Author Chat with Sara Ella (Unblemished), Plus Giveaway!!

Today we’re excited to chat with Sara Ella, 

author of Unblemished! 

Below you’ll find more about Sara, her book, plus a giveaway!

YABC:  What gave you the inspiration to write this book?

I had horrid acne as a teen and so the idea of true/inner beauty has always been very near to my heart. The first scene in the book was also heavily influenced by the passing of my mom in 2012. It was her belief in me that fueled my fire to finally get the book done.

YABC:  Who is your favorite character in the book?

I adore Ky Rhyen. His confidence despite his acne is something I wish I’d had as a teen. He also owns some of my favorite lines in the entire novel.

YABC:  Which came first, the title or the novel?

The title, originally, was Blemished. So I want to say the title because the idea stemmed from there. However, we ended up changing it to Unblemished, so in that sense I suppose the novel came first.

YABC:  What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?

I really love what the epic battle scene in the end became. Originally, if I’m being honest, it was weak and lacking in . . . well . . . epicness. My editor really helped draw the best out of me when it came to discovering the Void and the Verity and what taking on the villain meant. Thank you, Becky Monds!

YABC:  Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you’ve learned as a writer from then to now?

I think self-editing has been an area I’ve really grown in. Learning to leave off unnecessary phrases and words, and even eliminating whole chapters, has helped me turn in cleaner work.

YABC:  What do you like most about the cover of the book?

Um, it’s PURPLE! Pretty much everything about the cover blows me away. I love that a hint of Eliyana’s birthmark and the Second Reflection/New York City are included. The cover is a dream come true. Thanks, Kristen!

YABC:  What new release book are you looking most forward to in 2016?

Heartless by Marissa Meyer, of course.

YABC:  What was your favorite book in 2015?

Winter by Marissa Meyer. Do we see a theme happening here?

YABC:  What’s up next for you?

Right now I’m working on edits for the second book in the Unblemished trilogy (title to be revealed on the Between Chapters channel on YouTube in October). Book 2 releases July 11, 2017.

YABC:  Is there anything that you would like to add?

To each and every person reading this: you are beautiful exactly as you are.

YABC:  Which was the most difficult or emotional scene to narrate?

I definitely had a hard time with the scene where Joshua is explaining the different types of kisses to Eliyana. I felt I needed to explain to the point it became way too “telling.” Thank goodness my amazing editor (a.k.a. “The Simplifier”) helped me whittle it down to the simplest explanation.

YABC:  Which character gave you the most trouble when writing your latest book?

I would say I have the hardest time with Eliyana. A character arc is a difficult thing to master. With book 2 I need her to start where she left off in book 1, but also grow, but not too much, because there is still book 3. It’s a hard balance to find.

YABC:  Which part of the writing process do you enjoy more: Drafting or Revising?

Definitely revising. I love putting the icing on the cake.

YABC:  What would you say is your superpower?

Um . . . does running on little to no sleep count?

YABC:  Is there an organization or cause that is close to your heart?

I recently found out about Exodus Cry, an organization fighting against human trafficking. As human trafficking is huge in targeting teen girls, and as I have a heart for reaching teen girls, I fully support what this organization is doing.

Meet Unblemished!

Eliyana can’t bear to look at her own reflection. But what if that were only one Reflection—one world? What if another world exists where her blemish could become her strength?

Eliyana is used to the shadows. With a birthmark covering half her face, she just hopes to graduate high school unscathed. That is, until Joshua hops a fence and changes her perspective. No one, aside from her mother, has ever treated her like he does: normal. Maybe even beautiful. Because of Joshua, Eliyana finally begins to believe she could be loved.

But one night her mother doesn’t come home, and that’s when everything gets weird.

Amazon * B & N * Indiebound

Meet Sara Ella!

Once upon a time, Sara Ella dreamed she would marry a prince (just call her Mrs. Charming) and live in a castle (aka The Plaza Hotel). Though her fairy tale didn’t quite turn out as planned, she did work for Disney, which was an enchanted moment of its own. Now, she spends her days throwing living room dance parties for her two princesses, and conquering realms of her own imaginings. A passionate reader and YouTube ‘BookTube’ star, Ella’s writing has appeared inShine Brightly and Thriving Family magazines, as well as online by Drama Queen Ministries. A graduate of the Institute of Children’s Literature, Ella has gone on to win several industry awards, including first place in the YA Category for both the 2013 ACFW First Impressions Contest, as well as the 2014 ACFW Genesis Contest. ACFW has become what Sara Ella likes to call her “writerly family.”

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Pinterest * Instagram

Unblemished

By: Sara Ella

Release Date: October 11, 2016 

Publisher: Thomas Nelson/HarperCollins

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