Author Spotlight: Sara Raasch talks These Rebel Waves

Sara Raasch is on the blog today! Sara is the New York Times Bestselling author of the YA fantasy trilogy SNOW LIKE ASHES, and her latest book, THESE REBEL WAVES (Stream Raiders #1) hit shelves just last month. Told from three distinct POVs, this brand new duology combines deadly magic, politics, and religion into one mesmerizing narrative-----with Sara's kickass world building, to boot!

And now, here's my chat with Sara!

Hi, Sara! Welcome and congrats on the release of These Rebel Waves. Can you share a little about the story and what inspired it ?

Thank you so much! THESE REBEL WAVES was originally inspired by a late night geology class (science + being tired = a recipe for disaster!). The professor mentioned the term “stream piracy,” and my brain went “RIVER PIRATES!” The rest is an amalgamation of the Spanish Inquisition and the Golden Age of Piracy.

These Rebel Waves has a rich cast of characters. What’s your best advice for crafting and juggling three main POVs?

If I need to get into a character’s mindset, I spend a lot of time listening to songs I attribute to them, and reading back over previous things I’ve written from their POV. It’s always important too to keep a few questions at the forefront of every word choice, sentence, paragraph, and chapter: what does this character want? How does it counteract what the other characters want? How does it advance the plot?

And to piggyback on the last question, I’m curious . . . did you struggle writing any of the POVs, and if so, how did you tackle it?

I struggled SO much to write Ben!! He changed his motivations, no joke, every draft for the first six drafts. Sometimes he was leading his own little rebellion against his father (who is the main antagonist); sometimes he was devoted to the Church that runs his country. Ben is living such a secret life that he kept it secret even from me! But I love who he is now.

I really love how your magic system in These Rebel Waves blends science with fantasy. What went into striking this balance?

The science class inspiration! And I loved the idea of a world “on the brink” in more ways than one. Grace Loray is on the brink of creating their own country; the plants that most people label “magic” are only a few years away from being called “science.” Because of Argrid’s oppression for so many years, it stunted the development and growth on Grace Loray. It was fun to play with that balance of religion, science, and magic!

What’s been your most rewarding experience as an author (so far)?

Meeting fans! I just got back from a tour, and it was so invigorating to meet readers, booksellers, and other authors. This industry can be so solitary, but meeting readers makes it utterly rewarding!

What are you reading, watching, or otherwise currently infatuated with?

THE GOBLIN EMPEROR by Katherina Addison! OH MY GOODNESS, the main character, Maia, is delicious. He’s so sweet and sympathetic, instantly an underdog, but he refuses to stay stagnant and is the orchestrator of his own development. It’s such an enchanting book!

Book 2, These Divided Shores, is slated to hit shelves in Spring 2019. Are there any spoiler-free teasers you can share?

Well, a LOT of people have been super mad at me for the cliffhanger at the end of THESE REBEL WAVES, so I’ll counter that anger with a question: what type of potion was Ben working on the whole book.

And finally, what’s the most important lesson you’ve learned so far in your publishing career?

Patience. Nothing in this industry happens overnight. Even when it seems like something does, it’ll take another few years to happen. I mean, it’s still incredibly difficult to not get antsy about books coming out or deals going through, but everything will happen. “Not no, just not now!”

Thanks go out to Sara for taking the time to tell us more about THESE REBEL WAVES, her tips for crafting distinctive POVs, and for that little Book 2 teaser------eeeeek! 😊

Add Sara's immersive fantasy to your Goodreads list, or (better yet!) order your copy RIGHT NOW from retail sites such as Amazon, and Barnes & Noble . Or you can always request it at your library, or local independent bookstore! For more, you can follow Sara on Twitter , or visit her author website at sararaasch.tumblr.com.