Today we’re excited to share Corey Ann Haydu’s interview about her new novel, The Careful Undressing of Love as part of the YABC Scavenger Hunt! Read on for more about Corey, her novel, and an extra giveaway! And don’t forget to answer the question from this post on the Scavenger Hunt form for a chance to win the Grand Prize!
You can find Scavenger Hunt rules and entry form HERE.
YABC: Who is your favorite character in the book?
COREY ANN HAYDU: My favorite character in the book is probably Angelika, because I haven’t had an opportunity to write a character like her before. She’s from an older generation, she’s lived alone for a long time, and she has an intense and complicated power over the people that live on her street. I like how complex her motives are and I love the clarity of her purpose in life. She really propels the book forward, and I found that exciting for a YA novel.
YABC: Which came first, the title or the novel?
COREY ANN HAYDU: The novel! The book had an entirely different title for a long time, but it wasn’t quite right. After a lot of deliberation, my editor and I turned to poetry to help us come up with a title. There’s a beautiful poem by Carol Anne Duffy, Valentine, that includes the phrase THE CAREFUL UNDRESSING OF LOVE, and we thought that was perfect.
COREY ANN HAYDU: There’s a scene that takes place in Times Square that I really love because I had to reimagine what Times Square would be like in the realm of this book. That sort of work was new to me, and really challenged me creatively and intellectually. I could really feel my brain light up as I described Lorna and Cruz in that part of the city. It was one of the wonderful writing moments where you learn something deeper about your character and the world they inhabit.
YABC: Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you’ve learned as a writer from then to now?
COREY ANN HAYDU: The most important thing I’ve learned is to push yourself and take risks. The biggest disappointments in my career have come when I’ve stayed too much in my comfort zone. And the most wonderful moments have come when I’ve pushed myself– or more likely, someone else has pushed me– out.
YABC: What do you like most about the cover of the book?
COREY ANN HAYDU: EVERYTHING. Really this book cover is simply stunning. I love how lush and magical it looks, how deeply it ties into the world of the book, and how unique it is. It is a true piece of art, and I’m so honored I get to have it represent my work.
YABC: What was your favorite book in 2016?
COREY ANN HAYDU: Caela Carter’s MY LIFE WITH THE LIARS.
YABC: What’s up next for you?
COREY ANN HAYDU: I have another middle grade book coming out in June 2017, THE SOMEDAY SUITCASE. I’m very excited about it. Think My Girl with magic.
YABC: Which part of the writing process do you enjoy more: Drafting or Revising?
COREY ANN HAYDU: I really love revising. My first drafts are MESSY. So are my third and fourth drafts. I’m a collaborator at heart– my background is in theatre, and I come to the page with that spirit. I love when I’m working with an editor and we find new ideas and information and themes together. It’s really exciting to combine two different minds– you find things you never knew existed in your work, and you can really discover the heart of the book once you have that second set of eyes on it. I love that process, of untangling and retangling what I’ve been working on.
YABC: Is there an organization or cause that is close to your heart?
COREY ANN HAYDU: My favorite organization is GEMS. It works to protect girls who have been victims of commercial sexual exploitation or domestic sex trafficking. I think they do amazing work empowering girls who get treated really poorly by the system.
Meet Corey Ann Haydu!
The Careful Undressing of Love is a disturbing and sensual story of the power of youth and the boundless mysteries of love set against the backdrop of Haydu’s brilliantly reimagined New York City.
The Careful Undressing of Love
Release Date: January 31, 2017
*GIVEAWAY DETAILS*
*Click the Rafflecopter link below to enter the giveaway*
What were some other possible titles?
Ohhhh! The cover kind of confuses me but the synopsis seems chilling in a good way! The mystery and the darkness is so endearing!
Beautiful cover! Sounds like a good read!
I look forward to learning even more about this book, and the cover–gorgeous!
I love the cover. The hidden keys on it make it really interesting. And the book sounds really good.
Because of the synopsis I am very interested in reading this book. If it went by cover alone I probably wouldn’t pick up this book in a store and flip it over… The key is really hard to see, and being a part of the synopsis and a big symbol of the Devonairre’s should be front and center IMO. Luckily I read the synopsis here though and am super excited about this book!!!!
I like the cover, never would’ve thought this book was about a curse ? can’t wait to check it out.
The synopsis sounds amazing, and although I like the cover, I’m surprised by how it doesn’t relate to the book much – I wouldn’t be able to tell what the book was about by the cover, and I like that – it adds mystery!
I love the synopsis and it makes me want to read this book, though the cover doesn’t seem to match–I’ll have to find out why this cover was chosen by reading the book.