Interview & Giveaway with Sarah Beth Durst

1. When did you first start writing, and was there something in particular that inspired you?

I started writing in fifth grade. My very first story was a cross between Wizard of Oz and G.I. Joe. Everyone had magic powers and pet talking lions.

I was inspired by the books that enchanted me, such as Susan Cooper's The Dark Is Rising series and Diana Wynne Jones's Crestomanci books. I wanted to be part of creating that kind of enchantment.

2. What first attracted you to your genre when it comes to writing?

I was the kid who always checked the closet for an entrance to Narnia, who always put "magic wand" on her birthday list, and who desperately wanted to find a dragon's egg in her back yard. So fantasy was always a natural fit for me. I love how, when you finish reading a fantasy novel, the world feels a little more special, a little more magical, a little more full of wonder.

3. In regards to your own characters, who is your favorite and why?

Can I pick two? Pearl (my vampire girl from DRINK, SLAY, LOVE) was the most fun to write. She's fierce, funny, and evil. Liyana (from VESSEL) is the one I most admire. She loses her destiny and has to figure out what to do next.

4. What other genres (besides your own) do you enjoy reading?

My first love is fantasy. I also love science fiction. And I love explorer memoirs, such as Walking the Gobi by Helen Thayer and Walking on Thin Ice by David Hempleman-Adams.

5. If you could not be a writer, what would you be?

Wonder Woman. Or a unicorn princess. Seriously, I've only ever wanted to be a writer.

6. As a reader I know how difficult it can be to name a ‘favorite’ book, would you mind listing your top three? (Past or present authors)

Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce
The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley
Deep Wizardry by Diane Duane

7. What are some must haves when you sit down to write?

My computer and two free hands. But one hand works too. And I suppose I could write with paper and pen, though I vastly prefer to type. In general, the more I let go of my "must haves," the more writing I get done.

8. If you became trapped as a character in a book or series, which would you choose and why? (Any book, any series, new or old)

If I were stuck in most of the novels that I love, I'd probably be eaten by a wolf, eviscerated by an evil knight, or incinerated by a dragon within the first five pages. So I think I'd rather stay in my real life, at least until I develop a few magic powers.

Thanks so much for interviewing me!

About the Author:

Sarah Beth Durst is the author of young adult novels Vessel, Drink, Slay, Love, Enchanted Ivy, and Ice, as well as middle grade novels Into the Wild and Out of the Wild. She has twice been a finalist for SFWA's Andre Norton Award, for both Ice and Into the Wild. Sarah lives in Stony Brook, New York, with her husband and children.

Find Sarah:

Website | Twitter | Facebook

Sarah's Newest Release:

Vessel

Liyana has trained her entire life to be the vessel of a goddess. The goddess will inhabit Liyana's body and use magic to bring rain to the desert. But Liyana's goddess never comes. Abandoned by her angry tribe, Liyana expects to die in the desert. Until a boy walks out of the dust in search of her.

Korbyn is a god inside his vessel, and a trickster god at that. He tells Liyana that five other gods are missing, and they set off across the desert in search of the other vessels. For the desert tribes cannot survive without the magic of their gods. But the journey is dangerous, even with a god's help. And not everyone is willing to believe the trickster god's tale.

The closer she grows to Korbyn, the less Liyana wants to disappear to make way for her goddess. But she has no choice: She must die for her tribe to live. Unless a trickster god can help her to trick fate -- or a human girl can muster some magic of her own.

Giveaway:

A signed copy of Vessel for one lucky winner!

Rules for entry:
- Giveaway ends September 22, 2012 12AM EST.
- Open to Canadian and US addresses ONLY.
- Leave a thoughtful comment and fill out the FORM below. Entries in the comment section will not be counted.