{Interview and Giveaway} Twisted Tales 1 & 2 by Maureen McGowan

Okay so Im re-posting the interview and giveaway that was sadly deleted with the blogger shananigans, for those who entered the contest I have them saved on the google doc information. If you posted in the comment box, those were sadly lost as well.  You may re-comment to get that extra entry if you'd like or let me know you commented since I know those who alread entered the form. Thanks again everyone!
Enter the Giveaway to win both Cinderella Ninja Warrior and Sleeping Beauty Vampire Slayer in print!


Virtual Author Book Tours : Once again the I had the pleasure of interviewing the very sweet Maureen McGowan interview.

SNR: What made you chose to revamp such popular fairy tales?

MM: I was initially approached by a freelance editor about doing fairy tales with a choose-your-own-adventure element. When I started thinking about how I’d do it, and if I even wanted to, I realized how much fun it would be to update the classic stories (while keeping them in the fantasy realm). My main goal was to make the stories full of adventure with heroines who fight their own battles.

SNR: I really enjoyed being able to choose the path of the lead character. What made you choose to have different ways to read each of the books?

MM: The idea was brought to me, but not the method, so I had some leeway in figuring that out. I think fairy tales inherently promise happy endings, so I didn’t want to have alternate endings. For example, it’s not Cinderella to me if she doesn’t end up with the Prince. I thought about having dead ends; that is, “wrong path, you die”, but ultimately decided against that, too. Every day we’re faced with decisions that don’t have “right” or “wrong” answers. I figured that if my heroine was smart and brave, she could deal with whatever challenges her choices put in the way of her goals.

SNR: I’m really curious on why you made Cinderella a ninja warrior and Sleeping Beauty a vampire slayer? I just loved it!

MM: Thank you. J I wanted Cinderella to be a more active character than the one in the traditional story and I wanted to make her situation dire, but give her the skills to escape the clutches of her evil stepmother on her own. To be honest, the ninja thing started out as an almost joke. To test the editor’s assertion that I’d have creative freedom in writing the stories, I asked her if I could include ninjas. Then, maybe because of my joke, the very first image I thought of when I started planning, was one of ninjas dropping down out of trees to attack Cinderella. I loved the idea and went from there.

With Sleeping Beauty, I came up with the title before I thought about how to write a story that fit it. But I find the original Sleeping Beauty story quite dark and so the leap to vampires didn’t end up seeming that great. As soon as I thought of a curse that would isolate her from her family and make her vulnerable to the vampires, the story started to fall into place.

SNR: What was your favorite experience writing both books?

MM: I really enjoyed writing the action scenes. I love writing about girls who can save themselves.

SNR: Do you have a favorite fairy tale?

MM: If I had to pick one of the traditional tales, I think it would be Beauty and the Beast, but in terms of the Disney adaptations, I really liked Snow White. The dwarves were so cute. Hi ho, hi ho....

SNR: Who are some of your favorite Young Adult Authors?

MM: Right now I’m in love with Carrie Ryan’s Forest of Hands and Teeth series. I just finished the third book, The Dark and Hollow Places, and it was incredibly dark and heartbreaking. I also really admire Suzanne Collins, Becca Fitzpatrick, Diana Peterfreund, Kelley Armstrong and Maggie Stiefvater. On the lighter, funny side, I always enjoy Eileen Cook’s books. She’s hilarious.

SNR: If you could be any one of your characters who would you choose and why?

MM: I think I’d pick Cinderella. She has so much more talent and courage than even she realizes. Once she believes in herself, nothing can stop her. I also admire how positive she is, given her horrible circumstances. From Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer, I think I’d pick Alex, the vampire. He’s knows right from wrong, even when his choices are difficult and I think he’s destined for greatness. I wouldn’t want to be poor Lucette for anything. Imagine having a curse from birth! And her life was so lonely. I feel bad about how I tortured the poor girl. J

SNR: Can you tell us what you are working on next or maybe another Twisted Tales?

MM: I’m working on a darker young adult novel right now, set in a post-apocalyptic world, and another that’s a contemporary set urban fantasy. I hope there will be more Twisted Tales, but there are no confirmed plans, yet.

Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions and I can't wait to see more about your upcoming YA novel J

Thank you for having me!

About Maureen McGowan:

 Maureen has always been making up stories--her mother called it lying, her teachers creative talent--but sidetracked by a persistent practical side, it took her a few years to see the light and channel her energy into writing novels. After pummeling her sensible side into submission, she quit her career in finance and hasn't looked back. 

Aside from books and writing, she's passionate about art, dance, films, fine handcrafted objects and shoes. Maureen (and her shoes) go to a lot of movies in Toronto, Canada.

Maureen McGowen's Website.

NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY!

ONE lucky winner will receive a

One of both Twisted Tales 1 & 2!

Here are the rules and form to enter to win:

Giveaway Ends: May 19th