Interview with Bree Despain

How was writing the last book in The Dark Divine trilogy different than writing the first?
In some ways it was easier. In the first book I had to figure out who my characters were along the way, and had to struggle to find their voices, but by the third book I felt like I knew them so well that their voices and how they would react to certain situations came relatively easily to me. However, in other ways, writing the last book was a lot harder. There's a lot more action in the last book (which is one of the hardest things for me to write) and just a lot more conflict and climax all around. The third book felt like I was undertaking something quite EPIC, and it was very important to me to not disappoint my readers with the ending. I think saying goodbye to the characters was the hardest part about writing this book.

What was the most interesting thing you’ve learned over the course of writing the three books in The Dark Divine trilogy?
That it is possible to write for three days straight on no sleep with only 5 Hour Energy shots and chocolate covered cinnamon bears for fuel.

What was your experience of wrapping up a trilogy?
Like I said, saying goodbye to the characters was the hardest part. I kept refusing to write the last couple of chapters, and frustrated my editor because I kept sending him the book without the ending. I wanted the ending to be "perfect," but I mostly kept putting off finishing the book because it was so hard to say goodbye to these almost-people who had been living in my head for 7 years.

Is there any character or aspect of the world of The Dark Divine that you’re sad to part with now that The Dark Divine trilogy has been completed?
I think I'm sad to part with all of it. This world and these characters were a part of almost every waking thought in my head for so many years. It is weird for them to be quiet now. It felt like some of my best friends were moving across the country and I was never going to see them again. But at the same time, it feels really good to be working on new ideas and getting a chance to get to know some new characters now.

What is the most rewarding part about being a young adult author?
Getting to meet readers and spend so much time with people who are just as passionate about books as I am.

If there was one thing you could change about The Savage Grace, what would it be?
Deadlines and deadlines and they need to be met, but if I'd had one more month to work on this book, I would have spent some time tightening the writing some more. I wouldn't change anything about the characters or the story, though.


What are you working on next?
I am working on a new novel that is slated for publication in Fall 2013. It's a book that I started many years ago, and I am excited to get to work on it again.