I got my greedy hands on a copy of The Program when I was sitting in the back room of Mysterious Galaxy RB with Danny Marks and LeAnna. I fell in love with it right away, so of course when The Treatment came out I needed to read it early. Thankfully, I was able to get that one as well and after I was done fangirling all over Suzanne, I asked for an interview.
And she said yes! But before we get to her answers, let’s check out the book!
Can Sloane and James survive the lies and secrets surrounding them, or will The Program claim them in the end? Find out in this sequel to The Program, which Publishers Weekly called “chilling and suspenseful.”
How do you stop an epidemic?
Sloane and James are on the run after barely surviving the suicide epidemic and The Program. But they’re not out of danger. Huge pieces of their memories are still missing, and although Sloane and James have found their way back to each other, The Program isn’t ready to let them go.
Escaping with a group of troubled rebels, Sloane and James will have to figure out who they can trust, and how to take down The Program. But for as far as they’ve come, there’s still a lot Sloane and James can’t remember. The key to unlocking their past lies with the Treatment—a pill that can bring back forgotten memories, but at a high cost. And there’s only one dose.
Ultimately when the stakes are at their highest, can Sloane and James survive the many lies and secrets surrounding them, or will The Program claim them in the end?
Sounds good, right? [Hint: it’s amazing!]
1. Where did the idea for The Program and The Treatment come from?
The Program is the combination of several stories I started. I wanted to tell a contemporary story about a girl who attempted suicide, and the way people treated her when she returned to school. But it was hitting too close to home.
I’d written another book about a girl who fell in love with her dead brother’s best friends, so they were the inspiration for Sloane and James. See, they really did have a history!
And finally, I had a sci-fi idea about a pill that would erase emotions, but twisted it to take away memories instead after reading up on PTSD treatments. Also, commercials that listed side-effects from medication gave me the idea for the epidemic and I researched suicide clusters extensively.
Really, this story is a melting pot of my entire life.
2. I know why I love Sloane and James. Why do you love them and why should we root for them?
I do love them. What I like best about their relationship is that they have a history, a space in each other’s lives and future. Although they may have seemed a co-dependent in the beginning of the first book, that was by design. Each learns to become stronger, braver, and they come back better people.
I hope The Treatment shows how honest their relationship is, how important it is to have someone to trust. This isn’t real life–although I try to make them as real as possible, so unlike many young relationships, I built Sloane and James to last. In their world, their mutual love and respect was a bright spot.
3. What was the weirdest thing you googled while researching?
Lobotomies. How the procedure works, long-term effects, and how the public reacted.
4. Do you have a favorite scene in either book?
I always have favorite scenes. But hm… to pick just one… I really like the end of The Treatment, how the characters behaved and what it meant. In The Program, I really liked the entire 3rd part whenever Sloane and James interacted–maybe especially when they were at Realm’s cabin. Do you have a favorite scene??? {Yes. Yes, I do.}
5. Describe The Treatment in 5 words.
I’ve been trying to figure this out forever. Can I just give you my favorite line??
“My boyfriend is the best liar I’ve ever known, but he does it with the best of intentions.”
Speed [ish] round:
1. You get the call/email/letter that says you’re being published for the first time. What happens next?
I told the ladies at the desk next to mine (I was working in an office at the time), and after I hung up, they threw a bunch of confetti in my face and bought me lunch.
2. What three things would you take to a desert island?
Flint
Sunscreen
A machete–I watch Survivor
3. You can only read one book for the rest of your life. What is it?
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare.
4. Who are your favorite swoony boys?
I really like Will from Bethany Griffin’s Masque of the Red Death
Dexter from This Lullaby
Logan from the Shade series
5. What is the one thing about publishing you wish someone would have told you?
That it would be a never-ending rollercoaster of emotions and that I should stock up on candy…
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Originally from New York, Suzanne Young moved to Arizona to pursue her dream of not freezing to death. She currently resides in Tempe, where she teaches high school English. When not writing obsessively, Suzanne can be found searching her own tragic memories for inspiration.
Suzanne is the author of several books for teens, including THE PROGRAM, A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL, and A WANT SO WICKED.
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Huge thanks to Suzanne for taking the time! Mae sure you’re checking out her blog, following her on Twitter, liking her Facebook page and adding all her books to your Goodreads shelf.
The Treatment comes out on 4/29. Pre-order a signed copy from Suzanne’s launch party at Changing Hands, Barnes & Noble or Amazon.
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