The Underground Book Readers Series
What is the sub-genre and trope? Did your characters lead you to this genre or was that decided before the story began?
I decided on the genre before I began.
This is a Christian middle grade-teen-YA dystopian book series. Although it is fiction, it reflects the current tendency and tension in the United States about the education of children, banning of books, and the assault on the belief system of Christians.
The characters did not lead me to this genre, current events, and discussions with librarians of community and public schools raised these issues. Librarians are now under pressure like never before not to display certain books and to display and encourage children to read other more modern and shocking books. Many of these books would not be approved by their own parents, yet others in the current culture are pushing these books and beliefs.
Are you more character or plot driven?
They both drive me-I have an inkling of the plot first, the purpose of the book, and then the characters come into play. Once they arrive, they take over so to speak.
I am a pantser writer-by the seat of my pants as the plot moves along.
With many main and secondary characters, how do you keep them separated in your mind? Do you have a story/vision board above your workspace?
I do not use a story board unless I am working on a screenplay-in that case I use a beat board for a book I have already written.
I usually can hear their tones of voices and see how they look and react as I write. I distinguish easily in my own mind.
I hear them. They are different ages, widely different characteristics, and I know how each would react in any given situation. They are such fun!
Since these kinds of the stories have complex histories and back stories, I had to write an outline of the characters-like a short cut cheat sheet-to refresh my mind from book 1 to book 2 and now on book 3 (WIP).
I know from previous interviews that characters take on a life of their own. Were any of the characters in this series determined to take their own direction instead of where you initially wanted them to go?
Not so much but they sometimes surprise me with good tangents or obstacles to overcome and I had new characters pop in unexpectedly and once they appeared, it all made sense.
Are any of the male POVs based on anyone you know?
Not in this particular series but there is one male character with a tendency to be on the spectrum (of autism) and his behaviors are based on some students I knew when I worked in public schools.
Are any of the female POVs based on anyone you know?
Not in this series.
Was there any one character/scene that was harder to write about than the other?
Since the series is ongoing, so far it has been pretty easy. I did visit the state and the caverns where the story happens and that helped tremendously with writing the scenes.
What is your favorite book in the series?
Still working on it - I am writing book 3 and have outlined at least a 6 book series.
As I finish each one, I think, “I like this one better than the first one, or second one,” etc.
I know that we aren’t supposed to have “favorites” as far as our children, but seriously, who’s your favorite character and why?
Right now I would have to say Leena but a new character is edging in on that 😊
Series question - Who is your favorite couple and why did you decide on their dynamics?
No couples in this book-it is for preteens and down to age 9 so there is no romance.
How do you get inside these characters’ heads to find their perfect HEA?
Because it is a dystopian book of future possible events, I just watch the news, watch dystopian movies, and I can feel the theme of the series in the air.
What scene in this book/series sticks out the most for you? Why?
The first time one of the characters follows another character into a cavern for the first time under great threats to safety.
This series is pointing out what is happening in our world today. I guess because I am so blown away with what is happening (banning of books, churches, destroying schools) that the parallels are what stick out to me between fact and fiction.
Series - Were any of the books harder to write than others?
Not so far.
This question is if you write in MULTIPLE POVs not just the hero and heroine - I love the multiple POVs in a book. It’s not just the hero and heroine, but we get inside the heads of multiple characters throughout this series. I feel that it gives the story further depth. Do you think you will write another book or series following this multiple POV outline?
Yes. I agree. Multiple POVs in a series helps readers love the characters when they see how each one deals with the events happening.
How long did it take you to write this book/series?
Each book, from start to publishing, has taken 4-5 months.
How did you come up with the title for your book and series?
Because I feared the banning of certain books, I knew the title would need to reflect hiding to read books. Underground seemed a perfect term and to have the series take place within a cavern helps with the mood and the suspense of the events.
Because these kids are hiding to read books, the Underground Book Readers who meet in a cavern to read, seemed like the perfect title.
If you met these characters in real life would you get along?
Absolutely - but not with the enemy soldiers.
Series question – Did you know in advance that you were going to write this as a series or did one of the characters in book one demand their own story?
I knew to get from the start to the ending, where the kids will eventually experience more freedom, could not be done in a single book. It will take several books for a group of teens to save the world.
If your book/series were made into a movie, which actors do you see as playing your characters?
I would need to research this since they would be child characters. None would be particularly handsome or beautiful but more regular kids with strong personalities.
Can you give us a hint as to what we can expect next? Whether a new book and series or a sequel to an existing series? Can you share a small tease?
Let’s just say what the characters think is true in books 1 and 2 is not what they think. Things are different than they seem.
Check out all my interviews/reviews for Terry Overton!
https://readingbydeb.blogspot.com/2023/02/author-at-glance-terry-overton.html
Email:
overtont@mac.com
Website:
https://www.authorterryoverton.com
https://terryovertonbooks.com
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Terry-Overton/author/B001ILHKPS
In Book 1, The Secret Society, the original four members of the group discover others who, like them, have lost their parents and older siblings. These friends bond together and form a strong new family. Together, they discover new documents, clues, and tools to assist in their adventures. In the hope of someday finding others who can help establish a new settlement, they study, plan, and make discoveries that will propel them forward in their journey. Are others hiding from the World Force Soldiers? They are determined to find the answer.
Follow their journey of hope and adventure in the second book of this series: The Underground Book Readers: United Forces. See what happens when the World Force tightens its grip on the teens and children of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Increased patrols and drones are seen nearly every day as the group visits their underground cavern to read forbidden books and study the Bible. Are other teens hiding in the woods who need help? Can the Underground Book Readers find others to join their own group? Will they at last determine the identity of a mysterious group seen on a nearby mountain? A spy mission is planned to uncover clues about people who escaped the rule of the World Force in search of a free territory. But will the spy mission find more questions than answers?
Join the Secret Society in Book 2 of The Underground Book Readers: United Forces.
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