Katharyn Blair
Author Interview - Katharyn Blair
Author of Unchosen
“UNCHOSEN is a survival story and a love story. A virus called the Crimson, which is passed through eye contact, sweeps the globe and brings humanity to its knees as it turns people into ravenous zombie-like creatures called Vessels. Everyone awaits the arrival of The Chosen One, who will bring the virus to an end. And the Chosen One is our main character’s sister. When danger comes to their door, Charlotte makes a rash decision: she pretends to be The Chosen One in order to save her sister’s life. But what started as a lie to save her sister soon becomes something bigger, and Charlotte soon finds herself on an adventure she never saw coming.”
Author I draw inspiration from: I absolutely adore Laurie Halse Anderson. I've been reading her books since I was in middle school, and I've always found solace in her words. Her protagonists feel real and brave at the same time -- and I wanted to write characters like that. (I want to *be* a character like that.)
Favorite place to read a book: I love to read in the chair next to my kids' bunk bed as my two oldest fall asleep.
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with: I'd like to think that if I was stuck in an elevator with Manon Blackbeak from Sarah J. Maas's Throne of Glass series, she would a) not kill me and b) find a way to get us out of there because being stuck in an elevator is my WORST nightmare!
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author: I was twenty-two and on my honeymoon. I'd just graduated from college and knew I needed to figure out what I wanted to do. I knew what I thought I should do -- law school, maybe? But I also knew what I wanted to do: write. My husband bought me "On Writing" by Stephen King, and I read it in a day. I decided then that I wanted to give being an author a real shot.
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook: All of the above, please!
The last book I read: I read "The Risk" by Elle Kennedy.
Pen & paper or computer: Computer for serious drafting, but pen and paper for untangling plot problems!
Book character I think I’d be best friends with: I like to think I'd be best friends with Selah from Anna Bright's "Beholder" duology. The girl has some serious gumption!
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a: I'd love to believe I'd be a good detective, but that might be wishful thinking.
Favorite decade in fashion history: I'm pretty basic -- this "yoga pants/sweatshirts are completely acceptable attire" era suits me just fine, so I'd have to say now!
Place I’d most like to travel: When 2021 permits, I'm so excited to go back to Big Sur. It's one of my favorite places in the world.
My signature drink: I love a good whiskey sour!
Favorite artist: Charlie Bowater breaks my heart in the best way.
Number one on my bucket list: I want to travel to the UK with my kids.
Author Bio: Katharyn Blair is a novelist and screenwriter. She has her MFA in screenwriting and her MA in literature. She’s been a social media coordinator for several films at 20th Century Fox, an intern at her city’s Parks and Recreation Department, a gymnastics coach, and, most recently, a writing professor at Azusa Pacific University. UNCHOSEN is her second novel for young adults. Her debut novel, The Beckoning Shadow received two starred trade reviews and was the book of the month for Book Box Club, Shelf Love Crate, and Beacon Box.