Spotted: Kersten Hamilton + Tyger, Tyger

Kersten Hamilton is really one of the nicest authors I know. All of you have probably read an interview with her because of her blog tour. I asked questions more on the behind the camera or pen for that matter. Here are the questions:

What or who inspired you to write Tyger, Tyger?

A writer named George MacDonald. I love the way he thought about the world, and the way his worldview seeped into his stories. I think the best stories are about something.

What lessons will readers pick up from your novel?

Milton wrote:

“Great bards beside
In sage and solemn times have sung
Of turneys and of trophies hung;
of forests and enchantments drear,
Where more is meant than meets the ear.”

He meant that the best stories are about something deeply true, even if they use tales of whim and whimsy to describe it. While I do not claim to be a great bard, Tyger Tyger is definitely about ‘more than meets the ear.’ It is about love, and how the real world works.

Why do you write for teens?

I love writing for people who are just starting to explore the larger questions in life: who am I? Why am I here? Is it possible to change the world? Does it even need changing?

Hint: it does need changing, and every single one of us can change it just a little bit!

Of all the supernatural creatures, why did you choose goblins?

When I was a child, a goblin crept out of the dark and slipped her paw into my hand. The creature’s name was Lina, and I met her in a book by George MacDonald.

Lina was a dog–like creature with green eyes lit by amber fire, and a huge mouth with icicle–like teeth. Curdie, the hero of the story, could feel the real hand of any creature inside its flesh glove, and when Lina put her paw in his hand: “a shudder, as of terrified delight, ran through him… instead of the paw of a dog, such as it seemed to his eyes, he clasped in his great mining fist the soft, neat little hand of a child! The green eyes stared at him with their yellow light, and the mouth was turned up toward him with its constant half grin; but here was the child's hand!”

When I read those lines I felt it. Lina was a small part of George MacDonald’s book. After I met her, I knew that when I grew up I wanted to write a book full of that kind of goblin creature.

What is the best move when it comes to goblin fighting?

Think with your heart, because your head will lead you astray!

You write about dreams of goblins. Have you ever dreamed of what you wrote? (If yes, what was it like?)

I very often dream about what I write. The world I am working on is so real to me that I don’t leave it even when I fall asleep! It can be very intense, but it is never very scary for me—because the monsters never win in my dreams.

Tell us about Teagan’s personality.

Teagan is a strong, courageous girl. And she is very smart. Tea will fight to protect any creature who is weaker than she is; she is the caretaker for her little brother Aiden, and she will not let anyone or anything harm him.

Describe Tyger, Tyger in four words.

Action, adventure, danger, romance!

What sets Tyger, Tyger apart from other YA books?

A lot of YA books today focus on romance—a love triangle to be specific. The plot tension comes from the question, “which boy will she choose?”

The romance between Teagan and Finn does sizzle! But the book is about much, much more …and that is what sets Tyger Tyger apart.

Any last words?

Yes! Thank you for interviewing me, Precious! And I hope everyone loves reading Tyger Tyger as much as I have loved writing it!
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Teagan Wylltson's best friend, Abby, dreams that horrifying creatures--goblins, shape-shifters, and beings of unearthly beauty but terrible cruelty--are hunting Teagan. Abby is always coming up with crazy stuff, though, so Teagan isn't worried. Her life isn't in danger. In fact, it's perfect. She's on track for a college scholarship. She has a great job. She's focused on school, work, and her future. No boys, no heartaches, no problems.


Until Finn Mac Cumhaill arrives. Finn's a bit on the unearthly beautiful side himself. He has a killer accent and a knee-weakening smile. And either he's crazy or he's been haunting Abby's dreams, because he's talking about goblins, too . . . and about being The Mac Cumhaill, born to fight all goblin-kind. Finn knows a thing or two about fighting. Which is a very good thing, because this time, Abby's right.

The goblins are coming.