Interview: Tera Lynn Childs

Tera Lynn Childs is the author of Oh. My. Gods. and Goddess Boot Camp. Goddess Boot Camp hit stores June 2009.

Find out more by going to her: Webpage

Questions on Oh. My. Gods.:

Tainted Poet: First off, could you please give us a brief summary of Oh. My. Gods.?
Tera Lynn Childs: Oh. My. Gods. is about a cross-country-running California girl whose mom remarries a Greek guy and moves her halfway around the world right before her senior year. Then, when they get there, she learns that everyone else at her new school is a descendant of a Greek god and has superpowers.

TP: What inspired you to write about Greek Gods?
TLC: Two things. First, I've always loved mythology and ancient cultures (Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Mayan). Second, I came up with a really cool working title (Growing Up Godly) and thought that a girl going to a school for the descendants of the gods would fit that title.

TP: Have you ever been to Greece?
TLC: Sadly, no.

TP: Troy was cute, but Griffin was just Wow. What's your opinion on this matter? ;)
TLC: Well, don't tell the boys, but when I started writing the story Phoebe was supposed to end up with Troy. I mean, he's the nice one, right? But I have a serious weakness for bad boys--especially ones with dark curly hair and icy blue eyes--and apparently so does Phoebe.

TP: Should we expect to find out which God/Goddess Nicole is a decedent from anytime soon?
TLC: Not in Goddess Boot Camp, sadly. (That little sneak didn't even *tell* me until after I'd finished that book!) But, if I get to write a third book in the series--which means everyone has to rock the shelves and tell all their friends and librarians to buy the first two so my publisher wants more--then Nicole's ancestor will play a huge role in that story.

TP: Which character is most like you, would you say?
TLC: Oh, Phoebe, definitely. She's a lot like I was in high school: athletic, average popularity, straight brown hair. I never had her luck with boys, though.

TP: Any particular favorite characters and why?
TLC: I have a soft spot for Nicole, of course, because she's the cool chick I'll never be. I also like writing my bad girls, Stella and Adara, because there's always more beneath the surface than just a bad attitude.

TP: Is there a particular message you want to get across with this book?
TLC: You mean theme? *shudders* Okay, okay, repressing bad English class memories. I would have to say that the message in Oh. My. Gods. is about finding your inner strength, about Phoebe finding the ability within herself to triumph despite being up against classmates with superpowers.

TP: The sequel, Goddess Boot Camp, was just released this month. Should we expect any more books for this series?
TLC: As I said above, I have at least one more story to tell, but it will depend on my publisher. And, since publishers like money, it will depend on the sales for the first two books.

Other Questions:

TP: What would you say your biggest literary inspiration is?
TLC: Uh, inspiration? I don't know that I have any specific inspirations, because I think each writer and her voice are unique, but I do have some favorite authors. Those include Jaclyn Moriarty, Emily Lockhart, and Meg Cabot.

TP: Do you have any particular foods or drinks you like to eat or drink while writing?
TLC: Since I write in coffee shops, it's usually something caffeinated. Some days it's a caramel frappuccino, others it's a hazelnut latte. If I'm being very good, it's an iced green tea lemonade.

TP: Do you listen to music while you write? And if so, what do you listen to?
TLC: Always! Again, since I'm writing in public, if I don't have tunes in my ears then I can't focus at all. My taste in music is very eclectic. Here are some highlights from my current playlist:

-Glory of by Peter Cetera, Just Dance by Lady Gaga, I'm Yours by Jason Mraz, Love Story by Taylor Swift, Single Ladies by Beyonce, Mercy by Duffy, and Wanted Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi.

TP: If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would it be?
TLC: If I were just looking for somewhere to relax, I'd head to south Florida. If I were looking for an exciting travel destination, I'd go to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

TP: Have you always wanted to be a writer?
TLC: No. For the longest time I hated anything to do with English, reading, grammar, etc. I was going to be a teacher, veterinarian, doctor, biologist, astronaut, lawyer, architect... You name it and I bet I wanted to become it at some point in my life. I get very obsessive, and writing is the only thing that I've stayed obsessed with for more than six months (we're going on six years now). So I think this one's a keeper.

TP: What is one question you wish people would ask you?
TLC: What color is my hair today? (It changes frequently.) Today it's my natural blah brown with some pale blonde highlights.

TP: Any last statements?
TLC: Um, stay in school? No wait, it's summer. How about this quote from my mom: Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a promise, so make the best out of today.

END

Tera Lynn Childs was great and I hope to talk with her again in the future! Check out her books Oh. My. Gods. and Goddess Boot Camp, Both fun and easy summer reads!