Blog Tour/Giveaway: The Long Weekend
Mar •
23 •
2011
I am so happy to be a part of this blog tour! I am so please to have Ms. Savita Kalhan, author of The Long Weekend. Thank you for being here today.
Hi Savannah! Thanks for inviting me here today! I’m looking forward to answering all your questions.
1. What do you think makes a good story?
There are lots of elements that make up a good story. It has to have a great story-line, a plot that makes readers want to continue reading to find out what happens at the end. It has to have characters that you can love or hate, or find interesting or creepy, basically that make you feel something, so that you care about what happens to them.
2. When and why did you begin writing?
I started writing in the mid-nineties. I was living in a country where most books were banned and my friend and I were heavily into fantasy epics. Lugging them back hidden in suitcases was hard work and worth it if the books were really good. But some of them weren’t. After reading a particularly bad series, we decided to write our own fantasy trilogy – the only thing was, I ended up writing them and my friend ended up reading them!
3. Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
One of my favourite authors is Jennifer Donnelly. I read A Gathering Light a few years ago, and at that time, I don’t think the term YA had crept into the UK, but I’ve heard people class it as the first YA book over here. I recently read Revolution by her, and loved it too. I think she writes extremely well. Her story lines are always amazing and she brings her characters to life so well no matter if they are from the present day or from a few hundred years ago. Her writing is vivid, her dialogue is sharp, and her stories are original, so easy to read, and I never want them to come to an end!
4. Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
I didn’t write the book with a message in mind – I wrote the book because of a flyer that went round the local schools warning that the driver of a flashy car had tried to snatch children. A scenario came to my mind where something like that could happen with terrifyingly ease, and I just had to write the book.
There is a clear message that does come through though and that is no matter how street wise you are, be aware. Child abduction still happens. But hopefully nothing like that will ever happen to you.
5. Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
I do have first-hand knowledge of some of the terrible events that happen in the book. I’ve also heard the stories of other survivors of child abuse. So, ultimately, what I think I would like the reader to leave my book knowing is that no matter what happens in life, as long as you have the right help, in the end you can overcome the bad stuff.
Thanks so much for asking me here, Savannah.
By the way, my nickname is Sav too! Thanks for having me here, Savannah!
You can read my review of The Long Weekend HERE!
If you would like any more information about Ms. Kalhan and her book please visit her website:
http://www.savitakalhan.com/ and have a look around, leave her a message on her message board and tell her what you think of The Long Weekend!
You can also find her on twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/savitakalhan
And on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Long-Weekend-Savita-Kalhan/117223691628538
GIVEAWAY!
Ms. Kalhan was super great and kind that she sent me a copy of her book The Long Weekend to giveaway!
To enter answer the following question:
Name one of your favorite YA authors and what strikes them about their work?
Then filled out the form here: FORM
Thank you Ms. Kalhan for stopping by and for the giveaway!
Happy Reading!
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YES for Jennifer Donnelly!!! I couldn’t agree more – she is a fantastic writer! As for another YA writer, well you know I love Kirsty Eagar – soooo looking forward to her 3rd book! I think what Suzanne Collins did was just amazing, and I always have a special place in my heart for Cynthia Voight – her characterization is so beautiful, poignant and amazing.
Great interview, Savy – no need to enter me since I am on the tour 🙂
Brett Hartinger is one of my favorite YA authors because he tackles GLBT issues in a way that is approachable.
rickimc[at]aol[dot]com
Wow can you imagine living somewhere where books are banned? Thanks for sharing, I love hearing about an author’s writing process.
Don’t enter me, I just wanted to stop by on the tour because I love this book so much! I have yet to read Jennifer Donnelly, I’ve heard she’s amazing so I need to pick up one of her books immediately!
I adore Carrie Ryan. Her work is just fabulous. Yes there’s romance, but the story is really about the struggle of life and how you get past it.
Thanks for the chance to win.
Melina Marchetta! OMG! Her characters are so raw and lovable. Also, Gayle Forman, she tells a story that haunts you for many reasons.
I haven’t read any Jennifer Donnelly, but I hope to soon.
Thanks for the fabulous interview and giveaway!
Great interview. I am shocked that the author use to live in a place where books where banned. I couldn’t imagine not being able to read.
This interview just made me appreciate the book more – as if I didn’t love it already! 😉
Fantastical interview, Savannah!