Spotlight, Author Interview & Giveaway with @authorerinwatt

When was the last time you read a book that sucked you in so bad, you couldn’t put it down for even a second? I’m talking the worst kind of book crack kind of book. You know what I’m talking about here; the kind that will leave you shaking in withdrawal once you finish with your skin practically itching for the next fix? Oh yeah. That, dirty birds, was Paper Princess to me. I don’t remember the last time I read a book in quite literary one sitting. My kindle went with me everywhere. Hell, I’m surprised I only walked into a door and a wall twice considering I couldn’t be bothered to lift my nose from my book long enough to see where I’m going. So suffice it to say that ever since I finished, I’ve been going through the worst book hangover OF MY LIFE! And no I’m not being melodramatic or exaggerating even a little bad. It hurts, dammit!

So when I got the chance to chat with the super talented duo, Jen Frederick and Elle Kennedy; who are writing as Erin Watt and are the masterminds behind this little cracktastic masterpiece, of course I jumped at the chance. I couldn’t wait to pick their brain on all things Paper Princess, the Royals series, I may have also tried to bribe them an inner organ or two for an early release of Broken Prince (The Royals #2). Oh and if you missed it, you can find my 5 Star review of Paper Princess HERE.

Now without further ado, let’s get to the interview, shall we?

DGR: So, first things first, you both have some super addicting book series going individually, what made you decide to come together for this project?

EW: Deciding to work together was a spur of the moment thing that occurred after various emails back and forth. We started with football talk (serious business!) and it somehow turned into a mutual desire to write an over-the-top-omg-drama YA novel.

DGR: How did you come up with this pen name?

EW: We’re both huge football fans so the name is a tribute to our favorite players: Aaron Rodgers and J.J. Watt.

DGR: Now let’s just jump right into things, can you tell the readers about Paper Princess and The Royals series?

EW: The Royals series is a super angsty, drama-filled series that starts with our heroine Ella being plucked from a world where she’s fending for herself and deposited into the midst of a broken Royal family and a bunch of super-wealthy, snobby, image-driven teenagers. It’s YA Gossip Girl, Cruel Intentions and Mean Girls rolled up into one!

DGR: Now be honest, did you sit down and say to yourself, I’m going to write the literary equivalent of crack that will hook readers fast and quick and then leave them quivering messes while suffering from the worst kind of withdrawals known as the book hangover to beat all hangovers?!

EW: We knew this book was going to be fun to write, but we had no idea the effect it was going to have on our readers! We are considering putting together some sort of “#RuinedByRoyals” support group.

DGR: Side note; if I promise you my first born and a kidney, any chance you’ll release Broken Prince early? How about if I throw an ovary into that mix? No?

EW: You’d probably have a better chance if you offered puppies and famous athlete signed footballs, but sadly, no… 🙂

DGR: Back to business then, did you have any inspiration for the characters in Paper Princess?

EW: No, we didn’t have any particular actors or actresses in mind. We started with Ella and the characters grew from there.

 DGR: Did you have a favorite part to write about the book?

EW: Can we say all of it? LOL Pretty much any scene involving Reed and Ella was a joy to write.

DGR: I have to admit this was by far one of the most addicting and captivating books I’ve read in a long damn while. Was it just as fun to write as it was for me to read?

EW: We had a blast writing it! It was a mixture of wanting to pour everything we loved into the book, and the anticipation of seeing what the other person was going to write. We ended up writing it in about 2 weeks!

DGR: Are you closet sadists? Because that ending hurt like a mother, and I’m pretty sure you like knowing that, no?

EW: Our goal was never to make our readers suffer, but we definitely wanted them to feel. Whether it was cheering for Ella or getting mad at something someone did (stupid Jordan!), we wanted our readers to really be invested in the soap opera we were trying to create. Sorry for the hangover? 😉

DGR: Right now there’s 3 books listed for The Royals series; so will it be a trilogy or do you plan to write more?

EW: Right now the Royals is slated to be a trilogy, but we’ve already had numerous requests to expand on different characters, so who knows what lies ahead…

DGR: Now let’s talk about all things Royal: Callum, Easton, and the twins are very intriguing characters. They’re all equally unique and captivate the reader, any chance you’ll be giving the rest of the Royal boys a book?

EW: The great thing about the Royal men is they have so many layers. The problem is, everyone has their favorite. Elle is obsessed with Easton, while Jen is Team Reed all the way. We haven’t decided yet about who will get a book, because really… how do you even begin to choose?

DGR: I absolutely loved Ella. She’s such a firecracker yet she still maintains this vulnerability to her and she doesn’t take any shit from anyone. What’s your favorite part about Ella? How would you describe her to readers that haven’t met her yet?

EW: Ella’s tough! She’s a street-smart survivor who’s done what she had to do to get by. But she’s not hardened—she’s still a teenage girl trying to figure out herself and her new surroundings.

DGR: Now let’s just talk about the broody object of my obsession: Reed. Because GAH! Can you possibly write a more perfect alpha-hole? How would you describe Reed?

EW: Reed is complicated. He’s broken, distrustful, yet man enough to admit when he’s wrong and try to make things right. He’s also incredibly loyal, and dangerous to mess with. If you were to get in a fight, he’s the guy you’d want at your side.

DGR: Was there a part of the book that you struggled with or had a tough time writing?

EW: This was a dream project. From start to finish, it took about two weeks so no, there wasn’t any struggle in this story. We suppose the struggle was ending it, but we started the next one almost immediately after so even that wasn’t very tortuous.

DGR: If you had to describe The Royals to readers in 10 words or less, what would they be?

EW: Angst, Drama, OMG-The-Feels, No-It-Didn’t!, YA Goodness

DGR: But seriously though, what if I put the second ovary into the mix? Still no earlier book release?

EW: Um… No :p

DGR: Did you have a favorite character to write?

EW: Easton! He’s incredibly playful yet exasperating at the same time. He bounces between manic and destructive periods, but when he puts his mind to something, he’s getting his way. He’s also super cute.

DGR: If The Royals was ever made into a movie or a TV series, and let’s be honest here, that’d be one cracktastic and kickass series I’d love to watch! Who would be your dream cast? (I’d love to make a casting image board to go along with this answer)

EW: Goodness! What a great question. Reed could be played by a dark-haired Kellan Lutz. Gideon by Aaron Taylor-Johnson. The twins by Nathan Kress. Easton by Dylan O’Brien.

As for Ella, it would have to be a really special actress. J-Law? Emma Stone? Emma Watson? Chloe Moretz?