Interview with Brodi Ashton
Kat Kennedy:
Stephanie Sinclair and I are here with Brodi Ashton, author of Everneath and it’s brand new sequel, Everbound- And she also happens to be a goddess, in case you didn’t know.
Brodi Ashton:
Aw, you girls are so sweet.
Stephanie Sinclair:
FYI. And she’s awesome.
Brodi Ashton:
And I”m not sure I want to be a goddess, since they seem to always have unhappy endings.
Kat Kennedy:
And she’s agreed to marry me. Or was that in a dream?
Brodi Ashton:
Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes!
Kat Kennedy:
Yey!
Stephanie Sinclair:
Apparently, Kat is leaving me.
Kat Kennedy:
Now, now Steph, it’s BRODI!
Brodi Ashton:
I just have to let my husband know.
Kat Kennedy:
I’m sure he’ll understand.
Now Everbound had a very different tone to Everneath. It’s a lot more action and adventure orientated – which one did you prefer to write?
Brodi Ashton:
Everbound is definitely different. The first one was all about the feelings, the second was a ton of world-building and I struggle with both of those things, so in those ways they were both difficult to write, but of the two, Everbound gave me the most headaches.
Kat Kennedy:
Yeah, I can imagine that it was a stressful plot!
Stephanie Sinclair:
I was really surprised with the action in Everbound. It had me on the edge of my seat!
Brodi Ashton:
I’m so happy to hear that! I was on the edge of my seat for a lot of it too. Especially the parts where I was all, “I had no idea Cole was going to do that.”
Stephanie Sinclair:
Aww, Cole. BE STILL MY HEART.
Brodi Ashton:
I tried to get around the world-building, but my editor was all, “If you’re going to actually go to the Everneath, it needs to be different from Earth.”
Kat Kennedy:
Haha! I can just imagine that conversation: “But I don’t WANT to world build!”
Editor: “You’ll world build, young lady, or there will be no dessert!”
Brodi Ashton:
Oh yeah, my editor was all, “build a world, or I will destroy every chocolate covered cinnamon bear in the entire world.” I was all, “Okay, Okay, I will design the underworld pronto.”
Stephanie Sinclair:
Hahaha!
Kat Kennedy:
So you’re saying that chocolate covered cinnamon bears are your weakness?
That’s nice to know…
Stephanie Sinclair:
She’s planning to seduce you! Don’t tell her your kryptonite!
Brodi Ashton:
So then I drew a map on a paper plate, and that map turned out to be the basis for the world and an artistic version of it made it into the final copy. I have a map in my book! I feel very Lord of the Rings.
Kat Kennedy:
OMG. You are a true fantasy author when you have a map in your book!
Stephanie Sinclair:
Ohhhh, a map!
Did you find scene in Everbound particularly challenging to write?
Brodi Ashton:
I know! Me and Tolkien!
So many of the scenes with Cole and Nikki were frought (how do you spell that word? fraught? Yes, fraught) with so much tension and unspoken desires. Some of the scenes where I (as the author) knew what Cole was really feeling, and yet he had to hide what he was feeling, and I had to show that only through Nikki’s perspective… those were the challenging scenes. In particular, the scene with the sirens.
Kat Kennedy:
I really thought that was awesome and you did a great job at that because I was really caught off at the end – which doesn’t happen often.
I was like, “NOOOOOOOOOOO! HOW DID I MISS THIS?!?!?!”
Stephanie Sinclair:
Agreed. I was shocked. It was the perfect setup.
Kat Kennedy:
Nikki kicks a lot of butt in this novel. Was there any moment when she surprised even you?
Brodi Ashton:
I was so excited to write Nikki in this book, because I was excited to see her so desperate. In the first book, when it was only her life on the line, she let herself drown in the repercussions she was to blame for. But in Everbound, someone else’s life is on the line, and I loved seeing that she would stop at nothing, and get all kick-assy for the boy she loves.
Stephanie Sinclair:
Yes! I loved her dedication!
Kat Kennedy:
She totally kicked ass. I was lying in bed getting all teary thinking, “You go girl!”
she just power-housed through it.
Brodi Ashton:
I think we never know what we’re truly capable of until someone we love is in trouble.
I am getting a lot of reaction to the ending, which makes me so happy. It was a fine line to walk, because I didn’t want it to seem implausible, but I also didn’t want anyone to truly see it coming. But I wanted readers to get to the end and think, “I almost could’ve figured it out. Almost.”
Stephanie Sinclair:
Well, it totally went over my head!
Kat Kennedy:
My reaction was more like that I should have known better.
Stephanie Sinclair:
I wanted to go back and re-read to see the clues. But it was well hidden.
Kat Kennedy:
I don’t think I would have guessed – but I should have known that SOMETHING was happening.
So back to your super awesome map of the Everneath, what was your biggest source of inspiration for it?
Brodi Ashton:
I drew inspiration from two main sources: Dante’s Inferno, where the Underworld is made up of several concentrical rings, and also the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur, where he has to navigate through a labyrinth. There’s a scene where Cole pulls out a piece of paper and draws the circles, making a map for Nikki. I literally did that same thing for my writing group, on a paper plate. I then wrote that scene and described it just how I’d drawn it.
And I made the map out of circles, because that’s one shape I can draw.
Kat Kennedy:
Hahah!
Good ol’circle!
Brodi Ashton:
The map the Harper Collins design team made is so cool, it looks like something out of the opening of Game of Thrones.
Stephanie Sinclair:
OHHHH
I can’t wait to see it!
*dies of happiness*
Speaking of happiness: Did you purposefully set out to break hearts with Everbound? Because mission accomplished, Ashton. Here lieth my heart. T_T
Kat Kennedy:
Totally killed me.
Brodi Ashton:
When I started this series, the one rule I set for myself is that the characters would have to face consequences for their actions decisions. And if those decisions were life and death, then the consequences had to fit. So nobody gets off easily in my books.
Actions and decisions.
Stephanie Sinclair:
This has me a bit scared for book 3.
Kat Kennedy:
I like that. I don’t like books where it feels like there should be consequences and yet things all magically work out at the end puppies rainbows and the works included.
Brodi Ashton:
Kat- exactly!
Stephanie Sinclair:
Brodi Ashton:
Steph- I’ve been thinking of the ending of book 3 for years. I daydream about it. It will end the only way it CAN end.
Stephanie Sinclair:
I think I’ll need major cuddles by the end.
Kat Kennedy:
You’re only deepening her despair, Brodi!
Stephanie Sinclair:
THE FEELS
Brodi Ashton:
But there will be puppies and rainbows too! I promise!* *the above statement has not been checked for accuracy.
Kat Kennedy:
Oh god, you kill me, woman!
Stephanie Sinclair:
Just leave me to diiiiieeeee!!! #overdramatic
Kat Kennedy:
When will you be releasing the name of the next book?
Brodi Ashton:
The name of Book 3… the name. I am still trying on the current name to see if it fits. Hopefully we’ll be able to release the name soon. The first two, EVERNEATH and EVERBOUND came so easily, and made so much sense to me. That is not the case with the third one.
Kat Kennedy:
We have some guesses. Mind if we run them by you?
Brodi Ashton:
Yes! Please do!
Kat Kennedy:
Everbutt?
Brodi Ashton:
ding!
Stephanie Sinclair:
*Snort*
Kat Kennedy:
Everfree?
Brodi Ashton:
How did you know?
Everfree is a popular guess.
Stephanie Sinclair:
For-Ever and Ever?
Kat Kennedy:
Everlive-free-and-die-hard?
Brodi Ashton:
Haha!
Everforevereverliving
Stephanie Sinclair:
Ever-lasting Gobstoppers!
Kat Kennedy:
lol
Everdone?
Brodi Ashton:
My favorite is still Everbroccoli.
Kat Kennedy:
Haha!
Brodi Ashton:
The Everending story.
Kat Kennedy:
YESSS!
If you don’t use that it will forever be a wasted opportunity.
Brodi Ashton:
These are all good ideas. Um… thanks?
Kat Kennedy:
Okay, well thank you so much for coming and chatting with us today, Brodi!
Brodi Ashton:
Thank you so much for having me! I love you gals!
Stephanie Sinclair:
Yes, thank so much!
Kat Kennedy:
We had so much fun and it was cathartic to be able to wail about the book with you.
Brodi Ashton:
I wail about my book all the time. You are not alone.
Stephanie Sinclair:
We are sure you are taking our suggestions seriously.
This is my serious face:
Kat Kennedy:
Yes. Everbutt has a lot of promise.
Brodi Ashton:
I totally have an Everbutt. It never ends.
Everbound by Brodi Ashton
Nikki Beckett could only watch as her boyfriend, Jack, sacrificed himself to save her, taking her place in the Tunnels of the Everneath for eternity — a debt that should’ve been hers. She’s living a borrowed life, and she doesn’t know what to do with the guilt. And every night Jack appears in her dreams, lost and confused and wasting away.
Desperate for answers, Nikki turns to Cole, the immortal bad boy who wants to make her his queen — and the one person least likely to help. But his heart has been touched by everything about Nikki, and he agrees to assist her in the only way he can: by taking her to the Everneath himself.
Nikki and Cole descend into the Everneath, only to discover that their journey will be more difficult than they’d anticipated — and more deadly. But Nikki vows to stop at nothing to save Jack — even if it means making an incredible sacrifice of her own.
In this enthralling sequel to Everneath, Brodi Ashton tests the bonds of destiny and explores the lengths we’ll go to for the ones we love.
GoodReads|Amazon|Barnes and Noble|The Book Depository
About Brodi:
Because of two parents who were Greek myth geeks, I grew up thinking the latest fashion trends were inspired by Aphrodite, and a good conversational opener was, “So, which mythological character do you most resemble?” Despite these social shortcomings, I found a great husband who’s always my first reader. We live in Utah with our two young boys, who still have no idea why I’m at the computer all the time. I received a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Utah and a Master’s degree in International Relations from the London School of Economics.
Blog|Twitter|Facebook|Goodreads
Giveaway
Thanks to Brodi Ashton and Rockstar Tours, we have a signed hardcover copy of Everbound and guitar pick to giveaway!
Contest Rules:
-
To enter, please fill out the Raffelcopter form below.
-
We ask that all entrants be at least 13 years or older to enter.
- The giveaway is open to US only.
- When the winner is chosen, it will be announced here and they will be emailed. Please check your email because we are only giving the winner 48 hours to respond. Otherwise someone else will have to be selected.
- Please enter your email address in the Rafflecopter form and not the comments.
- Also, please understand that we reserve the right to disqualify any entries we find gaming the system. Cheaters never prosper.
[one_half]Week One
Jan. 14th – All Things Urban Fantasy – Character Int. (Nikki)
Jan. 15th – Cuddlebuggery – Author Interview
Jan. 16th – Live to Read – Review
Jan. 17th – Tater’s Tall Tails – Character Int. (Cole)
Jan. 18th – Fictitious Delicious – Review[/one_half]
[one_half_last]Week Two
Jan. 21st – Making the Grade – Review
Jan. 22nd – IB Book Blogging – Review
Jan. 23rd – The YA Sisterhood – Review
Jan. 24th – Book Loving Mom – Review
Jan. 25th – Magical Urban Fantasy Reads – Author Interview[/one_half_last]
Elaine
HAHA EVERBUTT. You guys seriously crack me up.
Please do more of these kinda author interviews because seriously, they are the best.
I’ve heard a lot of people going for Everfree, but that’s a little too literal for me. I think still like Everbutt. Now that title would make for an epic cover.
I’ve already pre-ordered my copy of Everbound on Book Depository.
/bounces up and down in excitement for it to FINALLY arrive
Lynn K.
Lovely interview ladies! 🙂
Oh God, the Everbound feels I’m getting…is it January 22nd yet?! ;A;
Debby (@SnugglyOranges)
Ugh, I’m SO JEALOUS. Everbound sounds amazinggg and I totally can’t wait to read it. Reading that interview alone already gave me feels. asdfjkl; Great job 🙂
deadtossedwaves
I cannot wait to read this bloody book!!!! Everneath was one of my favorites from last year 😀
Christina (A Reader of Fictions)
Oooh, I wonder what she’s a goddess of? Guitar picks with souls in them?
“The first one was all about the feelings, the second was a ton of world-building” <– This is exactly what Steph and I were saying to Blythe on Twitter. They have very distinct tones and focuses.
THE ENDING. We totally could have figured it out I think, maybe not how but that it was happening. I gave props for that, because I was like OMG OF COURSE. Gahhhhh!
"When I started this series, the one rule I set for myself is that the characters would have to face consequences for their actions decisions. And if those decisions were life and death, then the consequences had to fit. So nobody gets off easily in my books." <– LOVE.
Everlive-free-and-die-hard is the perfect name.
"I totally have an Everbutt. It never ends." Bahahahahaha
erinf1
thanks for the awesome post! I haven’t read Cinder yet (but it’s on my list) and it sounds great! And Everbound is also on the top of my want list too!
TayteH
I’m extremely excited for Everbound. I loved Everneath.
jovialvampyre
I have it but haven’t read it yet. I wish I could read faster because there is so much great material out there :).
desiree1612
I have been waiting for Everbound to get closer to releasing to read Everneath. I think I might start it tonight! I have a good feeling that it will be amazing.
bryanholly34
Okay – that was HILARIOUS!! What a great interview, absolutely made me laugh while at the same time actually imparting information 🙂 I have not yet read Everneath but have been wanting to for a long time, and, what a coincidence, just got an email from my library saying they’re holding a copy for me! Almost done with another book now, Everneath just may be my next read (though that might anger the 100s of books technically ahead of it on the TBR list…). Congratulations, Brodi, on your wild success with this series and with the upcoming release of book 2! And thanks to all of you for the fabulous interview! (Best line – Brodi saying she has an Everbutt that never ends. HA! Hey, ME TOO!!!!)
Lacey T
Yes, I have read Everneath!! The ending just killed me, so I’m so excited to read Everbound 🙂
sazbah
Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Kat! Steph! GODDESS BRODI!
I love this interview. You filled my Wednesday morning with happiness and hysterical giggling.
Also: I insist on The Everending Story. Seriously. SERIOUSLY.
ExploringEliza
I like Everbroccoli, personally. I can’t wait to get my hands on this book. I loved Everneath, and was always super curious about the Everneath. I hope it’s super creepy.
Sarah Johnson
I didn’t love Everneath, but I did really enjoy it. I’m looking forward to the sequel. Mostly because I see such promise in Cole’s character and I think he might be developed and fleshed out extensively in this one. I’m excited about it!
LisaILJ
I’m so excited for this book. Everneath was one of my favorites from last year.
Neyra
I still haven’t read this series 🙁 But I am definitely excited to get it started! 😀 Great interview as always ladies :p
Alexandra Ray
Yep, I’ve read Everneath! And I CANNOT wait a moment longer for Everbound… and then the last book. NEED THEM NOW
Mona6014
I read Everneath after reading Steph’s review and LOVED it! I am super psyched about the next book. I can’t wait to see what happens, and I already want book 3! 🙂
Cali Willette
Thanks for the giveaway! I have read Everneath and I love it; I can’t wait to find out what happens next!
-Cali W.
BookNook
I’m DYING to read Everbound! The cliffhanger in Everneath was INSANE and I was so mad when it ended. I absolutely need to find out what happens next!!
BookNook
I’m DYING to read Everbound! The cliffhanger in Everneath was INSANE and I was so mad when it ended. I absolutely need to find out what happens next!!
Kara_M
Everneath was a fantastic book, but this sounds even more epic. I must have!!
kaylynn34
Everneath was AMAZING, and now I’m so excited for Everbound.
pcc
I haven’t read Everneath…but it sounds fantastic and I’ll need to read it now so I can catch up to Everbound!
pcc
I haven’t read Everneath…but it sounds fantastic and I’ll need to read it now so I can catch up to Everbound!
Erika
I haven’t read Everneath yet but hope to soon! This series looks great! Thanks for the chance to win!
auroramoonskye
SO, SO EXCITED! Be still, my heart! 😉
Olive
I haven’t read Everneath yet but I’d love to! Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
cecilie2424
I loved Everneath, and can’t wait to read Everbound 😀 and Great interview 😀
KrysF
I am sooo excited about Everbound! I loved Everneath 🙂 Cant wait!!!
Dione Sage
Everneath was amazing! I can hardly wait to find out what happens next! Everbound is a necessity at this point!
Thanks for the giveaway
Mona6014
The ending! I totally agree with Kat though. I should of seen it coming. Dang it!