So today I have an awesome interview with the amazing Caitlen Rubino-Bradway author of Ordinary Magic. I was so ecstatic when I was asked to review her book for it had been on my TBR for quite some time. Believe me when I say I wasn't disappointed in the slightest! I'll put up my gushing review tomorrow :)
Now, on to the interview!
Q. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
A. I’m an actual, honest-to-goodness published author, which I’m sure my friends and
family are getting sick of hearing about, but, seriously, I wrote a book and it is in stores
how cool is that? I currently live and write in New York City, and have a half-dozen
different favorite bakeries depending on what it is I’m craving. (Seriously, you should
try the pistachio cupcake at Sugar Sweet Sunshine.) I’m also a little bit of a geek, but I
do try to keep that well hidden. (By the way, if anyone knows where I can get a Death
Star bath mat, please let me know.)
Q. What were the inspirations behind Ordinary Magic?
A. I’m a huge fan of children’s books, and fantasies, and I usually approach story ideas in
terms of ‘what’s a book I would really love to read?’ I got the actual idea for the book
way back in college, on the way back from a McDonald’s run with two friends. We were
talking over fantasy tropes in the books we read, and I started to think about what I hadn’t
seen but wanted to — specifically a completely normal person, who didn’t need magic
to be able to defeat the Dread Sorcerer Whosit from unleashing the Destructive Power of
Artifact No. 7.
Q. Were there any books that helped inspire you to write this book?
A. I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I read the Harry Potter series, a lot, as I was writing this
book. I did try to read as much middle-grade fantasy as possible while I was writing —
it helps me keep my head in the game. A few I really enjoyed were Magic Below Stairs
Caroline Stevermer, Jessica Day George’s Dragon Slippers trilogy, and tons of Eva
Ibbotson.
Q. What book(s) are you reading now?
A. I just finished Winterling, by Sarah Prineas, and oh my goodness, her words. I wish
I could write like that. She weaves words like a spell. Right now I’m moving onto
Incarnate by Jodi Meadows.
Q. Name something on your bucket list.
A. I’d love to learn how to swing dance. And not just learn, but I’d like to become really
good at it. I’ve taken a few beginner’s classes and really enjoyed it, but haven’t gotten
around to learning enough where I could actually do it in public.
Q. Italian or Greek food?
A. Italian, but that’s mostly because of the cappuccinos. And there was a bombalini store
right next to my work — the little donut things filled with different kind of deliciousness.
Fortunately, my office moved, which was probably good for my health.
Q. Do you have any pets?
A. Unfortunately, my apartment building doesn’t allow pets, but my parents have two goofy
dogs, and there’s a snake in the laundry room. (He’s a python named Monty. We keep
him there because it’s the warmest room in the house.)
Q. What's your favorite color?
A. Blue — no, yellow! Er, maybe you should ask me the air-speed velocity of an unladen
swallow.
Q. Favorite movie?
A. Okay, this is honestly the most difficult question because I just love so many. I will
admit to a weakness for big dumb action movies, and for any sort of 80’s fantasy. (I have
watched Ladyhawke so many times…)
Q. What books did you like as a kid?
A. I loved the Babysitter’s Club books — especially the ones about Claudia, who was my
favorite because she was all quirky and artistic and wore awesome clothes, even though
I’m personally more of a Mary Anne. Then they got me hooked on the Babysitter’s Club
Little Sister. (It’s a slippery slope.) I also read, and re-read, Grimm’s Fairy Tales and the
Greek myths I don’t know how many times.
Pistachio cupcakes? Death Star bathmats? and Monty Python and the Holy Grail references (not to mention an actual Python named Monty)?! We could totally be best friends!! XD Thanks so much for stopping by!
So what'd y'all think of the interview? Have any of you read Ordinary Magic? If not, what are you waiting for?!
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So what did y'all think? I'd love to know your opinions :)
(P.S. I try to answer all comments so check back often! Also, this is an award-free blog. I absolutely love that you thought of me, but I don't have time to pass it along. Thank you though!)