Interview & Giveaway: Elsie Chapman, author of Dualed

Today Elsie Chapman, author of Dualed, one of my absolute favorite dystopian novels, is here at The Hiding Spot! I read Elsie's debut back in February and immediately fell in love with her writing and the world she'd created, along with many other elements of the novel, which I discussed in my review, here. Check out my interview with Elsie, below, and enter to win a finished copy of Dualed!

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The Interview

Did you have trouble writing any of your characters or specific scenes within the novel? Or, were any characters or scenes particularly easy to write?

I had lots of fun writing Dualed’s action scenes, and I felt West and Chord from the very start. Some of the minor characters too me a bit longer to figure out, and until I did, some of the scenes with more dialogue gave me some moments.

Has the title changed or stayed relatively the same as your novel journeyed towards publication?

The original title at submission was The Assignment. Yes, it wasn’t original in the least, and I’m still not very good with titles at all. Even character names don’t typically come easily for me. I’m so grateful for my editor and everyone else at Random House who was involved in coming up with the title Dualed. It plays with the words dual and duel, and I think it’s perfect.

What book or author has most influenced you as a writer or in general?

I’d have to say Stephen King. I grew up reading him, and I just think he’s this amazing storyteller. In particular, his older works and short stories are some of my favourites. He wrote The Long Walk as Richard Bachman, and I think it’s one of the best dystopians ever.

What jobs did you have on your way to becoming a writer/published author? Is there a certain work experience that has shaped your writing?

Nothing writing-related—I’ve worked at fast-food restaurants, gas stations, a movie theatre, at a financial company selling life insurance and saving accounts. In university, I did take Children’s Lit, as well as a Linguistics course. But I really do feel that it’s reading—and tons of it—that forms the strongest foundation for writing. I learned so much (and am still learning), just reading how other authors write.

 If you had to pick a favorite word, what would it be and why?

Well, the word brouhaha just popped into mind, so I’m going with that! I’m from Vancouver and a Canucks fan, and our local sportscaster Don Taylor makes a point to use it whenever he can while covering game highlights. The word has haha built into it—how can it be a bad choice?

My blog is dedicated to my personal hiding spot, books. Who, what, or where can be credited as your personal escape from reality?

Aside from books, I love movies, and watching them in theatres forces me to get away from my laptop. And I’m addicted to tumblr, so I can easily spend hours there.

Find out more about Elsie and her books here! 

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More about Dualed:

In the city of Kersh, everyone must eliminate their genetic Alternate twin, raised by another family, before their twentieth birthday. West Grayer, 15, has trained as a fighter, and has one month to hunt and kill her Alt. A tragic misstep shakes her confidence. Guilty, grieving, she feels unworthy, runs from her Alt and from love - both can destroy her.

Earn extra entries by following the Fall Festival blogs listed here! 

Giveaway

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