Interview with Alyson Noël

How was beginning the Soul Seekers series different than writing The Immortals or Riley Bloom series? Specifically, was it any easier or harder to start a new series after working with two others?
It was easier in that with two prior series under my belt, I’d learned a few tricks along the way. One of which is to keep detailed notes on character traits, as well as little plot details that are easy to forget in subsequent books.

I always say that my favorite book (of my own) is the one I’m planning to write next. The shiny new idea is always the most exciting to explore, and as research is one of my favorite parts of the creative process, writing FATED was an absolute blast! I took a three-day “Introduction to Shamanism” class, traveled to New Mexico to interview local teen and Native Americans about their lives, I had a private session with a shaman—all of which was fascinating and fun and went a long way in informing the world of the series.

As with your last two series, the Soul Seekers series is paranormal, as opposed to some of your earlier standalone books which are contemporary. What do you like most and least about writing in each of these genres?
There’s really nothing I like least—each genre has unique things to offer. At the moment, I’m having a lot of fun with paranormal as it allows me to explore themes that interest me, while still keeping one foot firmly planted in the material world.

Life and death play a large role in your last two and newest series. Why do you choose to write about this topic?
In 2005 I lost three people I loved in five months. Six months after that, my husband was diagnosed with leukemia and I almost lost him as well (he’s in full remission now). Prior to those events, death and mortality was a subject I studiously avoided. But once I’d experienced that sort of loss, it got me thinking a lot about the bigger life questions: Why are we here—where do we go when our bodies give out—how is it that I still feel a connection with my loved ones when they’re no longer physically available to me? It was these sorts of thoughts that fueled my drive to write EVERMORE, and I’ve been exploring those themes ever since.

What is the most interesting thing you learned while writing Fated? (This can be about yourself, about writing, or anything at all).
My research revealed so many interesting things that it’s impossible to choose only one . . .though some of my personal experiences in the “Introduction to Shamanism” course were so amazing , I couldn’t resist including them in the book!

What is the most rewarding part about being a young adult author?
The readers. Writing for teens (and the adults who read YA) is a truly rewarding experience. I had a rough adolescence and often looked to books as a place of refuge—so I find it a great privilege to be able to do this for a living.

If there was one thing you could change about Fated, what would it be?
There are always a jillion little nit-picky things I always want to change once the book is printed and shelved and it’s too late to turn back—but I’ve come to accept that as part of the creative neurosis! Ultimately, the story unfolded in the way that I hoped, Daire’s journey has begun, and now I look forward to writing the subsequent books ECHO, MYSTIC, and HORIZON!

What are you working on next?
I just finished book 2 in THE SOUL SEEKERS series, ECHO (Nov 12), and am currently working on book 3, MYSTIC (Spring 2013). The series will end with HORIZON in Fall 2013 . . . and then I’ll dig into the “idea file” and see what’s next!