 |
UNFORGOTTEN Blog Tour Schedule
Monday February 17
Tuesday February 18
Wednesday February 19
Thursday February 20
Friday February 21
Monday February 24
Tuesday February 25
Wednesday February 26
Thursday February 27
Friday February 28
|
Next week marks the launch of UNFORGOTTEN, the second book in Jessica Brody's amazing trilogy that began with UNREMEMBERED!
Today, Jessica Brody has stopped by for an awesome interview and reveals a SECRET from the series that you'll only see here!
Not caught up on the series?
No problem!
Keep reading and enter to win!
Check out my reviews of UNREMEMBERED and UNFORGOTTEN to find out why you should be reading this great series!
I've previously reviewed three other books by Brody:
THE KARMA CLUB, MY LIFE UNDECIDED, and 52 REASONS TO HATE MY FATHER.
These are all pure contemporary, while the Unremembered trilogy is much more sci-fi!
Check out my reviews of UNREMEMBERED and UNFORGOTTEN to find out why you should be reading this great series!
I've previously reviewed three other books by Brody:
THE KARMA CLUB, MY LIFE UNDECIDED, and 52 REASONS TO HATE MY FATHER.
These are all pure contemporary, while the Unremembered trilogy is much more sci-fi!
Ready for
UNFORGOTTEN SECRET #3?
Follow the tour every day to discover a new secret!
An interview with
Jessica Brody
After graduating from Smith College in 2001 where she double majored in Economics and French and minored in Japanese, Jessica later went on to work for MGM Studios as a Manager of Acquisitions and Business Development. In May of 2005, Jessica quit her job to follow her dream of becoming a published author.
In four short years, Jessica has sold nine novels (two adult novels to St. Martin's Press and seven young adult novels to Farrar, Straus, Giroux.)
Visit Jessica's website, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube Channel, and Instagram!
See Jessica Brody on tour!
See Jessica Brody on tour!
What gave you the idea to write about a girl as extraordinary as Sera? What sort of research went into developing her?
When I came up with the idea of a character who was created in a lab to be the most perfect sequence of human DNA, I knew she had to have some pretty kick-ass abilities. And to be perfectly honest, I gave Seraphina a lot of the abilities that I, personally, would want to have. Maybe so I could live vicariously through her? Who knows!
For instance, I’ve always had bad eyesight, ever since I was a kid. So naturally, Seraphina has raptor vision! She can even see in the dark! I’ve always been bad at sports and generally unathletic (something I’m working to change about myself!) and so Seraphina can run like the wind and lift more than a hundred times her weight. And I’ve always been obsessed with foreign languages and as a kid, I used to pretend I could speak every single one. Seraphina can.
I did some research when it came to the science of Seraphina, mostly dealing with memories, genetic manipulation, synthetic biology (the creation of life from scratch), but a lot of her as a character came from my imagination. When writing her, particularly in book 1 when she’s the most clueless, I used to imagine I was an alien from outer space who just crash landed on our planet. I would go into town and observe things through that lens. Then I would ask myself, what about all of this would make no sense to an outsider? That’s pretty much how I wrote from her POV.
It intrigues me that so much of UNFORGOTTEN takes place in 2032! This is only 18 years from now, yet so much has changed! How did you go about building this futuristic, sci-fi world? How much of this future do you think will be reality by the time we reach 2032? Do these changes scare you at all? They scare me a little!
Crazy huh? We are in a time of exponential technological growth. The things we’ve managed to accomplish in only the past 10 years have been mind boggling. And technology is only growing faster. So imagine what will happen in twenty years?
This was definitely the most entertaining part of writing this book. I did do a lot of research into futuristic technology and society to write the portions of the book that take place in 2032. But I also simply looked at the things we have today and the direction our world seems to be heading and then just amped it up. I got the idea for the DIP cards (Digital-Identification Pass) from all the RFID chips that are being put in everything these days and the apps on our phones that carry so much of our personal and financial information!
I also read a book called PHYSICS OF THE FUTURE by Micho Kaku (fascinating!!!) which breaks down exactly what life and technology will be like in 10 years, 50 years and 100 years. Some stuff I exaggerated, some I didn’t have to. It was cool enough on its own! For instance, a lot of people believe that cars will drive themselves by the year 2025. Is it really so much of a stretch? They already park themselves!
Yes, it’s a little scary, but I also think it’s pretty exciting. I can’t wait to sit back and read a book while my car takes me to dinner across town. ^_^
What has been the hardest thing to write in the series? The easiest?
The easiest part was the love story. Seraphina and Zen just flew off the page from the moment they first meet. They didn’t need any help. Whenever they were together, the scenes kind of wrote themselves.
First off, thanks for calling my series “adrenaline-filled!” That makes my day!!!
It was very weird and oftentimes challenging. But it was also very refreshing to try something new and different. Writers need to stretch their creative muscles and write outside of their comfort zone every once in a while. If you’re a writer looking to try out a new genre, try something shorter and simpler first, like a short story or a writing exercise. I think switching genres helps keep you on your toes. And I believe you should always challenge yourself to do new things, no matter what profession you’re in!
But what I quickly discovered when writing this series (which I wasn’t expecting) is that all my YA novels—regardless of genre—are very similar at heart. I write stories about discovering who you are and dealing with what life brings you (because that’s universal.) In UNREMEMBERED, all I did was insert this struggle into a science-fiction setting where I could exaggerate the “who am I” question. As a writer, it’s fun to be able to create an extraordinary world, drop a character in, and see what she does.
Was it weird changing your writing style so completely? You went from fun, contemporary "normal, every day" stand-alone novels to an adrenaline-filled sci-fi series! What is your advice for other authors looking to write in multiple genres?
First off, thanks for calling my series “adrenaline-filled!” That makes my day!!!
It was very weird and oftentimes challenging. But it was also very refreshing to try something new and different. Writers need to stretch their creative muscles and write outside of their comfort zone every once in a while. If you’re a writer looking to try out a new genre, try something shorter and simpler first, like a short story or a writing exercise. I think switching genres helps keep you on your toes. And I believe you should always challenge yourself to do new things, no matter what profession you’re in!
But what I quickly discovered when writing this series (which I wasn’t expecting) is that all my YA novels—regardless of genre—are very similar at heart. I write stories about discovering who you are and dealing with what life brings you (because that’s universal.) In UNREMEMBERED, all I did was insert this struggle into a science-fiction setting where I could exaggerate the “who am I” question. As a writer, it’s fun to be able to create an extraordinary world, drop a character in, and see what she does.
A very beloved picture book makes an appearance in UNFORGOTTEN. What were your favorite picture books growing up?
Ooh! I’m glad you noticed that! I always loved that book! And the theme felt so perfect for the story I was trying to tell with UNFORGOTTEN!
My favorite childhood book, however, was GO DOG GO. It was the first book I learned how to read, as well. Although it was probably more “memorizing” than actual “reading” since I forced my parents to read it to me obsessively! I used to get to the part where the girl dog asks the boy dog if he likes her hat, and I would abridge the dialogue and simply read, “My hat? No. Goodbye.” *Page flip*
Now I buy that book as a baby shower gift for all my pregnant friends. The dog party must go on!
Mwahaha! I’m such an evil author, aren’t I?
I know UNFORGOTTEN has only just come out, but for those readers suffering after that ending...can you reveal anything at all about the final book in the series?
Mwahaha! I’m such an evil author, aren’t I?
Well, if you’d asked me this question three months ago, I wouldn’t have been able to give you an answer but now that the first draft of book 3 (title to be revealed soon!) is written and turned into my editor, I can share with you a few things.
Here are three little hints about UNTITLED:
- Much of book 3 takes place on the Diotech compound (in the year 2116)
- There is way more sci-fi world building and cool futuristic stuff (like a TON!) If you were scared about the technology in 2032, just wait until you see what’s in store in 2116!
- Seraphina’s memories will be altered once more…but not in the way you might think.
BAH! That’s the first time I’ve EVER written anything about book 3. Okay, now I’m scared.
Thanks so much for hosting me on your blog! I hope everyone enjoys UNFORGOTTEN!
*Oh and please check out the UNFORGETTABLE FAN challenge that’s currently running on my website! Every fan who completes the challenge gets a prize pack which includes an Unremembered Eternal Knot necklace!
http://www.jessicabrody.com/2014/02/the-unforgettable-fan-challenge-with-guaranteed-prizes-for-all-fans/
Thank you so much, Jessica!
I was really excited to see a little bit about the third book, and can't wait to find out the third title! For now, I like that UNTITLED has an UN, too, lol!
Funny story? Just recently people on the radio were talking about how cars would be driving themselves soon. It made me think of UNFORGOTTEN!!!
I was really excited to see a little bit about the third book, and can't wait to find out the third title! For now, I like that UNTITLED has an UN, too, lol!
Funny story? Just recently people on the radio were talking about how cars would be driving themselves soon. It made me think of UNFORGOTTEN!!!
~*~
O F F I C I A L I N F O:
Title: UNFORGOTTEN
Author: Jessica Brody
Release Date: Feb. 25, 2014
Publisher: Farrar, Straus, & Giroux/Macmillan
Received: For Review
Received: For Review
SUMMARY:
Some memories are better left forgotten...
After a daring escape from the scientists at Diotech who created her, Seraphina believes she is finally safe from the horrors of her past. But new threats await Sera and her boyfriend, Zen, at every turn as Zen falls prey to a mysterious illness and Sera’s extraordinary abilities make it more and more difficult to stay hidden. Meanwhile, Diotech has developed a dangerous new weapon designed to apprehend her. A weapon that even Sera will be powerless to stop. Her only hope of saving Zen’s life and defeating the company that made her is a secret buried deep within her mind. A secret that Diotech will kill to protect. And it won’t stay forgotten for long.
After a daring escape from the scientists at Diotech who created her, Seraphina believes she is finally safe from the horrors of her past. But new threats await Sera and her boyfriend, Zen, at every turn as Zen falls prey to a mysterious illness and Sera’s extraordinary abilities make it more and more difficult to stay hidden. Meanwhile, Diotech has developed a dangerous new weapon designed to apprehend her. A weapon that even Sera will be powerless to stop. Her only hope of saving Zen’s life and defeating the company that made her is a secret buried deep within her mind. A secret that Diotech will kill to protect. And it won’t stay forgotten for long.
Packed with mystery, suspense, and romance, this riveting second installment of Jessica Brody’s Unremembered trilogy delivers more heart-pounding action as loyalties are tested, love becomes a weapon, and no one’s memories are safe.
~*~
****Giveaway*****
Enter to win
UNREMEMBERED in paperback
and UNFORGOTTEN in hardcover!
US/CA.
(Ends 3/3)
***Two entries will be unlocked tomorrow!***
a Rafflecopter giveaway
UNREMEMBERED in paperback
and UNFORGOTTEN in hardcover!
US/CA.
(Ends 3/3)
***Two entries will be unlocked tomorrow!***
I'm excited to read the finished copy! i read the ARC of this and unremembered
ReplyDeletemy favorite part of the interview were the hints on the 3rd book
ReplyDeleteI haven't started the series yet so I don't want to read too many spoilers but I am happy to see that these books have to do with genetics because I am really interested in the topic!
ReplyDeletenice blog realy nice i like it :) wallpapers
ReplyDeleteOh I love how she included the picture book!! Also, I like how she admits to having a hardest part of writing. It reminds me that she is still human, no matter how awesomely-human that is
ReplyDeleteOkay, even though I haven't yet gotten my hands on Unforgotten, I am already dying for book 3!! It sounds like these last 2 books will be just as amazing as the first. I like that she gave the character features that she wish she had!
ReplyDeleteFabulous interview!! I love finding out more information about book 3. So secretive!!! Just got the novella. Cannot wait to read Unforgotten!
ReplyDeleteAwesome interview, my favorite part is definitely the part where Jessica gives us the three hints about the third book!
ReplyDelete