CS Yelle Author Interview ~ JeanBookNerd

C.S. Yelle was born and raised in Grand Rapids, MN, the “almost” middle child of six. He attended Grand Rapids Senior High School where he enjoyed music and sports. He received his BS in Chemistry from Mayville State University, Mayville, ND in 1987. He taught 7-12 Science and coached for six years in several North Dakota schools and currently works as an Executive Account Manager in the Water Treatment Industry where he has been for nearly seventeen years. He is the father of four and grandfather of one. He writes novels, screenplays, and an occasional short story. He has been writing seriously for over ten years and plans to continue until his fingers are unable, maybe longer. He currently resides in a Minneapolis, MN suburb with his wife Jennifer and their rat terrier, Holly.

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What was your first introduction to YA literature, the one that made you choose that genre to write?

The Hobbit was my first experience into reading for enjoyment. I then read Terry Brooks in college and that is when I began writing.

What’s one thing that readers would be surprised to find out about you?

I enjoy all kinds of movies…even “chick flicks”

When did you write your first book and how old were you?

I started my first novel in 1987 when I was 23 and finished in 2000 when I was 36. There was a long span where the book was tucked away before I pulled it out and seriously pursued it again in 1998.

What was the greatest thing you learned at school?

How to get along and deal with people and how to develop a thick skin.

How would you describe yourself in three words?

Loyal, Upbeat, Dreamer.

Did you learn anything from writing Taking Angels and what was it?

I wrote mainly YA Fantasy/Epic Fantasy before tackling Taking Angels. I needed to dig much deeper into my emotions and feelings with my characters for Taking Angels and touch places inside of me that had long been walled off. Writing Taking Angels made me a more caring and compassionate person as well as a better writer in general.

For those who are unfamiliar with Britt, how would you introduce her?

Britt Anderson is a fighter. She has struggled for four years with cancer and that has made her tough, but she has developed a deeper sense of loyalty than most people because of her desperate desire to be normal and really enjoy the love and support of her friends and family who have stood by her through her difficult times.

What part of Allister did you enjoy writing the most?

Allister Parks has this devotion to Britt that makes him a curious character. He has seen much in his many years, but his infatuation with Britt makes him feel something he has missed. I really enjoyed how his character developed into a strong, yet vulnerable force in Britt’s life.

If you could introduce one of your characters to any character from another book, who would it be and why?

I think introducing Kendal to Bella Swan from Twilight would hilarious. Kendal is the street-smart, self-admitted addict of guardian angels who knows what he is and doesn’t apologize for it. He would rock Bella’s world and her romantic image of immortals.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Steven King. Not because of his many works of fiction, but his non-fiction book, On Writing. I learned so much more from that one book than I did the countless books and workshops I went to. It was a logical approach to better writing.

You have the chance to give one piece of advice to your readers. What would it be?

Live your life to the fullest. It doesn’t matter what your passion is, but when you find it, give it your all and don’t let anyone or anything stop you from pursuing it. We only get one chance at this life, give it your best shot.

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

My height. I always say I’m 5’11” but I am really 5’10 ½”

What's the most memorable summer job you've ever had?

Coaching baseball and softball. I loved working with kids just starting out and helping them come to love the game as much as I did.

What scares you the most and why?

I’m afraid that if something happens to me and I am gone in an instant, I will have failed to communicate to those people in my life who meant the most to me how much I loved them.

Which would you choose, true love with a guarantee of a heart break or have never loved before?

I would definitely choose true love. If you avoid putting yourself out there in fear of breaking your heart, you fail to truly live.

What decade during the last century would you have chosen to be a teenager?

I know I’m biased, but growing up in the late 70’s and early 80’s was awesome. I wouldn’t change that for anything.

When was the last time you cried?

That is tough, since I’m a sucker for sappy movies. I guess while watching the movie The Descendants and they tell the youngest daughter her mother is not going to get better.

Where can readers stalk you?

www.csyelle.com
FB page CSYelle or on Good Reads.

Book 1 in The Angel Crusades Series by CS Yelle

Britt Anderson went along with everything the doctors said for nearly four years, but she was still dying at eighteen. The cancer had won leaving her without a future, without any options, and without control. No control, except for how she would leave this world. As Britt tries to end her life by going into the frigid waters she realizes her mistake. She struggles to get back to shore, to cry out for help, but her atrophied muscles are useless and the frigid water steals the breath from her chemo-scarred lungs. Despite her father’s attempts to reach her, she flies over the waterfall.

When Allister Parks finds Britt’s fragile body on the riverbank something calls out to him. Ignoring the warnings of his sister, Allister brings Britt back from the edge of death. The only problem is that an Eternal like Allister isn’t allowed to touch those who have already passed from this world. It is forbidden; an infraction punishable by death.

As Britt relishes her new cancer-free life and senior year of high school, her very existence threatens Allister’s place in this world. Allister struggles to keep Britt a secret from the Eternal Council and out of the hands of the only Eternal who already knows the truth: the one who stole her guardian angel.

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