Interview with Author Rebecca Donovan and Giveaway

Meet Rebecca Donovan, author of What If.

Rebecca Donovan is the USA Today bestselling author of the highly-acclaimed New Adult trilogy, The Breathing Series. Her novels include: Reason to Breathe, Barely Breathing, and Out of Breath.

Rebecca is a graduate of the University of Missouri -Columbia and lives in a quiet town in Massachusetts with her son. Excited by all that makes life possible, she is a music enthusiast and is willing to try just about anything once.

Find Rebecca at:

| Site | Facebook | Twitter |

First off, can you tell us a bit about you?

• I am not a morning person. My brain cannot compose a creative thought until after noon. That’s probably why I do my best writing in the middle of the night!
• I have a concert addiction—I love music! I go to at least two or three concerts a month. Music is a HUGE part of my inspiration, my writing, my life!
•  hate winter. Which is particularly unfortunate because I live in New England. Winter, snow, icy temps also play a big part in my newest novel, What If. I guess it’s a love-hate relationship.

Did you always want to be a writer?
I've always been a storyteller. I had an overactive imagination as a child. I loved acting out stories. And the moment I could record those stories on paper, I did. As I got older, the stories transitioned into journal entries, but I was always writing. I even began college with a scholarship in journalism! I ended up changing my major to psychology and worked in social services for several years. I had a wonderful career in the event planning industry up until I was signed by a publisher two years ago. But now that I’m writing for a living, I truly feel it’s what I was meant to do!

What kind of writer are you? Panster or Plotter?
I’m a plotter. Absolutely. For every novel I’ve written thus far (The Breathing Series trilogy and What If) I’ve used a calendar to plot the major events. I don’t create a full outline because what happens in between is dictated by my characters. That is why I use pencil on the calendar! The story takes on a life of its own when I’m writing. I just pretend to be in control.

Where do your ideas come from?
All over the place. I like to meld experiences with my imagination. The Breathing Series trilogy began with a dream, and then I incorporated my experience working in social services to create the storyline. But What If began with a song: Girls Like You by the Naked and Famous. The lyrics talk about a girl who exists through the eyes of those around her. When I heard it I wanted to write about that girl, but with the knowledge that no one knew who she really was beneath the mask of perfection.

A la Twitter style, can you describe your book (or series) in 140 characters or less.
Cal can’t stop wondering what happened to Nicole. He thinks he’s found her. But this girl calls herself Nyelle, and has no idea who he is.

What are some of your favorite kinds of stories to read?
As a teen I was a fan of horror fiction and crime novels. Stephen King, Thomas Harris, Patricia Cromwell and Jeffery Deaver lined my bookshelves. My tastes have broadened quite a bit. I read a lot more young/new adult than I used to. And I love getting lost in fantasy or dystopian stories. But King’s stories are still some of my favorites. His words create such vivid imagery and fierce emotion!

Do you have a favorite book and if so what is it?
That is an impossible question. However, His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman is a series with a message and view on life that has never left me.

What are the scenes that are the hardest for you to write?
Believe it or not, sex scenes. I can talk about it without blushing, but I cannot write about in any sort of detail without cringing.

If you could have dinner with any three authors, who would you choose and why?
Stephen King – He’s a huge influence on my love of reading and writing.
C.S. Lewis – I admire the philosophy and teachings interwoven within his writing.
Gillian Flynn – I believe I could learn so much from her twisted mind.
I can only imaging the dinner conversation we’d have at this table! I would never be the same…

Last question, are you working on anything right now?
I just finished up the bonus material that will be included exclusively in the paperback version of What If. And I’m about to begin writing my next trilogy. The Burning Series will be centered on Jonathan Reeves (who my readers came to love, or hate, in The Breathing Series). His voice already disturbs my thoughts. It’s getting harder and harder not to listen to him. But don’t expect the first installment any time soon.

What’s your What If moment? Share it at whatif.rebeccadonovan.com

A new novel by the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Breathing Series . . .

What if you had a second chance to meet someone for the first time?
Cal Logan is shocked to see Nicole Bentley sitting across from him at a coffee shop thousands of miles from their hometown. After all, no one has seen or heard from her since they graduated over a year ago.

Except this girl isn't Nicole.

She looks exactly like Cal's shy childhood crush, but her name is Nyelle Preston and she has no idea who he is. This girl is impulsive and daring, her passion for life infectious. The complete opposite of Nicole. Cal finds himself utterly fascinated-and falling hard. But Nyelle is also extremely secretive. And the closer he comes to finding out what she's hiding, the less he wants to know.

When the secrets from the past and present collide, one thing becomes clear: Nothing is what it seems.

Purchase: | Amazon | B&N |

Check out what's up for grabs.

Up For Grabs:

• 1 NetGalley copy of What If

To Enter: 

• What’s your What If moment?
• Please fill out the Rafflecopter form.

Good Luck! 

Special thanks to Forever Romance for sponsoring this giveaway.

a Rafflecopter giveaway