Next week Kasie West's sequel to Pivot Point is on sale! In the meantime, check out our Q&A with Kasie, and get a sneak peek at what's in store for Addie.
1) Can you give us a sneak peek of what’s in store for Addie in Split Second?
Split Second follows Addie back to her father's house for a visit. She gets to "re-meet" several characters from Pivot Point where the reader will see them in a bit of a different light. The stakes are higher in Addie in this book as she realizes just how serious the Compound is about keeping its existence a secret and the consequences for breaking this law. We also get another POV in Split Second. Laila stays in the Compound and her POV shows us what's happening there while Addie is away.
2) Which do you think is more challenging--writing companion novels like Pivot Point and Split Second, or a stand-alone like The Distance Between Us? Do you have different methods of writing them?
Well, Split Second is a sequel and that definitely had its challenges. Trying to grow the characters even more, figuring out where the story leads without using the same plot devices as I used in the first novel, introducing new ideas and delving further into the world all brought about lots and lots of brainstorming sessions and writing myself into corners that I then had to backtrack out of. The Distance Between Us had its own challenges, but for me personally, stand-alones are easier to write.
3) Excited bloggers around the world are always eager for galleys of your upcoming books. Were you surprised that your books have found such a strong international audience? Have you received any special messages from international fans?
I am surprised. But I'm always surprised that anybody at all wants to read my books. Ha. But yes, the international market was such a nice bonus. I love that I'm connecting with readers from all over the world. And yes, I've gotten some amazing messages from all over. One of my favorites was a teen from Germany who told me that she related very much to Caymen (in The Distance Between Us). That she too felt a lot of pressure to do the things the people around her wanted her to do and she wanted to discover who she was. I've gotten others where they talk about relating to my characters, too, which helped them feel not so alone. I love love love reading things like this. It makes writing that much more worth it.
4) Name 5 things you couldn’t live without.
1. My husband and kids 2. My computer/internet 3. Books! 4. Chocolate 5. Sleep (I live for naps)
5) Describe your dream vacation. Have you traveled anywhere internationally?
My dream vacation is somewhere tropical. I love the beach and the sun and warm water somewhere that I can relax. And yes, I have done a small amount of international traveling. I've spent some time in England, which I loved (we visited London and Stonehenge and some old castles). And I've been to Austria and Germany which was gorgeous (we stayed in bed and breakfasts as we traveled and I loved the people and the food and the scenery was amazing). I'd love to do some more traveling in the future.
1) Can you give us a sneak peek of what’s in store for Addie in Split Second?
Split Second follows Addie back to her father's house for a visit. She gets to "re-meet" several characters from Pivot Point where the reader will see them in a bit of a different light. The stakes are higher in Addie in this book as she realizes just how serious the Compound is about keeping its existence a secret and the consequences for breaking this law. We also get another POV in Split Second. Laila stays in the Compound and her POV shows us what's happening there while Addie is away.
2) Which do you think is more challenging--writing companion novels like Pivot Point and Split Second, or a stand-alone like The Distance Between Us? Do you have different methods of writing them?
Well, Split Second is a sequel and that definitely had its challenges. Trying to grow the characters even more, figuring out where the story leads without using the same plot devices as I used in the first novel, introducing new ideas and delving further into the world all brought about lots and lots of brainstorming sessions and writing myself into corners that I then had to backtrack out of. The Distance Between Us had its own challenges, but for me personally, stand-alones are easier to write.
3) Excited bloggers around the world are always eager for galleys of your upcoming books. Were you surprised that your books have found such a strong international audience? Have you received any special messages from international fans?
I am surprised. But I'm always surprised that anybody at all wants to read my books. Ha. But yes, the international market was such a nice bonus. I love that I'm connecting with readers from all over the world. And yes, I've gotten some amazing messages from all over. One of my favorites was a teen from Germany who told me that she related very much to Caymen (in The Distance Between Us). That she too felt a lot of pressure to do the things the people around her wanted her to do and she wanted to discover who she was. I've gotten others where they talk about relating to my characters, too, which helped them feel not so alone. I love love love reading things like this. It makes writing that much more worth it.
4) Name 5 things you couldn’t live without.
1. My husband and kids
2. My computer/internet
3. Books!
4. Chocolate
5. Sleep (I live for naps)
5) Describe your dream vacation. Have you traveled anywhere internationally?
My dream vacation is somewhere tropical. I love the beach and the sun and warm water somewhere that I can relax. And yes, I have done a small amount of international traveling. I've spent some time in England, which I loved (we visited London and Stonehenge and some old castles). And I've been to Austria and Germany which was gorgeous (we stayed in bed and breakfasts as we traveled and I loved the people and the food and the scenery was amazing). I'd love to do some more traveling in the future.