- Why did you choose the perspectives from Molly and Emma/Skye’s point of view?
- Because I think they are both really interesting characters. You get two different perspectives
- Which, if any, of the character’s personalities are most similar to you?
- Anastasia. She is kinda chatty and likes be with her friends
- If you had to chose another character to do a point of view, who would you choose? And would that change the plot of the book in any way?
- Phoenix. Not really, because it would be the same story just with another point of view.
- Each character in Chasing Aces is so different, yet so interesting- definitely the best part of the book. When creating the characters, did you base them on people you know in real life?
- No. Maybe a couple things, like hair, eyes, or talents. But I made them their own individual people.
- What inspired you to write this book?
- Kinda got a couple ideas a couple years ago. I wrote them down as the ideas, then wrote it as a story. My mom said they were good, and said I should make it a book.
- What is one thing you wish people knew about publishing or writing?
- It’s more difficult than just writing a book. There is a lot of time spent on editing, and other stuff like that.
- What has been the biggest challenge in getting this book out in the open or published?
- Because it was so long. I had to make sure all the plot lines worked together, and it all tied together in the end.
- Have you ever thought that maybe a career in writing wasn’t worth it? What do you do when you get discouraged during the publishing process?
- I read some of my favorite books. I think if that author can do it, I can do it too.
- Name one thing about yourself that people would be surprised to know.
- I think for a long time it was the fact that I had written a book. It surprised my friends at school.
Review:Phoenix's sunken face and eyes like chips of green ice haunt Molly Remington where ever she goes. She can not escape the memory of that face, and the memory of what she did to Phoenix.
She feels bad about what she did but she doesn't seem to regret it. When she gets expelled from the boarding school she and Phoenix attended she thought that she would escape the memory of Phoenix and nobody would know what she had done.
But then she meets the P.E. teacher and recognizes her as Phoenix's mother. Now she can never escape Phoenix and if Ms. Taylor lets it out what she has done then she will never make any friends either.
She then starts to make friends with a group of girls calling themselves the Chasing Aces society. But right as she starts to make her way into the group someone else comes along. The one girl Molly was hoping she would never have to face again: Phoenix. Then The Society starts to welcome Phoenix in and start ignoring Molly.
But while Molly is telling her side of the story someone else starts telling it too. Someone unexpected, someone not quite as popular in the group, Emma or as she would later become Skye. She has an abusive father who at every little thing that she does wrong beats her until she blacks out. She is too embarrassed to tell her friends what is going on until one day someone sees the bruises and cuts and tells a teacher, but only one, the one teacher that favors The Society and really cares about Emma, Ms. Taylor. When Yoanna Taylor finds out what has happened to Emma she becomes dead set on protecting Emma to the point where she might actually die protecting Emma. When Emma comes home five minutes late one afternoon her father gets very abusive and starts to beat her, but Emma has time to yell out the window so that Yoanna can hear. When Yoanna saves Emma and Emma has time to call the police and get her father Jonah arrested a secret is uncovered a secret that will change Emma's life forever.
This was a great book. I was very excited to read a book by a British author other then J. K. Rowling. The plot was unpredictable, I never knew what was going to happen, and that kept me interested until the very end where I was begging for more. It wasn't quite a cliff hanger but it was enough that I am dying for a sequel.
Profanity: Strong language in parts
Sexuality: Kissing, No Strong Details
Drugs and Alcohol: Some alcohol abuse done by teenagers and adults
Violence: Bullying
Young Adult Novel
Ruth's Bio: My name is Ruth Weaver and I'm almost fifteen. I go a girls school and my favourite subject is P.E. When I'm not running around on the hockey pitch, I'm usually writing. My first completed book is Chasing Aces but I'm certain that it won't be the last in the series; I've got plenty more lined up for my favourite characters. In my spare time I like painting and sketching.
Chasing Aces was an idea that came to me in a maths lesson about five years ago. Molly, the main character hasn't changed a bit. It took me almost three years to get my thoughts down as a story. I still have the complete first draft (before the whole book was almost completely rewritten) tucked away somewhere in my room.
I'm very grateful for the help that people have given me such as my parents, friends and a few of my teachers who were willing to help edit Chasing Aces or be first readers.
Other info about Ruth:
- Favorite Color: Blue
- " " Food: Chinese
- " " Book: Hunger Games, or Harry Potter
- " " Author: Susan Collins, J.K. Rowling
- " " Movie: Any Harry Potter, or Hunger Games
- " " Place: The beach
- " " Music: Pop, Jessie J, etc.
- Celebrity: Jessie J
- If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? Australia
- Hero: A lot of people J
