Wendy Higgins Author Interview ~ JeanBookNerd

Book Nerd Interview

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.

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Was there a defining moment during your youth when you realized you wanted to be a writer?

Truthfully I always loved writing, but I never thought it was something I could do for a living. It was the unattainable dream. When I was five I wrote a book, drew the illustrations, stapled the pages together, made several copies, and sold it to neighbors for $5 each! LOL - my mom made me return the money, but one woman refused to take it. She said she wanted to be able to say she’d bought my first book someday when I was an author. That memory always stayed with me.

Why is storytelling so important for all of us?

Imagination is vital to life, not just childhood. Life can be harsh, and we need to be able to escape and find comfort. Stories are so much more than entertainment. They can be therapeutic and thought-provoking.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received from another author?

Don’t read reviews.

In your new book; Sweet Evil, can you tell my Book Nerd community a little about it and why they should read your novel?

It’s a love story, ultimately, so I’d recommend it to people who enjoy steamy scenes and romances. It’s about the children of demons, and how they’re supposed to chose hate over love.

What part of Anna did you enjoy writing the most?

I enjoyed the journey of her self-discovery, and the fact that while she can’t physically kick-butt, she’s very strong at heart.

For those who are unfamiliar with Kaidan, how would you introduce him?

He’s the boy your daddy warned you about. He’s a drummer, he’s English, and it’s literally his job to be sexy.

What are some of your current and future projects that you can share with us?

I’m all over the place right now! I just finished the sequel to Sweet Evil, and I’m awaiting some feedback before I start the third and final book. I plan to embark on a revision soon of an Irish folktale novel I wrote last year. And I just started my first adult romance...but I’m not sure what will come of it, lol.

If you could introduce Anna to any character from another book, who would it be and why?

I think Anna could be great friends with Lissa from Vampire Academy. They’re both so sweet.

When asked, what’s the one question you always answer with a lie?

I tend to always say “fine” when asked how I’m doing, even when I’m not so fine, but in general I’m not much of a liar.

What’s the best advice you can give writers to help them develop their own unique voice and style?

Write what’s on your heart. Don’t write what you think someone wants, and don’t hold back. It’s great to be inspired by others, but don’t copy. Every writer is different, and that’s how it should be.

Who is the first person you call when you have a bad day?

My husband. Or I’ll email my best writer friend, Kelley Vitollo (aka Nyrae Dawn is her YA name)

What's the worst summer job you've ever had?

I worked three days at a national park when I was 15 with this really creepy boss who made me scrub toilets and a corroded bbq grill without gloves.

Who was your first boyfriend?

My first real boyfriend was a guy named Chea (pronounced Shay) when it was 15/16-years-old. He was a bad boy from our rival high school, and we were together 15 months until I found out he’d been cheating. A lot. We’re friends on facebook now, and that boy still does not have his act together, lol.

When was the last time you cried?

Last night while finishing the book Pushing the Limits. *sniff, sniff*

What is the one, single food that you would never give up?

Coffee with coconut creamer. Wait...is that considered a food? :-)

Where can readers stalk you?

Twitter, Facebook (I have an author account, and a Sweet Evil fan page), Pinterest, my website/blog

Embrace the Forbidden

What if there were teens whose lives literally depended on being bad influences?

This is the reality for sons and daughters of fallen angels.

Tenderhearted Southern girl Anna Whitt was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She's aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but Anna, the ultimate good girl, has always had the advantage of her angel side to balance the darkness within. It isn't until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage and her willpower is put to the test. He's the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.

Forced to face her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns?

Wendy Higgin’s debut novel, Sweet Evil, is an insanely unique approach on angels and demons. This new direction gives the genre a new light and it was a nice change-up. Although the main character, Anna, is your typical good girl, she is the descendant of a demon. She’s always felt different as she has the ability to see other people’s emotions and feelings. She has never told anyone about her abilities, not even her best friend or adoptive mother. She keeps this up until she meets the very mysterious Kaiden, whose aura she sees is quite strange. Through their meeting, Anna will learn where her powers came from and her true purpose.

The premise that Wendy has delivered is absolutely enthralling. After a few chapters of stepping inside this amazing world, I was totally captured by its unique take on the angels and demons theme. Wendy’s writing style is amazingly laced with descriptive texts that readers will feel Anna’s every emotions. The writing is appealing and delivers reactions well. The story has a steady pace with twists and turns that will take readers by surprise. Wendy Higgin’s debut novel, Sweet Evil, is starting to be one hell of an epic story. Make sure to grow out your fingernails because you will need them to bite as you turn each nerve-racking page.

You can purchase Sweet Evil at the following Retailers: