Andrea Cremer Author Interview ~ JeanBookNerd

Photo Content from Andrea Cremer

Andrea Cremer spent her childhood daydreaming and roaming the forests and lakeshores of Northern Wisconsin. She now lives in Minnesota, but she thinks of her homeland as the “Canadian Shield” rather than the Midwest.

Andrea has always loved writing and has never stopped writing, but she only recently plunged into the deep end of the pool that is professional writing. When she’s not writing, Andrea teaches history at a very nice liberal arts college in St. Paul.

In the little spare time she can find, Andrea stares up at trees, rescues infant rabbits from predatory cats, and invents names for pug puppies with her husband. She has an unfortunate tendency to spill things – white carpets beware!

Her debut novel, NIGHTSHADE, the first of a YA fantasy series, will be published in fall 2010 by Penguin (Philomel).

What’s one thing that readers would be surprised to find out about you?
When readers meet me on tour I'm really outgoing and energetic, so even people who know me pretty well are surprised that I'm an introvert. Being introverted doesn't mean being shy - it means that I need lots and lots of solitary time to recharge.

What was the greatest thing you learned at school?
How much I love learning and that learning is a lifelong endeavor.

Beyond your own work (of course), what is your all-time favorite book and why? And what is your favorite book outside of your genre?
Watership Down by Richard Adams. Outside of my genre, The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received from another author?
Neil Gaiman recently posted on Twitter (and I'm paraphrasing here) - The difference between an author and an aspiring author is writing the book. Everyone has ideas for a book, authors take the time to write the book.

In your new book; RISE, can you tell my Book Nerd community a little about it?
RISE continues the origin story of the Witches War and follows Ember as she learns more about the rising dark powers in her world and is faced with difficult choices about love, loyalty, and family.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating Ember?
For such a young woman, Ember is remarkably confident and rarely cowed by authority. Her tenacity and courage impressed me.

For those who are unfamiliar with Barrow, how would you introduce him?
Barrow is seven years older than Ember and he's the first romantic lead I've written that falls into the 'strong, silent type' mold. Barrow of course has his quirks, but I usually go for more roguish male leads and so I was surprised at how much he charmed me.

Do you have a favorite quote that you keep visible in your work environment to help inspire you?
"There are years that ask questions and years that answer." Zora Neale Hurston.

If you could introduce one of your characters to any character from another book, who would it be and why?
I would like Adne to meet Ember so that they both could see the long reach of the Witches War through history.

What’s the best advice you can give writers to help them develop their own unique voice and style?
To remember that every writer does have their own unique voice and style. There is no such thing as a correct way to write. You have to find the process that works for you and write the story you're passionate about. Don't chase trends.

Where is the best place in the world you’ve been?
The highlands of Scotland

What book are you reading now?
17 & Gone by Nova Ren Suma

What's the memorable summer job you've ever had?
I worked on a horse ranch every summer from age 10 through high school. It was amazing.

What did the last text message on your phone say?
Can't share. Too personal. Helping a friend in need.

When was the last time you cried?
When I saw my two year old niece on tour. I miss her!

The sequel to Rift and the prequel to the New York Times bestselling novel Nightshade.

Everything Conatus stands for is at risk. Hoping to gather enough resistance to save their order, Ember and Barrow attempt a desperate escape. But fate offers little mercy. When their mission is exposed, the couple face relentless pursuit by the supernatural horrors that act on the commands of Eira’s ally: the mysterious Bosque Mar. A shocking revelation forces Ember out of hiding, sending her back into the heart of dark magic at Tearmunn keep, where she must convince her old friend Alistair of her love or face dire consequences. Ember’s deception offers the only chance for the resistance to succeed, but what she discovers in the shadows beneath the keep will shatter her world and bring about the Witches’ War.

Richly sensual and full of magic, action and danger, Andrea Cremer's fifth book set in the Nightshade world is an edge-of-your-seat page turner.

Andrea Cremer’s Rise is the riveting and emotional second prequel to the Nightshade series. The story opens up shortly after the end of Rift and Ember and Barrow have now left Tearmunn after the death of Sorcha. The joining forces of Eira and Bosque Mar have proven to be powerful as they quickly rise to the main authority figures. Ember’s escape is thwarted by Nether world evils that relentlessly follow her. It creates a heap of problems and Ember must figure out a way to save the people she loves.

Rise delivers a wonderful conclusion to a brilliantly built series. In this emotional journey, the action starts from the beginning and continues throughout. Ember has shown so much growth this time around. She is no longer the headstrong young woman with no faults. There are more on her plate as her duties and needs are stacked with devotion and bravery. Even in the time period she lives in, Embers delivers genuine human feelings making this awesome character relatable to readers. Author Andrea also brings back many characters that readers have grown to love and others that are loved to hate. Like the sullen knight, Barrow, who shows a new side of him quickly becomes closer to Ember.

What is so remarkable about this book is how Andrea pushes the envelope. She’s not afraid to take risks that enable her to write stories that are highly compelling and will keep readers wanting for more. Her writing style is so amazing that she’s able to put layers into each aspect she puts focus on, giving the readers a story that is complete and satisfying. Rise is a fast-paced and highly imaginative story that offers answers to how the Guardian wolves come about in the Nighshade series. Andrea’s amazing storytelling is a doorway to Rise in which she makes her readers live the stories within and once consumed, readers will never look back at that entrance door.

You can purchase RISE at the following Retailers: