Today I'm delighted to introduce Lisa M. Stasse, whose debut novel THE FORSAKEN launched in August. Lisa is a digital librarian at UCLA, and as you'll see she has more novels in store, which is a lucky thing for the fans of her face-paced, exciting stories. Here's Lisa:
Congratulations on the publication of your novel THE
FORSAKEN. It’s quite an exciting ride! Please give readers a quick synopsis.
THE FORSAKEN is about a girl
named Alenna Shawcross living in a dystopian future, in which the United
States, Mexico and Canada have merged. A government test is administered to all
16 year olds, and it claims to diagnose hidden violent and subversive
tendencies. Even though Alenna has done nothing wrong, she fails the test and
is sent to a terrifying prison island called "The Wheel" in which
various tribes of kids battle with each other. She has to learn how to forge
alliances, make friends, fight the government machines that control the island,
and try to find a way to escape. Along the way she learns some surprising things
about her government, her new friends, and her own identity as well.
Your concept is intriguing. What was your inspiration?
The general concept actually
came from a nightmare I had, in which men in robes were chasing me with knives
on a prison island. When I woke up, I instantly realized it was a good scene
for a book or a movie. At the same time, a friend's sister was worried about
taking the SATs. So the idea of a violent island and the SATs merged in my mind
for some reason. I started to imagine what it would be like if there were a
standardized government test that if you failed, you got banished from society
and sent to an island to fight other kids. I suppose it's a bit like Lord of
the Flies or Lost or The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner, but with a few new
twists. Those were definitely the kinds of books that influenced my writing.
You have a clear set-up for a sequel. Is one (or more) in the
works? Can you give us a hint about it if so?
I actually finished the
sequel, titled THE UPRISING, right as THE FORSAKEN was released! It's coming
out next summer, but there should be plenty of ARCs available before then. I'm
already working on Book 3. It doesn't have a title yet, so I need to think of
something good pretty fast!
There are many double-crosses and character surprises here
but it all makes sense in retrospect. Was that tough to pull off? Do you have
any tricks you use while developing/plotting?
I plotted THE FORSAKEN fairly
well in advance, on pieces of paper that I taped to the wall. I was really
excited about the biggest twist (the "unmasking" scene near the end)
so I wanted to make sure I had everything planned out. I love mysteries and
thrillers, and it's really fun trying to come up with ways to surprise and
entertain readers. At the same time, I didn't plan out everything, because I
wanted to give myself some freedom and room to breathe while I was writing. I
feel like a good balance is important. THE UPRISING has even more twists and
turns, and some shocking betrayals as well.
On a different note, what was it like for you shifting from
your role as a librarian to your role as author?
It's been a lot of fun so
far! I love being a librarian and I love writing. Maybe I'm just addicted to
being around books! :) Right now I'm doing both, and it's a blast. I suppose
I've always been writing. Having a book published was a goal of mine since I
was in high school. I started writing a few things before THE FORSAKEN (books
and screenplays), but never finished them.
Can you tell us about your road to publication?
I managed to find a fantastic
agent, Mollie Glick at Foundry Literary + Media, who really took me under her
wing. She was one of the first agents I contacted, and luckily, she really
loved the book. She gave me some great notes and advice, and had me do a few
revisions, and then Simon & Schuster purchased the trilogy in a preemptive
deal. It's been a very exciting journey, and I feel incredibly lucky to get the
opportunity to write books. I just hope they sell well enough that I can keep
writing. I already have a concept plotted out for my next trilogy, if it ever
happens!
Where can readers learn more about you and your books?
Here are all my links! I'm
usually on twitter the most, so readers can find me there anytime. Thank you so
much for having me on your blog!
Official Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtIwks26SZU
Twitter: www.twitter.com/lisamstasse
Website: www.lisamstasse.com
Forsaken Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Forsaken/214975938584901?ref=hl
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