#AuthorInterview Elena Dillon Releases BREATHE - a Young Adult Thriller

Wow! Today I am pleased to have Elena Dillon on Rachelle's Window. Elena has just published her debut novel, Breathe, a story about a teenage girl whose sister has been murdered. Talk about amazing first lines. "Most days I can almost forget someone murdered my sister." If that doesn't drag you in, I'm wonder if you have a pulse. Elena, how did you come up with the story concept for Breathe?

Elena: My husband watches a  lot of those CSI and Law and Order shows. It got me thinking. What would it be like if you were a sibling left behind in the aftermath of a serial killer? Besides of course the natural anger and grief there would be a big change in the family dynamic. A middle child would suddenly be the oldest. What would the family be like a few years later when all the cameras went away and they were left to pick up the pieces. That's where it started. I knew Jasmine would have a lot to deal with besides missing Daisy.

Your characters' voices are so authentic. You must be either a teen in disguise, or have spent a lot of time with teens recently. Did the high school scenes come easily to you?

Elena: Well I have older children. I am around teenagers a lot but that is probably not where it comes from.  When I had kids I kept waiting for the age I loved. I loved my kids, of course but when people talk about their favorite age, teenagers are it for me.  My husband says it's because I never matured much beyond fifteen and he's right. I think teenagers are smart, creative and fun. I love how enthusiastic about life they are. So really it comes pretty easy.

In your biography, you said you were a native Californian who has never lived somewhere else. Why did you pick Lafayette, Louisiana for your setting? Did you truly pull out a map of the United States and finger-dart?
 
Elena: No I just picked somewhere I always wanted to go. I love the South and I have always wanted to go to New Orleans but I needed the town to be a little bit smaller and not quite so well known so Lafayette was perfect.


What audience did you write Breathe for? Is there a message you would like to send to them?

Elena: Of course I think I wrote for teenagers but I think also for other people who love YA like I do.  I think the message would be that love means sacrifice and if you love someone you will put their needs above your own.

Okay, now for some fun questions:

1. What was your most embarassing moment in high school?
        I feel like High School was just one long embarrassing moment. I was so self conscious. I felt like everyone was always staring. So pretty much everyday was embarrassing. Lol.

2. What one quirk or characteristic of yours did you give your character? Who was it?
        The compartmentalizing thing that Jasmine does comes from me. It's inevitably what my friends point out when they read Breathe.  That's you! Compartment girl!

3. Blue jeans or slinky dress?
        Blue jeans for sure but a slinky dress definitely has it's time and place. =)

4. Hot chocolate or iced tea?
        Iced tea

5. Hercule Poirot or Ms. Marple?
        Hercule Poirot!  He was always in the Agatha book's I loved.

About the Author

Elena lives and writes in a suburb North of Los Angeles.  She has never lived anywhere besides California which is probably a good thing since she hates being cold and is terrified to drive in the snow. She loves being a wife and a mother to her three kids and three dogs, although really the bulldog is the fourth child who has never matured beyond the toddler stage.

A self proclaimed nerd, she has been writing since she was a child. She has only recently, however, come out of the closet about this to her family and friends.  They now understand better, but not completely, why she talks about characters in stories as if they are real people.

Find out more at: Elenadillon.com

Follow me on Twitter:  twitter.com/elenadillon

Find Me on Facebook:  facebook.com/ElenaDillonAuthor

More about Breathe: [buy from Amazon or Barnes and Noble]

Jasmine’s life wasn’t normal for a 16 year old girl.  It hadn’t been normal since the murder of her older sister, Daisy, two years ago. Her life had been changed forever. The monster that murdered Daisy was never caught.  That was the reason her family decided to move away from their hometown in Southern California, to start over.  Hopefully in a place where the last name Rourke wouldn’t bring on staring or judgment or morbid curiosity.

In Lafayette, Louisiana things are quite a bit different but in a good way.  Good manners, Cajun accents and a whole lot of Southern Hospitality all make her think things are going in the right direction.  On top of that the most gorgeous boy she has ever met is interested in her. Her new friends are better than she could have hoped for even if she is worried about what they might think when they find out who she is.  Life would be perfect if odd things didn’t keep happening.  Creepy phone calls, texts, and flowers in her locker start adding up quickly to something terrifying. Could the Monster have followed them to Lafayette? Was he coming after her this time?  Maybe she was just worrying unnecessarily…or not.