Interview: Author Emmy Laybourne

Today I have Emmy Laybourne, the author of Monument 14, here on the blog. She was nice enough to answer some of my questions, I hope you enjoy! You can check out my review of Monument 14 here.

1. We get to meet so many different characters in Monument 14, which one was your favorite to write?

Max! Max, Max, Max. Really, I'm considering writing Max's life story. It would be a portrait of the underbelly of a small Colorado town, from the POV of one small, towheaded first grader with a cowlick and a good memory.

2. Which character did you find the hardest to write?

Hmmm, that's a more difficult question. I think Sahalia was the most difficult. I really empathize with where she is. She's on the edge of being a woman, and feels like a woman, but is still also a kid and is very vulnerable. I didn't like what happened to her in the book. It's hard when you create characters that you really love, to let bad things happen to them, but of course, you have to let the story unfold with it's own force. Even when it's a destructive force.

3. The idea of a bunch of kids being stuck in a Walmart type store with no adults is very interesting. What made you want to write this story?

You know, almost every time I'm in a big store I think about stockpiling food and survival supplies! Maybe it's the combination of the vast quantity of the food/supplies, the lighting and the concrete bunker-feel to the stores themselves! The idea was right there for me, just waiting for me to pluck it up and write it!

4. When writing, do you block out everything else or do you listen to music and/or snack? If so, what type of music do you enjoy listening to?

I have a killer station on Pandora that I used for writing Monument 14. It's Classical Radiohead + Explosions in the Sky + Sigur Ros. It was hugely important to me when writing but now, when any one of the songs come on the radio - I suddenly feel like I'm in danger!

5. Since summer is quickly approaching, are there any books coming out this summer that you are really looking forward to?

Well, you know, I'm on tour with the Fierce Reads girls so I'm really excited about their books. I feel like we four can really lift each other up and help get the word out! Those books are:

Of Poseidon - Anna Banks

Shadow and Bone - Leigh Bardugo

and

Struck - Jennifer Bosworth

Audris, I think you're awesome! Thanks for having me on your blog!  You can check out the other stops on my blog tour at:emmylaybourne.com

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Thanks for being here! :)