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Friday, March 16, 2012

The Marked Blog Tour: Guest Post by Inara Scott! + Giveaway :0)

What's Your Talent?!?

One question I get a lot when I’m doing interviews about my Delcroix Academy series is, “What’s your Talent?” For those who haven’t read the Talents (a.k.a, The Candidates), or read it so long ago they can’t remember it, here’s the premise of the series (and a big spoiler, BTW, if you haven’t read the book!): everyone in the world has a talent. Some people are good at cooking, others at singing. Some write beautiful poetry and some tell great jokes. Most people have normal, everyday talents. You see them all around you. They’re fun, but not particular special.

Then there’s a group of people we might call geniuses. They might be a musical genius—like my girl Taylor Swift, who started writing songs when she was 12—or a physical genius, like basketball star Jeremy Lin. Their talent may be in computers, dancing, or making friends. But any way you look at it, these people stand out.
In my world, there’s another level beyond that. These people are Talents with a capital T. They can be trained to take their ordinary gifts beyond the limits of normal human bodies and minds. A really empathetic person who is good at guessing how people feel can actually learn to read minds. A super athlete can run 60 miles per hour. A gifted politician can control the minds of people who listen to him speak.
Of course, they are secretly trained to use these talents at Delcroix Academy.
One of the reasons I wanted to write about these sorts of talents is because I could actually see them being, well, true. I mean, Taylor Swift is NOT NORMAL, people. Neither is Stephen Hawking. For that matter, neither is my dad, who is a crazy computer/engineering genius. And what about J.K. Rowling? Ordinary human? I think not.
The great thing about my vision of talents is that everyone’s got them. They just vary in intensity.
As for  my talent? Well, I would love to fly, but I don’t think I’m actually gifted in any way that supports flight. I’m definitely not light as a feather, or particularly skilled at jumping off things. And I have a relatively normal fear of heights. So I think flying’s probably out.

I can, on the other hand, hold my breath for long periods of time (useful when I was on the synchronized swimming team!). I also have a deep attachment to water and swimming. My name means mermaid. So I guess I think my Talent—were I to have one—would be breathing underwater.
Now, what’s your talent? If you went to Delcroix Academy, what would they train you to do?

Make sure to find Inara and say Hi! You can reach her on Twitter (@inarascott) and on Facebook




In her second semester at a boarding school for teenagers with special powers, Dancia Lewis faces danger from both inside and outside of Delcroix Academy.

All of her life, Dancia Lewis has wanted to use her powers for good. And now that she’s learned the truth about Delcroix Academy—and herself—she may just get the chance. But being part of Delcroix’s top secret Program isn’t anything like Dancia expected. She has to ask herself: what happens to the Talented kids who refuse to pledge their loyalty to the Program? And why did her friend Jack run away rather than join? Dancia’s adorable boyfriend Cam insists they need the help of every Talented student to defend Delcroix from dangerous enemies outside their gates. But Dancia has to wonder: what if Delcroix’s most frightening enemies come from within?http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9504212-the-marked






This is such an awesome series and you should really check it out! And because I love it so much, I'm going to help you out! I've got a giveaway going on for a copy of The Marked for one lucky winner! Just enter the Rafflecopter below. This one is US/Canada only.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

12 comments:

  1. I actually love that concept. :D And I love that it doesn't seem so far-fetched at all. It's the kind of thing you could almost picture happening, with just a stretch of the imagination. (Also, can I just say having a name that means "mermaid" is REALLY FREAKING AWESOME?)

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  2. I loved the quest post :) It seems the concept behind this book is one that would really enjoy - too bad I'm in Canada hahah *sad face* :) Thanks so much for the great post, tho! I had so much fun reading about different talents, including Inara's ability to hold her breath for some time! :D Awesomesauce!

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  3. I wouldn't want to read minds, that's for sure. I guess I would like the ability to manipulate people and then just not use it. :-D

    Thanks for the giveaway! :-)

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  4. I guess mine would be to be pick up on other people's emotions.

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  5. Hmm, a talent I would want to have would be invisibility! It'd be cool to be able to just disappear and not be bothered if you're ever in an awkward situation. Plus, Harry Potter had an invisibility cloak, and ever since reading those books I've wanted to have that ability! Hehe.. =)

    Great post! I never thought Taylor Swift was normal either....but in a good way. =P

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  6. Teleport. I really want to be able to teleport.

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  7. I would want to sense emotions - be an empath so I can be a great counselor!

    Thanks,
    Leanne

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  8. I would like a talent that wouldn't be intrusive on other people but that I could use my whole life so not a sports thing either. Maybe a writing talent that lets me create worlds that people can really see and live in.

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  9. I would really like to have the talent to sing. I can not carry a tune, but I have always wanted to be a singer! Thanks for the chance.

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  10. I would like to be able to complete a custom gown in less than an hour. Nowadays my turn around is 1-2 weeks with all the back and forth fittings, drafting, etc. Hey if regular talents are amplified I could supply all of Hollywood if I could work that fast! So I guess my talent would be speed!

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  11. I would want to have a talent at sports or writing. Both seems really good and sports is a fun way to interact with people.

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  12. I would like the talent to be able to always understand people's feelings and emotions in any situation. This way, I can't misunderstand them, and also, I can empathize and help them through the situation. A good listenig ear goes a long way. It'd be cool to be able to understand a person's true feelings and emotional stability.
    Thanks!!!!!
    Alyssa Susanna

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