Author Interview With Wendy Higgins and Swag Giveaway

What better way to end my weekend long Blogversary celebration than with an interview with the author of my favorite 2012 Debut and a swag giveaway!?
For my one Year Blogversary, I asked Wendy Higgins, author of my favorite 2012 debut if I could interview her and feature Sweet Evil!She said yes! HOORAY! And the she offered to giveaway swag! Sweet Evil SWAG guys!? Who's as excited as I am!? Anyhow, read the interview, enter the Giveaway and leave a comment saying how awesome Sweet Evil was, or just how awesome I AM! Either way! Thank you all for participating and enjoy the interview below.

Author Bio: 

After earning a bachelors in Creative Writing from George Mason University and a masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Radford, Wendy taught high school English until becoming a mommy. Writing Young Adult (YA) stories gives her the opportunity to delve into the ambiguities of those pivotal, daunting, and exciting years before adulthood.

She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, daughter, and son. Sweet Evil is her debut novel.

So, what inspired you to write about Anna and Kaidan? Did it come to you as divine inspiration? :)
It did feel divine at the time, lol! I'd written lots of stories in my life, and started lots of books, but I never felt this strongly about any of them. Writing Anna and Kai's story took over my life. I'm not sure that there was one thing that inspired me. It was really a life's worth of inspiration - as if all the heartbreak, love, friendships, spirituality, and books I'd ever experienced rose up inside me and lent inspiration.

How did you come up with the title? I love it by the way!
The folks at HarperTeen came up with the title, and I love it too! It's an oxymoron - very catchy. My original title(s) were lame! First it was called Angel Prophecy, but the prophecy was taken out, so that wouldn't work. Then I called it Sin Legacy, but the word "sin" in a title would turn people off, so Harper brainstormed on their end and asked me what I thought of Sweet Evil. Love!

What are your writing habits? What are things that make it easier to write?
I have to be alone and snuggly to write, and it has to be quiet. I prefer writing in my bed, propped up against lots of pillows, or on the couch if nobody is home.


What was your initial reaction to finding out about your book being published?
When my editor contacted me for the very first time I had to leave the room I was in with my kids so that I could break down crying and flailing my hands without scaring them to death! I cried ALL DAY and could not stop shaking! I couldn't even make dinner - I had to order pizza, lol.
When you write, what kind of feeling do you get?
I let myself be overwhelmed with the emotions of the characters. My heart completely goes out to them. I will laugh and cry as I'm typing (another reason why it's good that I don't write in public - hello crazy lady!) I get so in to it, that if my husband comes in to interrupt and ask a question, I stare at him and blink for a whole minute while my brain switches gears. He says it's pretty freaky to catch me in the middle of story mode.


Once Sweet Evil is all wrapped up do you think you'll gift us with another book and/or series?
I'm in the middle of revising the sequel, which is under consideration with the publisher (*fingers crossed*) and then I need to write the third book, which is mostly plotted out in my head). I also have another book, which is completely separate from the Sweet Trilogy, and I'm excited to revise it and submit it to my agent. It's a stand alone book set in Ireland (Fae, magic, Leprechauns, love, fun!)

What are some of your favorite reads so far this year?
I've really enjoyed Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock and Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris.

Mexican, Chinese or Italian food?
I love all three of those, but Mexican is my hands-down favorite! (As you'll see from all the Mexifood references in SE, lol)

Any tips for aspiring writers?
Write what's on your heart, not what you think other people want or don't want.
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Happy 1-year Blogoversary, Melina! Thanks so much for having me! :)

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