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Monday, September 17, 2012

Interview with Kat Rosenfield + Giveaway

So I got to interview the extremely talented Kat Rosenfield, author of Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone, which is definitely one of my 2012 favorites so far. Read on to find out more about Kat and her novel... like her favorite word, her hiding spot (it's a favorite of mine too!), and her myriad of past jobs!
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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? 
With the possible exception of Amelia, I can't think of a character who didn't give me trouble (and that's probably just because she was already dead when the story began and it's hard for a corpse to misbehave). It was bound to happen -- I knew I was going to write a story about decent people doing terrible things, that's one of the central themes in the novel— but it was really difficult to actually bring the characters to a crossroads and then watch them make the worst decision available. I had to struggle against the urge to have them redeem themselves. 
Has the title changed or stayed relatively the same as your novel journeyed towards publication? 
It hasn't changed at all, which is especially weird because I'd procrastinated on choosing a title for ages, and I didn't feel strongly about this one at all. I just picked it as a placeholder until it came time to choose the "real" title. (I actually thought I was being smart by not getting too attached to it, since the author often doesn't get final say on this stuff.) The fact that it stuck all the way through to publication was totally unexpected. 
What book or author has most influenced you as a writer or in general? 
Haha, you might as well ask me to name the one thing I've ever eaten that's most influenced me as a writer. Different tastes fill different needs; different books hit different notes. There are authors whose language I adore, authors whose plotlines I envy, even authors I can't stand and use as an example of what I don't want to do — but there's not really one I can point to and say, "That guy! He's EVERYTHING." 
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? 
I've had many, many jobs — waitress, receptionist, artist's model, substitute teacher, janitor, nanny, publicist, copywriter... I even once worked as the dessert girl at a high-end Chinese restaurant. (In related news, my work history makes me look like an actual crazy person.) Having done so many different things has definitely helped with the "write what you know" bit, and certain settings or characters or experiences have found their way into my work for sure. The restaurant setting where Becca (the protagonist) works, for instance, is based on a real place in my hometown where I waited tables during the summer. 
If you had to pick a favorite word, what would it be and why? 
LUGUBRIOUS. It's such a nice, chewy word... even if I know, intellectually, that it doesn't actually have anything to do with goo. 
My blog is dedicated to my personal hiding spot, books. Who, what, or where can be credited as your personal escape from reality? 
Ordinarily I'd have said "books", but since that's your hiding spot, I guess I'll have to go with my backup escape: binge-watching Downton Abbey on Netflix Instant.
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More about Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone:

Becca has always longed to break free from her small, backwater hometown. But the discovery of an unidentified dead girl on the side of a dirt road sends the town--and Becca--into a tailspin. Unable to make sense of the violence of the outside world creeping into her backyard, Becca finds herself retreating inward, paralyzed from moving forward for the first time in her life.  Short chapters detailing the last days of Amelia Anne Richardson's life are intercut with Becca's own summer as the parallel stories of two young women struggling with self-identity and relationships on the edge twist the reader closer and closer to the truth about Amelia's death.
Check out my review here.
*Please note that the giveaway on the review is now closed. The giveaway below is new and for a finished copy! :)

Win a copy!
a Rafflecopter giveaway



14 comments:

  1. I love the title. It's one of my favorites of the year. Glad it made it through to publication.

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  2. Really awesome interview! I like that word LUGUBRIOUS..interesting lol..This book needs to be in my hands

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  3. I also really like the title and am glad it stayed. It is pretty memorable.

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  4. I think it's really interesting to hear about how authors use bits of their real life experiences in their books. It makes total sense.

    And I love Downton! I'm so excited for the new season!

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  6. It was so interesting hearing the author's perspective on her own novel! I love the title, it's very simple and memorable, and I'm glad it stuck. I'm really looking forward to reading this book.

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  7. Thank you for the interview and giveaway! Love the title (and love Downton Abbey :)).

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  8. LUGUBRIOUS. i like that! now i gotta look it up and see what it mean.

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  9. I'm glad to see another having a whole bunch of jobs starting out! Thanks for the interview and giveaway!

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  10. I've heard amazing things about this book, and I can't wait to read!!! I like how kat refused to commit to a favorite author, citing that the person at the time fills her needs. Well said:)

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  11. I have heard so many people talking about Downton Abbey, I can't be left out of the loop any longer... I must watch it!

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  12. I really enjoyed the interview and your review. This book sounds amazing, and I love that it's a murder mystery. It has a very cool cover. Thanks for having this giveaway.

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

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  13. Lovely interview. I actually love the title of this book and the book and the cover! This book is pure gold. Great interview questions (and answers)!

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  14. Aw, Kat is adorable! I've had my eye on Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone for awhile and I'm looking forward to getting my hands on a copy. The title, the blurb, the cover, the rave reviews - everything draws me in and this interview only makes me more anxios to read it. Yay, another Downton Abbey fan! :D

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Make sure you whisper, I'm hiding!