Rebecca: Welcome, Heather! Thank you for joining us
today. I have to ask, because I see that you are also a screenwriter – how
different is it to write a screenplay as opposed to a novel?
Heather: Hi, Rebecca! Thanks for having me on your
amazing blog! To answer your question, both novels and screenplays must have
a solid story, well-developed characters and great dialogue, but that’s where
the similarities end. With novels, I can be much more descriptive and delve
deep into characters’ thoughts. However, with screenwriting, I have to “show,
not tell” so I have many more limitations. Also, formatting is very different,
with scripts definitely having a stricter format to follow. Although novels and
screenplays differ greatly, I enjoy them both equally. There’s something so
special about seeing your ideas and characters come to life, whether it be on
page or screen.
Rebecca: Your short bio says that you are working on
television shows. What can you tell us about that?
Heather: I’ve created and written pilot scripts (the
first episode) for five different television projects. They have all been
optioned (picked up by a production company), but that doesn’t mean they will
get produced. Too many times I’ve worked with established producers for several
months, only to have the project fall through with the broadcaster. It’s my
dream to have a TV show one day, though, so I’m not giving up. Right now, I’m
most excited about The Horror Diaries
– a series based upon my scary books for middle graders, which have sold tens
of thousands of copies in six continents! I’m also hopeful about my original
series, Camp Strange; it’s such an
awesome mix of mystery, paranormal, romance and adventure, and best of all,
it’s appropriate for all ages.
Rebecca: Have you thought about writing for the movie
industry?
Heather: I’ve had two feature scripts optioned, with one
currently in the pre-production stage – the executive producer is seeking
financing. This project, The Rarity,
is actually based upon my short film with the same title. It was produced in
Australia and has done well on the film festival circuit, so fingers crossed
we’ll see the production of that movie. In case anyone’s interested, here’s a
link to the trailer for the short film, along with behind-the-scenes pictures
and video interviews: http://heatherashbeck.wix.com/writer#!the-rarity/c3qn As a fun side
note: Vampire Academy’s Lucy Fry auditioned
for the role of Jillian Ford – the lead in The
Rarity!
Rebecca: Getting back to your books, FROSTBITTEN in
particular, where do you get your ideas from?
Heather: For the
longest time, I wanted to write a young adult paranormal romance novel
featuring werewolves. Frostbitten
actually began as a screenplay back in 2007; however, I decided it would work
better as a novel since the movie would require a lot of special effects. The
inspiration for the book started with my interest in werewolves and the
mythology surrounding them. I wanted to stay true to their original mythology
(silver bullets, etc.) while also adding my own touches. I just wanted to make
this fast-paced love story with relatable characters and a plot that’s filled
with twists and turns. Setting it in a small town in the dead of winter was
another inspiration because, like werewolves, winter is stunningly beautiful
and magical.
Rebecca: FROSTBITTEN is a Young Adult, Paranormal
Romance. Is this your favorite genre to write in?
Heather: Absolutely! I’ve been writing about witches,
mermaids, werewolves, vampires, ghosts, mummies, and several more supernatural
creatures for the past 13 years. I started with paranormal horror for kids (found
in The Horror Diaries) and then
quickly found my passion for new adult paranormal romances (the Legends Unleashed series). Some of my
screenplays (most notably, The Rarity)
have been young adult paranormal romances, but Frostbitten is my first book in that genre and age category. I love
paranormal romances for so many reasons. First, I’m intrigued by stories which
are filled with mystery, lore and adventure. For the most part, reading fiction
should be an escape, and I love getting lost in fantastical worlds. Second, I
love romantic stories which are epic and have consequences, whether good or
bad, beyond the two people involved in the relationship. In my opinion, good
paranormal romances always have both of these elements. Third, I feel paranormal
romances inspire readers never to settle, but rather to seek adventure and true
love in their everyday life.
Rebecca: At the
end of FROSTBITTEN, there is the suggestion of a sequel but I haven't found any
information on that possibility. Can we look forward to one? Pretty please?
Heather: I left
some questions unanswered and ended with somewhat of a cliffhanger because I
really wanted to write a sequel and quite possibly make it a series. Truthfully,
I was hesitant about committing to more than one book since I didn’t know how
people would respond to it (although I have eleven books previously published, they
were all anthologies or novellas, making this my first full length novel).
Reading all the nice reviews has instilled more confidence in me, though, and I’m
delighted to say I’m currently outlining the second book. I will be starting
off exactly where Frostbitten ended
and all questions will be answered. I’m going to delve deep into the lore of
the Cedar Falls werewolves and there will be plenty of adventure and action. I
promise that what happens will be a shocker, with no character being safe!
Rebecca: It looks like you have a lot on your plate! What
do you do to unwind?
Heather: The best way for me to unwind is by being
outdoors. I am addicted to the sun, sand and surf and
could happily spend forever swimming or just lounging on the beach. I also love
hiking and fishing – two activities I’ve done since I was young. Additionally,
I love volunteering with non-profit organizations. It’s a huge passion of mine
and something I take great pride in. It’s a beautiful thing to make a
difference in someone’s life.
Rebecca: Before you go, what can you tell us about future
projects and what's coming next?
Heather: My next release will be Shivers, the fifth book in The
Horror Diaries series. It includes five stories, all revolving around
creepy characters, mysterious towns, and some seriously scary storylines. I
promise it won’t disappoint!
--Thank you so much, Heather! You're a real gem and I can't wait to see so much more from you!! Readers, learn more about Heather Beck and her work by following the links below:
Heather Beck's WEBSITE | Heather @ GOODREADS | @ AMAZON
Check out my review of FROSTBITTEN! | See the Trailer!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thanks for the giveaway! It was also really cool to read the interview and see all of those questions answered. It makes me even more curious about the book :3
ReplyDeleteCheck out my review and giveaway: http://olivia-savannah.blogspot.nl/2014/08/angeions-book-review.html
I'm so glad you enjoyed it! And thank you for the link back to your blog!
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