31 Wicked Days of Christmas With Merrie Destefano

 

• What is next for you book wise in 2013?

Right now, my agent and I are finishing up a YA manuscript that we hope to shop soon. I’m also writing a “sekrit book” that I hope to have finished (first draft) by the end of January. I missed NaNoWriMo this year, because I was knee-deep in manuscript edits and finishing up 2 magazines. So once those projects were done, I dove into a book idea that sort of came out of nowhere. I already had about four ideas that I loved—sample chapters and all—but decided to work on this one instead. So I’m doing my own version of NaNo in December and January. I can say that this book is adult (or New Adult) and it would probably be considered quiet horror.

• Do you have a favorite book of 2012?

Definitely! Although it is a tie. There are two books that I adore, both published this year: IRONSKIN by Tina Connelly and THE HALLOWED ONES by Laura Bickle. They’re both fantastic and I think everyone should read them.

• What is your favorite holiday food?

Homemade fudge. My mother’s recipe. Both my sister and I agree that no one makes fudge better than our mom did.

• Least favorite holiday song?

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

• Do you have any holiday family traditions?

I am probably the least traditional person I know. But I do love to get some Christmas decorations up. It’s not Christmas for me unless I have strings of lights hanging all over the house. The weird thing is, once I put them up, I rarely take them down. LOL.

• Worst gift you ever received?

This may sound strange but the worst gift[s] I’ve ever received were the ones that I didn’t fully appreciate at the time. So, the gifts themselves were actually wonderful, but probably not what I expected. I really wish I could go backward in time and graciously accept the kind things others have given me.

• Worst gift you ever gave?

That would probably be when I’ve given someone money or a gift certificate, because I either didn’t have time to get a nice gift or because I wasn’t sure what to get.

• Favorite holiday memory?

Waiting in bed, pretending to sleep, wondering when Santa was going to come. I grew up in a large family—3 sisters, 2 brothers—so Christmas was a big deal for us. We lived in the Midwest, so we almost always had snow and my mom was an incredible cook, so there was always homemade fudge.

• If you could share one lesser known fact about yourself to our readers, what will it be?

I feel like I am so transparent in my writing and, as a result, my readers probably know quite a bit about me already. But for those few who haven’t already figured it out, I’m quite easily terrified. It doesn’t seem to make sense, since my stories are dark and border on horror, but I think I write those types of stories because—for once—I can be in charge of the scary bits of life.

• Weirdest thing you collect?

I adore vintage Mexican folk art—which isn’t weird at all, but quite lovely. Hand carved angels and crosses covered with Milagros and black ceramic skulls make me smile.

For my giveaway, I’d like to give one signed copy (International is fine) of my YA paranormal romance, FATHOM. Just tell us your least favourite holiday foods!