Harlequin Teen Author Katie McGarry

Posted by Joan Kayse Aug 7 2012, 12:59 am in Harlequin Teen, Katie McGarry, YA fiction., YA romance

It is with great anticipation, pride and excitement that I welcome debut YA author Katie McGarry to the Lair today.  Her first novel PUSHING THE LIMITS released on July 31^st! The buzz has been electrifying for months and after reading a much coveted ARC (:D) I can say without a doubt it is well deserved.

Welcome to the Lair, Katie!

 Thanks for having me, Joan. I’m honored to be here!

So Katie, how did Noah and Echo come into your life?

Pushing the Limits was born when I was free writing for another story. I thought it would be fun to write a scene with my characters in therapy. Halfway into the scene, I realized that my heroine’s voice had changed. She had a wit, spunk, and a sadness that didn’t belong to the character I was writing. I fell in love with her and that new voice became Echo.

I gave Echo room to play and when I asked myself who would be the best person to bring her out of her shell, Noah was created.

Did you target the YA market when you started?

I wrote PTL with the YA market in mind. Echo and Noah face very adult problems, but they tackle them with the compassion, spirit, and honesty of teenagers.

Q: Your characters are incredible—full, dynamic, multi-dimensional. The reader can FEEL these characters, inside and out.  Any insights into how you accomplished this…aside from being a genius writer?

 When I write, I “become” my characters. Their highs are my highs. Their hurts become my hurts. I cried several times while writing Pushing the Limits, but I also laughed quite a bit too.

 Q: The story itself is right on target too, highlighting the characters on the periphery, the importance of finding your place in the crazy world of adolescence. What drew you to this age group?

To me, being a teenager is like standing on the edge of a cliff and laid out in front of you are all the possibilities for the future. Adrenaline rushes through your blood stream as you think about all the adventures waiting for you, but your hands also start to sweat. In order to experience all that life has to offer, you have to jump.

 Jumping can be terrifying.

That gray area between being a child and becoming an adult is rich with emotions. I love capturing those emotions and the rush of jumping into the future. This is why I write YA.

 Q: What advice would you have for kids facing tough times?

 To breathe. Take whatever it is one day at a time and to talk to a trusted adult. Always remember, there is hope.

Here is an excerpt from PUSHING THE LIMITS:

“I won’t tell anyone, Echo. I promise. “ Noah tucked a curl behind my ear. It had been so long since someone touched me like he did. Why did it have to be Noah Hutchins? His dark brown eyes shifted to my covered arms. “You didn’t do that-did you? It was done to you?” No one ever asked that question. They stared. They whispered. They laughed. But they never asked.

Sigh. This was one of the highlights that led me to fall in love with Noah and to want to embrace Echo.

Are there more stories on the way?

Yes! I’m currently working on revisions for DARE YOU TO, a companion novel to Pushing the Limits. DARE YOU TO follow the story of Beth. She is a secondary character from PTL. It is scheduled to be released sometime in 2013.

On a side note, I’ve had the honor of reading some of Joan’s work and I want the world to know that she’s extremely talented. Thank you Joan for inviting me to appear on this fabulous blog today!!!!

 (Blush) Oh, go on Katie….no I mean it. Go on

Katie is giving away an autographed copy of PTL in our August Members Only giveaway. Not a member? Join today for special Members Only prizes and newsletter.

Now Katie has some questions for you.  Who was your first kiss with? The bad or the good boy? Are you the ype of girl who prefers the boy in the black leather jacket or the khaki pants? 

Learn more about Katie at www.katielmcgarry.com

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