—LIZZY JOCCLEANN
P. C.: I loved writing this whole book so much, but the epilogue is my special favorite! It was fun to bring in Heath and give him and Zoey some closure. It was also awesome to show that Z will get to visit Other Kevin and he her. But my very favorite is the last part where we learn what affinity Nyx granted Emily/Other Neferet.
As for inspiration—I’m always inspired by Tulsa. For this book I returned to Woodward Park and then wandered around Cascia Hall (the school on which I base the Tulsa HoN) and reminded myself of my early HoN roots.
When writing, is it easier to have everything planned out from start to finish or have an idea form and just wing it as you go? Always been curious how professional writers think. When I have to do a paper for class I always have my topic and gather my support and then just wing it.
—KAYLA DOKU DOKU WARD
P. C.: This differs for each writer—there is no correct way to plan and then write a book. I approach it different ways, depending on whether I’m writing alone or with Kristin. If alone I do a lot of research and brainstorming. I make notes and do a rough outline that ends up looking more like a long synopsis. When I write with Kristin we research and brainstorm together then we write a general outline of the book. We divide the cast of characters (who writes the chapter depends on whose character is the focus) and then we outline each chapter for the entire book. Remember, for the HoN Kristin is/was my frontline editor. We don’t actually cowrite the series. We are, however, cowriting a brand-new trilogy at this time called Sisters of Salem.
K. C.: For me, it’s easier to have everything planned out from start to finish. I don’t always write chronologically, so it’s important to know what’s happened before and after each scene that I write. I’m also much less stressed if I have a chapter-by-chapter outline. Then each day is already mapped out and I can skip the plotting step and just get busy writing.
How long does your research process take for the different places in the HoN series?
—ALEXIS MAPLE
P. C.: The HoN series is unique. A huge amount of the research happened before I even thought of the HoN because I lived in Tulsa. I was fortunate that when I began expanding the HoN world to Scotland and Italy I was able to travel to the Isle of Skye and the Scottish Highlands, where I lived on and off for about a year, as well as visit San Clemente Island outside Venice and Capri and Pompei. I was even able to research in New Orleans (for “Lenobia’s Vow”), St. Louis (“Dragon’s Oath”), and Chicago (“Neferet’s Curse”). It’s not really about time, but about travel.
If you could go back in time before ever writing the first House of Night novel, what advice would you give to your younger selves?
—ANDREA BUCHANAN
P. C.: I’d tell myself that I should try writing two books at the same time sooner than I actually did it. It makes my professional life a lot easier. I’d also tell myself to be wiser about “friends” who were wolves in sheep’s clothing.
K. C.: Drop out of college. I’m still paying off loans for a degree I never completed.
Was it always your plan for Heath to die? I also want to point out that it was super clever to do the opposite meaning for the bulls I really hope they hold open auditions for the cast!
—HANNAH NICOLE
P. C.: No! I didn’t know that was going to happen until Kalona did it! Often my characters do things I don’t expect, and this time it was a massive shock. And yes, our producers do plan on holding open auditions!
If you and Kristin were to live in these books, what would your roles be? For example, would you want to be a professor, a High Priestess, someone on the side of evil, etc. Also, thank you so much for writing these books!! They have let me travel into a different world and are so amazing!!!
—MOIRA DAVIS
P. C.: If I could live in the HoN world I would want Lenobia’s job! I’d be a High Priestess and Horse Mistress for sure.
K. C.: I’d for sure be on the side of evil. I don’t know what I’d be doing, but I’d be doing it evilly.
To me, Loren Blake seemed like he had a story that was waiting to be told. As much as he gave in to Neferet, he had some humanity in him that stood out when Neferet killed him. Did you ever have any other plans with Loren’s character?
—SARA WESTERKAMP
P. C.: Loren Blake was a predator in the original series and a weak, egotistical man in the Other World series. When he writes Skye with his blood as he was dying he didn’t do it because there was a good guy lurking below his shallow surface. He did it because he wanted revenge.
Regarding the House of Night TV series, what is it like behind the scenes for you? What decisions do you have to make to transfer this book into a show? What’s the process like? And, if you picked the actors for the show by the time you publish these questions, what helped you know they would portray the character the way you wanted them to?
—JESSICA MARIE
P. C.: Well, right now (early 2020) we’re in the beginning stages. Kristin and I are highly involved in advising our wonderful screenwriter and also helping our producers compile analytics on our HoN fanbase. We’ll continue to be highly involved in every aspect of the series with the blessing of our wonderful producers, Don Carmody
