A Little Kryptonite

Happy Friday, and happy start of the Olympics! Today, I'm thrilled to have Amy Saia here talking about her new novel. But first, a picture of the Olympic Torch passing through my 'hood yesterday.

And now, over to Amy!

When people think about young adult paranormal romance, they typically don’t associate it with Superman. But somehow, in this twisted brain of mine, I was able to connect the famous superhero with a beautiful ghost guy who hangs out in a small-town library everyday. Guess it’s part of that mantra: write what you love. 

I really do love Superman. I mean, really, really love Superman. Kal-L, Clark Kent, the man of steel. Buns of steel? Ahem. We can only make the assumption. I love his little forelock, greasy though it may be. His sparkling eyes, his thick jaw with demure cleft in the chin. He’s just hot, okay, and if Lois Lane ever gets on his nerves too much I wouldn’t have any problem letting him 3-D my clutch. 

To be honest, I think I subconsciously picked Superman as a sort of role model for my book’s main love interest, William Bennett, because I needed someone that was too good to be true. A figure noble and past young Emma Shay’s reach. I guess William being a ghost wasn’t enough of a challenge, I had to make him a totally unattainable hot ghost. But if you’re going to risk your life on the dead, it might as well be worth it. Obviously, Emma loves him for more than his looks. He’s mysterious, well-read, kind, protective, funny . . . blah, blah, blah. 

The other thing was that, to me, Superman epitomizes the 1970’s. As you may know, I have a complete and unmedicated obsession with the decade. I won’t tell you how extremely old I am, but I will say that before Christopher Reeve the world was still recovering from Vietnam and Watergate. Not to mention Polyester. When he showed up the world became cool again. He flew in with one arm raised and a smirk on his face that said, “There’s nothing to fear. I’m hot and awesome and I can make the world go ‘round.” And he totally did. I remember my mother actually sighing in the darkened theater when he flew Lois Lane around Metropolis. That’s power. Mom never sighed at anything. But, what was up with that stupid inner dialogue Lois Lane was having with herself? Totally corny. 

Of course, Star Wars was big at that time too. But try fitting the entire Galactic Empire in the back of a tiny library. And Yoda as a love interest? Not so much. 

Nope, it had to be Superman. And if I get any monetary compensation with the new movie coming out, that’s totally fine with me. Mostly I just want people to read my book. It’s called The Soul Seekers and will be out August 7. I thank you for reading this, and thank you so much to the amazing Talli Roland! Until next time, up up and away!

Amy Saia lives in Kansas where she keeps busy as a writer, artist and musician. She has two very imaginative children, a cat named Grape, and a long-haired dachshund named Henry. You can find her online at: http://thatamysaia.blogspot.com/ and on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/amy.saia.3

Thank you, Amy. Have a great weekend, everyone!