Author Interview: Teresa Lo

 I have been REALLY busy lately so I haven't been able to post much even though I have three books to review I just don't have the time so I'm hoping this author interview will keep you satisfied for the time being. Introducing Teresa Lo author of Hell's Games. Enjoy!

Tell me about yourself:

I’ve lived in Los Angeles for five years, but I’m originally from Coffeyville, Kansas. When I was younger, I was an introvert, and I spent the majority of my free time reading, writing, or watching movies and television. I dreamed of one day being a writer or working in Hollywood, but my parents encouraged me to pursue law. I listened to their advice because I’ve always been very practical and business-minded, but as I was going down that path, I realized that my passion was writing and if I wanted to be happy, I needed to pursue that passion.  After college, I attended USC School of Cinematic Arts and obtained a M.F.A. in Screenwriting, and I have been writing ever since then.

Tell me about your book/s:

Hell’s Game follows a group of popular teenagers who are forced to play a high-stakes game in Hell after they play a horrific prank on the school nerd. As the group moves from level to level in the game, the settings intensify, and each level is a manifestation of one of the seven deadly sins. The story was inspired by the legend of the Gateway to Hell in Stull, Kansas.

What are your favourite books?

My favorite books are The Shrine at Altamira by John L’Heureux, The Forbidden Game by L.J. Smith, the Harry Potter books, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin, About a Boy by Nick Hornby, Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner, and On Writing by Stephen King. That’s just to name a few. I love reading!

Who is your inspiration?

My favorite authors inspire me to write, but on a personal note, my parents really make me want to be the best person I can be. They were Chinese immigrants who worked over twelve hours a day in a restaurant to give me and my sisters the American dream, and their love and support is a motivation for me to be a success so that I can one day give back to them.

Are you working on any books we should look out for in the future?

I’ve been working on ideas for my next book, but at the moment, I’m not 100% sure what I’m going to do. However, I am in the process of adapting Hell’s Game into a screenplay, so hopefully something will happen there!

What is your favourite quote?

“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven,” Luke 6:37

If you could be any character from any book who would you be and why?

I would like to be Turtle Wexler from The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin. Turtle is smart and sassy, and I’d love to be a teenager who solves a mystery!

What is your favourite genre? 

I love YA!

Who are your favourite authors?

I really like John L’Heuruex, Stephen King, Suzanne Collins, L.J. Smith, R.L. Stine, Ellen Raskin, Jennifer Weiner, Nick Hornby, and J.K. Rowling.

If you could live in any story world what would it be?

I definitely would not want to be in my own book, Hell’s Game, and at the moment, I’d like to live in a magical world and world is more magical than Wonderland?

What is the worst book you've ever read?

This is a hard question to answer. If I don’t like a book, I will stop reading after three chapters so I probably am not a good reference for a bad book recommendation. 

What do you do aside from writing?

I enjoy cooking, being lazy with my cat, taking photos, and reading. I’m also a cast member on the entertainment review website Just Seen It so I watch a lot of movies and TV.

What tips would you give young aspiring writers? 

My advice to young writers is to not get discouraged by the people who tell them “no,” but they should also not lash out at people who criticize their work. Instead, writers should listen to all feedback and use the good and the bad to help them improve their writing.

Check out her book on Amazon!

Email me at: confessionsofabookaholic@LIVE.CO.UK