Author Interview and Giveaway: Susane Colasanti discusses Something Like Fate

Today I have Author Susane Colasanti with a guest post and mini-interview to kick of her blog tour (click on the icon below for all the tour stops) for her new novel SOMETHING LIKE FATE which I reviewed earlier today (check out my SOMETHING LIKE FATE review). And now...here's Susane!

Welcome to the Something Like Fate blog tour! If you’re like me, you sometimes wonder about how much influence fate has over our lives. I believe that we’re the architects of our own destiny. But how much power does the force of fate have over the parts of our lives we can’t control? Lani and Erin are searching for answers in Something Like Fate. They’re even determined to become fate experts. At the beginning of junior year, they make a list of ten concepts that explore some things about this world we can’t fully explain. During my two-week blog tour, I’ll be discussing a little about each of the concepts on their list. Let’s get this party started!

Topic 1: Astrology

Before becoming a full-time author, I was a science teacher. My educational background mainly focused on astronomy and physics. So it’s unusual that I think there’s some validity to astrology. The thing is, I’ve encountered enough evidence to believe that our Zodiac signs typically define our characteristics. For example, I am such a Taurus. Taurus is an Earth sign, which makes sense since I’m all about green living. I’m also stubborn, sensitive, opinionated, caring, and grounded, all classic characteristics of a Taurus. Pretty much everyone I’ve asked agrees that their Zodiac sign also reflects who they are. Conclusion: There’s definitely something going on.

Lenore: I agree with Lani that bottled waters have a distinctive taste. My favorite is Volvic – what’s yours? Do you share her belief that each brand has a color/shape aura or how did that detail come about?

Susane: Yes, I definitely agree with Lani about the color/shape thing! I associate colors and shapes with other stuff, too, like days of the week (Tuesday is yellow) and numbers (three is blue). At first I thought I was really weird for doing this (not that I still don’t think I’m weird for doing this), but when I told some of my friends about it they totally knew what I meant. This one time in college, my friend Laila and I were comparing our color/shape perceptions. We were getting all hyper about the ones we perceived differently. I was like, “How could Tuesday be purple? That’s outrageous!” I’m not sure when the water classifications first occurred to me. All I know is that my beliefs are unflinchingly rigid. Poland Spring has this full, smooth taste that just feels like a red circle to me. Evian is a sky-blue triangle due to its sharper, crisp taste. I primarily drink Poland Spring because it’s not outrageously expensive. However, I prefer the tastes of Fiji and Smartwater.

Lenore: When I was 10, my grandmother had my chart done for me. Apparently I have a grand trine in air signs which was supposed to mean I would become a writer. I did. Have you ever gotten your chart done by a professional astrologer? If so, did it set you down a particular path?

Susane: You know, I vaguely remember getting my chart done a long time ago, but I can’t remember what it said. It’s easier to remember what my palm reading said because I can refer to palmistry charts if I forget anything. There’s a scene in Something Like Fate where Lani gets her palm read. Some of those interpretations are based on my actual palm lines. For example, I have the same star under my middle finger, which represents finding success after ten years of hard work. My palm reading hasn’t consciously pushed me down any particular path, but it has made me less worried about my future. According to my reading, I’ll live a long, healthy life.

Lenore: What is the craziest “coincidental” connection you’ve had with someone?

Susane: Wow, there are so many to choose from! One of them happened last year. I was out to dinner with my boyfriend, talking about my experience from earlier that morning at a certain computer repair place. It was my first time going to this place. My laptop needed a repair and I was previously told that I’d get it back in two or three days. But then they told me it would take almost a week! I was not in a happy space. Now, I usually try to keep the volume down when I’m ranting in public. I really don’t know how the guy sitting two tables away heard me. The next thing I knew, he was standing by our table giving me a business card. He was the owner of the computer place! He said I should call him in the morning and he’d make sure I got my laptop back right away. Dude. The owner.

In Something Like Fate, I used a quote by David Life that says, “If you believe in coincidence, then you aren’t paying attention.” He means that everything happens for a reason and that everything is connected. So when one of these unbelievable non-coincidences happens, it’s actually quite believable after all.

Lenore: I love that quote! Thanks for stopping by.

I have one signed hardcover of SOMETHING LIKE FATE up for grabs! All you have to do is tell me in the comments one of your craziest "coicidental connections" with someone (along with your e-mail address if it's not readily available in your blog profile). Because this one is sponsored by the publisher, US and Canada addresses only please. I'll keep this one open until 11:59 PM CST on April 30th. May fate smile upon you!

By the way, you can read the first three chapters of SOMETHING LIKE FATE online.