Hexed

Author Q&A

A Q & A with the author of HEXED, Michelle Krys
 
Where did the idea for Hexed come from?
One day, my sister, Brandy, who is also a writer, told me about an adult historical novel she wanted to write, which she planned to call The Witch Hunter’s Bible. I loved the concept, but I loved the title even more, and I immediately began imagining a young adult novel with an old witchcraft book at its heart. When Brandy decided to ditch the novel in favor of another book she’d been considering, I asked her if she would mind if I stole her title. She agreed, and I got to work writing a book about a cheerleader whose stolen family heirloom thrusts her into the middle of a centuries-old battle between witches and sorcerers. (You probably noticed the title changed. It turns out that The Witch Hunter’s Bible wasn’t the best fit for the finished product, though it still holds a special place in my heart.)
 
Readers sometimes wonder how much of the author is in their characters. Are there any similarities between you and Indie? Were you a cheerleader in high school?
I think it’s safe to say that Indie and I share a dry, sarcastic sense of humor, but that’s where the similarities end. I was never a cheerleader, and Indie is infinitely cooler than I ever was. Having said that, I did start a witchcraft club after watching The Craft in the fifth grade. We “levitated” each other in my bedroom, called the four corners, and, like most witches, took out witchcraft books from the library.
 
What were your favorite scenes to write in Hexed?
I enjoyed writing all of the scenes where Indie and Bishop interact and have that flirty, witty banter, but my favorite scene was definitely the one at the sand dunes, when Bishop teaches Indie how to fly. Action! Kissing! Angst!
 
Indie undergoes quite the transformation throughout the book. What made you decide to characterize her as a popular, snarky cheerleader?
Indie was one of the first things I knew for certain about the book. While it’s always fun to read novels where the underdog triumphs, I thought it might be a refreshing change to see a story from the perspective of someone who isn’t starting out with any obvious disadvantages. Someone who has it all, and therefore has a lot to lose.
Personality-wise, I knew I was taking the risk that I might alienate some readers by making Indie as snarky as she sometimes is. But I felt that her unerring confidence and mean streak with Paige were true to her character and necessary in order for her transformation near the end of the book to pack a punch. (I will also admit to having fun writing all her snarky remarks and inner monologues.)
 
Indie’s mother meets a pretty gruesome fate. What made you decide to take the plot in that direction?
When I began writing that scene, I very much planned to have Indie and Co. save the day. But then I had a lightbulb moment. I remember typing, stopping, thinking about another way the plot could go—a way that would make things messy and hard to write but that would also open up a lot of exciting doors and give Indie a huge opportunity to grow and transform as a character—and I knew it was something I had to do. Nevertheless, I sent a hesitant email to my critique partner asking her: “What do you think about this?” She liked it, and I took the leap.
 
From Indie’s failing friendship with Bianca to her burgeoning friendship with Paige, it could be said that one of the themes in Hexed is the intricacy of friendship. Did you set out to write a book with this theme?
I wrote Hexed entirely without an outline, so I didn’t plan anything beyond “This book will be about a popular, snarky cheerleader who is thrust into unlikely circumstances. There will be a witchcraft bible.”
I will say, though, that the theme quickly developed when I began writing. During Indie’s initial bumpy interactions with Bianca, it became clear to me that Indie would eventually have a falling-out with her best friend. And as soon as I introduced the character of Paige—who, on the exterior, has very little in common with Indie, but is just as smart, spunky, and funny—I knew they’d rekindle their friendship.
What I like about the portrayal of the friendships in Hexed is that they’re as messy and complicated as they are in real life. As much as you hope for all of your friendships to last forever, often in life, loyalties will shift and change as people grow and discover themselves. The person you were friends with when you were six may not be the same person at sixteen or twenty-six or sixty.
 
If you were a witch, which magical powers would you want and why?
From a practical standpoint, I think I’d be most interested in conjuring objects. Just think: you’re in a dank, poorly lit parking garage. A sorcerer with ill intentions lands on the roof of your car. Voilà! Weapon. Or, you know, you’re lying on the couch. You’re very comfortable. You’re also hungry. Voilà! Bag of chips.
 
So what happened to Paige? Is she okay?
Nice try!
 
What can you tell us about the sequel, Charmed?
Charmed picks up right where Hexed left off, with Indie having just discovered that Paige was taken hostage by Leo and the Priory before they were killed. Now the only people with a clue where Paige might be, or if she’s even alive, are alligator dinner at the bottom of a swamp. Indie sets out to find and rescue Paige, all the while honing her magical skills and facing the ultimate test in her relationship with Bishop.
 
What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
Be persistent. There will always be rejection in a writer’s life—what matters is what you do about it. As hard as it may sometimes be, it’s important to keep working at your craft, keep learning, keep reading, and not let someone’s “no” make you give up on your dream.