An Interview, An Author, and a Magic 8 Ball: Katie Klein

If you haven't heard of Katie Klein and you're a reader of YA, then I'm pretty sure you must be living under a glacier in the Arctic, nursing wounds from a near-death fight with a polar bear, wondering if you will ever make it back to civilization so you can charge up your Nook.

Katie is blowing up the charts with her novels, CROSS MY HEART and THE GUARDIAN. I met Katie through a mutual friend, Kristina Springer (who will be feature in this series soon), and I think Katie is pretty darn cool.


MJ: Tell me a bit about your novel, Cross My Heart, in your own words - not the official synopsis. 

KK: Cross My Heart is the story of a girl, Jaden, who is somewhat of a perfectionist. She's set her sights on Harvard med school and is the all-around "good girl." Good daughter. Good student. Always dependable. Things change when she's paired with Parker, the school "rebel," for an English project. They start spending more time together, and Jaden learns there's more to Parker than she realized. Sparks fly (both literally and figuratively). It's not your typical "good girl meets bad boy" romance, though, and that seems to have pleased many a reader.  

MJ: Did you pants or plot while writing your first draft?

KK: I pantsed and plotted. I like to have an idea going into my story what it's going to be about, or what's going to happen, so I do begin with an outline. I'm not afraid to deviate, though. When my characters surprise me by deciding something else is going to happen, I go with it. I don't force anything. You can see the elements of the final version in my original outline, but the story usually takes on a life of its own. The "plot" twist in Cross My Heart was a clearly a "pants" decision, but I'm glad I went with it.

  

MJ: What’s your next release going to be?

KK: I actually just released the second book in my Angel/Demon trilogy The Guardian. It's called Vendetta, and continues the story of Seth and Genesis and their struggle to be together, despite the supernatural odds stacked against them. My next project will be the final book, and I'm hoping to have that available in the early part of 2012.

MJ: Who is your celebrity crush?

KK: There is no such thing as "a" celebrity crush for me. I have a thing for tall, dark, mysterious "bad" boys (Parker Whalen, anyone?). This changes from day to day, but I am known to have swooned over Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell, Robert Downey, Jr., James Franco, Jake Gyllenhaal. . . . As a teen I was partial to guys like Heath Ledger and Leonardo DiCaprio, and since I just watched Wanted the other day, I'm currently nursing a crush on James McAvoy as Assassin.

  

MJ: Wolves or vampires or zombies?

KK: Not that I have anything against wolves, but I am clearly Team Vampire.  Zombies are kind of gross.

  

MJ: When you were a teen were you a cheerleader, a sporty girl, the smart one, the band geek, or something else?

  

KK: I have *no idea* where I fit in, actually. I went to a small private school my whole life, and there were "cliques," but not to the extent we see today (I say that like I'm so old, but I'm only 29). I was a band geek at one time, and it didn't go well. I tried to be a cheerleader, but I wasn't coordinated enough. I was smart, but I didn't know it, yet. I wasn't really a "slacker," but I didn't really "try," either. One thing I am proud to classify myself as, though, is a Drama Queen. I was kind of a theater nut. I enjoyed the spotlight.

MJ: Now, I need YOU to ask ME a question about absolutely anything under the sun. It has to be a yes or no question and will be answered by my 9-year-old’s all-knowing Magic 8 Ball! The question can be serious or silly - it’s up to you.

  

KK: I have always dreamed of retiring early in some kind of water-related area. I currently have my sights set on a beautiful house on a river in a charming town not far from where I grew up. Will I make it happen?

M8B: As I see it Yes.

MJ: Okay, I have to be honest. I had to shake up the 8 Ball six times before I got a positive answer. I really wanted that for Katie because it's such a great dream. Let's all help her make that happen!!!! Here's the links:

Website - Katie Klein Writes

Buy Cross My Heart, The Guardian, and Vendetta on:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble