Exclusive Interview | Rae Carson, Author of 'The Girl of Fire and Thorns'!

We are so excited to have Rae Carson on the blog! She is the author of the upcoming YA novel The Girl of Fire and Thorns which is released September 20th!                                                            _____________

1. What kind of books did you read in your childhood versus ones that you read now?

I read everything I possibly could when I was a kid. I would sneak-read under the covers with a flashlight rather than put a story down! I still read just as widely, but the one big change is time. There is not enough of it in a day, and now I must be more selective about my reading choices. Otherwise, my TBR pile would gain sentience and take over the world.

2. Were there any books that inspired the concept of The Girl of Fire and Thorns?

Not really. It’s more accurate to say that several books inspired what The Girl of Fire and Thorns would not be. I read a ton of books that featured improbably beautiful girls with improbable skills. And as much as I loved those books, I decided I wanted to write about a young woman who would accomplish amazing things without being perfect.

3. If you were stranded on an island and you only had one book, what would it be?

This is the future, am I right? So I’d have my e-reader (and a solar-powered battery charger) so I could have my whole library with me.

4. Did you plan out the series before you wrote Fire and Thorns, or did you fly by the seat of your pants?

Both. I knew the major character and plot arcs from the beginning, but I’m filling in all the details as I go and discovering all sorts of great stuff about my story and characters. It’s like finding buried treasure!

5.  How long had the idea for Fire and Thorns been in your head before you began writing it?

Years. I always poke at ideas for a long time before they’re formed enough to go on the page.

6. What defining characteristics would you use for your book, and for Elisa, to describe to someone who hasn’t read the book?

At the beginning of the story, Elisa is a frightened young girl with a poor self-esteem and an unhealthy relationship with food. But she decides to take charge of her self and her fate, and then gets an opportunity to do just that. So I’d say the book’s defining characteristic is transformation.

7. What do you want your readers to take away from the book?

More than anything, I want them to have a satisfying reading experience. But if there is any “message” in this book, I hope it is this:  You don’t have to be perfect to be extraordinary.

8. Do you have anything in the works besides finishing up The Crown of Embers and The Bitter Kingdom?

Yes! I always have several projects cooking at once. The one I’m most excited about is a standalone middle-grade adventure. And that’s all I can say about it for now. 

Thank you so much to Rae Carson; it was a complete honor to have her on the blog! Make sure to check out The Girl of Fire and Thorns on September 20th and follow @raecarson on Twitter and visit raecarson.com for more info!