Author Teresa Lo has been kind enough to drop by the blog to be interviewed! Please stay tuned for our upcoming review of her new book, Hell's Game. I learned we share a favorite book (Bridge to Terabaithia), which immediately endeared her to me.
I know, you don't want to go through my babbling, so let's jump to the questions!
What influences your story lines and settings?
The Midwest greatly influences my stories and settings because I grew up in a small town in Kansas. I like to write about real people, about what makes them happy and sad, and about what makes them afraid. When I write horror, I try to avoid cheap thrills, but instead, I think about what I’m the most afraid of, such as losing a loved one or getting injured, and I try to bring that out through characters that a lot of people have met in their lives.
The Midwest greatly influences my stories and settings because I grew up in a small town in Kansas. I like to write about real people, about what makes them happy and sad, and about what makes them afraid. When I write horror, I try to avoid cheap thrills, but instead, I think about what I’m the most afraid of, such as losing a loved one or getting injured, and I try to bring that out through characters that a lot of people have met in their lives.
Do you prefer to outline extensively, or are you a more organic writer (a pantser)?
I attended the USC School of Cinematic Arts to study screenwriting. With screenwriting, I learned how to write complete stories by starting with an outline, and from that outline, I can figure out if my plot is working and where to move beats to create the tightest story possible. Since screenwriting is an art that has been ingrained within me, I use the same method with my prose. When I wrote Hell’s Game, outlining really came in handy because the story is heavily reliant on plot and the twists of the game.
I attended the USC School of Cinematic Arts to study screenwriting. With screenwriting, I learned how to write complete stories by starting with an outline, and from that outline, I can figure out if my plot is working and where to move beats to create the tightest story possible. Since screenwriting is an art that has been ingrained within me, I use the same method with my prose. When I wrote Hell’s Game, outlining really came in handy because the story is heavily reliant on plot and the twists of the game.
What was your favorite book as a child, and what do you enjoy reading now?
When I was a child, my favorite books were A Bridge to Terabithia and The Westing Game. Bridge was very dark, and I remember having an emotional connection to tomboy Leslie and feeling very sad with what happened to her. The Westing Game was another favorite, and it also featured a very strong, young female character. I loved how spunky Turtle Wexler was, and the mystery elements and interwoven storylines were wonderfully done. As an adult, I still find myself being drawn to dark stories and stories with a lot of surprises.
Have you always wanted to be an author?
I wanted to be an author since I was a teenager. I wrote books in high school, and I remember how I would query agents and publishers only to face rejection after rejection. It was really disheartening, but I’m glad that I never gave up writing!
If you could choose any book to step into, what would it be? Why?
I definitely would not want to be in my own book, Hell’s Game,
because I wouldn’t survive! If I could step into any book, I’d pick a
world that stimulated me mentally but posed no true physical danger (see
question one: I’m terrified of injury!) That’s why I’d like to be a
character in The Westing Game.
I’d like to solve an intricate puzzle with a large group of quirky
characters, and all the good people in the book had a happy ending.
Are you intrigued? Find out more about Ms. Lo at her website: http://www.tloclub.com/The_official_Teresa_Lo_website/Home.html
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