Questions for Becca Fitzpatrick?

[ReadingPatti]

Becca, I just wanted to tell you that I am enjoying your book, so much.

I was wondering how you came up with the title? I like it.

Did you have any input on how the cover was designed? I like it.

I do hope that you wirte a sequel for these characters. I really enjoy reading about them. You have a great way of making these characters real to us readers. I want to read more of you writing and can hardly wait for the next book whatever that may be.

I love this club. I am glad that your book got picked for us to read., I don't read many teen books, but I think that people will like this book not matter their age.

Keep writing, you definitely have a talent for telling a great story.

ReadingPatti

[GreenFairyLV]

You're killing me Becca by not revealing Patch's real name.  You have said you "might" reveal it in Crescendo. I had to wait years to find out "Big", from Sex and the City's, name was John James Preston.  I think you're an utter genius for not revealing it actually. 

 Can you tell me if when you wrote your first draft did you know what Patch's real name was, or is it something that came later? Did you have a name for him then decide to leave it out, or was finding the perfect name so difficult you didn't decide on one till the book was sold?

[gthchick8]

hi becca

i just finished hush hush and i couldnt put it down ! my question for you is what was you're inspiration and do you see hush hush becoming a series ? thanks !

~Rosa

[Becca-Fitzpatr…]

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sj9642 wrote:

Lisa McMann's books are great.  I have Shiver in my TBR pile, but right now I'm reading the Nightwalker series by Jacquelyn Frank.

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Ooh, I'll have to check out the Nightwalker series - I have a friend who is a big fan of them. 

Becca

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khimair wrote:

I hope you read this, really loved the way you manage to describe Patch, that's what  create enough curiosity, Patch through Nora's eyes. We know that there is evil in him, but the smiles... there is complicity. The character that you describe us achieved  to captivate me and  was THE REASON to continue reading.

For someone that speak spanish and do not have a great level of english.. is not a difficult book to read.. I read it without problems, it also has merit, congratulations ! ( and i finish it in a day and a half )

But I have a question, a doubt..
   
I do not know if are language problems .. but I'm not clear why Patch stops trying to kill her, he said that he intended to kill her with the knife, but I do not understand what was the fact that he does change his mind....

And why so few facts about this nice and charmed badboy .. ? I wan`t more about him

I admire the way that you give a twist to the story and add two or three conflicts in the end, to be resolved, conflicts that the lector don´t see at the beginning and emerging as a surprise to the reader. When do you think will finish, and you see that are several pages ahead, is a pleasant surprise....

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Hi, Khimair!

Thanks for the kind words about Hush, Hush!  As for your questions, yes, Patch wanted to kill Nora, but the more he got to know her, the more he wasn't sure he could go through with it.  Eventually, his feelings toward her change so that while he once thought becoming human was the most important thing to him, it no longer is.  Her life is more important. 

And, since this is a series, I promise to reveal a little bit more about Patch in the next book.  He's a very mysterious character - I'm the author, and I still don't feel like I understand just how complex he is

Becca

[Becca-Fitzpatr…]

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peacelovevegan wrote:

Hi Becca!

It's no secret that many of your readers so far have LOVED this book (me included!) and it's not even officially released yet. I have heard so much and read so much from people who've either read it and loved it or are just salivating to get their hands on a copy. My question is: Are you prepared for how big Hush, Hush may become? Clearly this is the kind of theme that people are craving at the moment in YA fiction and, I hate to be another to mention Twilight, but seeing the success of that (and come on, there's going to be a lot of Patch fangirls!), there's a strong possiblity Hush, Hush will become just as huge. Are you excited/nervous with the possibility this is going to be THE next big thing?

Also, I'm not sure if you'd be able to answer or give the name - but do you know who the model is they used on the front cover?

Thanks! KEEP UP THE FANTASTIC WRITING! Hush, Hush is my new favourite book

-Brodie

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Hi, Brodie!

Thanks so much for your excitement over Hush, Hush - I'm so glad you loved it!  I have to admit, after reading that it's your new favorite book, I'm over here grinning

As for Hush, Hush's success...I honestly have no idea!  I try not to think about it (okay, in all honestly I do occasionally panic that it will be a big flop and my publisher will curse the day they ever looked at the book) and instead focus on what I'm writing right now (Crescendo).  But I have started receiving a lot of emails about the book, and I'll admit, it can be thrilling...and a little nerve-wracking.  I'm starting to feel the pressure more, and I don't want to disappoint! 

And the model's name - let me see if I can find out.  I do have a picture of him, and let me just say, he is so, so, so close to what I imagine Patch looks like!

Becca

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deannafrances wrote:

I just spent some time goggling up the term iron pill overdosage.  I am extremely concerned that  readers especially young teenagers will believe that the consumption of iron pills taken by your heroine, Nora, will be considered safe and a way to become more stronger.

There are many serious consequences to iron overdose, it even seems to be a worse problem than to be anemic.  

I hope I am not making a mountain out of a molehill but as a mother and grandmother, I am concerned about  what is read. 

I realize that the book is fiction, but Nora seems very much the average teenage girl.

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Hi, Deanna!

Nora's anemia is actually a clue that she isn't fully human.  Some readers have picked up on this clue, while others haven't, so looking back, I do wonder if maybe I should have made it slightly more obvious.  The fact that Nora keeps consuming iron and it doesn't hurt her (in fact, it helps her) was my way of subtly pointing out that her blood is different, and she isn't the everday girl she appears to be. 

Becca

[Becca-Fitzpatr…]

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TriciaLynn77 wrote:

Hi Becca!!

Hush, Hush is turning out to be a really great book! My questin for you is why the title Hush, Hush?

I read earlier that there is going to be a sequel, I am very excited for that. Good luck with your books and your writing because you are very talented!

Tricia

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Hi, Tricia!

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I had to scratch the original title of the book, because during the five years it took me to sell the book, a popular YA novel came out with the same title. So I went back to the drawing board. I don't remember having a Eureka! moment when I knew I had to call the book Hush, Hush, but I do remember thinking the foundation of the book is about secrets Patch is keeping from Nora. Since the definition of the word hush is “to keep concealed,” it just seemed to fit.

And the title for Crescendo, the sequel, came about because the "hushed" secrets from the first book start unraveling (they're getting louder and louder). 

Thanks for the question!

Becca

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FictionGroupie wrote:

Hi Becca,

Really enjoyed the book.  I was wondering what the title Hush, Hush means.  And I know publishers often change titles from what the author picked.  Did you pick this title?  If not, what was the original title?

Also, how many novels did you write before getting this one published?  I'm an aspiring writer, so I'm always curious about this.  

Thanks,

Roni 

http://fictiongroupie.blogspot.com

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Hi, Roni!

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I don't remember having a Eureka! moment when I knew I had to call the book Hush, Hush, but I do remember thinking the foundation of the book is about secrets Patch is keeping from Nora. Since the definition of the word hush is “to keep concealed,” it just seemed to fit.  I did pick the title, but it wasn't the first one I selected. 

I had to scratch the original title, because during the five years it took me to sell the book, a popular YA novel came out with the same title. So I went back to the drawing board.  And that's how Hush, Hush came to be

As for your second question, Hush, Hush is the first novel I completed, but when it didn't sell, I put it aside and wrote another YA novel called The Tornado Interviews (which isn't published - thankfully!)  Then I went back to Hush, Hush and kept working at it until it finally sold.

Good luck with your own writing!

Becca

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greenbeanteenqueen wrote:

I'm eager to see what you think of Shiver!  I LOVED it! 

For those of you with the iron pill questions, if you read through Becca's answers in this thread, you'll see that Nora's blood is Nephilim (have you gotten to the end of the book?) so there is something different about her blood which her doctor's have diagnosed as anemia. 

I don't take iron pills, but I honestly don't think because Nora takes iron, teen girls are going to go out and start popping iron pills!  Give teens some credit!  Just because it's in a book, it doesn't mean they will act it out in real life. Books are a way to experience someone else's life and adventure.  I'm sorry if you felt that Becca's representation of Nora's anemia was not well explained, but I had no problem with it. 

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Hey, Sarah, Shiver is AMAZING!  I hope to finish soon, but I don't want to, because I know I'll end up crying...

[Becca-Fitzpatr…]

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Vermontcozy wrote:

HI Becca,Just catching up ..I did read that you have not been to Maine,one would never know...I hope you can visit oneday and be as intriqued with Maine,as I am with your Hush,Hush,,,,,If one speaks Spanish,could the Brazillian Copy be understood,I will have to find out for sure if the dialect is very different....I have a friend who is deeply religious and would love  Hush,Hush...best...Vtc..

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Hi, Vermontcozy!

Oh, I'm definitely going to Maine...hopefully next summer

[Becca-Fitzpatr…]

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mediamissy wrote:

Hi Becca,

I loved the book as well, couldn't put it down, stayed up all night to finish it.  I have to say, as another post said earlier, the comparison to Twighlight is inevitable, with that in mind I was curious if there was ever a version on Hush Hush that was longer with a deeper set up of places and characters?  At times I  found myself a little unsure of who character were and/or how they got to where they were.  Maybe this was in the interest of creating sequels.  Do you plan on writing more?  I know I would be online to purchase them.  I just felt at times like I wished I had understood a little bit more about the characters, the schools histories, things like that.  They may seem inconsequential but I find if written well (which you obviously have a gift for writing) they can bring you into a book, just that much closer.

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Hi, Mediamissy!  (Love the name, by the way!)

The version of Hush, Hush you read is the longest I ever wrote, and I have to laugh, because I felt like the book was so looooong, but I'm hearing more and more that people wish I would have stretched it out a little further and gone into more detail

Anyway, I appreciate your comments on deepening the characters and setting, and I'll do my best to improve in the sequel, Crescendo.  Thanks so much for the input!

Becca

[Becca-Fitzpatr…]

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emers0207 wrote:

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greenbeanteenqueen wrote:

I'm eager to see what you think of Shiver!  I LOVED it! 

For those of you with the iron pill questions, if you read through Becca's answers in this thread, you'll see that Nora's blood is Nephilim (have you gotten to the end of the book?) so there is something different about her blood which her doctor's have diagnosed as anemia. 

I don't take iron pills, but I honestly don't think because Nora takes iron, teen girls are going to go out and start popping iron pills!  Give teens some credit!  Just because it's in a book, it doesn't mean they will act it out in real life. Books are a way to experience someone else's life and adventure.  I'm sorry if you felt that Becca's representation of Nora's anemia was not well explained, but I had no problem with it. 

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I have finished the book and completely missed that her anemia was a result of the Nephilim.  I don't think the author made that clear at all (at least not in the story itself).  It also doesn't really make sense since Patch knows from the beginning about her genetic line, so why does he give her a questioning look when first sees her take the iron pills?  After hundreds of years wouldn't he realize that Nephils create abnormal blood? 

As for giving teens more credit when it comes to drug use, sadly the evidence leads me to believe otherwise.  According to Partnership for Drug Free America, national studies show that 1 in 5 teens has abused perscription drugs and 1 in 10 has abused over-the-counter medications.  Additonally, 40 percent of teens believe that prescription and OTC drugs are much safer to use than illegal drugs.  The study also showed numerous other misconceptions teens held about legal drugs.  So my concern with the author's portrayal of Nora's managing her anemia is that it will feed into this common problem - teens not understanding the proper use of OTC and prescription drugs.  It would have been just as easy for Ms. Fitzpatrick to have Nora take one pill daily like most people with mild anemia do, there was no reason to make her carry around a bottle of pills and gulp down a few whenever she felt stressed (my cousin is a doctor and she said she would absolutely NEVER give that recommendation to an anemic teen). 

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Hi, Emers0207!

Some readers have missed the clue that Nora's ability to consume larger than normal quantities of iron foreshadows that she might not be human, while others have picked up on it.  I think it might be one of those clues that will probably be more noticeable on a second read. 

As for Patch taunting her about it, yes he knows she has Nephil blood, but he's not going to pass up any opportunity to make her feel unsure about herself.  His whole goal upon that first meeting is to throw her off balance.

Hope this helps!

Becca

[Becca-Fitzpatr…]

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random97 wrote:

Heyy Becca!(haha we have the same name XD)

i have another question for you:

why was Nora supposed to tutor Patch? you didnt really do much with it in the book, and i was wondering why it was mentioned...

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Hey, Becca!  Nice name!

You're right.  I actually added that during edits, and just now realized I didn't develop it!  You caught an error...let's keep it our secret, okay? 

Just kidding, I give you full bragging rights...

Becca

[Becca-Fitzpatr…]

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Bella_Kellow wrote:

I hope this message actually shows up. My last one didn't. Becca, I was wondering, because I'm a writer myself and I want to get published someday, what advice do you have to aspiring writers about the process of writing and publishing? Your book inspired me to keep writing when I was in a major writers block lol. Thank you so much. Love the book and I can't wait for the sequel. Dates for it yet? Approx. of course =] Thank you, Bella Kellow

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Hi, Bella!

Sorry about the deleted message...I hate when that happens!  First off, congrats on wanting to write - and nice choice

As for advice, I think reading is vital.  Read, read, read.  Of course, you are in a book club, so I imagine you alread do plenty of that!  I'd also recommend keeping a journal and writing in it daily - you never know when your own life experience will inspire a story.  Finally, do you have a critique group?  My critique group has helped me so much, but it's important to find the right group.  Sometimes it takes trial and error. 

And thanks for telling me Hush, Hush inspired you - I love hearing that!

Becca

P.S. The sequel, Crescendo, comes out October 2010.

[PB684]

Hi Becca!

I really enjoyed Hush, Hush and i wanted to know what inspired you to write about "fallen angels."

-Emily

[remEMbral]

Sorry, I posted under my mom's screen name...the last post should have been under remEMbral

[mv5ocean]

Becca,

Thanks so much for such an amazing book.

Not only do I get to enjoy each and every page and delve into a story that grips you from the beginning, this time I have the pleasure of sharing it with my 13 year old son as we read together!

Both of us are hanging on every word, and I find him anxiously awaiting me to get home from work and ready to read read read.

I have YOU to thank for that so...........................THANK YOU!!

I have explained the book club to him and hope to send him this direction soon to ask his own question so I'll leave that part to him.................but thanks again for the opportunity to remind him why reading is so much fun!

Best wishes for what I know will be phenomonal success!

[emers0207]

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Hi, Emers0207!

Some readers have missed the clue that Nora's ability to consume larger than normal quantities of iron foreshadows that she might not be human, while others have picked up on it.  I think it might be one of those clues that will probably be more noticeable on a second read. 

As for Patch taunting her about it, yes he knows she has Nephil blood, but he's not going to pass up any opportunity to make her feel unsure about herself.  His whole goal upon that first meeting is to throw her off balance.

Hope this helps!

Becca

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Interesting - although I'm not sure I see how you expected most readers to get " the clue that Nora's ability to consume larger than normal quantities of iron foreshadows that she might not be human."  I doubt most teens (and even adults for that matter) know the proper iron doses.  Unless the reader has anemia or knows someone who has how would one know what's a normal vs abnormal quantity?  I certainly don't know how much insulin a diabetic should have or how much medication someone with high blood pressure should take.  This was my concern with your portrayal of drug usage in a YA book - the amount Nora takes is dangerous but this is never made clear to an audience where drug messages should never be confusing. 

[dhaupt]

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emers0207 wrote:

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Hi, Emers0207!

Some readers have missed the clue that Nora's ability to consume larger than normal quantities of iron foreshadows that she might not be human, while others have picked up on it.  I think it might be one of those clues that will probably be more noticeable on a second read. 

As for Patch taunting her about it, yes he knows she has Nephil blood, but he's not going to pass up any opportunity to make her feel unsure about herself.  His whole goal upon that first meeting is to throw her off balance.

Hope this helps!

Becca

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Interesting - although I'm not sure I see how you expected most readers to get " the clue that Nora's ability to consume larger than normal quantities of iron foreshadows that she might not be human."  I doubt most teens (and even adults for that matter) know the proper iron doses.  Unless the reader has anemia or knows someone who has how would one know what's a normal vs abnormal quantity?  I certainly don't know how much insulin a diabetic should have or how much medication someone with high blood pressure should take.  This was my concern with your portrayal of drug usage in a YA book - the amount Nora takes is dangerous but this is never made clear to an audience where drug messages should never be confusing. 

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First let me apologize to Becca for speaking here, but I thought it was important enough to voice my opinion as several readers have commented on this very subject.

I have to say that I do "get" the clue and I think that the majority of the readers will.

I think a lot of the problem here, may be that some of us are reading on the schedule so we have several weeks between the start and finish to the novel in which the fluidity of the read is interrupted and we also are not only digesting the read but analyzing it too. So while we have questions someone reading the novel straight through wouldn't because by the time they think the question they're reading the answers.

I personally didn't have trouble with the Iron consumption, since this was a paranormal adventure I thought that maybe there was something not too human going on. If this was just a regular coming of age story then I would have been concerned. But when dealing with fallen angels and other such things that go bump in the night I wasn't worried about an iron pill.