Interview with Deanna Fugett

Happy Tuesday, Reader Friends!!

My twinsie, Deanna Fugett, is visiting me today. We’re talking about her debut novel, Ending Fear. Have you had a chance to read it yet? It’s on my Kindle waiting its turn. *sigh* So many books.

Anyway, let’s get started!

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About the Book

The Blurb: “Fourteen-year-old Fear learns she was a parachute baby, dumped over the edge of the Gliding Lands as an infant. Fascinated by the floating cities in the sky before, now she’s desperate for answers. But a slave isn’t likely to get those answers.

When her abusive Downer family throws her from their hovel, Fear takes refuge with a family who shows her love for the first time. Surely they can’t be trusted. Years of abuse and molestation has taught her that.

Then her brother discovers where she’s hiding and tries to kidnap her. Fear will never let him touch her again. Her new family conceals her at the Fallen, a ranch that hides parachute babies from the Uppers who discarded them.

Just as she’s beginning to embrace yet another home, Fear’s new little sister, Happy, is kidnapped and taken to the Uppers’ temple harem. Fear must go against her namesake, find a working hoverpod, and journey to the dreaded Gliding Lands before the little girl’s innocence is ripped from her forever.
Can she save Happy in time?

And will she find answers to the burning question of why anyone would throw her away?”

Links: Amazon, B&N, Goodreads

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Interview

Toni: Twinsie!! I’m so excited to talk about your debut novel, Ending Fear. I would have bought this book just because it’s yours, but after viewing the cover (simply stunning), and reading the blurb, I’m utterly captivated. How on earth did you get the idea for this story?!

Deanna: I got the idea for Ending Fear after reading The Hunger Games. I had dipped my toe in dystopia before and I knew it fascinated me, but after reading about Katniss’s world, I knew I needed to create one of my own.

Toni: I love The Hunger Games, so I completely get that. Your book deals with some tough topics. First, are there any triggers for those who may have suffered from similar issues? Second, what message do you hope to inspire?

Deanna: Yes, unfortunately there are quite a few triggers in my book. Abuse, alcohol and drug use, and rape, among other things. Now I’m going to say straight out, that there are no rape scenes in Ending Fear, however it is discussed (not in detail).

The message of Ending Fear is that even in the midst of extreme hardship there is always hope.

Toni: I’d hate to imagine where we would be if we didn’t have hope. For those who love world building, give us a little insight on how you went about creating this dystopian place.

Deanna: Well, I wanted a world where there was a separate class systems. One with a world of elite (the Uppers) and the other, the world of the poverty stricken Downers. I’m better at character building than world building so this was a challenge for me.

Toni: I hear ya! How about some fun questions! What are you currently reading?

Deanna: Oh, this is a hard one. I’m kind of in the middle of a bunch. One of my current reads is James L Rubart’s The Five Times I met Myself. I’m a slow reader and life has just gotten in the way, but I’m about ⅔ of the way through and it’s really intriguing. He’s an excellent writer. And I had the pleasure of hearing him speak about two weeks ago.

Toni: I’ve heard nothing about great things regarding the book and author. What are three elements that are always present in your writing and why?

Deanna: Faith, hope and …angst! Hehehe. You thought I was going to say love, didn’t you?

Toni: Haha, I did!

Deanna: Actually there’s plenty of love too.

Toni: Whew! If you had to choose one flavor of M&Ms to eat for the rest of your life, which ones would it be?

Deanna: Peanut butter. SO GOOD.

Toni: Right?! Tea or soda?

Deanna: Hmmm…I’m not a huge pop drinker, but I’ll drink it when it’s available. This is hard, I can’t choose. I’ll say, Chai tea or sweet tea, or cream soda. I don’t really have a strong preference either way.

Toni: Well, those are some good choices. Lemons or limes?

Deanna: LEMONS. I’ve always loved lemons.

Toni: Fruits or veggies?

Deanna: FRUITS! I love sweet stuff.

Toni: Me too! Last but not least, what’s next on your writing journey?

Deanna: I’m currently editing the sequel to Ending Fear, which is entitled Living Brave. I also have a YA contemporary standalone in the works. Honestly, I’d love to skip over the editing and just start on the third book in the Gliding Lands (actually, I already have 50 pages written!) BUT I know I need to finish the second before I can truly dive into the third.

Toni: I’m all for skipping the editing process. 😉 Thanks again for stopping by. Happy Writing and praying you much success for ​Ending Fear.

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About the Author

While Deanna Fugett isn’t writing or connecting with others via social media, she can be found dancing around the kitchen with her four kids. She has a dog named Westley, a cat named Buttercup, three rabbits, two rats, a parakeet, and some newly acquired chickens. She resides in the Denver area with her high-school-sweetheart-husband, who thinks they live on a farm. (They don’t.)

She secretly enjoys writing more than reading. Deanna has an endless TBR list, and has numerous books she’s started reading lying around the house, none of which she can find time to finish. Four kids and constant chaos will do that to you.

She’s placed on a Goodreads Listopia list called New Author Who Will Go Places. Her bestselling YA Dystopian novel, Ending Fear, the first novel in the Gliding Lands series is now available. She really hopes you will enjoy every second of it. Deanna is also a blogger at Quills and Inkblotts, and on staff at Pursue Magazine as an advice columnist.
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