New Adult Book Club discussion

We are thrilled to have USA Today bestselling author K.A. Tucker with us for a Q&A. K.A. is the author of Ten Tiny Breaths, Burying Water, and Anathema. Please leave questions below.

Hi K.A. :) I'm a huge fan and absolutely love your TTB series!!! My question for you is, are your characters based on real people or are they imaginary?

Each new installment to this series weaves together the core group of friends/family while bringing in a new love interest. This cover is definitely more gritty compared to the others, is that what we can expect from Ivy? Also, What's next on your writing agenda after Surviving Ice releases?

Thank you for hanging out with us, Ms. Tucker :)

I know your books are popular everywhere, and you must be really busy, but do you plan to go to any European signings in the near future? It would be awesome to meet you and get an autograph in my TTB copy, but I don't think I will make it to the USA anytime soon :(

Which book(s) or which of your characters do you feel most connected to?

What do you find most difficult as an author?

If you could be any character from your book for a day - who would you pick and why?

Where is one place you have never been but would love to go?

Hi Ms. Tucker! I'm a huge fan of all your work and have all your books! I was wondering if you ever get emotionally attached to any of your characters? If it's ever hard to say goodbye to them or write The End to their stories? Thank-you! :)

Hi..Ten Tiny Breaths is among my favorite books!And I was wondering what inspired and motivated you to write this book? :-)

I don't really have a question but I would like to say thank you for writing Reese and Ben's story. I will always feel connected to both of them for personal reasons. I can't wait to read He Will be My Ruin

Hi K.A! I LOVE your books. I have a couple questions, Who is your favorite Author, and what is the book that sparked your interest in reading/writing?

Congratulations on what is sure to be another awesome book.
I'm curious. What was your favorite book when you were a young child and how do you think it influenced what you like to read and write today?

My question is- Who is your favorite character to write?

Love your characters and love that TTB is set in East Lansing (Michigan State) for part of it. Was there any reason to that? I live in Michigan and live close by, I love seeing books set in Michigan!! Thank you!

Love your characters and love that TTB is set in East Lansing (Michigan State) for part of it. Was there any reason to that? I live in Michigan and live close by, I love seeing books set in Michigan!! Thank you!

do you have any writing rituals?

What is the toughest subject matter you have written about?

WHat do you like to read when your not writing?

Hi! Do you have a favorite author?

What's the best thing being an author? :)

Hello! Where do you love to write?

misshalim wrote: "Hi K.A. :) I'm a huge fan and absolutely love your TTB series!!! My question for you is, are your characters based on real people or are they imaginary?"

Hey Miss Halim! Most of my characters are 100% made up. Once in awhile (as in the case of Clara/Rain and Reese's tattooed friend from FWTF) I do take characteristics from interesting people I know. But it's rare. :D

Kathleen

Jessica wrote: "Each new installment to this series weaves together the core group of friends/family while bringing in a new love interest. This cover is definitely more gritty compared to the others, is that what..."

Hey Jessica! Yes, Surviving Ice is a MUCH grittier story. The relationship between Ivy and Sebastian is raw and dark and not typical of a love story. I like it :D
As for my next work after this series, I have a standalone suspense coming out in February called HE WILL BE MY RUIN. I'm super excited about it. It took me a long time and a lot of effort, and it's different from anything I've written before. I hope people enjoy it.

Andie wrote: "Thank you for hanging out with us, Ms. Tucker :)

I know your books are popular everywhere, and you must be really busy, but do you plan to go to any European signings in the near future? It would ..."

Hey Andie -- Thank YOU for coming by :D I have a group signing in Birmingham, UK next June which I'm very excited about! I'd love to make it to France and Italy (and a dozen other countries) if my publishers there would be willing to organize something. Right now it's all about time, budget, and what makes sense. I've had to limit signings this year and next as it was getting in the way of writing and family. I will make it to Europe one of these years... I'm just not sure when :D

Michelle wrote: "Which book(s) or which of your characters do you feel most connected to?"

Burying Water (Jesse and Water/Alex) is still my favourite story of mine. I can't quite give a reason why. That story and that couple has just stuck with me.

Brenna wrote: "What do you find most difficult as an author?"

Hi Brenna!

Knowing when to let go of a draft, and trust my editor and agent when they say it's ready :D

J. wrote: "If you could be any character from your book for a day - who would you pick and why?"

Hey J!
Probably Rain/Clara, though I'm way too much of a chicken sh!t to last in her boots for a day LOL

Shannon wrote: "Where is one place you have never been but would love to go?"

Hey Shannon -- I'm desperate to visit Tuscany, ever since I watched Under The Tuscan Sun.

Hey all! I'll be back tomorrow to answer more of these great questions. I'm ready to pass out from writing all day :D

Love the Ten Tiny Breaths series !!! What inspired this series ?

K.A. wrote: "Andie wrote: "Thank you for hanging out with us, Ms. Tucker :)

I know your books are popular everywhere, and you must be really busy, but do you plan to go to any European signings in the near fut..."

I have my ticket for Birmingham already, Look forward to seeing you there :D

What is your favorite book?

When did you start writing?

Hi!!!
If you could co-write a book with any author who would you pick and why?

What is your favorite genre to read.

If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why?

Aliana wrote: "Hi Ms. Tucker! I'm a huge fan of all your work and have all your books! I was wondering if you ever get emotionally attached to any of your characters? If it's ever hard to say goodbye to them or w..."

Hey Aliana! Is it wrong to say "no"? To be honest, I get so completely immersed in the books I'm writing and the characters that I'm developing, that by the time I need to write "the end", I feel like I've told their story and they should rest in peace. People have asked me to write more books on the characters I've written, but to me that feels like an epilogue-type book. Their story has been told and their conflict is over, and I don't want to create conflict for the sake of it. That being said, every once in a while I get a craving to revisit Livie go through her turmoil with Ashton, or how Ben bumbles through winning over Reese with his obnoxious ways.

Angela wrote: "Hi..Ten Tiny Breaths is among my favorite books!And I was wondering what inspired and motivated you to write this book? :-)"

Hey Angela -- I'm so glad you enjoyed TTB that much :D
The idea to write it came from my fear of drunk driving and consideration of how hard it would be to live with myself if I were the person who made the terrible decision to get behind the wheel. It's one of those poor decisions that can have such tragic consequences, and it's a crime that even the most kind-hearted people can commit due to poor judgment.

Alicia wrote: "I don't really have a question but I would like to say thank you for writing Reese and Ben's story. I will always feel connected to both of them for personal reasons. I can't wait to read He ..."</i>

Hey Alicia! Thanks for loving them! They were the couple I had the most fun writing. I'm excited for [bookcover:He Will be My Ruin. I hope readers enjoy it. It's VERY different from my other books.

K.A. wrote: "Angela wrote: "Hi..Ten Tiny Breaths is among my favorite books!And I was wondering what inspired and motivated you to write this book? :-)"

Hey Angela -- I'm so glad you enjoyed TTB that much :D
T..."



You are right!The book really touched me <3 Thanks so much for replying <3 xoxo

Mandy wrote: "Hi K.A! I LOVE your books. I have a couple questions, Who is your favorite Author, and what is the book that sparked your interest in reading/writing?"

Hey Mandy! I have MANY favourite authors, but one definite is George R.R. Martin. I think he's brilliant and his character development stands in its own class. I've always loved reading. When I was young, I devoured every Choose Your Own Adventure I could find. I LOVED the Babysitter's Club and the Anne of Green Gables and Emily of New Moon series. When my love of reading became weighed down by textbooks (high school and college) I lost the drive to pick up a book. I think that happens to a lot of people. But my husband forced me to pick up a high fantasy book after college was done and I've been back into it ever since.

Kelly wrote: "Congratulations on what is sure to be another awesome book.
I'm curious. What was your favorite book when you were a young child and how do you think it influenced what you like to read and write ..."

Hey Kelly! As a child, I'd have to say Anne of Green Gables (the entire series) was my favourite. That's a Canadian classic and such a wonderful story. It's much more literary than what I tend to read and write, but it has those somber undertones and strong but flawed "human" characters that I love.

Kelli wrote: "My question is what is your favorite character to write?"

Hey Kelli -

I enjoyed writing Ben and Reese from Five Ways to Fall, individually and as a couple, the most. They were so simple and blunt on the outside, and yet there was much more to them beneath the surface. Plus, I LOVE writing funny characters.

Katie wrote: "Love your characters and love that TTB is set in East Lansing (Michigan State) for part of it. Was there any reason to that? I live in Michigan and live close by, I love seeing books set in Michiga..."

Hey Katie!

There is no meaningful reason behind choosing Michigan, aside from wanting a location in the North East. I googled the map, studied it, and decided I liked the city names :D I figured going from Michigan to Florida would be a drastic change for Livie and Kacey, and they needed that.

Angelina wrote: "do you have any writing rituals?"

Hey Angelina! Not so much a ritual as the bane to my writing method, but I am notorious for getting halfway through my first draft and needing to go back and read from the beginning, revising as I go. It's a mental block for me. It's like I reach a river without a bridge to cross until I've fixed the path behind me. A lot of it has to do with not outlining, because I just can't outline. The book comes to life and I'm able to see the story as I write.

Erika wrote: "What is the toughest subject matter you have written about?"

Hey Erika -- The entire book In Her Wake was tough. I'm not an emotional person when I write. I can torture my characters, break their hearts, embarrass them, etc. and not be fazed. But trying to get into Trent's head to accurately portray his state of mental health and how he slowly spiralled down was really tough.

Cassie wrote: "WHat do you like to read when your not writing?"

Hey Cassie!

I'm never "not writing" :D but when I'm taking breaks in between drafts, I like to read romance and suspense. I'm a mood reader and if I'm in the midst of writing a dark book, I need to read dark things. If I'm writing a funny, light book (haha, when have I actually done that?) I need to read light things. It helps me keep my momentum.

Laurice Joy wrote: "Hi! Do you have a favorite author?"

Hey Laurice :D

Many. George R.R. Martin is my all-time fav.

Audrey wrote: "What's the best thing being an author? :)"

Hey Audrey -- not getting out of my pajamas and not having to leave my house. Seriously. LOVE IT.