AUTHOR INTERVIEW - YELENA BLACK

What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarise it in less than 20 words what would you say?
My book, Dance of Shadows, is about a teenage ballet dancer named Vanessa Adler who is searching for her missing older sister.

Is this book part of a series? Do you have plans for a new book?

Yes! There will be three books in the series, and I’m currently editing the second book which is shaping up to be very exciting!

What genre would you place Dance of Shadows in?

I would say that it is a teen mystery/thriller, with elements of paranormal romance woven throughout.

Do you have a favourite character from Dance of Shadows?  If so, why are they your favourite?

It’s hard to choose a favorite—I like Vanessa, of course, and Josef because of how scary he is. I also love Blaine because he always makes me laugh.

If you had to choose to be one of your characters in your book which would you be and why?

I would probably be TJ, because she’s smart and sassy and always says what she thinks, no matter how people might react—which I readily admire.

How do you come up with characters names and place names?

Sometimes they sort of just “come to me.” When I sat down at my computer to start Dance of Shadows, the name Vanessa Adler just popped into my head—it was actually very strange! But I knew immediately that was my main character’s name. When it comes to other names and places, I will admit to doing a lot of research! Sometimes my characters go through three or four different names before I hit “the one.”

Have you ever based characters on people you know or based events on things that have happened to you?

Sometimes I definitely draw upon people who are already in my life—or celebrities—when I need help figuring out what a certain character looks like. Certainly some of the events in this book are based on my years as a dancer, but the majority of it is invented.

Is there a certain author that influenced your writing?

I love the mysteries of Stephen King, Donna Tartt, and Tana French, and they have definitely influenced my work. I also admire J.K. Rowling’s ability to create a wonderful and unique world.

What are you currently reading?

I just finished Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl, which was incredible.

Are there any new authors you are interested in and would recommend us to read?

I really loved Theo Lawrence’s Mystic City, which came in October and is a beautiful re-imagining of the Romeo and Juliet story, set in a version of Manhattan where magic is real. If you want a funny mystery, check out Josh Berk’s The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin, which made me laugh and laugh and laugh. I also really liked Jillian Larkin’s The Flappers series, set in the 1920’s.

Is there anything in your book you would change now if you could, if so what would it be?

This is an impossible question to answer! I plead the fifth! But seriously … all I can hope for is that I grow with every new experience as a writer, and I am having fun putting all of the things I learned writing Dance of Shadows into the sequel.