Countdown
Publisher: Harlequin TeenPublication Date: Sept 24, 2013
Synopsis:
3 SECONDS LEFT TO LIVE.
Once the countdown starts, it cannot be stopped.
2 PAWNS THROWN INTO A BRUTAL UNDERGROUND REALITY GAME.
Kira Jordan survived her family’s murder and months on plague-devastated city streets with hard-won savvy and a low-level psi ability. She figures she can handle anything. Until she wakes up in a barren room, chained next to the notorious Rogan Ellis.
1 REASON KIRA WIL NEVER, EVER TRUST ROGAN. EVEN THOUGH BOTH THEIR LIVES DEPEND ON IT.
Their every move is controlled and televised for a vicious exclusive audience. And as Kira’s psi skill unexpectedly grows and Rogan’s secrets prove ever more deadly, Kira’s only chance of survival is to risk trusting him as much as her instincts. Even if that means running head-on into the one trap she can’t escape.
Interview
What gave you the idea for Countdown?
I wrote the original version of Countdown in 2007 when I was into a lot of Reality TV like Survivor and I thought “what if instead of the torch being put out the contestants were killed??” (Yeah, morbid. I know.) And I also loved the 80s movie The Running Man. This all combined to spark the original idea for Countdown.How was writing Countdown similar/different from writing your other novels?
When I wrote Countdown it was very different from my previously funny and light novels because I wanted to push myself to see if I could write something with thriller elements, something edgier and dangerous and sexy. I had a great time doing it. Taking the original story five years later and rewriting it as a YA helped me hone what I already had and, hopefully, make it even better than the original!How long did it take you to write Countdown?
Several months. For the rewrite, I devoted about a month to it, plus editing and proofing time.Are there any plans for a sequel? Is the ending a cliffhanger?
The ending is not a cliffhanger. Countdown is a standalone novel with no sequels currently planned.Have you ever known someone similar to Kira, or is Kira a little bit like yourself?
Kira is a sixteen year old street kid whose family was murdered by a burglar two years ago. She relies on her gut instinct and a mild psychic ability she has to “read” other people to see if they’re good or evil down deep. She doesn’t trust easily and tries to look out for number one – herself – since there’s no one else out there who’s keeping an eye on her, but if she cares about someone she will do anything to help them. Kira’s definitely a creation of my imagination, but she has many qualities I admire very much.About Michelle Rowen
Michelle Rowen knows a book she’s working on is going well when the characters start talking to her when she’s not writing. She likes to believe this is a sign of a creative mind…and not something to be worried about. While she loves to read, spend time with family and friends, and travel, she also watches way too much reality TV for her own good. A prolific author of novels for both young and not-so-young adults, Michelle lives in Southern Ontario in a sky-high condo with two delightful cat familiars.
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Do you prefer writing from a male or female point of view?
ReplyDeleteDo you find a certain time of the day/week/year to be easier to write than any other?
ReplyDeleteIs it tough to kill off your characters?
ReplyDeleteWhat reality show would you compete on?
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! Here's my question for Michelle:
ReplyDeleteWhat scary books are on your Halloween-y TBR pile?
What are your favourite books that you've read of this year?
ReplyDeleteIs it harder to write a standalone than it is to write a series? Also I am curious as to if you get as attached to the characters in a standalone as a series. Simply because you don't have them as long.
ReplyDeleteWhich character do you think is the most like you( out of ALL the characters you have ever read?)
ReplyDeleteMy question is are you currently working on any other projects, and also what fall YA releases are you most excited about?
ReplyDeleteWhere did the inspiration for Rogan's character come from?
ReplyDelete