Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, here's Chelsea...
* How did you come up with idea for the Archers of Avalon series?
The
short answer is Vampire Diaries. The long answer is I was watching Vampire
Diaries with my sister and we were talking about how sad it is to have a love
triangle between two brothers because the brothers love one another and they
love the same girl…it’s tragic. And I started thinking of what another spin you
could do with two brothers who love the same girl, but something less doom and
gloom. Thus was born, my Archers of Avalon series.
*
As an avid archer myself, I loved the fact that twins and Scarlet were into
shooting. Why did you choose that as a pastime?
First
of all, I LOVE THAT YOU’RE AN ARCHER!
Super rad. I chose archery as a pastime because it’s cool! It’s skilled
weapon that requires patience and aim, and lots of experience. I like that. I
thought it was a good weapon for characters who were going to be 500 years old.
It just worked all around.
*
After reading the series, I researched to see if Avalon, Georgia really existed
(and YES! it does! I’m SO going one day.) What made that location ideal for the
series?
It
was sort of an accident. I didn’t know that Avalon, Georgia existed before I
wrote the book. The Ponce De Leon Fountain of Youth story was not actually in
lower Florida, but northern Florida. That’s where his ship landed; just south
of Georgia. So I was thinking, wouldn’t it be neat if the Fountain of Youth was
actually in Georgia and all the history books were totally wrong about this
myth? So I put it in Georgia with these archers and then I wanted a city that
started with an ‘A’ so I chose Avalon. After I wrote the first draft and
discovered there was actually a city called Avalon in Georgia, I figured it was
just fate. It was an accident, but totally fate.
*
The idea behind the curse and the trio’s connection is SO freaking cool and unique.
How did you come up with that, and what inspired you to choose The Fountain of
Youth as a building block?
I
spent months and months of thinking about the story, so the curse was actually
different in my head. But that’s the cool thing about writing. While you’re
writing a story, you’re also re-writing it as more ideas come to you. I wanted
to make sure there was a curse where all three members of it were affected in a
unique way; not something where they all had the same issues. And I wanted it
to be a curse where finding a cure would be critical to the characters’
happiness. So it was just a matter of a lot of time and thought and trial and
error with writing it. I wanted immortality, but not vampires so I decided to
go the Fountain of Youth route and explore that. If we could live forever, would
that be a good thing or kind of a curse? That’s the question theme in my
Archers of Avalon books.
*
I absolutely adore your characters!!! Were any of them based on
yourself/preferences or people you know?
Oh,
that’s a really good question! No. Scarlet is definitely not based on me. You
and I have met in person so you know that I’m not very awesome and cool and
strong and sassy like Scarlet. Haha. I’m much more like Heather. I think
Scarlet is based on who I wish I
could be, with lots of strength and attitude. I based Tristan a little bit on
my husband who has this very dark and sacrificial side to him in a really
beautiful way. And Gabriel…I don’t know. I think I just created a character who
would be the opposite of Tristan: a little more selfish and happy and carefree.
*
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
I’m
a pantser! That’s why it takes me forever to write books, haha. I try to plot,
but I can’t seem to follow my own rules. It’s just all bad. Haha.
*
What inspires you?
Music.
I know there are a lot of other things that inspire me, but music is by far
number one. I created the whole first book, Anew,
by listening to “Cosmic Love” by Florence
and the Machine. I put that song on repeat for three days and mapped out
the whole book in my head.
*
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I
really like painting and drawing and playing the piano and singing…anything
artistic, really. I find art and music really calming and soothing. But I also enjoy
watching teenage drama on television. Like, a lot. Haha.
*
What awesomeness can we expect from you in the future?
My
New Adult series is coming out this year and I’m really excited about it! New
Adult is like Young Adult with a little bit of an edge, and a few more
consequences. This is a contemporary series, though, so there’s no Fountain of
Youth and no curses or anything like that. Just plain old realistic love and
drama. But it’s a sweet series and the first book, Best Kind Of Broken is really special to me, so I’m thrilled to
release it this March. J
Rapid
Fire:
*
What 3 things would you take to live on Isle Chelsea:
Um, this question is awesome. A toothbrush! I
would totally take my toothbrush! I’m obsessed with clean teeth. And maybe The Count of Monte Cristo, my
favorite book of all time. And my husband. I would take my husband because he’s
my best friend and, really, you can endure anything if you have your best
friend with you. ;)
*
Favorite book character:
Will Herondale from Cassandra Clare’s Infernal Devices. He’s my very favorite.
He reminds me a lot of Tristan, but he’s a bit more tortured, darker. He’s so
broken and he’s such a mess. I just want to mop him up and make out with him. Haha.
*
Best YA read this year:
I read The
Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle and it was probably one of the
most moving books I have ever encountered. It was beautiful and broke my heart.
Wonderful.
*
Top 5 favorite authors:
Veronica Roth
Frankie Rose
Abbi Glines
J.K. Rowling.
*
You life’s theme song:
“Heartlines” by Florence and the Machine.
HUGE thanks to Chelsea Fine for the interview!
Check out her books on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and
everywhere books are sold.
 |
| This captures Chelsea perfectly...happy and with *sparkling* teeth! |
You can find more on Chelsea and her books here:
Archers of Avalon: http://www.thearchersofavalon.com/
Chelsea's Website: http://chelseafinebooks.com/
Twitter: @ChelseaFine
