
What’s your favorite fairy tale, and why?
Beauty and the Beast, because a young girl learns that true love is not all about what a person looks like, and falling in love with an image is far less rewarding than falling in love with what lies beneath the skin, in the heart, of another individual.
Where did you come up with the idea for your fairy world?
I wanted to write a young adult book about some heavy issues, yet keep it light, interesting, and even amusing. So I thought why not fairies? Give them real human, teen issues—connect reality and fantasy, with a humorous undertone. I chose fairies because myth and folklore always portray them as dark and scary while I have always imagined some of them, enchanting, mysterious, amusing and friendly. This inspired me to create a lighter side to the fairy world by giving them amusing slang words, names that set the stage for individuality and generate some major attitude and amusing personalities. I wanted issues that human teens deal with: relationships, friendships, intolerance, betrayal, alcohol abuse (honey in their world), unsupervised partying, parental standards and rebellion. I thought it would be amusing if they had human-like items: transportation vehicles (insects that don't always behave), itty-bitty smartphones and computers, and the protagonist's mother even has an easy bake oven. From these thoughts Wandermere was born, a fairy realm with a threat of distinction—the human world may hold the answer.
Which of your characters do you relate to most? Why?
Layol, because she's attitude with a capitol A. Her bright clothes, platform shoes, computer savvy, and overaggressive loyalty make me laugh. She never thinks before she opens her mouth—creates more issues than she fixes—and her actions are spontaneous, swift and always produce an inverse reaction.
What’s your fantasy novel about, in 25 words or less?
A fairy girl deals with intolerance, friendships, physical attraction, betrayal, and her race's expectations.
THIS or THAT
Minecraft or Legend of Zelda?
Definitely, Legend of Zelda
Merlin or Gandolf?
Merlin
Demons or dragons?
Oh, hard one! Ummm, demons
Wands or swords?
Wands
Pixie dust or magic potions?
Pixie dust
Where can we find out more about your books?
http://www.amazon.com/Susan-Stec/e/B004H6YF7M
http://thegratefulundead.blogspot.com/
Chicks Writing Rocking YA
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Grateful-Undead-Theyre-So-Vein/113043665460273
The Other F Word is coming soon, but today we'll giveaway an ebook - Susan's edgy & fun book, Deadgirls Never Shut Up - to one lucky commenter!