The time it was about Chosen

Posted December 30, 2019 by Stacee in Interviews | 0 Comments

I am a fan of Kiersten White. She’s always fun to listen at events and her tangents are often hilarious. When I got the invite from Simon & Schuster to interview Kiersten about her upcoming book, Chosen, I couldn’t resist.

Before we get to Kiersten’s answers, let’s check out the book!

Title: Chosen (Slayer #2)
Author: Kiersten White
Pub Date: January 7, 2020
Pages: 368
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Find it: S&S | Indiebound | B&N | Amazon | Goodreads

Nina continues to learn how to use her slayer powers against enemies old and new in this second novel in the New York Times bestselling series from Kiersten White, set in the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Now that Nina has turned the Watcher’s Castle into a utopia for hurt and lonely demons, she’s still waiting for the utopia part to kick in. With her sister Artemis gone and only a few people remaining at the castle—including her still-distant mother—Nina has her hands full. Plus, though she gained back her Slayer powers from Leo, they’re not feeling quite right after being held by the seriously evil succubus Eve, a.k.a. fake Watcher’s Council member and Leo’s mom.

And while Nina is dealing with the darkness inside, there’s also a new threat on the outside, portended by an odd triangle symbol that seems to be popping up everywhere, in connection with Sean’s demon drug ring as well as someone a bit closer to home. Because one near-apocalypse just isn’t enough, right?

The darkness always finds you. And once again, it’s coming for the Slayer.

Sounds good right?

1. Please give the elevator pitch for Chosen.

Are you going to floor thirteen? Oh, me neither. Anyway, this book, set in the Buffyverse, is about the newest Slayer to be chosen—who definitely doesn’t want to be a Slayer but is getting used to it! Just in time for things to go seriously wrong, with a dire new threat and several surprise returns. So here you go, way better than trying to find something on cable tonight. Sorry, can you push seven, I missed my floor.

2. Why do you love Nina and why should we root for her?

Nina always sees her chosen family and cares about their happiness and wellbeing. She’s a healer, and that’s a type of strength that we sometimes overlook. I’ve loved getting to explore a world from her point of view, and also work through the traumas of book one and how they inform who she is in book two.

3. What was the most challenging and most fun thing about writing a book within an existing world?

For the Buffyverse, the biggest challenge was finding space for a new story that could both participate in and stand out from the existing stories and characters. Between the original television show, the spinoff Angel, and the many, many graphic novels that followed, it was a tricky dance figuring out how to put in new characters and stories without stepping on what already existed. But the most fun part was that same thing—how to fit a new piece into such a vast, rich, delightful world. The thing that came easiest to me was the tone and humor, since Buffy influenced me as a writer from day one. (Also I have several cameos in CHOSEN that were so much fun to write!)

4. Without spoilers, which scene was your favorite to write?

There is a scene where several of our intrepid Watchers and Slayers let loose and tell stories while lying on the floor of Cillian’s soda shop. It’s a scene that exists because teens are clever, and they’re silly, so even when the world feels like it’s ending or might actually be ending, finding those moments of companionship and joy is always real. Also, I got to write dialogue for one of my favorite Buffy side characters, which was super hard but also a blast.

5. What is your favorite episode of Buffy?

What a rude question. I refuse to answer. (I can’t answer, but my favorite season is three with most of my favorite episodes coming in later seasons.)

Speed {ish} round:

1. You find out that you’re being published for the first time. Describe the next 5 minutes.

I sank down to the floor and laughed until I cried.

2. What three things would you take to a desert island?

Sunscreen, a pillow, and Netflix.

3. You can only read one book for the rest of your life. What is it?

I’d probably cheat and choose my bind up of every Jane Austen novel or something like that.

4. Which book character would you want to hang out with?

Lada. Ha ha, just kidding, she’d kill me for sure.

5. What is the one thing about publishing you wish someone would have told you?

The only thing you can control is your own writing, so be protective of your creative energies. (People DID tell me that, but I think it’s a lesson every author has to learn.)

5. You wake up and discover you are Bella in Twilight. You know how it plays out. What do you do differently?

Tell Edward and Jacob we should condense the plotlines of books two and three into one story because they cover the same ground, let Jacob know he will not have a POV telling any part of my life, and, actually, upon further thought, maybe ditch them both and date Leah.

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Kiersten White is the New York Times bestselling author of many books for teens and young readers, including And I Darken, Now I Rise, Bright We Burn, The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein, and Slayer. She lives with her family near the ocean in San Diego, where she perpetually lurks in the shadows. website | twitter | instagram

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Huge thanks to Simon & Schuster for the invite and Kiersten for taking the time.

Chosen releases January 7th and she’ll be at Mysterious Galaxy for the launch party. If you’re local, be sure to get your ticket. If you’re not local, you can still place an order for a personalized copy because MG ships!