Kayl asked Caragh M. O'Brien:

I recently finished The Rule of Mirrors (I think last month), and I wanted to say WOW! The books are gorgeous on both the inside and out. I did enjoy the dual point-of-view, and I wanted to ask how hard was that to write? Essentially, it was the same character but how did you manage to make them different? Also, I cannot wait for book 3! When is it's expected publication?

Caragh M. O'Brien Kayl ~ Thank you so much! I’m so glad you’re enjoying Rosie’s story. The Rule of Mirrors caused me so much trouble and took so long to write that I begged my editor to postpone publication, and she did by half a year. Definitely handling two points of view added to the complexity of writing the novel, both for dovetailing the parallel plotlines and, as you noticed, dealing with the same character who was changing in different ways once she was in two bodies. I started out writing a long chunk (100 pages) of Thea’s story so I could immerse myself in her mindset, and then I went back to Day 1 and wrote a long chunk from Rosie’s perspective. Only then did I start alternating the sections that eventually became chapters, and I rewrote the whole thing countless times. I was absolutely fascinated by the dynamic between the two girls and by the way their experiences changed them. I kept wondering what it would be like to meet a second version of myself, and how I might be different if I’d taken different paths. When the puzzle of the novel finally came together, and I read a late draft on paper, I was stunned to discover that it worked. I was so happy, and I’m so grateful for all the help my editor gave me. You should see all the timeline charts she sent me as we tried to line up the scenes!
The third book is due out July 11, 2017, and I’m working on it now. So far, it has only one perspective, thank goodness. Thanks for your great questions!
All best,
Caragh

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