{Blog Tour} Disruption by Jessica Shirvington!
Labels:
Jessica Shirvington,
Young Adult
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Title: Disruption
Series: Disruption #1
Author: Jessica Shirvington
Published: 24th March 2014
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Sci-fi/Futuristic Romance
BLURB:
What if a microchip could identify your perfect match?
What if it could be used against you and the ones you love?
Eight years ago, Mercer Corporation’s M-Bands became mandatory. An evolution of the smartphone, the bracelets promised an easier life. Instead, they have come to control it.
Two years ago, Maggie Stevens watched helplessly as one of the people she loves most was taken from her, shattering her world as she knew it.
Now, Maggie is ready. And Quentin Mercer – heir to the M-Corp empire – has become key to Maggie’s plan. But as the pieces of her dangerous design fall into place, could Quentin’s involvement destroy everything she’s fought for?
In a world full of broken promises, the ones Maggie must keep could be the most heartbreaking.
INTERVIEW WITH JESSICA SHIRVINGTON:
Hi Jess and welcome to The Reading Realm. We’re so excited to have you here today!
Hi Amy, Thanks so much for inviting me to be a guest!
Q. Young Adult books are being read by people of all ages, what do you think it is about these books & characters that are capturing people's attention?
I’m a bit of a romantic at heart so the first reason I’d pick would be young love. It is something we all experience – whether we are reflecting on our first love, in the middle of experiencing our first love, or looking forward to our first love. It binds us all together and no matter our age we understand and appreciate the intense emotions that often surround it. The second reason is that YA characters are often not dealing with the things we are all quite happy to escape for a few hours – job, mortgage etc. I think the sky is the limit for young characters and the adventures they can go on. For readers that makes YA books very appealing.
Q. What book (if any) from your childhood made you fall in love with literature?
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe – by C.S Lewis
Q. So far your books have been told in first person POV. Is this something you consider for each story, or does your writing style naturally lend itself to first person?
It is something I consider. And for me, as a writer, I gravitate towards the more emotional story lines and in order to get as close to those emotions as possible I find that I need to be in the main characters head – experience things as she does and feel them as she does. It is a conscious choice but that doesn’t mean I will never change to a different narrative.
Q. Do you have any writing quirks or rituals?
I handwrite all of my chapter breakdowns. I carry a large notebook with me everywhere I go and in that book is everything to do with the latest story I am working on. It becomes a kind of bible that I am extremely possessive about!
Q. With Disruption set to be released shortly can you give us a little insight into the main character Maggie. What makes her tick?
Maggie is unlike any character I’ve written or come across. To me she is more similar to a lot of male characters in YA books.
I was getting a little tired of the male characters being the ones to bring the unsuspecting girl into a new world – to show her she was part of something and not only that, but a pivotal part. Often, the girl is fed information only when it is deemed necessary by the boy, who often is manipulating the main character. Well, Maggie is the opposite. She has all the information, she is calling the shots, she is bringing in an unsuspecting guy to this world she is involved in, and she is manipulating everything! She is extremely strong and works towards her goals in a single-minded fashion. She doesn’t let anyone persuade her or control her but she spends a lot of time blackmailing the people around her. And underneath it all, she is fiercely loving and loyal.
Q. Your female heroines, Violet, Sabine and now Maggie are very strong yet still make realistic mistakes. Is it important to you that readers can relate to your main characters?
Absolutely. Love or hate them, it is important to have a viewpoint. I had a girl come up to me the other night who loved the Violet Eden Chapters but hated Violet. I loved talking with her because I could see why she felt the way she did and I even agreed with her in many ways. But stories are about a journey, about growth and character development. If they started off perfect on page one, why bother reading on? I need my characters to be both strong and flawed because that is how the majority of people really are.
Q. The Violet Eden Chapters and Between the Lives, were both emotionally driven stories. What can readers expect when they pick up Disruption?
My stories will always be emotionally driven so they can expect more of that. But also, this book is different because there are no supernatural, no otherworldly elements. It is just Maggie in a world just like ours just with a new technology. People have been calling it Dystopian but it really isn’t. If anything, it is a sci-fi thriller (as you mention below).
Q. As Disruption is a science fiction novel, what kind of research did you do while writing?
Heaps. I love research and it has become a part of my writing process that I adore. I went to Arlington, Virginia, where the book is set. I travelled to all the places Maggie does in the book. I went out to hidden government sites and found ex CIA operatives to talk to. I went to the White House, to Georgetown University, I spent time travelling the Metro and walking the streets. Every scene and description has as much truth and research in it as possible.
I also spent a lot of time researching pheromones and microchips so that I could keep the story as close to reality as possible. In the end, it was actually frightening how much of the technology I talk about is already in development.
Q. What was the most difficult part about writing this novel?
Probably deciding on the world rules. I was creating a new type of social structure with a science at the centre of it, so working out all of that took time and a lot of rewriting so it never became overwhelming for the readers (which I hope it isn’t!).
Q. Finally, do you have a favourite quote or line from your new book you'd like to share with us?
In one of the first scenes between Maggie and her friend Gus, they’re talking over the phone and she has just jumped up and realised she gravel and a bad cut on her ass.
Before hanging up, Gus says:
‘Hope that gravel burns like hell when you’re pulling it out.’
It sums up their relationship.
Thanks so much for stopping by and answering some of our questions!
Thanks so much, Amy!!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Check back later in the week for my review of Disruption!
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This was so much fun to read! I see you guys talking about this book on Twitter ALL THE TIME! I really want to read this now. It's definitely near the top of my list so once I have time, definitely getting it!
ReplyDeleteHaha yes I do tend to fangirl over Jess's books a lot on Twitter! I'm pretty much guaranteed to love anything by her :)
DeleteSuch a great interview! I haven't read any of Jessica Shirvington's books, ashamedly for an Australian, but I love the depth and research that goes into this!
ReplyDeleteI particularly agree with what Jess says about the appeal of YA. They are still teens with hardly any of the responsibilities of an adult. That makes it so much more appealing for myself, though I have never thought of it like that!
And woah, the amount of time and research it took to compose the story? You wouldn't believe it, but that makes it all the more likeable. I love it when author's admit to what they have to do to write a book. The more effort, the better. Disruption is definitely going on my To-Read list.
Great interview, Amy!
Thanks so much Bree!! The research is one of the things that stands out in all of Jess's book. You can tell that everything has been so well researched which just makes the books that much better. Especially with Disruption, because it feel so real, like it could actually happen!
DeleteGreat Interview Amy! I love YA Books, and agree with Jessica that they are fun to read because they are a great way to escape, and remember what it was like to be a carefree teenager. I also am a romanic at heart, and it's a special moment when you fall in love for the first time!
ReplyDeleteLindy@ A Bookish Escape
Thanks Lindy! So so true! I am a total hopeless romantic and love to read those first love stories too *dreamy sigh*
DeleteLove the interview! I am a huge fan of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe as well. I love sci-fi so I am definitely curious about this book.
ReplyDeleteTeresa @ Readers Live A Thousand Lives
This is one of the best sci-fi books I've read in a while - so far no info dumping!! And it's such a simple concept that it feel eerily real.
DeleteI love YA because of the firsts too: first crush, first kiss, first love etc and I really enjoy stories told via 1st person. I'll have to read this soon!
ReplyDeleteYes 1st person POV is usually my favourite too, I feel more connected with the characters and their emotions!
Deleteawesome interview! I love learning about authors that are new to me and their writing styles :) emotional is awesome for me!
ReplyDeleteIf you love emotional stories, look no further!! Jess's books will give you all the feels!!
DeleteIt's the first time I heard about this book! I so want to get a hold of Disruption now! Unfortunately, as far as I can tell, it's only available in Australian territories. I'm from the Philippines so I hope Disruption reaches the international audiences as well after the international success of Jessica's Embrace series!
ReplyDeleteAlso, the interview was so full of knowledge about writing. I'm keeping tabs of Jessica's tips! :)
The book is absolutely fabulous! At the moment it is only available in Australia I think, but I'm sure it will be released internationally soon, as all of her other books have been too. Hopefully you can get to read soon!!
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