Hello everyone! Today I have a special treat for you all! I recently got in contact and interviewed Josephine Angelini, author of Starcrossed (May 31, 2011 from HarperTeen). She was super sweet and fun to email with! Without further ado, the interview with Josephine Angelini:

So far my favorite part has been reaching out to people who want to read my book.  The enthusiasm and the energy I've been encountering have been really touching.  And I love giving ARCs away.  It's so much fun for me to sign them and put them in the mail, whether it's for fans in the, US, UK, Germany, the Philippines it's just such a great feeling!

2) I know that Helen has some of your traits, but if you could inherit a trait of Starcrossed's main character Helen, what would it be?

Flying.  Hands down I want to be able to fly.  I dream about it all the time, and that's the main reason I put it in the book.  I love flying dreams!
3) Do you look up to other authors? If so, who?


4) As an author, name three things you can't live without.

5) Have you always had an interest in Gods and Demigods?

I've always been fascinated by Greek mythology.  But then again, I've always loved fantasy and sci-fi, and myths are just really, really old fantasy stories when you get down to brass tacks.  I studied ancient Greek theatre in college, too, and the epic scope of these stories always moved me.  Gods and monsters, family quarrels and honor killings it's just so romantic.

6) Random question: Who is your favorite music artist?

Radiohead or Billie Holiday, it just depends on my mood.

7) I absolutely adore the US cover for Starcrossed! What do you think of it?  Did you get much say in the creation of the cover?

I love the cover too!!  And yes, my editor (Laura Arnold) listened to me about everything I wanted.  She even fought for me when I insisted that Helen's face shouldn't be on the cover b/c I wanted 'The Face' to be a mystery.  But even though I got a lot of say, I can't lay claim to how gorgeous the US cover turned out.  That was all due to the brilliance of the art department at Harper Collins and the impeccable taste of my editor.

8) When you began to write Starcrossed, did you know what the ending would be or did it change and evolve as you wrote the book?

I always know where I'm going before I start writing.  My process starts with extensive character bios, long and involved outlines, and then before I write 'Chapter One' I do what are called beats.  This means I have a list of all the action of the book. A step-by-step Helen wakes up.  Goes downstairs.  Jerry is already cooking breakfast. My timelines and my plotting are very precise.  I never get behind the wheel unless I know exactly where I'm going and how to get there.  And then I still discover stuff, and have to re-do my beats!  Frustrating, but worth the work.

9) Anything else you wish to say about yourself or your book?

I'm just enjoying the whole process right now.  I couldn't be happier with the way my book is being received.  It's thrilling and humbling at the same time. I feel very grateful.

Thank you so much to Josephine Angelini for joining me for this interview! I had a blast and loved her answers!