The Fire and Thorns Drive-by: Rae Carson

Rae Carson dabbled in many things from teaching to corporate sales to architecture before becoming a full-time writer. The Girl of Fire and Thorns is her first novel. She lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband and stepsons.

Rae’s debut novel is creating a buzz, such a buzz in fact that it’s a finalist for the ALA’s William C. Morris YA Debut Award. Here she talks donuts or danishes and The Worst Idea in the World.

1. The inspiration for A Girl of Fire and Thorns was…
… a dysfunctional dating relationship. My boyfriend at the time was obsessed with my appearance, especially my weight. He made me feel ugly and small. I had been reading a lot at the time, and I couldn’t help but notice how many female protagonists—especially in young adult literature—were improbably beautiful. Where were the stories about the rest of us? Were these fictional women helping to feed our culture’s unhealthy obsession with beauty?

I decided my boyfriend could suck pointy rocks. I broke up with his sorry ass and immediately jotted down a scene about an overweight princess who was destined to become extraordinary—even though she wasn’t perfect.

2. I first knew I was a writer when …
…I wrote my first story in the second grade. It was thinly disguised Nancy Drew fanfiction.

3. If I didn’t write, I would …
… design metal plate connected roof trusses. Besides writing, this was my favorite job ever. In fact, any kind of design is a lot like writing because you use constant analysis while allowing for intuitive leaps.

4. The worst story idea I’ve ever had was …
…an overweight princess who must save the world with her magic navel bling. As soon as it crossed my mind, I knew it was the Worst Idea Ever. So, naturally, I wrote it.

5. Donuts or danishes?
Danishes. Lots of danishes. A cornucopia of danishes.

She blogs here.

 

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