By Kellie Houx, Editor of KC Studio
Elizabeth C.
Bunce, a self-described native Midwesterner, lives near Kansas City, but her
latest release, StarCrossed, (out now) takes young readers and readers of
young adult fiction far away from the familiar. She describes her work as
historical fantasy. Read on and learn a little bit about this author from the
area.
KC Studio: Describe your active imagination.
Bunce: People have been remarking on it as long as I can remember! It was a frequent report-card comment when I was a child, and I was always playing out elaborate make-believe scenarios with my big brother and our friends. When I was in sixth grade, I actually started to worry about it –most other kids had given up their imaginary friends years before, but I was still spinning stories in my head about made-up people. The only solution, it seemed, was to start writing those stories down. It wasn’t until I was in high school that I finally put the pieces together and realized I'd been priming to be a writer and storyteller all along.
KC Studio:
Describe historical fantasy. Offer insight on how you create your worlds and
the most exciting Digger.
Bunce: Historical fantasy is a branch of fantasy set in or inspired by real historical eras and events. For StarCrossed, I drew on my interest in the religious and political climate of the Renaissance, although the novel is set in a fantasy world. I’ve always loved stories of cat burglars and jewel thieves, and thought the setting and the character made a natural combination. Digger came to me as a character ruled by fear and lacking a steady moral compass – her response to danger is to flee instead of stand and fight for something she believes in. It was a great adventure watching her develop her sense of right and wrong as she parses the various secrets and deceptions she encounters throughout the story.
KC Studio: Who is the audience for “StarCrossed”?
Bunce: I write for young adults (teens). Scholastic gives StarCrossed a reading level of 13-18, but in my opinion, the content and themes of this particular book make it more suitable for older teens (high schoolers).
