WL.jpgHas anyone read Wicked Lovely?

I devoured it on my recent trip to Glastonbury and I LOVED it. The clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in this cool, urban 21st century faery tale - it’s magical, hip, refreshing and exciting and it has a bee-yoou-tiful cover too.

I got to interview the incredz writing talent that is Melissa Marr, author girl of Wicked Lovely and her new book, Ink Exchange. She deffo wasn’t wicked, but she was more than a little bit lovely.

Describe author-girl Melissa Marr in five words…
Moody. Impulsive. Passionate. Driven. Curious.

For those who haven’t had the total treat of reading it yet, what would you say to go make them buy it pronto?
Thank you :) I wouldn’t really be good at suggesting anyone go buy it right away though. I’m not keen on trying to push folks. It’s cool if people want to read it, but if not, I’m good with that too. Life should be about passions, so if WL doesn’t entice you, go find a text that does. If WL does do it for you, take it home with you.

You write about faeries in only a way someone who totally digs the whole folklore/faerie fabulousness could, when did you discover this passion and why do you love it so much?
I’ve always loved the supernatural. It makes sense to me. The world is filled with so much amazing stuff that it’s not such a big step to think the things-called-unreal might be possible.

People tend to think of faeries as nice creatures with pretty wings, Wicked Lovely blows that theory out of the water - what made you uncover this real world of faeries - this urban, gritty kind?
I sorta get rabid over those cutesy fairies. I prefer faeries–the Good Neighbors, the dangerous and tempting and tricksey ones. I grew up believing in that, so it’s only logical that they’re what I’d write. The cute ones aren’t for me. I like my fairy tales dark, my folklore tempting . . . hmm. Actually, I prefer that in most things. If a thing can be defined only by moderate words like “nice” & “pretty” it won’t captivate me too long, so I couldn’t commit to writing about such things.

I can’t believe this is your first book - congrats on being such a super talent! It’s really quite special, did you know that when you were writing it?
I knew it felt different to me. Usually, the stuff I wrote was either shredded, tossed in the fireplace, deleted . . . I don’t like hanging on to text that isn’t right. This one was a text I couldn’t delete. It started as a short story, but the idea haunted me for the next half year or so. Then I started turning it into a novel. I couldn’t step away from it. I couldn’t stop writing it. I knew it was special to me. It’s cool that it’s been special to some readers too. That was very unexpected.

Have you always wanted to be a writer-girl?
Since I was 12 . . . but I also wanted to teach and be a mother. Teaching & parenting are both lovely experiences too, and in my opinion, all three involve a good deal of creative wordsmithing and research. Right now, I had to give up teaching so I could do right by my family and my characters (a person can only work so many full time jobs and two seems to be my limit).

What was life like as a teen girl for you?
Yanno, I was out with one of the few friend who’s been a constant from high school thru now. (I don’t keep in touch with most people very well with the way I move.) He tells me I was kinda bad-tempered and scary, but the way I remember it is different. I think I was a bit shy. I guess that’s the hard part in looking back. We both agreed that I was black fingernail, leather jacket, & loud cars/loud music/loud parties. I kept perfect marks at school, dated a bit much, smoked a bit much, and couldn’t wait to move away. My parents were great (still are), but I was terrified of getting trapped anywhere. I dated and dropped people to avoid getting caught. I bailed on things that sounded fun because getting busted would mean getting trapped. It was all about having fun without ending up in any cage (relationship or legal).

What was your fave book as a teen?
A battered collection of poetry that was held together with a rubber band. I still have it too.

What do you wish you’d have known as a teen, that you’ve now discovered as an adult?
Not a thing :) Learning is a kick. If I knew things then, I’d miss the process by which I learned them which means missing experiences I’ve had which is . . . *shudder* No thanks.

Quick Fire Round: What’s Your Favourite…

Food: dark chocolate
Hangout: ocean
Book: LOL. You’re kidding, right? ONE book?
TV show: Buffy (the ONLY show I’ve watched faithfully)
City: San Diego CA

What’s your motto for life?
There are always choices.

The colour pink. Discuss.
I’m a purple fan, actually. I’m kinda obsessed with purple in all its manifestations. Pink doesn’t do it for me like that . . . but purple. I’ve gone as far as buying a pair of very garish purple boots when I was in college. Lately, I’ve been seeking a pair of deep purple knee-high boots. Pink is reserved for frippery or flowers for me.

To win one of 10 copies of Wicked Lovely, leave a comment below telling me what’s wicked and lovely in your life right now - closing date: 1st September 08.