5.18.2011

Interview and Giveaway with Maureen McGowan


I would like to welcome Maureen McGowan to BookFlame today!

1. What inspired you to start writing the Twisted Tales series?

I loved the idea of updating classic fairy tales and making them more relevant for modern readers. I wanted to create heroines that girls could see themselves in and cheer for.

2. Can you see yourself in any of your characters?

I think both of my heroines are determined and like to think that I am, too. I think both Cinderella and Lucette are a lot more naive than I am, or I was at that age, but they’ve both led such sheltered lives—Cinderella trapped by her stepmother’s evil spells, and Lucette, Sleeping Beauty, isolated by her over-protective parents.

3. What character intrigued you the most in Cinderella Ninja Warrior? Sleeping Beauty Vampire Slayer? And why?

In Cinderella: Ninja Warrior, I was most intrigued by Cinderella. In both my version and the traditional story, Cinderella’s gone through a lot and is badly mistreated, but I didn’t like how she simply took it in the original story, how she didn’t even try to leave. My Cinderella has been trying to escape for years when we meet her and I loved thinking about how strong she’d have to be not to give up.

In Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer I found several of the characters intriguing. I can’t imagine what it would be like to live with a curse like that, or be so jealous and angry to curse a baby, or be the parent of a child with such a terrible thing hanging over her. I also loved the character Alex. I loved how he knows right from wrong, even given… I don’t want to give any spoilers.

4. Do you have any novels in the works? Goals for future projects?

I’m just putting the finishing touches on a darker young adult novel, set in a post-apocalyptic world. As far as future project goals, right now I love writing books that can be enjoyed by all ages, and ones that keep the pages turning.

5. If you could co-author a book with any author who would it be?

Interesting question… I’m not sure I’d enjoy being a co-author. The creative process is way too personal for me. But that said, at the moment I’m currently in awe of Carrie Ryan, so I’ll pick her. J

6. When did you first start writing?

I’ve always been writing to one extent or another, but I wrote my first novel (a category romance that will never be published) in 2003. I’ve been writing seriously since then.

7. If you were writing a book about your life, what would the title be?

Go For It!

8.If you could live in any book which one would it be?

Oh, that’s a hard one. The characters in books are always facing so much conflict and danger. I’m not sure I’d like to live in a book. Funny story, though… when I was a young teen, I was in a community theatre production where I played a young girl who got trapped in a book. That was enough for me.  I’d rather be caught up in a book I can close at any time and put down. One that ends.

9. What is your all time favorite Fairy Tale?

Everyone’s asking me this one and I wish I had a better answer. Truth is, I don’t think I really had a favorite. But I know I didn’t like Cinderella very much. I suppose everyone loves the idea of being dressed up and swept away from her troubles for a night… but so many other elements of the story bothered me. For example, I never found it all that romantic that Prince Charming couldn’t recognize his true love the next day without the help of a shoe.

10. What is the one quote that inspires you above all others?

I’m terrible at remembering quotes… Um… “Never give up! Never surrender!” (From Galaxy Quest. Did I get it right?)

Now on to the giveaway. One lucky winner will win Cinderella Ninja Warrior and Sleeping Beauty Vampire Tales from McGowan's Twisted Tales Series.





Giveaway Rules
Open to US/Canada Residents only
Must be over the age of 13 to enter
No P.O. Box address


Post a comment answering this question: What was your favorite fairytale when you were a kid?

Please post separate comments for each entry

Optional Extra Entries:
GFC Follower +1
Email Subscriber +1 
Facebook Follower +1
Twitter Follower +1

Giveaway will end May 25 11:59 P.M. EST

110 comments:

  1. great interview! My favorite fairy tale as a child was rapunzle. I absolutely adored the story.

    GFC Follower
    Twitter Follower kristenceci

    mybookishfairytale@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. My favorite fairytale is Sleeping Beauty.

    freda.mans[at]gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. GFC follower

    freda.mans[at]gmail.com

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  4. Facebook follower

    freda.mans[at]gmail.com

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  5. Follow Twitter @fredalicious

    freda.mans[at]gmail.com

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  6. My favorite fairy tale was Sleeping Beauty

    Lisa, bell198(at)aol(dot)com

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  7. GFC, Lisa, bell198(at)aol(dot)com

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  8. I loved them all! But the Wild Swans is and always has been my favorite. :)
    Great interview!

    liedermadchen(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  9. My favorite fairytale was Cinderella :) *Thanks* for the giveaway!
    theluckyladybug[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks for the giveaway. My favorite fairy tale is Cinderella.

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I follow on GFC

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I always loved Cinderella!

    thegirlonfire27 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  13. My favorite is Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

    Vivien
    deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  14. +1 GFC follower

    Vivien
    deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  15. +1 email subscriber

    Vivien
    deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I always loved Cinderella
    drakebdog at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. +1 follow via gfc
    drakebdog at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Favorite fairy tale as a kid was Beauty and the Beast. Thanks for the giveaway!

    erinberry12 at charter dot net

    ReplyDelete
  19. +1 GFC follower(Erinberry)

    erinberry12 at charter dot net

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  20. +1 follow on twitter(@Erinberry12)

    erinberry12 at charter dot net

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  21. Thanks for the giveaway!

    My favorite fairytale is Beauty and the Beast.

    jmesparza821(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  22. GFC follower = Juana Esparza

    jmesparza821(at)gmail(dot)com

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  23. Email Subscriber = jmesparza821(at)gmail(dot)com

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  24. I Liked you on FB = Juana Esparza

    jmesparza821(at)gmail(dot)com

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  25. Thanks for the interview and giveaway! I don't think I had a favorite fairytale as a kid - I loved the Disney versions, though, of A Little Mermaid, Cinderella, and Beauty and the Beast.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I'm a new GFC follower.

    susanna dot pyatt at student dot rcsnc dot org

    ReplyDelete
  27. Cinderella! Great review. Sounds like a good book. I am a new follower. I would love to have you follow my blog if you have a moment to visit. Thanks. Donna
    http://mylife-in-stories.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Cinderella. I am a follower GFC. Donna
    dkmtheriot@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. My favorite fairy tale is Beauty and the Beast. Please enter me in contest. I really want to read these books. Tore923@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I am a follower. Tore923@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. My favorite fairy tale was actually a chinese fairy tale called The Chinese Brothers .. I use to read over and over again. Like most fairy tales it was morbid.

    confuzzleddesigns@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. My Favorite fairy tale was Beauty and the Beast

    Ktalley28@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. My favorite fairytale was Beauty and the Beast.
    marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. GFC follower
    marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  35. e-mail subscriber
    marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  36. FB follower
    marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  37. My favorite fairytale was and still is Cinderella!
    nannyjessi2000(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  38. GFC follower
    nannyjessi2000(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  39. Email subscriber
    nannyjessi2000(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  40. Cinderella was my favorite.

    meredithfl at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  41. My favorite ones have always been sleeping beauty and beauty and the beast. Great giveaway thank you.
    tishajean@ charter.net

    ReplyDelete
  42. Email subscriber too
    tishajean@ charter.net

    ReplyDelete
  43. Follow on facebook/latisha D
    tishajean@ charter.net

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  44. Cinderella was my favorite!

    meredithfl at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  45. GFC Follower +1

    meredithfl at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  46. Email Subscriber +1

    meredithfl at gmail dot com

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  47. Facebook Follower +1

    meredithfl at gmail dot com

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  48. Twitter Follower +1 @tessaa99

    meredithfl at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  49. Beauty and the Beast

    bmweida at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  50. My favorite was Sleeping Beauty. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Margaret
    singitm@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  51. I am also a follower.

    Margaret
    singitm@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  52. I'm also an email suscriber.

    Margaret
    singitm@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  53. Snow White :)

    ktgonyea at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  54. E-MAIL SUBSCRIBER :)

    ktgonyea at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  55. My favorite fairy tale when I was a kid was the princess and the pea. I loved that someone who was a light sleeper could be a princess :-)

    ReplyDelete
  56. Though I grew up with books, I never heard any fairy tales unless they came via Disney. Sleeping Beauty is still one of my favorite movies.
    teawench at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  57. FB follower
    teawench at gmail dot com
    thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  58. Cinderella was always my favorite growing up

    sassysasha817 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  59. My favorite fairy tale when I was a kid was the princess and the pea rengold69@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  60. gfc follower rengold69@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  61. Great interview!
    Follow on Twitter @RBtWBC
    readingbetweenthewines10 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  62. Cinderella was my favorite
    shilobeedy@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  63. Cinderella was also my favorite

    mariahoverlock*at*gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  64. Beauty and the Beast was my favorite although I also really liked Sleeping Beauty. Great interview, I really enjoyed it! I would love to win!

    Nicole Zoltack
    Nicole.Zoltack@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  65. When I was a kid my favorite fairy tale was Thumbelina.

    wildpeetree7(at)hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  66. +1 GFC follower- Jazmyn Rodgers

    wildpeetree7(at)hotmail(dot)om

    ReplyDelete
  67. +1 Twitter follower- @Jazzie764

    wildpeetree7(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  68. My favorite fairytale was Hansel and Gretel:)

    bchild5 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  69. I am a GFC follower:)

    bchild5 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  70. Whoops forgot email. aeberting(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  71. fav fairy tail when i wa sgrowing uop really wa s avery close ties between sleeping Beauty, beaty and the beast and red riding hood tho later when i learned to read i loved grimms tale s alot better lol

    mortalsinn@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  72. GFC Follower +1
    SiNn


    mortalsinn@yahoo.com

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  73. Email Subscriber +1
    mortalsinn@yahoo.com

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  74. Facebook Follower +1
    Beverly G

    mortalsinn@yahoo.com

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  75. Twitter Follower +1


    @bainesgoddess

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  76. For some reason I really loved Cinderella. Funny thing, I went trick or treating and my shoe fell off going up a flight of stairs. Basically every parent laughed at me.

    mcrs_venin(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  77. I'm a GFC follower- Chey

    mcrs_venin(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  78. I follow on twitter
    @ohaiitschey

    mcrs_venin(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  79. I liked your page on facebook
    Cheyenne Teska

    mcrs_venin(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  80. The little mermaid!

    crazypplrok at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  81. Like any girl, I love Cinderella, and also the Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White, etc, etc... I loved those stories and their Disney Movies... But my favorite Fairy Tale is The Little Mermaid... Maybe is because I love the Movie, but it is my favorite of all times. So, thank you for the Giveawat and the Interview.

    I'm a GFC Follower (Idroskicinia)
    Email Subscriber
    Facebook Follower
    and a Twitter Follower (Idroskicinia)

    Idroskicinia@aol.com : P

    ReplyDelete
  82. My favorite fairytale was Snow White! Loved it and still do...

    ~Asheley T.
    asheley(dot)tart(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  83. I follow your blog at thru GFC. Thanks!

    ~Asheley T.
    asheley(dot)tart(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  84. thanks for the awesome giveaway and the chance to win this ♥♥♥ and great interview! LOVED IT! can't wait to read her books!
    tfalick(at)yahoo(dot)com
    GFC Follower +1
    Email Subscriber +1
    Facebook Follower +1
    Twitter Follower +1

    ReplyDelete
  85. Ive always been hopelessly in love with beauty and the beast

    GFC holly wright +1
    hollybwright at comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
  86. From Rita M:
    Loved Cinderella!
    rmelton[at]hotmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  87. My favorite fairytale as child would have to be "The Elves and the Shoemaker".

    Morganlafey86(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  88. I am a GFC follower- Krysta Banco

    Morganlafey86(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  89. I am a FB follower- Krysta Banco

    Morganlafey86(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  90. I am a Twitter follower- @YearofTiger86

    Morganlafey86(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  91. I am a follower!

    4everareader(AT)comcast(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  92. I am an email subscriber.
    4everareader(at)comcast(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  93. Great interview. My favorite fairy tale was anything by the Brother's Grimm.

    Heather Powers
    Owner of Earth's Book Nook Book Review Blog
    www.earthsbooknook.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  94. email subscriber
    earthsbooknook at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  95. Facebook follower
    www.facebook.com/earthwindwalker
    Earth's Book Nook
    www.facebook.com/pages/Earths-Book-Nook

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  96. twitter follower
    www.twitter.com/earthwindwalker

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  97. My favorite story was (and still is) Alice in Wonderland. Does that count as a fairy tale? If not, then it was Cinderella.
    e.ringwald at yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  98. email subscriber
    e.ringwald at yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  99. fb follower
    erin n r
    e.ringwald at yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  100. twitter follower
    eringwald
    e.ringwald at yahoo.com

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