Interview with Meradeth Houston

Meradeth’s never been a big fan of talking about herself, but if you really want to know, here are some random tidbits about her:

She’s a Northern California girl, now braving the cold winters in Montana.

When she’s not writing, she’s sequencing dead people’s DNA. For fun!

She’s also an anthropology professor and loves getting people interested in studying humans.

If she could have a super-power, it would totally be flying. Which is a little strange, because she’s terrified of heights.

Who’s your favorite character you’ve written so far and why?

I have a special place in my heart for most of my characters, but Bea from Surrender the Sky is one of my all-time favs :). Her, and Melody from Coincidences (not yet published), are the funny, awesome best friend-you’ve-always-wanted types.

What’s the craziest story idea you’ve ever had? And did you write it?

I don’t know if it’s really “crazy” but I have had this idea kicking around in my head for a while that deals with what happens after eugenics has “perfected” us genetically, so what happens with the environmental components that influence us? How could those also be manipulated so that we all reach some ideal type? Is my nerd-card showing yet? 🙂

What about your most recently published/upcoming work?

My upcoming release is Travelers, a time travel novel with all kinds of twists and turns, romance and intrigue. It’s fun. Here’s my blurb:

Sienna Crenshaw knows the rules: 1) no time traveling beyond your natural lifetime, 2) no screwing with death, and 3) no changing the past. Ever. Sienna doesn’t love being stuck in the present, but she’s not the type to to break the rules. That is, she wasn’t the type until her best friend broke every one of those rules to keep Henry, her twin brother and Sienna’s ex-boyfriend, alive.

Suddenly, Sienna is caught in an unfamiliar reality. The upside? Henry is still alive. The downside? Sienna’s old life, including the people in it, has been erased. Now, Sienna and Henry must untangle the giant knot in time, or her parents and all the rest of the Travelers, will be lost forever. One problem: the only way to be successful is for Henry to die…

How do you decide where to set a story?

Often, I set my stories in places I miss or want to spend time in. Many of my recent novels have been set in California, in the central valley or San Francisco, which is home for me. I miss it, and even if I can’t be there, at least I can visit in my head :).

How do you manage world-building? Is it all thought out ahead of time, or do you make it up as you go?

Ooh, this is a tough question, because it really depends. For my Sary Society novels, I had built the world in my head over so many years that it was all pretty much set up. But for my other novels, I often write by the seat of my pants and let things come out as I write. For An Absence of Light, I had no idea there would be sci-fi elements until I was halfway through the book!

Find out more about Meradeth Houston at: www.MeradethHouston.com

About cathleentownsend

Avid writer and reader of Faerie tales and noblebright fantasy.