Maureen McGowan-Interview & Giveaway-Sleeping Beauty:Vampire Slayer/Cinderella: Ninja Warrior

Welcome to another Oh (MG & YA) Canada. Today we have Maureen McGowan on the blog. Telling us a little bit more about her books, SLEEPING BEAUTY: VAMPIRE SLAYER & CINDERELLA:NINJA WARRIOR.  Great titles aren't they? _Great_ reads, too. Here is a little bit more about Maureen from her website:
"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 channel her energy into writing novels. Before seeing the light, she was: an auditor, a knowledge engineer, a software development manager, a product development director and a hedge fund CFO. " 
As I say in the upcoming interview, I'm pretty darn glad she found her way back to writing, because now we have:

Sleeping Beauty Vampire Slayer


With vampire-slaying talents that she practices in secret, Sleeping Beauty puts her courage to the test in the dark of night, fighting evil as she searches for a way to break the spell that has cut her off from her family. In a special twist, readers have the opportunity to make key decisions for Sleeping Beauty and decide where she goes next.

Cinderella Ninja Warrior
Seeking to escape the clutches of her evil stepmother, Cinderella perfects her ninja skills and magic talents in secret, waiting for the day when she can break free and live happily ever after. In a special twist, readers have the opportunity to make key decisions for Cinderella and decide where she goes next.

And now...on with the interview!

Thanks for being her Maureen. This week I'm giving away both of  your books to one lucky commenter (open International). What inspired you to twist up Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella the way you did. I especially loved the idea of Sleeping Beauty as a vampire slayer and how later in the book you used the glass coffin (LOVED it, I tell you). 

Thanks so much, Deb! The original spark for this series actually didn't come from me. A freelance editor, who'd seen some of my not-yet-published writing, came to me with the idea of creating updated fairy tales with a choose-your-own-adventure element. At first I wasn't certain I was interested--I've never been a big fairy tale person--but as soon as I started to develop ideas, I got excited.

Unsure if I'd have creative freedom in writing these books (since the overall concept idea was the editor's) I asked her, "In Cinderella, can there be ninjas?" I was mostly joking at the time, testing my boundaries, but she said yes, I could do whatever I wanted, and immediately, an image of ninjas dropping out of trees to attack Cinderella popped into my mind. 

The original proposal for the series included the first twenty pages and an outline for Cinderella: Ninja Warrior (then called Not Your Mother's Cinderella Story) and I also included up a few possible titles for other books in the series. One of those titles was Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer. I honestly don't know where that idea initially came from. A lightning bolt? 

But I loved the idea of combining Sleeping Beauty with vampires. Elements of the traditional fairy tale are so dark to me, and the idea of a girl sleeping, unable to wake up, with other people watching is just creepy. I knew I wanted to include that glass coffin right from the start.

These are choose your own path books, which you don’t see much of in teen books. What were your thoughts in developing the story this way. Personally, I loved getting to choose the path.

I'm not sure I would have chosen a choose your own adventure format if I hadn't been asked to do it that way, but I found it equal parts challenging, frustrating and fun.

At first, I wasn't sure how to tackle it. The first decision I made was to have a single ending for each book. Because the books are fairy tales, I thought they demanded happy endings, and pretty specific happy endings if they were going to live up to the fairy tale promise. 

I also decided against "wrong" paths. The way I see things, each day we face choices, and the alternatives aren’t necessarily right or wrong—just different. Smart heroines (and smart readers) will make smart choices, so I wanted to present reasonable alternatives at each decision point without making it obvious which choice was better. Also, a capable heroine—even if she makes a mistake—should be able to face whatever challenges her choices place in her way and still reach her goal.

When I decided on the structure, I didn’t realize what a difficult path I was laying out for myself as a writer! My choices created challenges for me—almost as tough as those facing Cinderella in her magic competition, or Lucette when she’s the only one awake and facing vampires in the night. 

Because I decided to have alternate paths that loop into common sections, I had to be very careful to ensure the key story elements either: occurred in the common sections; or occurred in different ways but with similar outcomes, in the alternate paths. There were times while writing these books when my head was spinning so badly I didn’t know which end was up!

I’ve been asking other participants in OH MG YA Canada for author signing, school visit  advice for other authors for they’d like to share. Plus, do you have a great book signing or school visit moment you’d like to tell us about, as well?

I wish I had some advice to share and will be combing the archives on your site for others' advice, as I'll be doing my very first school visit soon. I can't wait to talk to some kids about writing. I've been asked to take part in some teen book clubs at book stores, too. Can't wait! 

You will love it. You’re sharing your passion and kids will know it and respond. Just be yourself. This also reminds me, though, I want to do a post in which I do gather together all the advice in previous posts!

Everyone of my book club kids are aspiring writers, ranging in age from 8 to 13. When did you start writing and do you have any advice for my book clubbers?

I really enjoyed writing when I was a student, and English was one of my favourite subjects, but I got side-tracked by my practical side after high school, and pursued another career before getting back to storytelling. It's not easy to earn a living as a novelist, but I wish I'd had more faith in myself and the courage to try earlier. That said, I don't regret any of the decisions I made. My advice would be that, even if life takes you in a different direction, if you love writing and storytelling, never give it up! 

Never give up...I like it and agree. Certainly glad you didn’t!

Speaking of my book club kids. Anything you'd like to recommend they read or we get for our library? Something that is a recent read, or a book you loved when you were a kid?

If they like funny, I highly recommend anything by Eileen Cook. She cracks me up and she writes for both the young adult and middle grade age groups. She also has an extremely funny adult book that I think older teens would love.

On the darker side, I'm currently a huge fan of Carrie Ryan's books. I just finished The Dark and Hollow Places and LOVED it. But her books might be a little too scary for the younger members of your group.

Yes yes on Eileen Cook. I especially love her latest YA Education of Hailey Kendrik and am currently reading Fourth Grade Fairy for an upcoming giveaway and feature as part of BEA! Carrie Ryan's books are...aaaamazing, too. And have a couple for girls (12 and 13) who love them, so yes on those!

Speaking of that Book Expo America starts this week. Are you going? Have you been before?

Oh, I wish I were going! I've never been, but I did go to Book Expo Canada about five years ago. (Sadly, they don't have it anymore.) It was fabulous to see which titles all the publishers were excited about. My publisher, Silver Dolphin Books, will be featuring my Twisted Tales series this week at their BEA  booth, but sadly, I can't go. :(

Oo, maybe someone could get a picture for you. It would be nice to be there, though, so I totally understand. I’m hoping to go in 2012.

Anything you'd like to add, maybe a question you was hoping I would ask but missed?

Mostly, I want to thank you and all the fabulous book enthusiasts out there. Seeing my books on the shelves has fulfilled a life-long dream, but it's even better to hear from readers. 

Well, you’re welcome. You’re the reason we get to do what we do!

Giveaway time. You have until midnight (MST), Sunday May 22. As always, all you need to do is comment...irregardless of your continent, if you win I will get the books to you. <my loooong winded way of saying this is open internationally. Good luck everyone.

Also, wanted to quick mention that if you are not going to BEA, there is a blog feed you can subscribe to, there are giveaways, interviews and more so head on over to ARMCHAIR BEA!