Interview with YA Author Heather Lotto

Today YA author Heather Letto shares about her book, The Imparting, a YA dytopian novel.

How did you choose the title The Imparting?

This is the last book of the Ascension Series… Book 1—Impervious, Book 2—Implanted, sooooo…. The IMP’s have it!  But more than that, in this story the imparting is the way to freedom… or death. 

Although the Ascension Series is a post-apocalyptic non-religious read, it is also Christian fiction because of its allegorical nature to the gospel message.

Did you design the cover?

I helped in the design (chose the model, and put in my two cents) BUT, Anita Carroll (@race-point.com), Cover designer extraordinaire is the artist.

How would you describe the book to someone in a text message?

Wow! They’re being held prisoner, and they don’t even know it!

Who is your main character and what problem does she face?

Fran. Well, Actually Sarah-Frances Monde, but she goes by Fran.  Her problems are many. At first, it might appear that her main problem is procuring dinner and dodging the Impervious holographic security. Yet, her brother’s MIA, and both of her parents already gone, so when her mentor slides down the awful slope of the decline, avoiding the Beast takes precedence. And then there’s Pete… and the Council…

What might draw someone to your character?

Anyone who has dealt with death, abandonment, living on the fringe of society, had a crush, wanted an adventure, feared for their life, or wondered what might be on the other side would probably relate to Fran. Those who haven’t experienced those sorts of things, might just be enamored by Fran’s no-B.S., kick-butt attitude. She’s pretty cool.

When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was young, (sigghhhhh) I wanted to be 1. An Olympic gymnast, 2. A flight attendant, 3. Janis Joplin. Yes… all at the same time.

Do you still want to be that?

Not really. I like who I am now. (Plus the above plan really sounds pretty exhausting!)

What’s the most times you’ve read a book and why?

I read Nicholas Spark’s A Walk to Remember three times! (And saw the movie twice!) Two of those three times I had forgotten I had read it already until a few chapters in. And then I was truly bummed, because I remembered what was going to happen. Then again, I did continue reading it.

What are three unusual things about you your readers might not know?

1.      While writing the final two books in the Ascension Series I was living in an R.V. travelling around the U.S.

2.      I cannot tolerate carpooling in a minivan or SUV. EVER.

3.      I’m a figure skater.

What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?

When I was a tween, I travelled from Argentina to the U.S. in a single engine six-passenger airplane that my father piloted.

I sense a story here …

Travel and adventure were big in my home growing up. As a matter of fact, when I was in the sixth grade, my parents moved the entire family from 'burbs of Chicago to Buenos Aires, Argentina, for a few years. For those unfamiliar with this country, Argentina sits on the Atlantic side of South America beneath the "belly" of Brazil. While living in the Southern Hemisphere, I lived a pretty normal life, going to school, hanging with friends, crushing on boys, etc. And during school breaks, we continued the tradition of family vacations. Yet, rather than Disney or the Grand Canyon, we had the beaches of Uruguay, the Andes Mountains of Chile and the Great Iguacu Falls bordering Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil. Good family fun, indeed. The biggest (and to date, the best) family trip we made, however, was when it was time to return 'home', and my father made the decision to pilot us back to the 'States' in his single engine, six-seater, Beachcraft  Bonanza airplane. This several-week journey took us through jungles to beaches and Amazonian villages to coastal mega-cities. Memories of walking on lily pads the size of car tires and dodging hairy tarantulas bigger than my fist compete with the visions of the exotic beaches of in Rio de Jainero and fancy buffets laden with tropical fruits, cheeses, yummy croissants, jellies and Dulce de Leche. I can still hear the hum of the outboard motor as we skipped along the Amazon river in a very 'rustic' boat with a local villager and the squeal of my mother as he dove in to 'swim with the piranhas.’ The faces of the Paraguayan women toting mammoth baskets of fruit on their heads makes me smile as much as the flock of  flamingos that graced our outdoor buffet. However, as tween, I can assure you, I also squabbled with my brother in the backseat of the plane when he took up more than his allotted space, or whined  "Can we land soon?"  (a lot). I mean, after all. I'm only human.

Favorite verse?

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^a have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

What advice would you give a teen who wants to be a writer?

Work hard and be open to criticism. It’s how you grow.

~~~

November is BOOK PROMO MONTH for The Ascension Series! Impervious and Implanted have already had free download days, but they are both on sale for 0.99 for the rest of the month HERE 

 The Imparting will have a random FREE DOWNLOAD DAY within the next two weeks.

Watch for it on Facebook Fan page because it will be announced HERE 

AND

The Grand Prize Giveaway Drawing will be on November 30^th  HERE

(Soft cover, signed copies of the entire trilogy, SWAG-GALORE*, AND A $25 Amazon gift card)

*Swag includes buttons, bracelets, bookmarks & chocolate

Order all three books from amazon HERE