Dystopian December - Kristen Simmons!

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Interview with Kristen Simmons!




Why did you decide to write dystopian fiction/post-apocalyptic fiction? 
I like survival stories. I love seeing how people respond when pushed to their limits, and nothing sets the scene for that like dystopian fiction. People change when their basic needs - safety, food, shelter - are compromised. They become greater than themselves, or sink down to levels they never thought they'd reach. I love exploring those dynamics. 
What, or who, has been the biggest influence in your writing?
My husband, who stuck by me on the long road to publication. It's absolutely crucial as a writer to have someone who believes in you and supports you no matter what (in my humble opinion). 
Tell us a little bit about Article 5 and the Dystopian world you have created.
ARTICLE 5 takes place in a post-war America, where the Bill of Rights have been eliminated and replaced by the Moral Statutes. Freedoms we once took for granted are now illegal and subject to punishment by the government. This is the world that Ember Miller and her once love Chase Jennings find themselves trying to survive in.
Here's some more from the cover:
New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC have been abandoned.
The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes.
There are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials and maybe worse. People who get arrested don’t usually come back.
Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren’t always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it’s hard to forget that people weren’t always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. That life in the United States used to be different.
In the three years since the war ended, Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs—like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes—and how to pass the random home inspections by the Federal Bureau of Reformation. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow. That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And what’s worse, one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings…the only boy Ember has ever loved.
What do you think our future is going to be like? Can you see any similarities in the world that you’ve created and our world today? 
Ooh. This is a loaded question! I'd like to think that people will continue to exercise their freedoms and be welcoming of all different cultures and belief systems - that we will learn from each other rather than focus on our differences and stand divided - but it's hard to say. Intolerance breeds hate, and if we start (or continue) thinking we're better than others, I absolutely can see a world like that in ARTICLE 5 coming to fruition. 
What will you be doing come December 21st? And if you survive? (Assuming, of course, it’s the end of the world!) 
I'll be at the local prison. I truly believe that's the safest place to go if all goes apocalyptic. The prisoners will likely make a run for it when the guards take off, so it will be empty, fortified, hopefully still stocked with food and some weapons. Not that I've put much thought into this or anything...
What would be your favourite dystopian/post-apocalyptic novel? 
I love The Road, by Cormac McCarthy. He writes about really disturbing things in a beautiful way. Also, I am so grateful for the Hunger Games. Suzanne Collins really paved the way for young adult dystopian writers. I appreciate that!
Thanks again for having me Claire! A big high-five to your readers! 

Author Links:

Website - Blog - Twitter - Facebook - Goodreads -

Breaking Point - 
Kristen Simmons
Released: February 2, 2013
Publisher: Tor Teen


Synopsis: The second installment in Kristen Simmons's fast-paced, gripping YA dystopian series.

After faking their deaths to escape from prison, Ember Miller and Chase Jennings have only one goal: to lay low until the Federal Bureau of Reformation forgets they ever existed.

Near-celebrities now for the increasingly sensationalized tales of their struggles with the government, Ember and Chase are recognized and taken in by the Resistance—an underground organization working to systematically take down the government. At headquarters, all eyes are on the sniper, an anonymous assassin taking out FBR soldiers one by one. Rumors are flying about the sniper’s true identity, and Ember and Chase welcome the diversion….

Until the government posts its most-wanted list, and their number one suspect is Ember herself.

Orders are shoot to kill, and soldiers are cleared to fire on suspicion alone. Suddenly Ember can’t even step onto the street without fear of being recognized, and “laying low” is a joke. Even members of the Resistance are starting to look at her sideways.

With Chase urging her to run, Ember must decide: Go into hiding…or fight back?

Other book in the series:

Unknown

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2 comments:

  1. I love the covers for both Article 5 and Breaking Point! Been really wanting to read Article 5 ever since it came out, must get round to it soon! :)

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  2. Great interview. I am starting Breaking Point today. :-)

    Jenea @ Books Live Forever

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