Questions for Becca Fitzpatrick?

[GreenFairyLV]

"Room 106"?? On page 283 Patch and Nora are in room 106 of the motel.  Was this just a random number or is the significance in it? Maybe 1+0+6=7 like 7th heaven.  I know it's an odd question, was just wondering.

[GreenFairyLV]

Was chapter 21 difficult to write?

  It was one of favorite chapters.  To me it seemed like you really saw how vulnerable Nora was. The setting was creepy, she was alone, cold and terrified.  Was it difficult to put your character through so much mental pain?  P.S. Loved the bag lady. " Always wanted me a pretty wool hat." She pronounced the word prit-ee." page 271.

Brilliant, loved that quote, so spooky, reminded me of a dark fairytale.

[Nelsmom]

Becca,

I don't really have a question but I did want to tell you that I did enjoy the book and we had a family reunion this weekend and I had the book with me and my niece, Amy and my sister-in law Susan both took a look at it and want to read it.  both are school teachers, Amy teachers Middle-school and Susan elementary.  I hope you don't mind but I let them borrow the ARC to read and will be interested with how they feel about it.

Toni

[Becca-Fitzpatr…]

---

RS18 wrote:

Hi Becca,

Leighton Meester is a good idea! I wouldn't have thought of her, but she could totally play Nora. I think Steven Strait (from The Covenant & 10,000 B.C.) could be a good Patch. Picture him somewhat similar to his role in The Covenant...bad boy, hot, dark hair, and dark eyes. Though, I don't think him & Leighton Meester would make a good pairing. If I think of someone that would be a better fit, I'll let you know.

I loved your book! I like your style of writing. I began reading the book and was hooked. It's a big achievement for an author to grab the reader's attention and keep hold of it throughout the book. I really liked that Jules was actually Chauncey. I'm looking forward to the sequel...and this book isn't even out yet!

I was wondering how Patch was able to get to Nora in Portland within a second of her calling him when he was at Bo's Arcade. Is that one of his abilities as a fallen angel? In all the other cases, even the dangerous ones, it took him the normal "human" time to get from place to place. Is it because he knew exactly where she was? And if Nora has a small percentage of nephilim/fallen angel in her, then isn't she immortal?

-Rosa

---

Hi, Rosa!

I just looked up Steven - definitely yes!!  He looks like he would make an excellent Patch.  Thanks for suggesting him

When Patch goes to pick up Nora in Portland, it does take him the normal "human" time in that instance.  When Nora calls him from the phone booth, she hears the billiard balls in the background and knows Patch is about fifteen minutes away.  There's a section break after that point, where Nora waits in the booth until Patch comes.  I just went back and re-read the part, and wonder if maybe it was confusing because I wrote,

"I was huddled in the bottom of the phone booth, counting silently to one hundred, trying to remain calm, when a black Jeep Commander glided to the curb." 

Were you thinking that Nora had only counted to one hundred once by the time Patch arrived?  I can see how you would have thought that, but in fact, several minutes had passed and she was counting to one hundred multiple times. 

Hopefully that clears the confusion up! 

Also, yes, Nora has Nephilim blood, but after so many generations it's been diluted, and while she has a slight blood abnormality marking her as the descendant of a Nephilim, she is not immortal.  In fact, only first-generation Nephilim, like Chauncey, are immortal.  Hope this helps - excellent question!

Becca

Becca

[Becca-Fitzpatr…]

---

johnandjeanne wrote:

Hi Becca,

Loving the book so much. I think Patch and Nora make a good pair. Is there any chance of a movie based on the book? Also, How long did it take you to write the book?

Thanks,

John from Tampa, FL

---

Hi, John!

I'm glad you're enjoying the chemistry between Patch and Nora - it's one of my favorite aspects of the book.  As far as a movie...there are days when I wish they'd make one, but no news yet.  The truth is, I feel more than satisfied with where the book is now.  It's going to be in print!  To me, that's an incredible feat.  I might die of happiness if they ever made a movie, so for now I'm just going to be content with having the book published...and being alive

I started writing Hush, Hush in the fall of 2003, and finished/sold the book in September 2008.  I was joking with someone else on the board that it took me five (long!) years to write a book that many of you are reading in a week or two.  Somehow it seems unfair  

Becca

[lg4154]

I absolutely loved your book! I could not put it down and I cannot wait for your second book. I loved Patch's character, he was almost like a James Dean type. Did you model him after somebody you know? Just curious.

[Becca-Fitzpatr…]

---

pen21 wrote:

Becca,

During this piece of the process in getting a book on the shelf, today what is the part you like best?

In your posts I see you are editing your next book. I know you are on line with us here.

I am sure there is a lot to the process I know nothing about. Give us a hint.

My other question is what do you do for fun? I am sure your free time is stretched very thin right now.

I love the book. I have only read the first section. I am trying to stick with the schedule.

Can't wait to read the next part this weekend.

Luanne

---

Hi, Luanne!

Oh, wow, great questions!  My favorite part of this whole process?  I'm going to have to say the day I found out Hush, Hush had sold.  That was an amazing day!  It validated all those years I spent writing, never knowing what would come of the book.  It also made all the years of rejection melt away .  It was the turning point in my own writing journey - a day I'll never forget. 

There really is a lot to the process.  Before I sold the book, I spent five years writing and rewriting it.  After I sold the book, I did a large global edit for my editor, which included things like softening Patch's character a bit (if you can believe it, he was even more arrogant and sure of himself in earlier drafts), and adding more meat to the climax.  After global edits came line edits, which are smaller edits, usually changing a few lines here or there.  Next came copyedits, which involved fixing typos and looking hard at word choice.  Basically, the edits start out very large-scale, and then taper down to looking at each individual word. 

I thought I'd be done at copyedits, but there was still quite a bit more.  Every book goes through first-pass pages (and sometimes second and third pass) where the author reads the book once more to make sure it's exactly how we want it.  Typically, it takes about two years to do all these steps.  Most of the books that are hitting shelves right now were acquired two years ago!  

And, yes, I'm laughing at your next question.  You're right - I don't have much free time right now.  When I take a break from writing, I'm usually running, playing with my two small sons, cleaning the house, or hanging out with my family (I've promised them I'm taking tonight off so we can play mini golf).  Life is busy, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Thanks for the questions!

Becca

[Becca-Fitzpatr…]

---

akymberli wrote:

Becca -

10 Things is VERY loosely based on the Julia Stiles' movie.  I am enjoying it so much more.  Mostly because, as a parent, I am loving their single dad's choices for punishment (he took off his youngest daughter's door when he caught her making a web video and his oldest had to spend some time in a wheelchair because she was in a small fender-bender   But I love the strong, sassy, intelligent Kat character and her love/hate relationship with Patrick (who was rumored in the first episode to be a cannibal   It always gives me at least one reason to laugh.  Enjoy~

---

Okay, I am SO checking it out!  It sounds fantastic - thanks for the rec!

[Becca-Fitzpatr…]

---

hollyhocks333 wrote:

Hi, I had a question.  I am very curious about your choice to have Nora suffer from anemia.  I didn't really see the point of having the character suffer from this - will this condition be more of a problem for her in the upcoming books?  Also, as one who has had to be treated for chronic anemia 3 different times in my life I am a little concerned with your portrayal of how Nora manages her condition.  My doctor was very specific with me that proper dosing of iron is critical when managing anemia.  Neither I, nor anyone else I know who has had anemia, is told by their doctor to just randomly chug down an iron pill (let alone multiple ones at a time) whenever they feel like it.  Iron poisoning is the leading cause of death in small children (usually from ingestion of iron pills) and is also fatal in adults if taken in doses of 200-250mg/kg of body weight.  Given how Nora is supposedly thin and how often she pops those pills that does not seem like responisble drug usage.  The average teen needs only 45 mg a day, and if she were anemic it would be a little more, but doubtfully as much as she is taking.  Teen misuse of over-the-counter and prescription drugs has become a real problem and I'm curious why would you make such a smart, level-headed character treat perscription drugs so lightly?

---

Hi, Holly!

Nora doesn't actually suffer from anemia - her blood is slightly different from ours because she is part Nephilim.  I just went back and reread the passage where I explained this, and realized it had been edited slightly during the editing process.  Here's how the book used to read:

<!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } -->

“I'm anemic,” I said. “I have to take them several times a day.” I was about to explain I took them at meals, and when I felt distressed, but thought this might only satisfy him.

“Anemic?”

“Low iron,” I said slowly and deliberately, the way people often speak to foreigners. “My doctor isn't sure why I can't get better.” I tapped my nails on the desktop. “Anyway, it's not life threatening.”

And here's how the passage reads now:

<!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } -->

I considered explaining I was anemic and had to take iron throughout the day, especially when I was under stress, but I thought better. The anemia wasn't life threatening . . . as long as I took regular doses of iron. I wasn't paranoid to the point I thought Patch meant me harm, but somehow, my medical condition was a vulnerability that felt better kept secret.

Maybe it was more apparent in the first example?  Either way, this was meant to be a clue that there's something different about Nora's blood - a clue that she might not be what she seems.  And you're right - this would cause problems, possibly even death, in a normal human...but Nora isn't human.  Some readers have picked up on the clue, while others haven't.     

Thanks for the question!

Becca

[Becca-Fitzpatr…]

---

Vermontcozy wrote:

Hi Becca..I might've missed the post about your music likes and dislikes,and what if you do listen to while writing? How are you  liking "The Angels Game'  I read Shadow of the Wind,"Zafon" is an amazing writer,and  emailed my close friends and family My Wish List..Angels Game is on it..so I hope my wishes are granted.....Oh and "Hush,Hush..for real Becca...Thank you again for bringing  me.a book that I am really not looking forward to ending.....V....Vermont is definately a Hush,Hush  state....

---

Hello again, Vermontcozy!

The Angel's Game is fantastic!  I think you're going to love it.  The writing is absolutely stunning.  I mentioned to someone else that I can hear the words in my head when I read - they're that beautiful.  

And thank you again for all the kind words about Hush, Hush - I'm so happy you're enjoying it!

Becca

[Becca-Fitzpatr…]

---

Bella_Kellow wrote:

Hi Becca. My name is Bee and I have two questions. 1. Is there going to be a sequel? I loved this book. It was fantastically written and I love the characters. You are an amazing writer. With that I'd like to ask you 2. What advice would you have for an aspiring author? I write alot and I was wondering if there is anything else I can do to get noticed for my writing. Thank you so much for this amazing book. It inspired me with my own writing. Keep writing these books. They are great. =D

---

Hi, Bee!

1.  Yes, there's going to be a sequel!  It's entitled Crescendo, and comes out October 2010.  In Crescendo, you'll find out what really happened the night Nora's dad was murdered...

2.  YAY!  Another writer!  That's fantastic!  My advice is to keep reading..constantly.  Of course, since you're a member of First Look, I'm imagining you already do quite a bit of reading .  And you mentioned you write a lot - that was going to be my second recommendation.  Do you have a critique group?  I love my critique group, although it is important to find the right one.  For me, I've found that it's important to have critique partners who are honest about your work, but genuinely want to see you succeed.  I think critique groups should be a fun experience, as well as inspiring.  Of course, you have to find what works for you.  My third recommendation is to keep a journal, and write in it daily.  You never know when your own life experiences will inspire a story. 

Have you tried submitting any of your stories?

Good luck and keep writing!

Becca

[pen21]

Thank you for the response.

So much time is spent on the book. And you are right we read it very quickly.

I really liked that angels can make mistakes.

I finished your book yesterday. Good read. I will be watching for the next book.

Enjoy the mini golf.

Luanne

---

Becca-Fitzpatrick wrote:

---

pen21 wrote:

Becca,

During this piece of the process in getting a book on the shelf, today what is the part you like best?

In your posts I see you are editing your next book. I know you are on line with us here.

I am sure there is a lot to the process I know nothing about. Give us a hint.

My other question is what do you do for fun? I am sure your free time is stretched very thin right now.

I love the book. I have only read the first section. I am trying to stick with the schedule.

Can't wait to read the next part this weekend.

Luanne

---

Hi, Luanne!

Oh, wow, great questions!  My favorite part of this whole process?  I'm going to have to say the day I found out Hush, Hush had sold.  That was an amazing day!  It validated all those years I spent writing, never knowing what would come of the book.  It also made all the years of rejection melt away .  It was the turning point in my own writing journey - a day I'll never forget. 

There really is a lot to the process.  Before I sold the book, I spent five years writing and rewriting it.  After I sold the book, I did a large global edit for my editor, which included things like softening Patch's character a bit (if you can believe it, he was even more arrogant and sure of himself in earlier drafts), and adding more meat to the climax.  After global edits came line edits, which are smaller edits, usually changing a few lines here or there.  Next came copyedits, which involved fixing typos and looking hard at word choice.  Basically, the edits start out very large-scale, and then taper down to looking at each individual word. 

I thought I'd be done at copyedits, but there was still quite a bit more.  Every book goes through first-pass pages (and sometimes second and third pass) where the author reads the book once more to make sure it's exactly how we want it.  Typically, it takes about two years to do all these steps.  Most of the books that are hitting shelves right now were acquired two years ago!  

And, yes, I'm laughing at your next question.  You're right - I don't have much free time right now.  When I take a break from writing, I'm usually running, playing with my two small sons, cleaning the house, or hanging out with my family (I've promised them I'm taking tonight off so we can play mini golf).  Life is busy, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Thanks for the questions!

Becca

---

[Becca-Fitzpatr…]

---

mroet wrote:

Was Becca influenced or inspired by Stephenie Meyer in any way? Her book and her writing style reminded me very fondly of Stephenie. I love her books, and if Becca keeps this up, I am sure to love more of what she has to come!

---

Hi, Mroet!

I think one of the most inspiring things about Stephenie Meyer is that she's shown first-time novelists everywhere that even though publishing is an incredibly tough industry to break in to, it is possible.  She's done a fabulous job creating a world readers love, and she's done an excellent job connecting with her audience.

I don't want to jump to conclusions here, but I've been asked a few times if Twilight inspired me to write Hush, Hush, because they begin in such similar ways (mysterious guy meets girl-next-door type in biology class).  The truth is, I wrote the early chapters of Hush, Hush in 2003, long before Twilight was published.  They do begin in eerily similar ways, and I was even asked by an agent once to change the beginning of Hush, Hush to take place in health or chemistry class to avoid similarities to Twilight.  I considered changing the story for all of ten seconds...and then my stubborn side kicked in and I decided I wasn't going to change my story to avoid comparisons to another book - any other book.

Thanks for the question!

Becca

P.S. Glad you enjoyed Hush, Hush! 

[bschoeck]

Hi Becca,

Loving the book so far, I am about 3/4 of the way through it.  My question is about writing in general.  I am an 8th grade Language Arts teacher, and I am always trying to give kids confidence in their writing.

How did you decide to become a writer?  Did someone influence you, encourage you, and help you?  How did school influence you?

I am asking you this so I can share your answer with my students.  Also, thanks for writing a YA book that a teacher would feel comfortable sharing with students.  Some are VERY racy these days!  I liked your PG-13 comment about sex in your novels.

Keep up the good work.

Breanna

[_alyssav]

Hello Becca

First of all I really enjoyed Hush,Hush. Very captivating. Stayed up really late last night and I couldn't put the book down. Ha ha. I was wondering if you were going to make a sequel? It would be very nice if you did. :] Continuing Patch and Nora's forbidden relationships and even more danger this time!! Hehe. Thank you and Congrats on publishing your first book!!

                  -Alyssa

[Vermontcozy]

Hi Becca..Reading on schedule....so hard to do..I am so careful not to read ANY SPOILERS!!  I am looking forward to discussing Chapters 10-20...I had a  thought about  who should play Nora's Mom..The Mom on "Friday Night Lights"...its a great show ,have you seen it? She just has the Mom thing going on.Of course there's always. Ms. Paltrow,.Thanks for the "Angels Game" thoughts...Zafron brings one into his books and one never wants to leave...Sound familiar Becca? No blushing!!1  See you on board,with Emily soon..her clip was great..Pen21 and myself loved her sweater...take care,Vtx

[Zeal]

Becca,

It took me just over a day to finish your book, and I thoroughly enjoyed every word!  I have noticed that many people have compared Hush, Hush to Twighlight, which is a natural comparison.  As an eighth grade literature teacher, comparing novels is something that I encourage my students to do often.  Making those connections is part of understanding not only the genre, but also the style of the author.

Your writing flows easily and offers the reader a suspenseful, vivid experience.  I have also enjoyed hearing about your experience as a writer and all of the hard work it takes to get to that final stage of published.  Hush, Hush is one book that I will rush to purchase to include in my library, and I cannot wait to share it with my students.  I know that it will be an immediate hit with the teen audience.

I just have one question.  In the future would you ever consider doing an author tour to schools in order to talk to teens about your books and the writing process?  From reading all of your posts, I feel as if you would make an excellent impression and role model for aspiring teen readers and writers!

Thank you for allowing us this opportunity to experience your book first!

Aimee

[hollyhocks333]

---

Becca-Fitzpatrick wrote:

Hi, Holly!

Nora doesn't actually suffer from anemia - her blood is slightly different from ours because she is part Nephilim.  I just went back and reread the passage where I explained this, and realized it had been edited slightly during the editing process.  Here's how the book used to read:

<!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } -->

“I'm anemic,” I said. “I have to take them several times a day.” I was about to explain I took them at meals, and when I felt distressed, but thought this might only satisfy him.

“Anemic?”

“Low iron,” I said slowly and deliberately, the way people often speak to foreigners. “My doctor isn't sure why I can't get better.” I tapped my nails on the desktop. “Anyway, it's not life threatening.”

And here's how the passage reads now:

<!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } -->

I considered explaining I was anemic and had to take iron throughout the day, especially when I was under stress, but I thought better. The anemia wasn't life threatening . . . as long as I took regular doses of iron. I wasn't paranoid to the point I thought Patch meant me harm, but somehow, my medical condition was a vulnerability that felt better kept secret.

Maybe it was more apparent in the first example?  Either way, this was meant to be a clue that there's something different about Nora's blood - a clue that she might not be what she seems.  And you're right - this would cause problems, possibly even death, in a normal human...but Nora isn't human.  Some readers have picked up on the clue, while others haven't.     

Thanks for the question!

Becca

---

Becca  -

Thanks for the answer - yeah the first edition was definitely more apparent!  However, no offense, but I'm still not sure I get why you try to portray her anemia the way you do.  I really like the whole nephilim blood not being normal idea, but the way you have it play out still seems absurd.  I stil don't understand why a doctor would tell her to take this much iron. As you yourself admit (in above quote) that the dose Nora is on is a possibly lethal dose in normal humans.  The doctors would have no reason to suspect she wasn't human so why in the world would they prescribe such danger levels of iron for a young girl.  Do you honestly expect us to believe that a doctor who has a patient on a possibly lethal regimen of iron and sees no improvement wouldn't try a different course of action, wouldn't bring her to the hospital and have tons of tests run, etc???   Also, as mentioned before, the way you portray iron pills working is completely false.  One doesn't take them and start feeling better within minutes.  This weird reaction to iron, coupled with taking lethal doses with no improvement would be highly suspicious to doctors.  And why in the world would a mother, who has a daughter with a condition that baffles the medical community and has to take potentially fatal doses of medication leave her alone for days at a time?  As i said, the scenario you create is just too odd.  Why would you not just have her suffer from low iron, take one pill daily like most anemics do and that be that?  Suffering from chronic anemia would still make her blood abnormal and especially if you somehow had Nora mention that it ran in her Dad's family would allow you to establish the nephilim link without being unbelievable.   Just my two cents

[AnitaBlakeFan]

I have more of a comment than a question.  I really like this book.  I know it is being compaired a lot with Twilight.  I thinkit is a much better story.  I would have liked to see the the characters more developed and a cannot wait to read more about them in the next book.  I have several friends who cannot wait to read this book when it comes out in October. 

[RS18]

Hi Becca!

Thanks for answering my questions! I guess I just read the Portland scene too fast and didn't pick up on that. I loved Hush, Hush! I couldn't put the book down and finished it in one day. I've been recommending it to my friends and the October first look club. 

I'm glad you agree about Steven Strait! I would love to see a movie adaptation of Hush, Hush, and have him play the role of Patch! He's so hot and the perfect bad boy!

Do you have a book tour or book signing scheduled yet? I'd love to have my ARC signed by you!

- Rosa