Lily: Thank you for
agreeing to this interview Bailey, we here at The Faerie Review are really
excited about this! I absolutely loved Thicker Than Water (Blood Mysteries#1). So first, we’d like to learn more about the mind behind the story. Who
are some of your favorite authors?
Bailey: I have a favoriteauthor for almost every genre, honestly. I love Brenna Yovanoff, who writes the
scariest, but most amazing, books ever. Sarah Dessen is a long-time love of
mine; her books were some of the first I picked up. Elliot Wake (formerly known
as Leah Raeder) is AMAZING in general. If I can recommend reading anyone, it
would be him!
Lily: I think you just gave me some new authors to check out! Ok let’s make it a little harder, what are your top
three favorite books of all time?
three favorite books of all time?
Bailey: This is such a
difficult question for me! I’ve never been able to answer it properly, because
at this point in my life, I’ve read over one-thousand books! My Goodreads puts the number around 1,093,
although I know it’s probably more than that, because I forget to add books
sometimes. Three is a hard number to condense to—so I’ll be that annoying
person that does more than three. Oops. Sorry. 1) Cam Girl, Black Iris,
Unteachable, all by Elliot Wake, 2) Rachel Vincent’s Soul Screamer series, 3)
Veiled Innocent by Ella Frank, 4) Timber Wolves Trilogy by Tammy Blackwell, 5) anything
by Jennifer L. Armentrout, 6) the Soul Eaters trilogy by Eliza Crewe…and that’s
it! I HEAVILY recommend all of those books. Sorry for doubling your parameters.
I’m a rebel like that.
difficult question for me! I’ve never been able to answer it properly, because
at this point in my life, I’ve read over one-thousand books! My Goodreads puts the number around 1,093,
although I know it’s probably more than that, because I forget to add books
sometimes. Three is a hard number to condense to—so I’ll be that annoying
person that does more than three. Oops. Sorry. 1) Cam Girl, Black Iris,
Unteachable, all by Elliot Wake, 2) Rachel Vincent’s Soul Screamer series, 3)
Veiled Innocent by Ella Frank, 4) Timber Wolves Trilogy by Tammy Blackwell, 5) anything
by Jennifer L. Armentrout, 6) the Soul Eaters trilogy by Eliza Crewe…and that’s
it! I HEAVILY recommend all of those books. Sorry for doubling your parameters.
I’m a rebel like that.
Lily: If I’m being totally honest, I’m not sure if I could give a short list either if asked! There are just too many amazing books out there. OK, if you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you like to meet and why?
Bailey: Honestly, this
answer probably isn’t interesting to anyone. I’d like to meet Lamar Gunn, the
man I was named after, actually. He’s my great-grandfather. He helped raise my
dad and was supposedly an amazing man. I was only one when he died, though, so
I never really got to be around him.
answer probably isn’t interesting to anyone. I’d like to meet Lamar Gunn, the
man I was named after, actually. He’s my great-grandfather. He helped raise my
dad and was supposedly an amazing man. I was only one when he died, though, so
I never really got to be around him.
Lily: Actually I think that’s really interesting. Not many people are that interested in their family histories. Its great to meet someone else who wants to know the people that passed before they had a chance to know them! Ok, lazy Saturday night, time to veg out with your favorite movie. What is it?
Bailey: I’m not super into
movies, actually. I’m more of a TV person. Gilmore Girls, Malcolm in the
Middle, Grounded for Life, Friends, Criminal Minds, ect. I’m a total Netflix junkie.
movies, actually. I’m more of a TV person. Gilmore Girls, Malcolm in the
Middle, Grounded for Life, Friends, Criminal Minds, ect. I’m a total Netflix junkie.
Lily: Netflix might be my not so secret addiction. Its great for binge-watching shows when you just want to relax. Do you have a favorite quote?
Bailey: “Whoever fights
monsters should see to it that he does not become a monster in the process.” –
Friedrich Nietzsche
monsters should see to it that he does not become a monster in the process.” –
Friedrich Nietzsche
Lily: That’s a beautiful one! Mine, is I must admit, not quite so beautiful. For your own reading, do you prefer ebooks or traditional paper/hard
back books?
back books?
Bailey: I prefer the
feeling of traditional paper books, but I love the versatility of ereading. It
just depends on my mood, honestly.
feeling of traditional paper books, but I love the versatility of ereading. It
just depends on my mood, honestly.
Lily: I’m very much the same way. I’m not sure I could live without either my hard copies or my digital editions. So how do you relax?
Bailey: Reading is one of
the few things that relaxes me, actually…which is probably why I’ve read over a
thousand books.
the few things that relaxes me, actually…which is probably why I’ve read over a
thousand books.
Lily: Reading is one of my favorite past times as well if you hadn’t guessed already. Ok let’s dive into
the nitty-gritty. I want to know how you work and more about Thicker ThanWater (Blood Mysteries #1). First, please give us an
insight into your main character. What is it about Oz that makes her so
special?
the nitty-gritty. I want to know how you work and more about Thicker ThanWater (Blood Mysteries #1). First, please give us an
insight into your main character. What is it about Oz that makes her so
special?
Bailey: I might be a LITTLEbiased here, but I think it’s her unwavering bravery in her quest for the
truth. She’s willing to do whatever it takes to unravel the secrets in Hanover,
even risk her own life.
Lily: That’s certainly what drew me to her. Was Oz inspired by
someone in your life?
someone in your life?
Bailey: Yes/no. She was
actually inspired by a lot of tragic heroines in YA novels—you know, the ones
that focus entirely on the cute boy and always let someone else save them? I
mean, Oz has her moments of being fascinated by cute boys, like any
18-year-old, but I think it’s important to remember that when a killer is
running around town, there are more important things than kissing boys.
actually inspired by a lot of tragic heroines in YA novels—you know, the ones
that focus entirely on the cute boy and always let someone else save them? I
mean, Oz has her moments of being fascinated by cute boys, like any
18-year-old, but I think it’s important to remember that when a killer is
running around town, there are more important things than kissing boys.
Lily: I think that this is a great way to inspire girls to NOT wait around for prince charming. I wish there had been more like this when I was growing up. Tell us, how did you come up
with the title of your book?
with the title of your book?
Bailey: Originally, it was
titled Over the Rainbow…yuck, right? A super bad reference to Oz’s Wizard of Oz
name and the themes in the book. In the end, I think it’s important to remember
that the most important part of this book is blood—the blood of those that
died, the blood of family, and the blood of people that have helped you. Family
is a huge theme, too; Oz spends a lot of time wondering what truly makes a
family…blood, or something else? So, “Thicker Than Water” came from the saying
that blood is thicker than water…which isn’t always true, especially in Oz’s
case.
titled Over the Rainbow…yuck, right? A super bad reference to Oz’s Wizard of Oz
name and the themes in the book. In the end, I think it’s important to remember
that the most important part of this book is blood—the blood of those that
died, the blood of family, and the blood of people that have helped you. Family
is a huge theme, too; Oz spends a lot of time wondering what truly makes a
family…blood, or something else? So, “Thicker Than Water” came from the saying
that blood is thicker than water…which isn’t always true, especially in Oz’s
case.
Lily: I definitely think the title you settled on fits better! What draws you to this genre?
Bailey: This is actually
kind of funny, because I don’t like writing mystery. God knows why I wrote this
story. Normally, I write paranormal or gritty contemporary…but Oz’s story
just called to me, I suppose.
kind of funny, because I don’t like writing mystery. God knows why I wrote this
story. Normally, I write paranormal or gritty contemporary…but Oz’s story
just called to me, I suppose.
Lily: I would never have guessed this isn’t your chosen genre, you handled it so masterfully. Why do you write?
What keeps you motivated during creative slumps?
What keeps you motivated during creative slumps?
Bailey: Man, I am QUEEN of
Slumps. I write because I have to—really. I get these ideas, these characters,
in my head and they sit around poking at me and bothering me until I finally
give up and put them down on paper. I still get slumps, though. It took me
three full years to get this book to where it is. Mostly, I acknowledge that
when I’m slumping, I can’t write the story I’ve stalled out in. So I open a new
word doc, and I write whatever I want. Maybe go back to another story. Anything
to get creative. Then, later, I’ll go back to my main story.
Slumps. I write because I have to—really. I get these ideas, these characters,
in my head and they sit around poking at me and bothering me until I finally
give up and put them down on paper. I still get slumps, though. It took me
three full years to get this book to where it is. Mostly, I acknowledge that
when I’m slumping, I can’t write the story I’ve stalled out in. So I open a new
word doc, and I write whatever I want. Maybe go back to another story. Anything
to get creative. Then, later, I’ll go back to my main story.
Lily: I think it’s great that even when you’re stuck on one story it doesn’t stop you from being creative in other ways. What made you decide to sit down and actually start something?
Bailey: I’ve actually
written a lot of stories, most of which don’t become full novels. With TTW, I’d
written a scene, like three years ago, featuring Oz and Lucca. They’re in her
room and they wake up in the middle of the night to find out a classmate is
missing—and everything about the scene made me want to know more. Who was the
classmate? Why did they care? Who are Oz and Lucca to each other? It ended up
being my first chapter, actually.
written a lot of stories, most of which don’t become full novels. With TTW, I’d
written a scene, like three years ago, featuring Oz and Lucca. They’re in her
room and they wake up in the middle of the night to find out a classmate is
missing—and everything about the scene made me want to know more. Who was the
classmate? Why did they care? Who are Oz and Lucca to each other? It ended up
being my first chapter, actually.
Lily: I love how characters and stories can just show up and keep scratching at the author until the author lets them out. What are you working
on now? We’re hoping there’s a sequel in the works soon!
on now? We’re hoping there’s a sequel in the works soon!
Bailey: I am working on a
sequel! Imagine this: Oz and the crew taking on COLLEGE. And, of course, more
murders… I’m also working on other things, though—I’m writing a contemporary
about a behavioral disorder called “intermittent explosive disorder” and a book
about a girl, a boy, a witch and a curse.
sequel! Imagine this: Oz and the crew taking on COLLEGE. And, of course, more
murders… I’m also working on other things, though—I’m writing a contemporary
about a behavioral disorder called “intermittent explosive disorder” and a book
about a girl, a boy, a witch and a curse.
Lily: We can’t wait. I hope you’ll let me know when it’s ready to be reviewed, I know we’d love to feature another one of your books here. What has been one of your
most rewarding experiences as an author?
most rewarding experiences as an author?
Bailey: Probably this!
Lily: That makes me feel great. I’m so happy you’re our first featured interview here! I heard there’s a
playlist for Thicker Than Water, would you mind if I share it with our
readers?
playlist for Thicker Than Water, would you mind if I share it with our
readers?
Bailey: Not at all, you can find it here
Lily: Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included?
Bailey: Yes! Thicker Than
Water is now available for preorder on Amazon! The book will be out this
November 5!
Water is now available for preorder on Amazon! The book will be out this
November 5!
Lily: Can’t wait to gift a copy to my local library. How can readers discover more about you and you work?
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