Author Interview: Julie Kagawa, Author of The Iron Fey & Blood of Eden

Hello everyone! Recently I did an author interview with Julie Kagawa, author of The Iron Fey series! Below is the Q&A. Enjoy!

1. What inspired you to start writing?

         For a long time, the goal was to become a veterinarian.  Then I discovered all the math and science you had to know to become a veterinarian, and that plan sort of went out the window.  So then I thought, since I love reading and writing so much, that I would try to become an author.  Hey, writing stories should be easy, right?  *Cue hysterical laughter* 

2. In your opinion, what is the best part of being an author?

         Meeting and connecting with fans is still the greatest thing ever.  It's still kind of surreal, to know that there are people out there who have read and loved your books.  Whenever I talk to readers, I'm thrilled and ecstatic and humbled all at the same time, and I never get tired of it.
         My ideal day of being an author is when I sit down to write, and hit that zone when you're writing as fast as your fingers can move; when the characters take over and you're just along for the ride.  And when you finally stop, you're amazed at how much you've written, because it really didn't feel like that at all.  That's my ideal writing day.

3. And the worst part of being an author?

Drinking too many caffeinated sodas?

4. What was your inspiration for the Iron Fey series?

         The exact moment of inspiration was actually in a bookstore.  I remember browsing through the YA section, and suddenly having an idea for a story about a girl who was a faery.  In the very beginning, Meghan started out as a full faery, but as the idea and the story progressed, she became the half-blood faery she is today.

5. What about the Blood of Eden series?

         I actually didn't think I would ever write a vampire book.  In fact, I remember telling myself that I would never write a vampire book because there were already so many, and I didn't feel I had anything new to add.  I was toying with the idea of a post-apocalyptic world when my fabulous agent actually suggested a vampire series, so after thinking about it for a bit, I wondered what would happen if I combined the two.  And that was the beginning. The Immortal Rules turned out to be my longest book to date, and it took me about five months to write the first draft.  

6. Which character of yours do you relate most to, and in what ways?

          I love all my characters, and until recently I would say my favorite character would've been Ash from The Iron Fey series.  But now with the Blood of Eden series, I think it's a tie between him and Allie.  Both of them are cold, tormented, a little angsty, and they both fight with swords.  Of course, Allie is a vampire and Ash is an Unseelie faery prince, but they do have a lot in common.  
  

7. What are your current projects?
I’m about to begin writing the final book in the Call of the Forgotten series, which features Ethan from the Iron Fey series as a teenager. Right now I’m finishing up the last book in the Blood of Eden series, The Forever Song. But my big new super secret project is the book that Universal Studio has optioned for a movie that I can’t tell anyone about until next year. It’s a book near to my heart, so I know my fans are going to love it.

 8. If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in The Iron King?
Not a thing.
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Much thanks to Julie for her time and very prompt reply!