Friday, April 26, 2013

Interview: Stacey Kade + The Rules


Today I'm thrilled to welcome young adult author Stacey Kade to the blog to answer a few questions about her newest book, The Rules, which released from Disney Hyperion this week. I absolutely adored this story and would love it if it could go ahead and be 2014 already so I can get my hands on book two immediately. Patient I am not. What I am, though, is excited to have you all get to know Stacey as well as protagonists Ariane and Zane a little bit better with this interview, I hope you enjoy!

Ariane grew up in a cold, stark room where she could be observed at any hour of the day. If she could have made one small change to the space in order to personalize it knowing it would have gone unnoticed by the various doctors and lab techs, what would she have done?

My guess is, if she could have gotten away with it, she would have cut photos out of her books and magazines and put them on the wall, like they were people that she knew or places she’d been.

Let’s say Ariane has Dr. Jacobs to herself for 5 minutes during which she can ask him anything she wants and he has to answer truthfully. What’s her first question?

Who is (or was) my mother?

Ariane has an unwanted tattoo on her back marking her as a GTX experiment. If she walked into a tattoo parlor today to get a tattoo simply for herself, what might it look like?

If she got one at all, I think it would be the word “Mine” tattooed on the inside of her wrist, in small cursive/script-y letters. It would be sort of a counterbalance to the GTX mark on her back, a reminder that she is her own person, no one’s property.

Zane has a very difficult and demanding father who constantly weighs him against his older brother and finds him wanting. If he could choose a father from any other piece of fiction to swap for his own, even temporarily, whom might he pick?

Well, he’s not a father, technically—more of a mentor/father figure—but probably Obi-wan Kenobi, from the original Star Wars movies. The idea of someone believing in you a ridiculous amount so as to push you toward being brave and becoming your own man is probably something Zane would have liked to have.

Describe Ariane and Zane’s relationship using only song titles or lyrics.

"Take Me Out" by Atomic Tom
"ET" by Katy Perry
"This Love Will Be Your Downfall" by Ellie Goulding
"Ever After" by Marianas Trench

(Incidentally, all of these songs are from the playlist I used while writing the book.)

Ariane and Zane spend time at a school carnival on one of their “dates”. What is your favorite carnival ride or game?

I do love a good game of skee-ball! But mostly, I’m interested in the food—elephant ears, funnel cakes, yum.

I suddenly find myself with Ariane’s telepathic ability and am standing near you just as you start thinking hard about book two. What couple of words might I pick up from your mind as your gears turn?

Dr. Laughlin, hybrids, Ford, Carter, and Nixon. :)

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions Stacey!

• • • • • • • • • •

STACEY KADE

(photo: Vania Stoyanova)

As a former award-winning corporate copywriter, Stacey Kade has written about everything from backhoe loaders to breast pumps. But she prefers to make things up instead.

She lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, Greg, and their two retired racing greyhounds, Tall Walker (Walker) and SheWearsThePants (Pansy).


• • • • • • • • • • 

THE RULES

1. Never trust anyone.

2. Remember they are always searching.

3. Don’t get involved.

4. Keep your head down.

5. Don’t fall in love.

Five simple rules. Ariane Tucker has followed them since the night she escaped from the genetics lab where she was created, the result of combining human and extraterrestrial DNA. Ariane’s survival—and that of her adoptive father—depends on her ability to blend in among the full-blooded humans in a small Wisconsin town, to hide in plain sight at her high school from those who seek to recover their lost (and expensive) “project.”

But when a cruel prank at school goes awry, it puts her in the path of Zane Bradshaw, the police chief’s son and someone who sees too much. Someone who really sees her. After years of trying to be invisible, Ariane finds the attention frightening—and utterly intoxicating. Suddenly, nothing is simple anymore, especially not the rules…

45 comments:

  1. I love this Interview and now I really must read it! I didn't know she grew up so isolated and .. Ok I really want to read this book!

    Oh and Ariane really should get that tattoo!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I LOVED Ariane Danny:) I think you'll really like her as well. Despite how she was brought up, she's not weak or fearful of others, she always stands her ground.

      Delete
  2. Jenny, all your interviews are great. I haven't read this book, but I particularly appreciate how you give us some background info but you ask your specific question. Also... Zane sounds awesome. Obi-wan? Hell yeah!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. before** you ask your specific question. Sorry, my brain is just fried.

      Delete
    2. Thanks! I always try and do that since I know a lot of people reading the interview likely haven't read the book and I want them to still understand the questions:)

      Delete
  3. I love the interview! I'm so excited to read this book, the premise sounds awesome :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Rules are meant to be broken..well not always it seems

    ReplyDelete
  5. See, questions no one would think to ask! ARGH!! I have an interview coming up, I need you to write the questions for it. I need to look good. lol At least I know you won't be interviewing this particular character! Excellent interview! Barbara Walters eat you heart out.

    Heather

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hahaha thanks Heather! And you always come up with great questions as well, so I have no doubt your interview will be equally good:)

      Delete
  6. Oh, I can imagine that Ariane would first want to know about her mother! That makes perfect sense, and I would too, in her place. And I love the tattoo idea, it would never occur to me, but of course it would create a perfect ballance.
    Thank you for this interview, Jenny! These small things made Ariane seem even more real somehow.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I want to know about Ariane's mom too! Maybe we'll get some info on her in the next book:) Glad you enjoyed the interview Maja!

      Delete
  7. I really must read this series. I have seen your review for it and now this interview. I've gotten some general picture about the book but I have a feeling like there is more to that. Great interview Jenny! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just really liked this one:) It was a fun read and I love both protagonists, so it worked beautifully for me:)

      Delete
  8. I'm interested in food as well :P Ski ball not so much. LOL

    This one looks good Jenny :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Let's not talk about funnel cakes right now okay? Because I could definitely go for one. Or 5. Whichever:)

      Delete
  9. Wonderful! I love all you questions Jenny! Especially your sneaky way to find out a little around book two! Funnel cake = yum, I also love carnival food too Stacy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hahahaha I was hoping maybe I'd catch her unawares with that one ;-) She was on to me though.

      Delete
  10. FUNNEL CAKES, FTW!! And that tattoo--her dad really needed to take her to a tattoo parlor far away and get it changed. Because it's not obvious or anything. *shakes head* (Though, of course, I know *why* that didn't happen). Write on, Stacey! Lovin' this series!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought about that as well while I was reading, and then obviously it made sense. I still have some feels about that whole thing! I'm loving this series too, can't wait for book 2!

      Delete
  11. I rock SKEE BALL! By rock, I mean I get a 10 every time but whose counting? I miss funnel cakes! Ever since my gall bladder surgery they make me sick. If I knew that was going to happen I would have let the thing stay in LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. NO FUNNEL CAKES ANYMORE? That is tragic Felicia! Of course your health is important, but I mean, funnel cakes. ;-)

      Delete
  12. Fun interview!!! I seriously cant wait to read this book. I haven't had a funnel cake since I was little...:D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's been a while for me too and all this talk of funnel cakes has me starving. Damn all of you!

      Delete
  13. I finished this book this past weekend and it blew my MIND, JENNY! I freaking love it to pieces, and I want book 2 NOW. Not in 2014. That's so far away!

    What a fantastic interview! I love the questions you asked. I'm a music addict, so seeing her song choices make me want to start a playlist so I can relive my Ariane/Zane love. SIGH.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. YEAH HANNAH!!!! So glad you loved this one too! I thought it was brilliant:)

      Delete
  14. This was a fun interview! I love the idea of her getting a small tattoo that says "mine" that goes really well with who she was in the story. Oh the song titles are great too! Thanks for sharing, Jenny!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really liked her tattoo idea as well. I think she should do it:)

      Delete
  15. Good interview!
    I am still so undecided about this read. I have heard so many varying thing about it but most seems to be the same, the main protagonist isn't all that likeable.

    Maybe I will have to give it a chance and see for myself. ;)

    Have a nice weekend!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I actually loved Ariane, she was one of the highlights for me. But of course, everyone reacts differently. I hope you give it a try though!

      Delete
  16. I got to meet Stacey Kade this past weekend! She is sooooo awesome! I got my book signed and totally fan girl squealed!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LUCKY YOU! I would have fan girl squealed as well. I lack cool when meeting authors:)

      Delete
  17. This has to be one of the best author interviews I've ever read- great questions, great answers! I loved this book and cannot wait until book 2. Off to ponder the Kade's last answer! And maybe to get a tattoo of the word "mine" on my wrist. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Ok now I want funnel cake..LOL Wonderful interview, I have this book on my wishlist and look forward to reading it. Jen ..fantastic questions regarding the character.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Great interview...I've seen some mixed reviews on this one so I think I'll wait a bit before adding it to my wishlist.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love the symbolism of Mine. Makes a lot of sense for a girl in Ariane's situation

    ReplyDelete
  21. Oh I like the tat she would have gotten. Very appropriate.

    Now I have the earworm of ET in my head. LOL Still, a great interview and now I must push this book up the wishlist! :D

    ReplyDelete
  22. Wonderful interview! I like the tattoo idea a lot, it fits well.
    I also like the food at a carnival. Now I'm wanting some elephant ears!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Now I'm craving funnel cakes....Love these questions! And what a great idea for a tattoo, given what she's gone through. I wasn't planning on reading this, but all the reviews have definitely changed my mind. Looking forward to checking it out!

    ReplyDelete
  24. After reading (and LOVING) The Ghost and the Goth Series, I really enjoyed this interview, Jenny. Thanks for sharing!(:

    ReplyDelete
  25. Oh Jenny, I'm so jealous of your awesome interviewing skills! I have an interview I need to write up and so many times my mind goes blank when I try and come up with interesting questions.

    This story sounds amazing ladies! :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Cash advance loan UK can end up being an excellent companionship of money in
    the event that an individual needs it. In case in emergencies, they either borrow from family or try towards push that expense for the
    next month.

    Also visit my blog post - pikavippi eduskunta

    ReplyDelete
  27. We are so much dependent on the use of various electric components
    that it's to imagine that reside without them. Cook Sweat Therapy is often a powerful healing gadget that is not usually used in Usa Society.

    Stop by my weblog; infrared heaters work

    ReplyDelete
  28. It sounds like we're going to meet the hybrids in the sequel. I'm excited! Great interview, Jenny :)

    ReplyDelete