Bonnie S. Calhoun on LIGHTNING, Secrets, and Romance

Fresh Fiction welcomes Bonnie S. Calhoun, author of the the YA dystopian trilogy, Stone Braide Chronicles! The second book LIGHTNING is out now! Jen: Hi, Bonnie. Thank you for joining us on Fresh Fiction! I’m a big fan of dystopian novels and LIGHTNING creates a harsh, yet intriguing, world. What drew you to writing dystopian novels and why do you think they’re so popular? Bonnie: What drew me to writing dystopian is because it mirrors well the action and adventure of the particular brand of mystery/suspense I like to write. Teens and young adults like to read that kind of action more than many of the adult readers who prefer romance or historical soft settings.

I think they are popular because it allows young people to experience the kind of
excitement that pumps the heart,
and they can get another adventure as soon as they finish the one they are reading.
Remember, young people feel a
certain level of invincibility.

Jen: LIGHTNING is the second book in the Stone Braide Chronicles, which follows Selah in her search for freedom and answers. Was LIGHTNING easier to write than THUNDER since you knew the characters going into the story or did the characters and plot throw new challenges your way that you didn’t expect? Bonnie: I know my characters like the back of my hand, but just like the closest member of your family, they have the ability to throw the most hooked curve balls you’ve ever seen. The characters in your head are like an unruly head of curly hair during a humid week! It does exactly what it wants to do and you just hang on for the ride, and keep trying to comb it flat. Jen: Selah has to push herself physically and mentally to survive. She’s both strong-willed and strong. What do you think is the key to creating a strong female protagonist? Bonnie: That’s actually easy to state but not always as easy to remember to accomplish. (Now that I’ve got you totally confused.) The key to writing a strong character is by showing her weakness. Just like the way to create a strong evil character, is to show the humanity side of him. You must be able to express the dichotomy of the situation to give either side of the equation its strength. Like the Lord says, we are strong when we are weak. Jen: I’m a sucker for romance and Selah and Bodhi’s connection is sweet in the best possible way. How did Bodhi’s character take shape and who would you cast to play him in a movie? Bonnie: Bodhi’s character took shape from the very beginning. There are things about their attraction that are taken for granted but it will turn out to be “different”. I would tell you why…but then I would have to kill you because a secret between two people is only a secret if one of them are dead. Just kidding…In the long run I wouldn’t tell. You’ll have to wait till the end of the third book STORM to understand their connection.

I never thought of who would play him because it would need to be a relatively unknown
actor so he’d imprint on the
role.

Jen: What is next for Selah and Bodhi? Can you give us a peak at what we’ll see in the third Stone Braide Chronicles? Bonnie: Well…Selah and Bodhi both survive to the third book. How’s that for a peek? Oh, alright…something more substantial. Well…I keep trying to think of things to say but each of those things are contingent of something that happens in LIGHTNING, so if I mention it for book# 3, then you know it’s outcome in book# 2.

Let’s just say Bodhi becomes Selah’s protector but he can’t protect her from her own body
winding down to the end of
the novarium cycle, but there will be domed cities in the far beyond…

Jen: Bonnie, thank you so much for joining us on Fresh Fiction! I can't wait to see the domed cities in STORM and find out what's happening to Selah!

About Bonnie S. Calhoun

Bonnie S. Calhoun is the Owner/Director of the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance (CFBA) where she has 250+ book reviewer blogs that twice weekly do blog tours for the latest in Christian fiction. She is also the Owner/Publisher of Christian Fiction Online Magazine (CFOM), a three-year-old 50+ page Ezine with columns and articles by the best and brightest authors and professionals in Christian fiction. Bonnie serves as the President of the Christian Authors Network (CAN), and Northeast Zone Director of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | YouTube | Goodreads | Blog

About LIGHTNING

After she found her real father, life for Selah should have felt settled. But the horrors have just begun.

In her broken world of toxic earth and tribal clashes, Selah must battle the forces of
nature alongside those in the
Mountain who are calling for her blood. Haunted by the pain of mounting losses, she forges
on, seeking her lost
family and uncovering new mysteries. But the ultimate betrayal of her own body may soon
make her quest impossible as
it becomes apparent that what has made her new could also drive her to a life of madness.

Bonnie Calhoun whisks readers back into an otherworldly struggle as Selah continues her quest for answers--and freedom.