Writer Spotlight: Amanda Foody & Christine Lynn Herman
Well, well, well. What’s this? A treat? For you? In Halloween week, its very self? You betcha. This week, we’re exploring the world of new @torteen release ALL OF US VILLAINS by asking its creators, Amanda Foody and Christine Lynn Herman, all about the novel’s characters and themes. Click through to the end for writing advice, thoughts on the YA fantasy genre, and a linked sneak peek 👀
First off, can you describe the plot of ALL OF US VILLAINS?
All of Us Villains takes place in Ilvernath, a small, remote city that—up until the publication of a salacious tell-all book one year ago—was quite forgotten and overlooked. But now, its dark secret has been revealed. Every generation, seven of the city’s oldest families send a teenage champion to compete in a tournament to the death. The winner’s family gets to claim the most powerful type of magic in the world. Our four POV characters, each one of this generation’s seven champions, have to grapple with the dangers of the tournament in addition to their newfound but unwanted fame. The book has lots of plot twists, morally gray characters, and—as you’d probably guessed—blood.
Can you talk a bit about your inspiration for exploring themes of inherited family responsibility and community-sanctioned violence?
Both of these themes came about organically as we developed the initial concept of a death tournament novel. By linking the tournament to seven families, each required to put forth a champion, we created an inherited trauma that each of our main characters grapples with differently. It was important to us that we explore the nuances of how they were raised, their coping mechanisms within such an extreme situation, and the tournament’s impact on the wider community. Because for all that these teenagers are fighting for power, there is also a question of responsibility. Is the blood they’ve shed on their own hands, the hands of the people who sent them off to die, or something else entirely? In a world of spells and curses, how do these people allocate blame? All of this is tied up in the stories our characters tell themselves and in those the world tells about them; their roles as heroes or villains develop from that.
What made you want to write a story about the villain instead of the hero? And do you believe in that binary, or is it more complicated than that?
We both firmly believe that all people—and thus all interesting characters—are composed of good and bad traits. We chose to write about characters whose bad traits are especially villainous because it felt appropriate for the story. These are teenagers who have been raised for this death tournament, who have been taught that the reward of power is more important than the lives taken to achieve it. That takes a certain type of person…and not necessarily a straightforwardly good one.
Can you give us any hints as to what to expect from the next book in the series?
You can expect a lot of romance and a lot of betrayal. Perhaps they even go hand in hand?
What made you first want to write stories, and how did you come to tell the stories you tell?
Christine: I’ve wanted to be an author from the moment I fell in love with books—so, most of my life. Since the books I connected with deeply were always speculative fiction, it was inevitable that I’d want to write books that included magic. And since I loved kidlit so much, even after a lot of my friends “aged out” of reading it, it was inevitable that I’d want to write YA books, too.
Amanda: If I loved something as a child, I had a very “my turn” attitude. I loved drawing, so I drew all the time. I loved crafts, so I knitted and beaded and made pottery all the time. I loved board games, so I designed at least half a dozen. Books were just another thing I loved, and writing was the hobby that endured the most. And because fantasy was always my favorite, it never felt like a question that fantasy would be what I would write.
If you could pick one character from AOUV that you identify most with or root for most, who would it be, and why?
Amanda: I’d choose Isobel. Not only do we often think alike, but Isobel’s family looks a little bit like mine since her parents are divorced. I grew up with a lot of divorce within my immediate family but never saw it in fantasy novels, so it has become a running theme in my stories. But I have no one specific character I’ve rooted for more than the others. They’re all our characters, and I love them all equally!
Christine: I identify a great deal with Briony’s stubbornness and determination, as well as her struggle to break out of the stories she tells herself vs. reality. Although she definitely takes all these traits to extremes in ways that I personally do not. As far as rooting for any of them…well, as one of their authors, I’m responsible for all of their misfortunes. But I am also rooting for all of them to get the chance to take a relaxing nap one day.
Do you have any hopes and dreams for the future of the YA Fantasy genre? What would you like to see more of?
We are both thrilled with the ways that the YA fantasy genre has become more inclusive to marginalized voices. But we also believe that there is a continued need for authentic and diverse representation. In the future, we hope to see more books by authors of color, fellow members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and other voices that deserve to share their stories and that will bring so much to the genre.
Aside from working on AOUV, are there any other exciting projects you’re working on that you can share with us?
Amanda: I’m currently publishing a middle-grade fantasy series, Wilderlore. It’s been my lifelong dream to write this kind of story—the kind where the characters age up with each new installment, with a sprawling cast and world and so much adventure. I’m completely smitten. The first book, The Accidental Apprentice, is already out, and Book 2, The Weeping Tide, hits shelves on February 1, 2022.
Christine: I have a solo YA contemporary fantasy novel coming on April 19, 2022, called The Drowning Summer, that’s about queer first love, climate change, ghosts, and a very spooky ocean. I’m very proud of it and excited to see what readers think!
Do you have any advice for writers who are just starting out and trying to get a foot in the door?
Christine: It’s so easy to get discouraged when tackling a project as long and laborious as a novel, especially if the words aren’t coming out the way you envisioned them. For me, writing is mostly re-writing. Learning to embrace that messy first draft as the first step in a long but rewarding process is a great way to be proud of putting words on the page. It also helps you let go of the need for those words to be perfect.
Amanda: I always recommend that aspiring writers read as many books about the craft of writing as they can. Once you understand the nitty-gritty mechanics of storytelling, every new book you read for pleasure will teach you twice as much. Plus, though they might sound textbook-adjacent (and thus rather dull), I’ve always found them really fun to read!
Thank you to Amanda and Christine for taking the time to answer our questions! If you want more of ALL OF US VILLAINS, click through here for an exclusive reading/audio sample, or pick it up from your local bookshop or library on November 9, and let us know what you think!
This interview has been condensed for clarity.
