Author Interview: Hell's Game by Teresa Lo

Hell's Game by Teresa Lo

On Halloween night in Deer Creek, Kansas, Jake Victor, Ashley and Ashton Gemini, and Kristin Grace convince Ronnie Smalls to meet them at the town cemetery, which local folklore has always rumored to be the Gateway to Hell. Their intention was only to scare him, but soon the wicked prank becomes actual horror as the group learns the Gateway is all too real. After demons snatch Ronnie and drag him to Hell, the terrified foursome vow to keep what they had seen a secret.
Two years later, the group receives a mysterious letter, an invite to play a high-stakes game in Hell. If they win, they release Ronnie’s soul as well as their own from eternal damnation. If they lose, they are stuck in Hell forever. Choosing to play, they face nightmare after nightmare as each level escalates in intensity and forces them to face the seven deadly sins.

Inspired by the legends of the Gateway to Hell in Stull, Kansas, Hell’s Game explores the cruelty that teenagers can inflict upon each other as well as the horrors that exist amongst mankind. It is a dark, action-packed young adult novel that will both scare its readers and make them question the true meaning of evil.

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--The Twitter version: tell us about your book in 140 characters or less.

Teresa Lo's debut YA novel, HELL’S GAME, follows 4 teens who are forced to play a game in Hell where they encounter the 7 deadly sins.

--How did you get the idea for the story?

I grew up in a small town in Kansas, and I’ve always heard stories about the Gateway to Hell in Stull, Kansas. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stull,_Kansas] For years, I had been trying to write a story that could incorporate the Gateway and a prank gone wrong, and over a year and a half ago, I finally merged that idea with the idea of a bizarre, high-stakes game of nightmares.

--Which character would you most/least like to have dinner with?

My favorite character to write in HELL’S GAME was definitely teen queen Ashley Gemini, who is probably one of the meanest mean girls that I could create. If she invited me to dinner, I’d probably squirm in my seat as she belittled me and the guests around us, but I would also be in awe of her glamour and confidence.

--What are some of your favorite books? Do you still have much time to read?

I’m a big reader of YA literature. Growing up, I devoured books by Judy Blume, R.L. Stine, L.J. Smith, and Ellen Raskin, but I also liked non-YA writers such as Stephen King and John L’Heureux. Most recently, I’ve enjoyed Harry Potter, The Hunger Games and Twilight series.

--Do you have any other works in progress? Any teasers or release dates?
I am working on ideas for my next YA project, but no release dates at the moment.

--Do you need anything to write (music, coffee, etc)? Are there any songs on your playlist- songs that inspired you or that were playing while you wrote?
This surprises some people, but I have to have the television on when I write! I find that reality TV works best because I need the background noise and stimulation, but I don’t have to be paying full attention to know what is going on in the show.

--If you could have any superpower what would you choose?
It varies by the day, but today I would say that I’d like the ability to understand and speak every language.

--Besides writing, what do you like to do in your free time?
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  [www.justseenit.com] so I watch a lot of movies and TV.

--Is there anything else you want to add or say to your readers?

I’m so grateful to everyone who has supported my work. It really means a lot to me, and I hope you like HELL’S GAME! 

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