Megan shrugged. “Whatever, but I can’t be a hundred percent sure that everything’s working without a pilot. Got it?”
Chad took a deep breath. She was right, but instead of relenting, he forced a smile. “This is one of Sean’s highest priorities right now, so let’s just get it done fast.”
Acknowledgments
There are a few people who have helped me out during this whole process that I’d like to thank:
Katrina, for supporting me from the very beginning.
Buzz, for your watchful eye and attention to detail.
Ally, for working through all the tough spots with me.
And my parents, for always supporting me...no matter what.
A Conversation with Britt Holewinski
When did you start writing? Why?I began writing when I was seventeen, beginning with the story that would eventually become Schism. I had just finished reading Lord of the Flies, and my mind became fascinated with the idea of a world without adults and only children to figure out how to live and survive. Then the characters of Andy and Ben began to form in my mind, and I couldn’t let the idea go. I had to write it down. Before then, I had never attempted to write even a short story. I jumped right into the notion of writing a book…and more.
What is your favorite dystopian movie or book? Favorite book turned into a movie?While Lord of the Flies may have inspired Schism, my favorite dystopian book is Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. Books and words are the foundation of modern human history, and to imagine them being erased from our daily lives is terrifying. Bradbury captured this fear perfectly.
Though not a movie, the 1995 television adaptation of Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle is something I watch at least once a year. Not only is it one of my favorite books, but the series remains faithful to the novel while still allowing for some interpretation and creative license. If a book is loved by its readers, why change the story for film? Viewers want to see a director’s own vision of the book, and changing the plot is always confusing to me.
How did your background in working for the CIA help you come up with the premise of a government-engineered virus outbreak in Schism? I joined the CIA a few months after September 11, 2001. The focus of my work for the majority of my career was helping to counter global terrorism. Almost all terrorists are adult-aged males. The idea that the US government—or any government—would try to create a virus that quickly killed adult males was inspired by my experience working in Iraq and Afghanistan.
What will happen next for Andy? Will Ben survive?Andy has very difficult times ahead, even more so than what she experienced in the first book. She will need to rely on her friends and her own internal strength and doggedness to not only keep her alive, but also to keep her sane.
Ben’s future looks bleak, doesn’t it? Drugs take a terrible toll on both the body and the mind, and it remains unknown how much more he can withstand this forced addiction. But this is Ben, after all, and he’s survived tragedy before. His chances of pulling through are better than most.
About the Author
Maria Rock | www.mariarockphotography.com
Britt Holewinski was inspired to write Schism more than twenty years ago after reading William Golding’s Lord of the Flies in high school. After studying mechanical engineering at the University of Notre Dame and Pennsylvania State University, she joined the CIA during the months following 9/11. Besides traveling for her job, she has visited nearly every location she has written about for current and future works, to include Bermuda, Paris, and the Channel Islands.
Britt is currently working on the next book in her Schism series.
Table of Contents
Copyright
SCHISM
Prologue
Chapter I
Chapter II
Chapter III
Chapter IV
Chapter V
Chapter VI
Chapter VII
Chapter VIII
Chapter IX
Chapter X
Chapter XI
Chapter XII
Chapter XIII
Chapter XIV
Chapter XV
Chapter XVI
Chapter XVII
Chapter XVIII
Chapter XIX
Chapter XX
Chapter XXI
Chapter XXII
Chapter XXIII
Chapter XXIV
Chapter XXV
Chapter XXVI
Chapter XXVII
Chapter XXVIII
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
A Conversation with Britt Holewinski
About the Author
Schism Page 31