Labels, No Regrets and Dreaming Out Loud
This week's Anonymous Teen Reader is one of my very favorites! She forgot to give me a picture, so I'm posting this one to go with her interview because she is such a sweetheart. Even though we've never met, I sense so much light in her heart. This picture seemed perfect!
Before I get to her interview, I just want to remind you of a few contest and giveaway-type things.
Please vote for the Guardian of the Gate trailer over at Justine Sparks Reek Book Video Awards. The Guardian trailer is a finalist in the Historical category. You can vote once a day in each category. That's Kenneth's music in the trailer, so you're kind of voting for both of us since I can't take much credit for the trailer itself!
February's Reader of the Month will be announced on March 1st and will win a $25 book store gift card and a few other goodies from moi. Last month's winner, Elly, chose a Borders gift card and also received some Bath and Body Works body spray, fuzzy socks, and a postcard with a message from me. All you have to do to be eligible to win is be registered in the Forums and be an active participant.
Lastly, March marks the beginning of my MASSIVE Fanart giveaway. It will run for the entire month and there will be a grand prize winner and two runners up for the most awesome pieces of Prophecy-related fanart. The Grand Prize winner will receive Photoshop CS5 Extended Teacher/Student Edition, and the runners up will each receive an awesome pack of art supplies. All entries will be posted on my website and the winners will be chosen by five published authors to be announced. Details to come very, very soon, but feel free to start creating!
Also, if you'd like to be an Anonymous Teen Reader, just send an email to prophecypress@aol.com with "Anonymous Teen Reader" in the subject line and we'll get you the questions.
And now, meet Athena!
JUST THE FACTS
Interview Code Name (you choose!); Athena
Current country of residence; Norway
Male or female? Female
Age; 19
ABOUT THE BOOKS
How many books, on average, do you read a month? Between 3 and 6 or 7. It all depends on the amount of school work and other things.
Favorite kind of book and why; I love fantasy and adventure books. I really like books that take me to another world with new countries and time-travel and things like that.
Name the single most important factor in your decision to purchase a book; The cover and the description at the back. I have bought books based on cover alone, but I usually read the description first.
What makes you feel like you're reading or have read a truly amazing book? When I still remember the story in details several weeks later, and dream of the story at night. That happens quite frequently.
How important is a friend's recommendation in your decision to purchase a book? I do check out my friends' recommendations on Goodreads once in a while, but I usually buy books without having read any recommendations beforehand.
Thing you'd like to see more or less of in the YA genre; I'd like to see more time travel, actually. It's been a lot of vampires, faeries and dystopian books lately. (I love book that take me to different places!)
What's your biggest pet peeve in a book? I like a bit of action, so long, uninteresting dialogues without a depth to them make me bored.
Paperback or hardcover? Paperback. Much cheaper, since a hardcover book in Norway usually costs 66 USD, so… But hardcover books do have a special feeling when you open them, I love the creaky sound. ($66 USD?!! Oh, my! That's so much!)
Series or stand-alone? Series. I like to really get to know the characters and feel like they become my friends (or foes).
ALL ABOUT YOU
If you had a life philosophy or motto, what would it be? I don't have one, but I love "Dream out loud" as a motto.
Are your parents divorced? Yes, they have been divorced since I was 8 years old (year 2000)
Do you feel that being a teenager is difficult? If so, why? Yes, definitely. I was recently diagnosed with Asperger syndrome and I'm not a social person at all, and I feel that as a teenager, I should be partying and spending time with friends, but I don't. (my younger son has AS, hon, but my older ones don't & they don't party at all, either. Wish you lived closer. You'd fit right in!)
List some of your hobbies. Reading, writing, spending time with my family, making lists (lol), and I also like to play volleyball.
Why do you think teenagers feel the need to label one another? I think it's just an easy way out of having to get to know the person. It's easier to stick a label on and avoid them. (Very wise…)
Favorite color? Pink, white and silver.
Is there anything in your past that makes you sad or angry? If so, are you willing to share it here? Yes. I was bullied when I was younger, and that makes me both sad and angry. But I'm over it now, it all ended when I was 12 anyway so…
What is your passion? I don't think I have one. I would love to say I have, but no.
Do you feel the need to pretend to be someone you're not? If so, why? Most of the time, yes. It's easier.
What kinds of things do you think about when you're all alone? I daydream and think about my future sometimes. And other times it's just random thoughts and once in a while I get an idea for a short story.
How do you keep your bed? Covered in pillows? Made perfect every morning? a mess of tangled sheets? A "tidy mess" with quite a few pillows and a lot of blankets.
Do you ever feel the need to be invisible? If so, why? All the time. I like to be alone most of the time.
Do you believe that you will ever find the type of love in books and movies? I want to believe that, but I'm not sure anymore. I've never had a boyfriend, so I don't really know what it's like to be in love. My parents' love for each other burned out, so why won't mine? Don't get me wrong, I love love, I'm just insecure about it. :-)
Do you like school? Why or why not? I love school. If I could choose to go to school and not have job for the rest of my life, I would. I like learning new things, having a schedule so that I always now what is coming up.
Do you believe that education is important? I believe that education is very important and I feel lucky that I'm living in Norway, which is now the only country in Europe where going to a university/college is free. I want to be an optician.
Are the cliques you read about or see on TV present in your school? Not really. Norwegian high schools are very different from American high schools, so whenever we watch an American TV show, we thinks it's a bit exotic with all those cliques. There are no cheerleaders in Norwegian high schools, no jocks, no drama club people etc. Basically it's just a huge group of different people.
Do you ever feel awkward and uncomfortable? Most of the time, yes.
Favorite animal? I like dogs and cats, but I'm allergic to both. They're so cute, though! And I love dolphins. They're so intelligent and graceful.
Have you ever been mean to someone? If so, why? How did it make you feel afterward? Yes. I used to fight a lot when I was younger, especially with older children. I wanted to sort of "protect" the younger kids, I guess.
Do you regret any of the choices you've made? If so, are you willing to share them here? No, not really. My choices have led me to where I am today, and I'm happy with my life most of the time.
Do they wonder or worry about what other people think about you? Be honest! Of course. I worry too much. I need to just stop letting it bother me. (because you're awesome, just as you are.)
