Chatting it up with Claire

At 16, the main character in Claire de Lune finds out that she's...well a little bit different! I had a chance to ask her a few questions, don't worry it's spolier-free :)

Did you ever think, growing up, that your family was a little odd?

Not really. I mean, I knew my family was different than, say, Emily’s family, but it just seemed NORMAL to me. Plus, once Lisbeth came, it actually seemed easier than having my mom around all the time, breathing down my neck about stuff. I was so happy that she wasn’t prying into my secrets that I didn’t really think she might have one of her own!

How long had Matthew been on your radar?

Um, since the first day I walked into school? No, seriously. He was a sophomore when I was a freshman, but we’d gone to different middle schools, so I’d never seen him before. His locker was sort of near mine that year, and he was so gorgeous, I couldn’t NOT notice him. But I never thought he’d actually pay any attention to me...

What is your favorite part of being a were?

I love the hunt. Really. I mean, I love so many parts of it - the heightened senses (even though that took awhile to adjust to!) and the running and the way we can communicate with one another without talking. But hunting rolls all that up together and adds the excitement of chasing something. Of course, at the end of the hunt, there’s always the killing part, which took some time to get used to, but it’s no different than eating a steak you buy in the grocery - and it’s a lot fairer to catch it yourself!

What do you think your BFF Emily would do if she knew the truth?

It’s so hard - I know that she would really, really *want* to keep it a secret, but she’s pretty much the worst secret keeper I know. I mean, it’s like the words just leap out of her mouth. I really want to tell her, but it’s just too big a risk, for everyone. When I can’t stand it anymore, I always remind myself that I can tell her tomorrow. That makes it sort of bearable, knowing that I always *could* tell her. Just not today.

(awww, love this answer!)

This week you have a chance to win a SIGNED copy of Claire de Lune (CAN/US only), OR one of six signed bookplates (open internationally!) by filling out the form here. Don't forget you get an extra entry for each thoughtful comment :)

Cross-posted at: He Followed Me Home..Can I Keep Him? on 16 June 2010.