AUTHOR Interview/Giveaway - Rebecca Rogers!

We are VERY fortunate to have Rebecca Rogers, author of the Silver Moon Series 

and Last Summer here with us today.

Hey Rebecca, it is wonderful to have you here with us today! 

Thank you so much for agreeing to an author interview!

Firstly, after looking around your website (which is awesome, by the way) I see that you went the self-publishing route. How has that been for you?

It’s been great! I was a little apprehensive at first because of the stigma self-publishing receives from the general public, but I think times are changing, and it’s becoming easier for writers to achieve their dreams, especially in the new digital era. I’m glad I took the plunge, because I’ll never have to ask myself, “What if?”

I also see that Last Summer was very different than anything else you have written. Where did you get the idea for this novel?

Originally, Last Summer was going to be a paranormal book in which a girl finds a ghost in an abandoned cottage. Creepy, right? Later, I decided I wanted to branch out from paranormal books and try contemporary. So, instead of finding a ghost, the main character finds a ghost of a boy. I added the drug addiction and homelessness, and voila! The idea for Last Summer was born. :)

Before I read Last Summer, you informed me it is not YA, it is New Adult. What made you want to try out the New Adult genre?

I wanted to see how far I could push the envelope with a book. All of my previously published novels had a minimal amount of language, sex, and violence, but with Last Summer, I didn’t want there to be any boundaries. I knew that if I wrote a book with drug addiction as a main theme, I wanted it to be raw and edgy. Also, considering the ages of the main characters, they were slightly too old for Young Adult, yet too young and less mature for Adult. Thank goodness someone dubbed a genre titled “New Adult”; otherwise, I might still be questioning what genre Last Summer fits into.

Did you have to research much to write about addiction as in depth as you did in Last Summer? That was some pretty heavy stuff!

I did, actually. I’ve only watched a few episodes of Intervention here and there, and I could see how tough it is for someone to give up their addiction. I know it doesn’t happen overnight, but at the same time, I couldn’t pack years worth of addiction into a novel; it would never end! So I lessened the length of time Logan (one of the main characters) actually used drugs, hoping he could hop off that wagon sooner than, say, drug addicts who have been using for years and years. I researched what the symptoms were for withdrawal, but really, it depends on the person, what drug they’re addicted to, and how long they’ve been using their drug of choice as to how severe their symptoms become once they stopped. It was very tricky finding a balance, and I’m sure plenty of people will disagree with the way I wrote it.

I love that on your website, you not only promote yourself, but others as well, but reviewing other books. What are some of your favorites?

Thank you! I love reading; it helps with writing, too. ;)

I’ve read so many great books, it’s tough to choose just a few. Some of the best YA books I’ve enjoyed so far this year are Red Heart Tattooby Lurlene McDaniel, Don't You Wish by Roxanne St. Claire, Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor, and Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley. They’re definitely worth a read.

Continuing on that note, let's hear it! Top three favorite authors, and top three writing inspirations:

Tolkien and Rowling are my top authors. I wish I had the ability to dive into their imaginations for one day, just to see what it’s like to be that gifted. They’re very inspiring, along with authors such as R.L. Stine, Annette Curtis Klause, and Lois Duncan, whose books I read growing up. I think they’re what inspired me to press forward with my writing.

What do you have coming up next? And what is your favorite TYPE of book to write?

I plan on finishing the Silver Moon series. I have the prequel lined up for release in late September, and I plan on releasing the final book the beginning of next year.

My favorite type of book to write would have to be paranormal. I just love dark and eerie books; there’s something otherworldly about them.

If you weren't a writer, Rebecca, what would you be doing?

Probably sitting behind a desk somewhere. I was a legal secretary for six years before I quit to write full-time. It wasn’t a dream job, but it definitely paid the bills. ;)

Any plans you want to tell us about coming up in the next year or so?

I’ll be finishing up the Silver Moon series, and then I’ll start two new series to be released hopefully next year. I have one or two more standalones in mind, as well. :)

When you're not writing, what do you love to do?

Read, read, read, or watch TV. I’m also shamelessly addicted to reality television. Don’t judge! :P

Rebecca, thank you so much for being here today, and also for giving our readers a chance to win LAST SUMMER! You are super awesome and I can't wait to dive into some more of your books! Last Summer was so different, and raw. I just fell in love with it. Despite the heavy subject matter, I thought it was a breath of fresh air from the typical contemporary. (Although those are nice sometimes as well!) I think the New Adult genre is going to begin to explode, I personally love it! Anyway, thank you again and I hope to have you back here soon!

Thank you so much for having me, Cass! :D

Rebecca can be found a few places, find her:

Goodreads | Website/Blog |Twitter | Facebook

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