When humor writers go bad . . .

Son of War, Daughter of Chaos isn’t like my other young adult books. Somehow I went from writing romantic comedies where girls mistake the lawn guy for their blind date (How to Take the Ex Out of Ex-boyfriend) to a story where the heroine is chased across an ice field by flesh-eating scarabs. Several reviewers have pointed out that this book is a departure from my others, and I feel like I should give some sort of explanation.

Here’s how SOWDOC came to be.

Years ago while I was doing an event with Stephenie Meyer, I made an offhand comment that I wished a sparkly vampire had shown up in my dreams. I usually dream about wandering around in my underwear or being in high school and forgetting where my locker is. Fascinating stuff like that. After I said the comment, I realized I’d had a really interesting and detailed dream not long before and had never written about it. I began writing scenes for Son of War, Daughter of Chaos in between working on other books for my publishers.

I wanted it to have a lot of suspense, which I knew meant that comedy would have to go. I didn’t mind this fact. Writing comedy is hard, and it took the pressure off me.

Also, at the time I started writing Son of War, Daughter of Chaos, I was experiencing a lot of frustration with my agent and one of my editors. I channeled my dark mood into the book. So basically, this story is what happens when you tick off a humor writer. She gets out the flesh-eating scarabs and starts killing people.

Interestingly, a lot of readers claim this is their favorite book of  mine. Clearly, I need to get mad more often.

13 comments

  1. Tiana Smith
    July 28, 2014 at 12:12 pm

    I can’t tell you how many dreams I have where I’ve forgotten my high school locker combination. The stress level in my dream is insane, and then I wake up and remember I’m not in high school anymore, and I laugh that I’m still dreaming about it.

    Also, writing comedy *is* hard. I’m trying to be super witty with my WIP, and it’s taking me forever.

    Can’t wait to read this one! Even if it does have flesh eating scarabs 🙂

  2. Janette Rallison
    July 28, 2014 at 2:57 pm

    I’m glad I’m not the only one with those annoying high school anxiety dreams. I also dream that I forgot to do my homework for an entire semester and finals are coming up.

    Ah high school, your anxiety lives on.

  3. Liliana @ Lili Lost in a Book
    July 28, 2014 at 5:49 pm

    As much as I love your humorous books, I really do, I am very excited to read this one!! I really love suspenseful books! And OH MY GODS it has mythology! I love mythology! 😀

    • Janette Rallison
      July 29, 2014 at 11:12 pm

      Hope you like it!

  4. Eliza
    July 29, 2014 at 2:45 pm

    Can’t wait to read this! How many books have you actually published? I tried counting but I got confused with your pen names.

  5. Janette Rallison
    July 29, 2014 at 11:17 pm

    It’s funny you asked this because today in an interview I was asked to give my book titles and the dates they were published. I’m lucky if I can remember all the titles; there’s no way I’ll remember what year they came out. I looked myself up on wikipedia and then copy and pasted the list onto the interview.

    I’ve published 22 books, 1 novela, and 3 short stories in book compilations. (Erasing Time is a rewrite of Time Riders, so I’m only counting that as one book. Just as I’m counting Deep Blue Eyes and Other Lies and Blue Eyes and Other Teenage Hazards as one book.)

  6. Melinda
    July 30, 2014 at 4:33 pm

    I’ve loved all your books, including this one. I think it’s a testament to your talent and versatility as an author that you can write so successfully in different genres. As long as you keep the hot guys coming; they’re a pleasant consistency. 😉

    • Janette Rallison
      July 31, 2014 at 8:58 am

      Thanks, Melinda. You have great taste!

      There will always be a hot guys. Otherwise the manuscript can’t sustain my interest for 300 plus pages.

  7. Beedubbs
    July 30, 2014 at 9:15 pm

    I always have nightmares like that! Also, I think that the stories that come from someone’s pure and genius imagination while they are awake are so much more incredible.

    Can’t wait to read SOWDOC! I really enjoy your CJ Hill books and those are pretty different from your normal stuff so I am sure I’ll enjoy this one, too! I know you have things in the works as we speak…any idea on what your next release will be and when we can expect to see it?

    • Janette Rallison
      July 31, 2014 at 9:01 am

      The third My Fair Godmother is at beta readers right now. I’ll need to revise it, then send it to an editor, then revise it again. I’m not sure how long that will take, but it’s probably in the 4-5 month range. I’m hoping the book will be out in 2014 sometime. I’ll definitely let people know when the time is closer.

      • Melinda
        August 1, 2014 at 2:57 pm

        Yay for a third My Fair Godmother book! You just holler if you’re ever in need of additional beta readers. 🙂

  8. Britney
    July 31, 2014 at 10:25 pm

    I loved this book! I called my mom and three reader friends and had them all buy it once if was done! Plus it’s an amazon prime book so it’s an easy sale for anyone. Definitely some of your best work. Love love love

    • Janette Rallison
      July 31, 2014 at 10:52 pm

      Ahh, thanks! Glad you liked it! I have to say it’s one of my favorites too.

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