Today at WinterHaven Books we are very excited to join in the Triple Threat Blog tour hosted by Bloomsbury! For our first stop on the tour we were one of the lucky blogs picked to have Yelena Black stop by for an interview!
Welcome Yelena!
1. Dance of Shadows is a very original idea and I was hooked from the beginning, how did you come up with the storyline?
I’ve always been drawn to the ancient feeling of ballet. It’s like this old, classical world tucked away in New York (and Russia, and London, and various places around the world) But since I live in New York, I think of Lincoln Center and various parts of Manhattan as real breeding grounds for dance. Ballet is full of discipline, hard work, sacrifice, and beauty—I loved the idea of setting a story about a young girl in such an interesting world. That’s where the novel, and my main character Vanessa Adler, were born.
2. I don't have a strong background in dance, but I was captivated by the Firebird. Does this ballet have a special meaning to you?
The Firebird is a ballet (and orchestral concert work) by Russian composer Stravinsky. I’m drawn to it for a few reasons. First, it’s storyline, based on Russian folk tales of the magical glowing Firebird that is both a blessing and a curse, was very intriguing—and felt like the sort of thing that could be layered into the dark, paranormal story of Dance of Shadows. Second, the music is simply stunning. And third, I thought it was cool that Stravinsky was very young and basically an unknown composer when he was hired to compose The Firebird for the Ballets Russes. I actually think The Firebird was his very first project.
3. Can you give us a glimpse into what the sequel might hold?
I don’t want to give too much away—but the sequel takes place in Europe, and follows Vanessa on her continued search for her sister, Margaret. Plus lots of dancing, demons, and sexy boys of course!
4. What is your writing process like? Do you listen to music, have a favorite snack, or a favorite chair?
I would say that it depends on what I’m writing. If I’m just sitting down to write a new chapter, I usually like peace and quiet. But if I’m revising or getting in the mood to write, I love playing music and snacking … anything small and chocolate works for me. M&Ms are perfect—especially the ones with the pretzels inside!
5. Do you have any other projects in the works?
I am fully immersed in the world of Dance of Shadows and currently finishing the sequel!
I’ve always been drawn to the ancient feeling of ballet. It’s like this old, classical world tucked away in New York (and Russia, and London, and various places around the world) But since I live in New York, I think of Lincoln Center and various parts of Manhattan as real breeding grounds for dance. Ballet is full of discipline, hard work, sacrifice, and beauty—I loved the idea of setting a story about a young girl in such an interesting world. That’s where the novel, and my main character Vanessa Adler, were born.
2. I don't have a strong background in dance, but I was captivated by the Firebird. Does this ballet have a special meaning to you?
The Firebird is a ballet (and orchestral concert work) by Russian composer Stravinsky. I’m drawn to it for a few reasons. First, it’s storyline, based on Russian folk tales of the magical glowing Firebird that is both a blessing and a curse, was very intriguing—and felt like the sort of thing that could be layered into the dark, paranormal story of Dance of Shadows. Second, the music is simply stunning. And third, I thought it was cool that Stravinsky was very young and basically an unknown composer when he was hired to compose The Firebird for the Ballets Russes. I actually think The Firebird was his very first project.
3. Can you give us a glimpse into what the sequel might hold?
I don’t want to give too much away—but the sequel takes place in Europe, and follows Vanessa on her continued search for her sister, Margaret. Plus lots of dancing, demons, and sexy boys of course!
4. What is your writing process like? Do you listen to music, have a favorite snack, or a favorite chair?
I would say that it depends on what I’m writing. If I’m just sitting down to write a new chapter, I usually like peace and quiet. But if I’m revising or getting in the mood to write, I love playing music and snacking … anything small and chocolate works for me. M&Ms are perfect—especially the ones with the pretzels inside!
5. Do you have any other projects in the works?
I am fully immersed in the world of Dance of Shadows and currently finishing the sequel!
Thanks so much for stopping by Yelena!
If you haven't checked out Dance of Shadows yet then you are really missing out! This book is dark, magical, and just down right creepy! What more do you need to know?!
Giveaway time! Bloomsbury is giving away one copy of Dance of Shadows! Fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter!
