SF and I are thrilled today to interview Hilary Wagner, the author of the new classic, NIGHTSHADE CITY!
1. Why rats? Did the story evolve like this or did you consider horses, frogs and bunnies first?
Oh, I always knew it would be rats. I'm a kid at heart and being born just a few days before Halloween, I've always adored the holiday and the books and movies that came with it! In the stories I read and in animated movies, they tend to use rats as creepy background. Nothing more than bony, sinister-looking rats rummaging around a dark alley in the beginning of a movie or in a part of a novel where things really get scary! I decided it was time to make rats the main characters, to explore their world. If you do some investigation, you'll discover they're far more then creepy critters. In fact, they are smarter than most animals as a whole.
2. I love the world you created for them as well as all of their different looks and personalities. Did you have to do any research for this?
Yes indeedy! I love doing research! Who knew I was such a nerdy girl? Okay, I was always nerdy, but I had no idea I was this nerdy! I read several non-fiction books on rats, taking meticulous notes and scoured websites, even got in touch with some known rat experts who were gracious enough to help me. Even still, my rats are very different than the ones that roam the real world. They have "humanish" qualities and not just because I needed them to talk in the book. There is a secret reason for their uniqueness, one that even they have yet to discover.
3. You are so good with these intriguing animals. Do you have plans for any other types of creepy crawlies in future books? Is this going to be a Hilary trademark? :)))
Oh how I loved this book! And wanted to be the first to comment.
(even though I wrote the post :)
Great interview Hilary! So much fun
I'm about a hundred pages in and I'm loving it, too! I can't wait for my daughters to read it.
sf
I LOVE LOVE this book! Great post ladies!
Thank you guys so much for the fantastic interview! You ladies make me smile! I just realized today my debut countdown is in the single digits!!! Less than 9 days until the rats take to the streets full-bore!!!
xoxo -- Hilary
Thank ladies! I love the cover for not making the rat too gruesome, since I'm terrified of them:)
My children have taken a special liking to animals, they would enjoy this tale!
Thanks for the interview, ladies! I'm buying this for my Mom's boyfriend's daughter for sure.
Katie, you are too funny (you commented first).
Great interview to go with a great book!
Super interview! I love Hilary! Can't wait for that sequel. I also love that you commented first :D And that SF commented second. Hehe. You guys are awesome.
Book III?? I like the sound of that! Also, Hilary, wasn't there a corpse-like book in the works at some point, or did I make that up??
Such a fun interview! Now I'm all curious about the new creatures in book 2! :-)
Great interview. I enjoy Hilary's blog, too. NIGHTSHADE CITY is on my TBR list.
I have a rodent book in the drawer. I totally see the appeal. :)
Have a great weekend!