My first introduction to Courtney Summers occurred inside my local Barnes & Noble bookstore. I saw the cover of her debut novel, CRACKED UP TO BE, which featured a headless teen girl stretched out on a bench with a soccer field behind her. I was curious. Why is that girl missing her head? Does she play soccer? Is she thinking about playing soccer? Does she dream about a world without soccer?
Curious, I picked up a copy and read the first chapter. I was then introduced to Parker Fadley, a girl who was smart, sarcastically hilarious, and didn’t take crap from anybody. But what really got me was the writing. As a reader, I clicked with the no-marshmallow, to-the-point, no-apologies way Ms. Summers writes. It was refreshing and made me a fan right then and there. Although, I did find out that CRACKED UP TO BE has nothing to do with soccer.
Since then, Courtney has written three young adult novels, SOME GIRLS ARE, FALL FOR ANYTHING, and her new book coming out on Tuesday, June 19th…
Here’s a description from Ms. Summers’ website:
It’s the end of the world. Six students have taken cover in Cortege High but shelter is little comfort when the dead outside won’t stop pounding on the doors. One bite is all it takes to kill a person and bring them back as a monstrous version of their former self. To Sloane Price, that doesn’t sound so bad. Six months ago, her world collapsed and since then, she’s failed to find a reason to keep going. Now seems like the perfect time to give up.
As Sloane eagerly waits for the barricades to fall, she’s forced to witness the apocalypse through the eyes of five people who actually want to live. But as the days crawl by, everyone’s motivations to survive begin to change in startling ways and soon the group’s fate is determined less and less by what’s happening outside and more and more by the unpredictable and violent bids for life–and death–inside. When everything is gone, what do you hold on to?
I’ve already had the pleasure of reading this book and you can read that review here. (without spoilers) But basically…I LOVED IT!
I asked Courtney if she would stop by my website and answer a few questions about her writing, her books, and about THIS IS NOT A TEST. I was floored when she said yes. And I was humbled when she offered to send a free copy of THIS IS NOT A TEST to one lucky person for a giveaway! So keep reading for your chance to win!
Let’s get started…
Instead of going for the standard, survivalist-type horror heroine, you went the opposite way with Sloane. In the book, she starts off as a character who really wants to die. How did you come up with that choice? Was it the way you always envisioned Sloane or did her character change as you were writing the book?
I thought about how I’d (honestly) react during a zombie apocalypse. I like to think I’d be totally awesome at it but if I lost everyone that mattered to me, I’m not so sure I’d want to keep going. I always envisioned Sloane as girl who didn’t want to survive. How much she wanted to die became more pronounced from the first to second draft, but the core of her character, her motivations, remained the same.
One central element of this book is how the characters relate to each other and how that shifts throughout the story. My favorite relationship is between the twins Trace and Grace. Why did you pick a set of twins?
Thank you! I think of Trace and Grace as the characters the other characters want to be. Everyone in THIS IS NOT A TEST is aching for their family and those two represent what the others have lost. I thought having siblings would emphasize this void and I chose twins because I felt that would also intensify it.
What is your favorite horror film? And why?
I love Kairo (Pulse). It’s J-horror and it’s brilliant. I didn’t like it the first time I saw it but I made myself watch it again and it blew me away. The pacing is very slow, but it’s incredibly atmospheric and so lonely. It’s about ghosts and they’re taking over the living world through technology, forcing those who come in contact with them to commit suicide. It’s chilling.
Why do you like to write young adult fiction? What is it about the genre that appeals to you?
I love writing YA fiction because the stories demand an immediacy and intensity that is so fun to explore. I also love writing YA because I love reading it. So many YA books out today are fresh and exciting. I also adore the community–it’s so supportive and enthusiastic.
When faced with a new book, what’s your writing process?
My process is all over the place, to be honest! It really depends on the book. I could outline, I could just dive right in. I never know. THIS IS NOT A TEST was outlined extensively twice, for example. The book I’m working on now has been outlined more than that. Right now it looks like I settle into a new book with outlining, but Book 6 could change that up!
Who is your favorite fictional heroine and why?
That’s so hard to pick! I adore Luna Lovegood. She operates on this whole other level and nothing seems to touch her. I love every female protagonist Melina Marchetta has written because they’re always so honest and realistic. Andrea from Blake Nelson’s Girl has an incredible voice and is so likeable and wonderfully flawed. I’d read any book she narrated.
You write very compelling female heroines. Sloane in THIS IS NOT A TEST. Eddie in FALL FOR ANYTHING. Regina in SOME GIRLS ARE. Parker in CRACKED UP TO BE. Of these four fictional characters, which one is the closest to the real Courtney Summers?
Thank you! I don’t think any of them are by the time I’m finished a book, to be honest! I relate to some of my female leads more than others, but all of them are pretty far away from the type of person I am… I think. 😉
You can tell this next question is a bit…leading. But, if you were given a choice between an all-expenses-paid trip to Las Vegas or one to Volcano National Park in Hawaii…which one would you choose and why?
Hah! WELL. Volcano National Park all the way! Best ever.
What projects are you working on now?
I’m wrapping up the first draft of my fifth book, ALL THE RAGE, which is due out in 2013. It’s about a girl who blackmails a rich classmate and then wakes up on a dirt road with no memory of the night before.
To wrap things up, I would like to borrow five quick questions from the great James Lipton, host of Inside The Actor’s Studio. Here we go.
Now, Courtney…
What is your favorite word?
Fisticuffs!
What is your least favorite word?
Lolling.
What turns you on creatively, spiritually, or emotionally?
Fearlessness.
What sound or noise do you love?
Thunderstorms.
What sound or noise do you hate?
Snoring!
And we will leave on that noisy note. Courtney, thank you so much for stopping by!
Thanks for having me on your blog, Doug!
Courtney has allowed me the honor of giving away one copy of THIS IS NOT A TEST to one lucky reader!
To enter, all you need to do is leave one comment on this post by Midnight (CST) on June 16, 2012. I will announce the winner on June 19, 2012. Please list your e-mail on your comment so I can contact you if you win. Don’t worry, I will not use your e-mail for any other purpose.
You can only enter once. UNLESS…you mention this interview on Twitter or your blog and I’ll give you one extra entry! BUT please let me know you did this by either adding my twitter name (@DougSolter) to your tweet. Or put a link to your blog post inside your comment to get credit.
This giveaway is for US/Canada entries only. Sorry.
Good luck!
I hate the sound of snoring so much too! I’m super excited for Courtney’s new book! I enjoyed reading her interview here too! 😉
Hi there :3 I retweeeted your tweet about the interview (@FlyleafGal) and I’d love to win a copy of This Is Not A Test! I’m a huge Courtney Summers fan!
What a great interview! One of my Best Blogger Friends (BBF) just finished This Is Not a Test and absolutely raved about it! Now I can’t wait to read it 🙂 Thank you for the opportunity to win!
Fisticuffs FTW!
BlookGirl(@)gmail(dot)com
Fisticuffs is a fantastic word, one of my favorites, as well! Super excited to read THIS IS NOT A TEST. Great interview!
I’ve heard so much about This Is Not a Test, meaning I need to read it. email: katnequette(at)hotmail(dot)com
Awesome interview! Courteney Summers is one of my favorite authors. All of her books are mind-blowing and amazingly written. They’re unforgettable. I can’t wait to read “This Is Not A Test”!
Gah, I misspelled her name. I suck. I’m sorry, Courtney!
Thanks for having a giveaway for Courtney’s book! lovemibooks AT aol DOT com
I tweeted you @candyco01 🙂
Great interview! I just picked up ‘Cracked Up To Be’ and can’t wait to start reading it. I’ve heard wonderful things about ‘This is Not a Test,’ too … fingers crossed!
Great Interview!!! I can’t wait to get my hands on This is not a Test!!!!
Awesome interview! And great review of the book. This is Not a Test is definitely a book I want to read during the summer. I love zombies 🙂
Awesome! I love all of Melina Marchetta’s female characters too!! 😀
Thanks for the giveaway!
Tweet: https://twitter.com/woven_/status/210486674831060992
naruto_and_hinata(at)hotmail(dot)com
Heehee, this interview was really cool! ❤
I’m so excited about this book! Thanks for the giveaway! I tweeted about the interview:
aldiss87[at]gmail[dot]com
Love thunderstorms!
This is a great interview, and I’m a fan of all your books, Courtney. Cracked Up to Be is my favorite so far. I can’t wait to read This is Not a Test, and looking forward to the fifth one. It sounds awesome. 🙂 Good luck and much future success!
that was a great interview. I am so excited about this one…I love me some zombies!! and now I am looking forward to ALL THE RAGE. twimom101(@)yahoo(.)com
oh and I tweeted too!
so excited about your new book!
Great post! I love the sound of thunderstorms too but my boyfriend has absolutely hated it ever since he was a child. Some sort of trauma, I suppose. 😛 Can’t wait to read This Is Not a Test!
Tweet- https://twitter.com/ohaiitschey/status/210497346474229761
I love all of Courtney’s books, especially Fall for Anything, they’re just so raw…they don’t hold anything back, and I really love it. I can’t wait for this is not a test, and this interview is getting me even more excited for it! (but come on, lolling can’t be considered a word. my respect for our language would seriously fall because of that.)
Cate (razzberripop@aim.com)
Fisticuffs!!! Ha! I love it! And I have had my eye on this book for quite a while! Can’t wait to read it!
Ugh, lolling is a terrible word, I agree!
Loved the interview! You asked perfect questions and I must be a hardcore Courtney stalker because I could guess most of her answers before reading them, haha. The only thing I didn’t know was that she loves Melina Marchetta’s protags, though it makes sense because if Courtney’s books are this amazing she obviously has great taste too 😉
Oh and I’m thrilled she’s already thinking about book 6, her books are an addiction to me.
Tweeted!
Great interview! I really can’t wait to read This Is Not a Test (and a few of your other works!) Good luck with book 6 😀
thriftshopgrrl AT hotmail DOT com
Courtney summers = epic canadian writer:) Luna Lovegood is one of my favourite heroines too, her quirkyness is funny and endearing.
I forgot to rite my email:aleesha48@hotmail.com
Great interview! Thanks for the introduction to Courtney Summers!
awesome interview!
I LOVE Courtney’s books. She’s an amazing writer. I can’t wait for THIS IS NOT A TEST! Great interview ;o) I hate snoring too, sadly I have to hear it more than I want. LOL.
Wonderful interview! I absolutely love all her books, she’s one of my favorite authors!!
I’ve been looking forward to reading This Is Not A Test for a long time. Thanks for the interview! My email is mehlane@gmail.com, plus I tweeted about the giveaway (@MelissaHurst_).
Courtney’s writing is so great. I’m glad I’m not the only one who noticed! Thanks for the giveaway and what a great interview! (I hate snoring, too, Courtney!)
I tweeted about the giveaway: https://twitter.com/theladyreads/status/211978818372644864
My email is emilykaiser24(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
I can’t wait for the release!
I have been wanting to read this since I saw it on a WoW post. I’ve heard SOOOOO many great things about it. This is by far the most anticipated reads for me for 2012! I love thunderstorms, they are so peaceful and snoring does suck! Thank you for the chance at winning a copy! Here is my link for the tweet I sent – https://twitter.com/deviantzangel/status/211989530599882752 and here is my email deviantzangel at gmail dot com
What a great interview!!! Favorite word Fisticuffs, had me rolling LOL. I’m still not sure what it means. Thank you, Doug for this awesome giveaway!! I have read a lot of reviews and I really want to win [or buy] this! Thanks for the opportunity =]
I tweeted:
mgutierrez254@yahoo.com
Thank you so much for this giveaway! I love Courtney Summers, and I’m really excited about This is Not a Test.
I’d love to enter!
infalliblyyours(at)gmail(dot)com
I also tweeted here:
I have been dying to read This is Not a Test for so long!! Thank you for this giveaway!!
ajiehuang1997 (at) gmail (dot) com
I keep hearing a lot about this book! And a lot of the reviews are positive! I hope I like it once I get a chance to receive it!
(Hopefully during this giveaway ;).)
chihuahua [at] gmail {dot} com
Oops! It’s actually chihuahuazero [at] gmail [dot] com!