamic cast of characters, fully-fleshed plot and intense action sequences. To view my full review of Wynter Chelsea: The Legacy, please click HERE. Otherwise, please welcome Becca Ritchie to my lovely lil' blog!
Your Book:
1. Amanda is the sole girl in a world dominated by men - supernatural hunters, if you will. How did you infuse her with the strength to match the others, and would you say you put a bit of yourself into her character?
She’s pretty much nothing like me. She’s not into pop culture, and I absolutely love everything about entertainment like television and movies. I think she even makes a reference about not understanding why people make collages of celebrities, and I’ve made my fair share. As for strength, she runs on impulse so she will do a lot of things the men won’t. She makes up in that regard. A lot of her strength does come from her family and her parents. I’m very close to my entire family as well.
2. Each character within Wynter Chelsea had a significant role and personality that balanced the others. Was it tedious creating such a dynamic cast for such a long story?
In any movies, television, or books I love, characters are the most important aspect for me. I once watched a commentary for a film and the director said that he wouldn’t hire even Leonardo DiCaprio without testing to see if he has chemistry with the cast. When I write, I almost do the same thing by making sure each character can play off each other. As the book grew, it became a natural development and the action became secondary to the character dynamic.
3. How did you balance the budding romance between Dustin and Amanda with the intense action within Wynter Chelsea: The Legacy?
I just kept telling myself to let the romance progress as naturally as possible. I really did not want to rush anything or force something for the sake of plot. During the action, I didn’t want the romance to be the entire focus, but I wanted it to be there because, well, I wrote this for myself when I was 14, so entertainment-wise, that’s what I wanted to see.
4. If you could name your three biggest inspirations for writing Wynter Chelsea: The Legacy, what/who would they be, and why?
My sister. She asked me to write a supernatural book for her, and I ended up writing Wynter Cheslea. Any bad YA books became an inspiration. I know that sounds pretty weird, but when I was 14 it was the reason why I started writing. I had a list of things I wanted in a YA book, but I picked up some pretty terrible ones that had none of those qualities from the list. These books inadvertently made me start writing in order to entertain myself. I was finally able to put that list to good use when I wrote Wynter Chelsea. Television shows like Angel, Charmed, Buffy, and Roswell also helped me understand plot as a kid. So yes, television inspired me.
5. The world of Wynter Chelsea: The Legacy is one filled with magic, lore, and creatures. Where did this world evolve from, and can readers expect the same amazing world-building in book two, Wynter Chelsea: The Sublimity?
The lore is pretty straight forward demonology that can be found in old horror movies, the internet, or even television shows right now. The demonology I pulled from did scare me at times. With each book, the world becomes bigger and bigger because Amanda Chelsea is being brought into it with the readers. Book two is a little darker than the first, and I tried to focus on the changes between the characters as well as the lore.
All About You:
1. If you had to describe yourself in just five words or less, what would they be?
Out of control imagination
2. You're going to be condemned to either live in the world of Gossip Girl or that of Supernatural (and yes, Sam & Dean are there)...which do you choose, and why?
If Sam and Dean are there, it’s a no brainer. Supernatural all the way.
3. Finish this sentence, and explain, please...If I weren't a writer, I would be_________.
A physical therapist. My father kept pushing me to become a doctor, and by the end of my senior year of high school, we compromised with physical therapy. When my book came out, I went ahead and switched my major to television production in hopes of becoming a television staff writer.
4. What, if anything, do you need to be able to sit down and write a book?
Passion. If you have a love to create people, worlds, and an overall story then you have what it takes to write a book because you need that drive in order to complete it and push it to make it even better.
5. What are some of your favorite books and why?
All of the Harry Potter books, The Hunger Games trilogy, Uglies trilogy, Twilight series… obviously all these have something in common; they don’t end after one book. I love television for the same reason. I never want any stories to stop, and if I can fall in love with the characters then they usually top my favorite list.
Becca has graciously offered a giveaway for all my lovely followers! ONE lucky winner will receive a signed copy of Wynter Chelsea: The Legacy, in all its glory. Here are the rules to enter: You do NOT have to be a follower, but it's always appreciated. This giveaway is US ONLY and ends promptly at midnight EST on June 20, 2011.
Still interested? Click HERE to fill out the form and enter!
Great interview. I liked hearing how Becca got her inspiration for Wynter Chelesa.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview.
ReplyDeleteLol, I would totally go for SPN too if Sam and Dean was there ;)
Becca sounds awesome! I wish I had tried writing when I got annoyed with bad YA books, hehe. But I don't think I would have been all that good.
ReplyDeleteFabulous interview. I am so inspired by Beeca's youth and talent. I also love how she discussed her characters and agree that characters are the most important aspect in books, movies, and TV. Her books sounds like one I would love to read. Thanks for giving me a chance to win it.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely adore Becca and her books are amazing. This is a great interview, Melissa! <3
ReplyDeleteI am impressed that she wrote this first one at 14! How interesting that she "tests" her characters to see if they will play off well with and against each other :)
ReplyDeleteI actually like it when she said bad YA books inspire her to write the book the way she think it should be. I guess that most authors can use this as an inspiration as well cause I think that most of things that we do not agree with in a book are almost identical.
ReplyDeleteIt's very amazing that she can start writing at such a young age. Don't think that I'm capable to do so even at the age of 25 :P
Lovely interview, it was a pleasure to read your answers Becca!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! It always makes me feel inferior when such young girls become authors :-)
ReplyDeleteI love how she described the importance of characters and making sure that each character plays off each other.
Hmm, I have not read these books but they sounds great! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway! I've wanted to read this book ever since I read your review of it. The author also seems like a smart lady picking Supernatural :)
ReplyDeleteI also have my review of Cleopatra Confesses up today. You had mentioned you were interested in it.
I have never heard of this one but I love how she describes it! And I cannot believe she was published at 17!! AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! It's amazing that Becca wrote the book at 14! And I love how she made a point to progress the romance naturally--so many books these days forget how important that is! :)
ReplyDeleteI love discovering young authors! It really makes you evaluate your life! (what have I done in my 23-years of life when she wrote a book at 14!)
ReplyDeleteMight have to pick this one up if I don't win!
What a fun interview ladies! I'm such a character person too, I appreciate a good story, but the characters are always the highlight for me:) And a big yes to Sam and Dean from Supernatural, I'd be in that world in an instant if I knew they were waiting for me!
ReplyDeleteI have this book on it's way to me and it's partly because you liked it!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great interview and I love how you set up the questions. It was fascinating learning more about her and I have to say I'm even more excited to read the book now!
It's so cool that Becca wrote Wynter Chelsea at 14. What was I doing at 14? Not much. I haven't heard of the book but it sounds like a good read.
ReplyDeleteFantastic interview! I cannot imagine writing a book at 14 years of age. I must read this book!
ReplyDeleteWonderful interview! I just wished I had the imagination to write a book. All props to Becca for writing this storyline at the young age of 14. Wynter Chelsea sounds like an exciting read. I, too, love Supernatural.
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