Fractured – the sequel to Slated – will soon be published in the UK: 4th April 2013!
My UK publisher, Orchard Books, thought it’d be fun to have some Q&A in the back of the book. And I had this idea: how about you decide what questions I should answer?
All you need to do is put your question in the comments to this blog post, below.
Questions can be about my books, about me, about being a writer, about writing…. you decide.
And Orchard Books have promised a signed copy of Fractured for everyone whose question we use! Not only that, but you'll get them well BEFORE the publication date, as soon as we get them in.
Time is tight as the deadline for getting Fractured to print is approaching: so, go on – you know you want to…
Thanks and good luck!
The fine print:
This competition is now closed. Winners will be posted on this website as soon as possible (hopefully in a week or so). Thanks for entering!
Orchard Books and I will pick the questions together. Our decision is final. If more than one person asks essentially the same question we'll go with the first one to ask it.
This is open internationally, and closes at midnight 11th November (UK time)...oh no it's not: EXTENDED!!!! to midnight on 14th November....!!! (UK time)
Winners will be posted on my blog a week later.
p.s. there is another giveaway of FOUR books by different authors from my events at the Edinburgh Book Festival this year: including a signed copy of Slated. This is on Demention, my group blog on Dystopian fiction. You can find it here.
callum potts (Friday, 02 November 2012 19:07)
What's happened to ben?
Michelle Moore (Friday, 02 November 2012 19:09)
Where did the inspiration for the story come from?
Rory Gallagher (Friday, 02 November 2012 19:10)
What would you say was your most influential muse when writing Slated?
Michelle Moore (Friday, 02 November 2012 19:11)
I couldn't decide between these, so if I'm allowed two? :-D
Did you always know there would be more than one book, or did the story develop whilst writing?
Liveotherwise (Friday, 02 November 2012)
If you could go back in time and speak to your pre published self, what piece of advice would you give yourself?
callum potts (Friday, 02 November 2012 19:13)
Was the story line of slated your first idea or did you have any others?
Stephanie Ellison (Friday, 02 November 2012 19:13)
If you could be a character from any book for one day, which character would you be?
Ben Bastow (Friday, 02 November 2012 19:14)
Is there going to be another book in the series?
Alex Bastow (Friday, 02 November 2012 19:17)
Who is your favourite Character in the book?
Kate Ormand (Friday, 02 November 2012 19:18)
Whilst reading Slated, the Levo kept me constantly on edge. It is an extremely cruel device and its presence had a huge impact on Kyla throughout the story. I'd like to know where the idea for that came from.
Rebecca Boal (Friday, 02 November 2012 19:18)
What did Kyla do to get slated?
Adeeb (Friday, 02 November 2012 19:21)
How would you describe the experience at Orchard books? Before getting published, while getting published, and after getting published
Ashley (Friday, 02 November 2012 19:23)
Can you imagine the practice of slating people ever becoming a reality in our world?
Tiff Lomas (Friday, 02 November 2012 19:27)
Hello! Are you a big reader and which (if any) authors/books have inspired you to write?
Jenna-Marie Charlton (@JM9824) (Friday, 02 November 2012 19:32)
Do you ever think that the things in your book that you have wriiten will come true in the a few years time? For example- do you believe slating could become a real possibality and that our goverment would do such a thing?
Ruth Holroyd (Friday, 02 November 2012 20:10)
Is Kyla based at all on you? Does she ever find out what she did or saw to warrant slating? What did Ben do? Is Ben OK? Crikey... Only one question. So excited to read it.
Mary Acland (Friday, 02 November 2012 20:11)
The idea of the Levo is fascinating. In Slated, the Levo is a very negative device which causes much heartache and pain, but do you think there could be a place in society for it to be used in a positive way? and what is that use?
Cordelia Fitzgerald (Friday, 02 November 2012 20:11)
Did the plot or a character take any twists that you were not expecting and that surprised you the author?
Cordelia Fitzgerald (Friday, 02 November 2012 20:12)
Email: cordfitz[AT]gmail[dot]com
Mary Acland (Friday, 02 November 2012 20:15)
Autism is mentioned a number of times in your book and is also linked into how the procedure for slating is discovered. Is there a personal reason for autism featuring so prominently?
Mary Acland (Friday, 02 November 2012 20:19)
How do you construct your plots and characters?
Esme Bathe (Friday, 02 November 2012 20:31)
Do you believe that the concept of Slating could ever become a reality for the benefit (or not) of mankind?
Michelle Moore (Friday, 02 November 2012 21:00)
3rd question : What's your average writing day like, do you stick to a set schedule?
Barmy_Bex (Friday, 02 November 2012 21:32)
Some characters chose to be slated - to forget crimes they'd done or seen, is there anything you would want to forget in your life?
Nabeegh Usman (Friday, 02 November 2012 21:34)
Why did Dr Lysander lie to Kyla when she said that she didn't know what happened to Ben/
Nabeegh Usman (Friday, 02 November 2012 21:36)
*?
Little M (Friday, 02 November 2012 21:58)
If you had a mind that is powerful enough could you remember what happened before you were Slated?
Little M (Friday, 02 November 2012 22:04)
What is the point of the levo trying to stop people from getting angry when it makes people get angry because it is attached to them?
Jamaica Sparks (Friday, 02 November 2012 22:16)
Do you think that slating is a possible method in the future?
Paula Harrison (Friday, 02 November 2012 22:20)
What is your favourite moment in Fractured?
Myra White (Friday, 02 November 2012 22:47)
What is your favourite way to write? For example; carefully pre-structure your story or just write and see where it begins to take you before planning anything?
Myra White (Friday, 02 November 2012 22:49)
Do you have a lucky item, something you just can't write without?
Janine D'Angelo (Friday, 02 November 2012 23:20)
Do you have a storyline in mind before the end of one book and the start of the next book, or even all the way through to the end of all the sequels, or does it come as you go along?
Janine D'Angelo (Friday, 02 November 2012 23:23)
Why so long between books, do you have a dealine to write to, or can publishing dates be brought forward?
Stella Morgan (Saturday, 03 November 2012 04:58)
How did you come up with the idea of people being Slated?
George Kirk (Saturday, 03 November 2012 12:43)
Which of your characters do you have the greatest affinity with?
Ruwa Mandishona (Saturday, 03 November 2012 13:58)
If you could change anything about the book, what would it be?
Lorraine Cannell (Saturday, 03 November 2012 16:43)
Can you tell us a bit about your journey to becoming a published writer, and was there ever a time when you thought about giving up?
Lorraine Cannell (Saturday, 03 November 2012 16:46)
How do you come up with your characters?
Melissa T (Saturday, 03 November 2012)
What was your inspiration for the character Kyla?
Donna Vann (Saturday, 03 November 2012 20:35)
Do you have a method to plotting - or does the storyline just 'happen'? Is there a particular book on plotting that you would recommend?
Portia Mearns (Saturday, 03 November 2012 20:57)
What happened to Ben? Is he still alive?
Portia Mearns (Saturday, 03 November 2012 21:05)
Would you like to see Slated and Fractured adapt into films in the coming future?
Shannon Ryan (Saturday, 03 November 2012)
How much of the fictional coalition was drawn from the current government?
Shannon Ryan (Saturday, 03 November 2012 21:14)
#2 - Do you personally think that slating for things like rape/trauma would be a good thing, or do you think that the events in a person's past are too important a part of a person as a whole?
Shannon Ryan (Saturday, 03 November 2012 21:16)
#3 - Do you have any plans for a series post-slated trilogy, or are you just seeing what happens?
Katie @ The Book Review Library (Saturday, 03 November 2012 23:00)
(sorry if this has already been asked!)
what inspired you to write Slated?
Hannah Busby (Saturday, 03 November 2012 23:59)
Was it easier writing 'Fractured' having laid the groundwork - so to speak - in 'Slated' or was it harder knowing there was a greater expectation from fans?
Emma C Williams (Sunday, 04 November 2012 07:37)
Did your unusual decision to have the greatest horrors of your dystopian world arise out of a coalition compromise take any of it's inspiration from recent political events?
Ben T Bastow (Sunday, 04 November 2012 13:37)
What year is the series set in?
Tiff Lomas (Sunday, 04 November 2012 18:15)
Have you always written? Was your career plan to become a writer and if not, how did it happen?
Hannah Houston (Sunday, 04 November 2012 18:28)
Do you believe that all of the travelling you have done in your life and the many countries that you have lived in influenced the key idea of Slated? And if so, how?
Hannah Houston (Sunday, 04 November 2012 18:34)
It mentions in the 'about the author' section at the back of Slated that you had several different jobs before finally taking the leap into writing. Was it a difficult choice to finally decide to try to get some of your work published? Please give your best advice for young authors out there that have been inspired by your book.
Janette Taumoli (Monday, 05 November 2012 02:28)
We hear it often said but do you agree, "Work hard and never stop trying and you will succeed". Do you believe this and was this the case for your writing?
Are writers/authors odd people? (be honest HAHAHA)
Do you have any other dreams of things you want to achieve in your lifetime?
Vuma (Monday, 05 November 2012 17:14)
which authors influence you the most growing up and how did their influence lead you to be able to write a book of your own?
Zac Harding (Monday, 05 November 2012 19:20)
If you had a Levo on your wrist what things would make it plummet?
laura carter (Monday, 05 November 2012)
Are any of the characters in slated inspired by people that you know?
laura carter (Monday, 05 November 2012 21:41)
What give you the idea for the technology that exists in Slated such as the levo and slating itself? Do you imagine that we could ever develop such technology and what would be your thoughts on their use.
laura carter (Monday, 05 November 2012 21:45)
I imagine that wtiting fractured must have been quite stressfull at times especialy with how many people loved slated so what is your favourite thing to do to relax?
Jess Radley (Tuesday, 06 November 2012 18:22)
#1 if you do which character do you relate to the most??
Jess Radley (Tuesday, 06 November 2012 18:26)
#2 when you were a teenager what were your favourite reads/ authors and do these influence your writing??
Jess Radley (Tuesday, 06 November 2012 18:27)
#3 Do you think being slated is a fair system and would you choose to forget??
Tara (Tuesday, 06 November 2012 19:10)
In your experience, what is the best way to gather ideas and write a novel that a wide variety of people would like and not just a couple?
Tara (Tuesday, 06 November 2012 19:41)
Which character in the book do you think is most like you or you can relate to most?
Jenna-Marie Charlton (@JM9824) (Tuesday, 06 November 2012 20:13)
Do you think that Terrorisum could turn into something that we must deal with day to day because people believe it is the only way to prove a point to our government? Like it suggest in this book.
JM9824 (Tuesday, 06 November 2012 20:16)
They way you describe loaders makes me think of a personified versoion of death,is this the effect you intended?
zoe harris (Wednesday, 07 November 2012 18:12)
who would you say is your biggest influence towards your writing style/as an author?
Jacki Draycott (Wednesday, 07 November 2012 19:36)
What advise would you give to a 13 year old who wants to be an author?
Samina Mohammad (Wednesday, 07 November 2012 21:54)
If you could be one of the characterr from your book, which one would you like to be? If you want to be one at all.
Delphine Gomez (Wednesday, 07 November 2012 22:13)
You hate broccoli, you love cats but do you also like to run as much as Kyla does? After your description of Kyla's experience of running, I might even want to try to run to see if it is possible to go near this extraordinary place she escapes to when she runs. Or maybe it is not real and only a consequence of being slated?
Delphine Gomez (Wednesday, 07 November 2012 22:21)
"Who are you? Are you Lucy?"
No! That snivelling weakling is gone, forever. I am...you. The you that was"
What does this mean? Is Kyla ever going to find Lucy?
mary ann (Thursday, 08 November 2012)
Where did you get the idea of "slated" as a notion of your story? or is it even the first idea/theme that comes to your mind when you decide to work on a book?
Karen Cheung (Thursday, 08 November 2012 19:21)
Why was she named Kyla and not something else? Did she remind you of someone named Kyla which has a similar personality or did you think that Kyla would suit the type of character she is?
Karen Cheung (Thursday, 08 November 2012 20:24)
What kind of example do you wish to set to children who have read this book? Do you think it'll inspire them to be authors themselves or to teach them something valuable? If so what will it be?
Thea Dansie (Thursday, 08 November 2012 21:11)
Has this book had any affect on you as a person, has it changed you in any way?
Thea Dansie (Thursday, 08 November 2012 21:12)
Has writing these books and being an author make you see the world differently?
Thea Dansie (Thursday, 08 November 2012 21:14)
Did you have more than one endings which you couldnt decide on?
Thea Dansie (Thursday, 08 November 2012 21:14)
Because you had a dream about slated, did you find it harder writing Fractured?
Thea Dansie (Thursday, 08 November 2012 21:17)
Because of this new world you have created in Slated, and Fractured, has it made you want to live in the same ways as they do in the book. Do you notice things you hadnt before?
Thea Dansie (Thursday, 08 November 2012 21:20)
Do you wish you had done anything differently to the books/story, before they were published? Are you satisfied with the outcome?
Thea Dansie (Thursday, 08 November 2012 21:24)
Did you choose a particular font of writing for the books to create a particular feeling?
Thea Dansie (Thursday, 08 November 2012 21:28)
As you are a new author, have you been inspired by any other authors? if you have, who are they?
Depending on who it is, do you think you directed your books to be like theirs?
Thea Dansie (Thursday, 08 November 2012 21:36)
When writing your books, did you have a butterfly with you. As you said you like butterflys?
Thea Dansie (Thursday, 08 November 2012 21:39)
When you go to visit schools to talk about your book, do you enjoy being asked questions and talking about your book?
Did you read the prologue for a reason?
Rebecca Ferguson (Thursday, 08 November 2012 22:27)
Where did you get the idea and name for the levo ?
Katy Evans (Thursday, 08 November 2012 22:33)
If you could have written any book from the last 10 years what would it be and why?
Dearbhail McNulty (Thursday, 08 November 2012 23:18)
Is there any people in your life that relate to the people in your book?
Maddie (Thursday, 08 November 2012 23:56)
What were some of your favorite books as a child? Did those books inspire your writing in any way? How?
mads(at)meylor(dot)com
Ellen Dean (Friday, 09 November 2012 00:09)
What made you decide to set the book so close to the present?
Susie Kearley (Friday, 09 November 2012 08:24)
Was the world in Slated inspired by your own experiences and how, or to what extent, did real-life experiences help the novel take shape?
Aliya Ashcroft (Friday, 09 November 2012 09:06)
Did you know what the book was going to be called when you started writing it?
Aliya Ashcroft (Friday, 09 November 2012 09:07)
Did you get any of your ideas from other books you have read?
Aliya Ashcroft (Friday, 09 November 2012 09:10)
How old were you when you had the dream about slated
Aliya Ashcroft (Friday, 09 November 2012 09:12)
How old were you when you realised that you wanted to be a writer
Aliya Ashcroft (Friday, 09 November 2012 09:14)
Did you have any choice in what the front cover looked like
Aliya Ashcroft (Friday, 09 November 2012 09:16)
If slated becomes a movie,who would you want to play Kyla?
Aliya Ashcroft (Friday, 09 November 2012 09:18)
How many copies of slated have you sold already
Aliya Ashcroft (Friday, 09 November 2012 09:24)
How long has it taken you to write Fractured
Aliya Ashcroft (Friday, 09 November 2012 09:26)
Did you have any choice in the cover of fractured
Sophia Miles (Friday, 09 November 2012 09:48)
Why did you decide to write Young Adult fiction?
and/or,
Do you think you will continue writing Young Adult fiction, or is there another genre you would like to tackle?
Lou Willis (Friday, 09 November 2012 16:25)
If you had your choice of actors, who would you cast as who if there was ever a film version of the book?
Who would you comission to write the soundtrack?
Who would you choose to direct?
Would you write the screenplay?!
Too many? Sorry!
Aliya Ashcroft (Friday, 09 November 2012 21:20)
i noticed that the cover of fractured is a lot more brighter and colouful than Slated. Is it a happier book?
Aliya Ashcroft (Friday, 09 November 2012 21:23)
I think that slated is amazing, and i am sure lots of other people do aswell. When you were younger, did you ever imagine that you would have a published book that was so successful?
Ben Bastow (Friday, 09 November 2012 23:22)
Which Book do you prefer Slated or Fractured and why?
Kerri (Saturday, 10 November 2012 00:30)
I,m a library tech in an Australian Secondary School, and will be recommending this book to all the kids but, having read your bio at the back of the book 4 different countries, more than 7 career paths, many home addresses is slated loosely based on you
Karen Cheung (Saturday, 10 November 2012 00:59)
The background of Slated reminds me of a field that has just been snowed on and Fractured reminds me of an abandoned castle. Do you think so as we'll or do you see other things?
Karen Cheung (Saturday, 10 November 2012 01:02)
The expression of the girl in the front cover is the same on both books. Was it meant to be like that or was it just a coincidence?
aliya ashcroft (Saturday, 10 November 2012 08:37)
do you ever read your books and really enjoy them
callum potts (Saturday, 10 November 2012 20:26)
Will there be anyonther books that are writen by you? Any idea's?
Jenna-Marie (@JM9824) (Saturday, 10 November 2012 23:56)
If slating did become a reality do you think you would get slated because the goverment would think you knew to much since you came up with the idea?
Alannah Kelly (Sunday, 11 November 2012 09:44)
If a devoted fan made slating become reality, brainwashing people who disobey rules, what would your reaction be? Would that effect the way you write your next books?
Thea Dansie (Sunday, 11 November 2012 11:36)
Because the main character is Kyla, Have you based the story on what you wanted to be like-remembering what happened before being slated, but slightly different in real life?
Are you in a similar situation as Kyla?
Thea Dansie (Sunday, 11 November 2012 11:39)
Who is the character on the front of Slated and fractured?
Is she someone who you would think would look and feel like Kyla?
Did you get to choose who the character was?
Thea Dansie (Sunday, 11 November 2012 11:50)
Are any of the characters eg Dr Lysander, or someone horrible in the book, based on anyone in Real-life eg a mean teacher/doctor etc?
Fareen (Sunday, 11 November 2012 14:45)
In the "about the author" section in the back of the book it says you lived in several places around the world. Did any of these places or experiences there influence the the story? :)
Hannah (Sunday, 11 November 2012 15:42)
Q.) When you think of the future world that you've created, do you see any of our current society in it, or was there any influence from today's world that heavily impacted on your world building?
Jess Shaw (Monday, 12 November 2012 17:01)
First, I just want to say I love Slated, it is truly amazing. I love reading and art, so I couldn't get enough of it! So, my question. In an ideal world where things wouldn't be exploited, do you think the ability to wipe people's brains is a good thing? For example if they had gone through a traumatic experience, should they be given the choice for a fresh start? Or would that be inhumane? Experiences shape who we are, so if their brains were wiped, it would be exactly as you say. They would be a clean slate. (Sorry it's three questions, just treat them as one big one)
Sam M (Monday, 12 November 2012 18:16)
Has the idea of slated always been in the back of your mind? Or did it just come to you one day?
hayley knowles (Monday, 12 November 2012 19:53)
if you were in the same position as Kyla, would you do everything you could do find out who you were originally and why?
Dominique Goodall (Monday, 12 November 2012 21:36)
What is the most blatant lie you've ever told to someone and do you regret it?
Kayleigh (Monday, 12 November 2012 21:38)
When did you first start writing fractured?
Sarah Sheehan (Monday, 12 November 2012 21:48)
Where did you come up with the concept for Slated?
kieran angove (Monday, 12 November 2012 21:49)
what happened to phoebe after kyla saw her?
Hannah Bennet (Monday, 12 November 2012 21:49)
Which character in Slated do you think is most like you and what characteristics about the character makes you think that?
Hannah Bennet (Monday, 12 November 2012 21:52)
Do you believe Slating would be a good thing to have in our society if it did only happen to young criminals, and no one else?
Alice Moody (Monday, 12 November 2012 21:56)
Hi :) Is Ben based on anyone who you knew/know and do the experiences you had with him contribute to his character's relationship with Kyla?
Julie Mason (Monday, 12 November 2012 22:46)
If you were told that you could only read/keep one book until the day you died, which book would it be and why? Would you consider this your favourite book or would you keep it for another reason entirely?
Shiku (Tuesday, 13 November 2012 11:23)
What do you think about the current "dystopian hype" in YA literature and how much did it help you with your decision to write one?
Hannah Haseloff (Tuesday, 13 November 2012 11:38)
If you could go back in time and meet an author before the were famous or when they were alive, which author would you meet?
Adrienne W (Tuesday, 13 November 2012 12:39)
If you were a bird, what would you be,
Rachel A. Shedden (Tuesday, 13 November 2012 15:55)
When you first came up with the idea of Slated, what dystopian aspects did you have in mind?
Jess Shaw (Tuesday, 13 November 2012 17:01)
At what age did you want to become an author?
Emma Louise (Tuesday, 13 November 2012 18:17)
The Levos. Where exactly did the idea for them come from? And why call it a "Levo"?
Jess Hearts Books (Tuesday, 13 November 2012 18:25)
1.) What's been your favourite experience since becoming a published author?
2.) If you were slated which of your memories would you miss the most?
3.) Why do you write for teens above all other genres?
4.) What's been your favourite scene to write in this series so far?
Jo Stapley (Tuesday, 13 November 2012 19:17)
Why do you think dystopian fiction is so popular in Young Adult literature at the moment?
Kristan (Tuesday, 13 November 2012 20:20)
1. What is more terrifying to you: being taken away from your family to be slated or waking up after being slated and knowing that you are starting a completely new life?
2. Growing up as a teenager we tend to make a ton of mistakes while trying to find ourselves. If you were a teenager in this dystopian world would you have been at risk for being slated?
lostamongstshelves(at)hotmail(dot)com
3. Are there any songs that you listened to while writing Slated (such as a book soundtrack)? This could be for the story as a whole or individual scenes.
Emma (Tuesday, 13 November 2012 20:56)
In your book, there are no chances. Do something, anything, wrong and that's it! did that idea develop subconsciously?; or was it something that you took from real life?
Karen Cheung (Wednesday, 14 November 2012 00:03)
Just correcting my earlier question which is number #106:
The background for Slated reminds me of a field that has just been snowed on and Fractured reminds me of an abandoned castle. Do you think so as well or do you see other things?
Janelle Koch (Wednesday, 14 November 2012 05:34)
What was your favorite moment while writing Slated?
What is your favorite part in Slated?
In your books, do you write the themes for a purpose or do you just enjoy writing them for pleasure reading?
Fareen (Wednesday, 14 November 2012 08:47)
Have you always wanted to be a writer? If not what influenced you to become one? :)
Lisa Harwood (Wednesday, 14 November 2012 18:57)
If you could co-write a book with another author, who would it be and why?
susan harris (Wednesday, 14 November 2012 19:06)
slated in a completely unique perspective, different from any book ive read this year.... where did the idea stem from? And do you write to music. if so what would be your slated or fractured playlist.
Tracy Dinh (Wednesday, 14 November 2012 19:08)
Who is your favourite author and is you writing style similar to theirs?
Mandy Kelly (Wednesday, 14 November 2012 19:33)
What was the soundtrack to Slated and Fractured? Are there particular bands, albums or songs which helped inspire the story?
Fareen (Wednesday, 14 November 2012 19:34)
Which character in the book would you relate yourself to most? :)
Victoria Davis (Wednesday, 14 November 2012 19:56)
Dystopian fiction seems to be the current trend, before that it was Vampires. What do you think will be the next big thing and would you write to please the audiences or keep with what you are happy writing?
Charlotte Robinson (Wednesday, 14 November 2012 20:36)
You're books have been read by thousands of people, for young authors that would like to get an opportunity to get their work published too, what sort of advice could you give them?
&
If you could go back to when you first started writing, what would you tell yourself?
Elena (Wednesday, 14 November 2012 21:33)
1. When you started writing Slated did you expect to have so many readers?
2. When did you know you wanted to become a writer?
&
3. In the Beginning of your career as author,which difficulties you were faced with? For example did you have problems like writer's block or not finding a publisher?
Carolyn Montgomery (Wednesday, 14 November 2012 21:42)
Did you write Slated because of any life experiances
(By the way I LOVED Slated and can't wait for Fractured to be published)
Sarah Sheehan (Wednesday, 14 November 2012 21:58)
How did you come up with the character of Kyla?
teriterry (Thursday, 15 November 2012 08:53)
This competition is now closed. Winners will be posted on this website as soon as possible (hopefully in a week or so). Thanks for entering!
Thea Dansie (Saturday, 17 November 2012 10:59)
Oh no!
Thea Dansie (Tuesday, 20 November 2012 21:23)
I know this is really late, but I have one last question I would really like you to consider!
If you could go back in time, and you could meet anybody in the book you wanted. Who would you want to meet?