Interview with Sara Ella for Unblemished
Unblemishedby Sara Ella
Publisher: Thomas Nelson/HarperCollins
Release Date: October 11th 2016
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Synopsis:
Eliyana has always recoiled from her own reflection in the mirror. But what if that were only one Reflection—one world? What if another world existed where her blemish could become her strength?
Eliyana is used to the shadows. With a hideous 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 as 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.
Now Joshua is her new, and rather reluctant, legal Guardian. Add a hooded stalker and a Central Park battle to the mix and you’ve gone from weird to otherworldly.
Eliyana soon finds herself in a world much larger and more complicated than she’s ever known. A world enslaved by a powerful and vile man. And Eliyana holds the answer to defeating him. How can an ordinary girl, a blemished girl, become a savior when she can’t even save herself?
Favorite Food?
Anything with chicken
Favorite Quote?
“Someday you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.” ~ C.S. Lewis
Hello, Sara! We are super excited to have you in our FFBC tours.
Favorite Book?
Favorite TV show?
Once Upon a Time
Favorite movie?
Beauty & the Beast
Your Favorite Song?
The Words by Christina Perri
Favorite Food?
Anything with chicken
Name 3 fictional places you would move to in a heartbeat.
Narnia, Storybrooke, Stars Hollow.
Who is your perfect fictional boyfriend?
Killian Jones.
Killian Jones.
Favorite Quote?
“Someday you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.” ~ C.S. Lewis
What do you find yourself “Fangirling” over?
Once Upon a Time a.k.a. #CaptainSwan
Once Upon a Time a.k.a. #CaptainSwan
If you could meet one author, dead or alive, who would it be?
C.S. Lewis
C.S. Lewis
Something to say to our Book Addicts?
I love you, awesome nerds! You are all beautiful inside and out.
I love you, awesome nerds! You are all beautiful inside and out.
Could you tell our Book Addicts a little bit about Unblemished?
Unblemished is about a teenage girl named Eliyana who has been ridiculed for the way she looks her entire life. As a result she feels ugly. Worthless. Unlovable. After her mom dies, Eliyana discovers perhaps the blemish she always considered a curse is not such a curse after all. The story explores the themes of self-worth, inner beauty, and realizing it’s okay to just be exactly who you are.
What can you tell us about Eliyana and her personality?
Eliyana is very insecure to begin with, and really emanates every negative emotion I felt as a teen. She’s constantly hiding and putting herself down. I wanted her to have a strong arc, and throughout the story she begins to see herself in a new light. She sees she is not worthless, but quite the opposite. Her blemish becomes her strength. This in and of itself is a powerful device in moving her from the blemished girl who hides from her reflection to the unblemished young woman who stands against evil.
How did you come up with the story? Did you find inspiration in any other story/movie/show and how has this affected your writing?
I had horrible acne as a teen so that definitely influenced El’s character and how negatively she feels toward herself. I also adore Beauty & the Beast, and the theme of true beauty can most certainly be found in Unblemished. Those familiar with fairy tales will see them woven throughout. Finally, music is huge for me and the chapter/ act titles are actually lyrics and song titles from popular musicals.
Tell us your favorite quote from Unblemished.
“. . . appearances can deceive. A jagged surface doesn’t always allude to what truly lies beneath.” ~ Ky Rhyen
Is there a specific scene that you had the most fun writing?
* SPOILER ALERT * I love the scene in chapter nineteen where Ky has a confrontation with one of the villains. He totally shows his awesome side in that scene, and it gives me all the feels. It’s also a turning point in his relationship with Eliyana.
If you had to pick one song to be the Theme Song for Unblemished – Which one would you pick?
“Unconditionally” by Katy Perry
Lyric— “Acceptance is the key to be, to be truly free.”
Quote— “If true love ushers a change, perhaps that’s where I need to begin. How can I fulfill my purpose as a Mirror unless I can first love myself?”—Eliyana
Are there any recommendations you could give your readers to be in the “perfect mood” to read Unblemished (specific music, snacks…)?
You can check out the official Unblemished playlist on Spotify, and a comprehensive playlist will be released as part of the Unblemished blog tour (check out the Literary Meanderings blog on October 15th). I’d say an oak or pine scented candle (reminiscent of the forest of the Second Reflection) and some peanut butter M&Ms (El’s favorite) would add the perfect touch.
What’s 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 in October). Book 2 releases July 11, 2017.
Thank you so much for everything, Sara!
THANK YOU!!!!
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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—that 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. She believes “Happily Ever After is Never Far Away” for those who put their faith in the King of kings.
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