How long have you been writing?
Before I could spell, I drew story books. I’ve never wanted to do anything else.
What inspired you to write your first book?
I was living in Taiwan for a few months and I had a few cockroaches as roommates. Needless to say, I couldn’t sleep, afraid they’d throw a party in my mouth. So I would lie there, thinking crazy things, asking myself ridiculous questions: “What would happen if I suddenly disappeared?” “What if I fell into a hole? What if that hole was filled with blood?” Man, that would suck. The image of a young woman climbing out of a well, soaked in blood, was what started it all. (Yay for cockroaches, I guess?)
Which of your characters do you relate to most and why?
When I was younger, I fantasized about living an adventurous life so I know what it’s like for my main character, Zee, who so desperately wants some excitement. Unfortunately, drowning in blood and then being hunted to the death isn’t what she had in mind.
What is a secret about you that nobody else knows?
I’m the worst liar in the universe so I don’t keep secrets. And I’m pretty blunt so I blurt everything out. So basically, don’t tell me anything scandalous.
If your real life as a teenager was a Young Adult book, what would you, the main character, be like?
She would be adventurous and talkative like Zee but way more sarcastic. She’d need a swear jar. The money in it would buy a sweet ride.
What book have you read too many times to count?
Pride and Prejudice. I had a thing for Mr. Darcy when I was younger.
If you could hop into the life of any book character for a day, who would it be, and why?
That is a good question. Because I like to read a lot of horror and tragic literary fiction and things don’t often turn out so well for those characters. Let’s say Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Riding a glass elevator gorged on candy doesn’t sound too bad!
“This is crap. Keep trying.” Or something to that effect. My writing mentor used to mark up my articles with red ink. I’m grateful. The only way to get better is to keep trying.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
Two things: I was pleasantly surprised that other authors volunteered advice and support. You need friends? Find an author. They’re good people. And I never realized how happy it would make me to have strangers tell me that they loved the book. I wrote What Kills Me in six months, in coffee shops or in my pajamas at 4 a.m. and I didn’t consider what it would be like to have readers reach out to me. I now have a happy dance prepared for these moments. Don’t ask to see it, it looks like I’m having a seizure.
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I teach, perform, and choreograph Latin dance. Just another outlet for creativity. And it gets my butt out of a chair.
What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?
Anytime Zee antagonizes her vampire companion, Lucas. (I know, I’m mean.) But I felt their chemistry strongly and I just had so much fun writing their banter. It was important to me that their relationship progress organically. It wasn’t love at first sight. She’s just had her world destroyed. If she’s swooning, it’s not because she saw his abs, it’s because she’s newly dead and mentally traumatized. It makes me wonder what girls are thinking in movies when they’re targeted for death one minute and then falling for Keanu the next. (“I just lost everyone I care about and I have this thirst for blood, wait a minute, you’re really hot!”)
To learn more about Wynne Channing and her books, visit her website, blog, and Goodread's page. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.
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