Author Interview: Artist Arthur

Instead of the usual one-to-one interview, Artist and Lisa held a community interview where more bloggers were able to contribute than usual! Here's an extract of said interview - check out the listed bloggers too!

1. Do you feel being able to Manifest is blessing or a curse? -Cleverly Inked

I think that any type of growth can only improve who and what you are, thus a blessing.

2. Why did you decide to write a YA novel, and why in the fantasy genre? - Once Upon a Bookcase

I was encouraged by a lot of people in my life to write something interesting for our youth. I’m a believer in signs so I figured with so many people saying the same thing, I owed it to myself to give it a try. I love paranormal and so far my romance has been contemporary so this was my opportunity to do something totally different.

3. Who are some YA authors that inspire you? Can you name any YA novels that you read and loved recently? - YA Addict

I’m so in love with Rachel Vincent’s Soul Screamers. I really enjoy Laura Halse Anderson and Alyson Noel as well. Just recently I read Fallen by Lauren Kate and enjoyed her voice.

5. Of all the paranormal creatures currently "sweeping the YA nation" why choose ghost over vampires, werewolves and faeries, oh my? - Black and Blue Ink

Because everybody seems to be choosing vampires, werewolves and faeries and I wanted to tell a different story, give readers another entity to consider when they think of the paranormal.

6.Is the character of Krystal based on yourself or someone that you know? I'd like to know where you got the inspiration for such a headstrong, but young character. - Diva's Bookcase

Krystal is a combination of myself and my daughter. We are extremely moody and stubborn, but once you get to know us you can’t help but love us. Ok, that might be exaggerating, but yeah, I drew a lot of my own experiences and feelings as a teenager and then on some moods I’ve seen my daughter in to create Krystal.

7. Why did you decide to not only make Krystal African American, but also one fourth Native American? - Miss Attitude

I wanted all the characters to be unique in their backgrounds and upbringing. My family has some Native American (Cherokee) so it was a natural mixture for me.

8. My question is really for Krystal Bentley rather than Artist: Of all the spirits that have come to you, who evoked in you the most emotion? What emotion? Why? - Amusing Reviews

Carolyn Jamison, she was the lady in room 319, right beside my grandfather who was in 320. Carolyn said I reminded her of her granddaughter that she hadn’t seen in years because she couldn’t find her. I didn’t know where her granddaughter was either, but Carolyn said it was okay, visiting with me was like being given another granddaughter. That’s the sweetest thing anybody has ever said to me.

9. How did you come up with the amazing idea for the base for this book and the Mystyx group/powers? - Star Shadow

I love watching the weather channel. I kept thinking that something has to be left behind after all these storms and natural disasters. My daughter came up with the names of the Mystyx characters and I gave them powers. I wanted different powers, ones that would fit each character specifically.

10. What sort of research did you need to do for your novel? - Lu Ann

I had to find books on the weather that would back up what I’d seen on the weather channel. Books on Greek mythology that I already had because I love the subject in general. Then, I just wanted to spend time with teenagers to get a real feel for their lives, loves, issues, dreams.

11. If Manifest became a movie who would you like to see play the main characters? - Lady Storm

I’ve actually been asked this a lot in the past month so I’ve been thinking about it. I like Selina Gomez for Sasha. Zac Efron would be great for Jake but I think he might be too old. Kiki Palmer for Krystal.

12. As a writer are you a "plotter" (with detailed outlines) or are you a "plunger" (plunge into the story and see where it takes you)? - Liz B

I’m a plotter definitely. As I begin to write the characters take on their own life but with my outline I know where I need them to end up. Most of the time they work with me.

13. Since Manifest is infused with paranormal mystery, do you have a personal paranormal experience that you can share with us? - Girls Without a Bookshelf

Sometimes I’ll be in a room by myself and think I see shadow or feel like someone or something has moved past me. It’s weird and doesn’t happen all the time, but each time it does, I wonder…

Thanks very much to Lisa, who organised this author interview, to all the book bloggers who participated and to Artist for being patient with all of us! :D

You can visit Artist's website HERE for more information about the author and Manifest.

Book Review: Manifest (Artist Arthur)

When fifteen-year-old Krystal Bentley moves to Lincoln, Connecticut, her mom's hometown, she assumes her biggest drama will be adjusting to the burbs after living in New York City.

But Lincoln is nothing like Krystal imagined. The weirdness begins when Ricky Watson starts confiding in her. He's cute, funny, a good listener—and everything she'd ever want—except that he was killed nearly a year ago. Krystal's ghost-whispering talents soon lead other "freaks" to her door—Sasha, a rich girl who can literally disappear, and Jake, who moves objects with his mind. All three share a distinctive birthmark in the shape of an M and, fittingly, call themselves the Mystyx. They set out to learn what really happened to Ricky, only to realize that they aren't the only ones with mysterious powers. But if Krystal succeeds in finding out the truth about Ricky's death, will she lose him for good?

Manifest is the first book in the Mystyx series, and it introduces the readers to Krystal Bentley whose story takes us through a whirlpool of mysteries, suspense and a drop of romance.

What I liked best about Manifest is the ease in which Krystal, delivers the narration. I believe Manifest is aimed at the younger teen, and this is heavily reflected in her conversational narrative. At fifteen, Krystal is the epitome of the typical teen (powers aside and all). Although stubborn, rebellious and an introvert, Krystal does not drag the reader down her spiral of depression. She was actually an endearing character; reading her story was like peering into a friend's diary, so comfortable was I with her. Krystal is like a rebellious friend you would not necessarily admire, but one you would grow to understand. She's temperamental, misunderstood and often conflicted. I adore her.

In fact, realistic characterisation is a strength of this novel. Aside from Krystal, Ricky is also a wonderful character to spend time with. I especially like his advices to Krystal - it does not only show his depth, but also they also precisely hone in on Krystal's faults. Without being condescending, Ricky 'balances' her out and is exactly what she needs. Secondary characters - namely Sasha and Jake - were also well-described. I want to focus on Jake in particular because I have my theories about him having a bigger role in the next books. I also want to mention the diversity of all these characters - Manifest is really a microcosm of the general society and I give it a lot of browny points for that!

Real-life issues is well-portrayed in this debut novel too. Krystal's depression is a vivid reminder of the effects of divorce, especially of a child is kept in the dark and left to cope on her own; she sees class divisions and discrimination around her; she learns to see beyond the surface and open herself to friends, to ignore the status quo and accept what life has to offer. Although Manifest is a supernatural novel, it has a surprisingly strong grip on reality and current social issues, which is an obvious plus to any book.

However, what really did not work for me was the suspense and mystery. I found that it lacked outline and was fragmented in parts. I often disregarded subplots that just were disjointed and not perfectly  connecting. Eventually of course, the plot makes sense and I did begin to appreciate the course the it took a little more. It just did not grip me as much as I would have wanted. I kept waiting for that 'shock' factor that would make me flip back and wonder how I could have overlooked at clues, and that just was not there.

Regardless, with its ending in perfect position for the beginning of the second book, I believe this series will only get better. Book 2 should smoothen the creases left by the plot as well as answer the questions left by Manifest.

Overall, it's quite a good debut novel. It is however, better suited for younger teens. They'll not only get mystery and romance too, but can also learn a thing or two from the depth of this book.

Three stars.


P.S. I shall be posting a transcript of the community interview with Artist Arthur that I participated in tomorrow. Watch out for it, and don't forget to check out Manifest in your local bookstore today!

* My copy is provided by the publicist for review. Thanks very much Lisa!