Mara Mondays - Author Interview with Michelle Hodkin

Welcome to the last of the Mara Mondays posts 
(honestly, I'm kind of sad it's over, but excited for more people to read the book!)

You get to meet Mara & Noah tomorrow!!! 

And today, right here, you get to meet Michelle Hodkin, gracious and fabulous author of THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER, who answered a fast five questions about Mara and her writing. A little something to tide you over until you can read Mara's story tomorrow.


What prompted you to write this story?
The short answer is that I was inspired by true events. The long answer is going to be posted on www.maradyer.com. Until then, all I can say is: :) 

Did anyone or anything in your own life inspire any of your characters: Mara, Noah, Daniel, Jamie?
But bits of myself definitely make it into each of the characters. I’d have to say, though, that I’m probably the most like Jamie. Foul-mouthed, brutally honest, and pretty obnoxious. But a super loyal friend. 

How long did it take for Mara to go from idea to book? How many revisions did you go through?
Ten months from the first words until the day I submitted it in late March. Probably two significant rewrites and three additional significant revisions before my editor even got her (capable and brilliant) hands on it. 

What do you hope readers take away from this book?
Honestly? I just wanted people to have fun reading it. But I wouldn’t be sad if it made even one person re-think the (silly) idea that pit bulls should be banned from towns, cities, states, and even countries. That will seem kind of random if you haven’t read the book :) 

What's next for you as an author?
The sequel to THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER, which comes out in Fall 2012!

Thank you so much, Michelle!!! 

Don't forget to check out this week's other Mara Mondays offerings and comment away to be entered in Lori's contest at Pure Imagination. And get make sure you get to the store to get your hands on Mara tomorrow!
Vy's Blog 
Pure Imagination