Jessica Spotswood's "Star Cursed"

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Jessica Spotswood grew up in a tiny one-stoplight town in Pennsylvania, where she could be found swimming, playing clarinet, memorizing lines for the school play, or—most often—with her nose in a book. She has been writing since she was little but studied theatre in college and grad school. Now she lives in Washington, DC with her brilliant playwright husband and a cuddly cat named Monkey.

Here Spotswood dreamcasts an adaptation of Star Cursed, the second book in The Cahill Witch Chronicles Series:

It's so fun to imagine who would play my characters in a movie! While I was writing Star Cursed, I created a Cahill Witch Inspiration pinboard which features pretty Victorian dresses, snippets of settings, quotes that inspire me, and lots of pictures of actors and models who capture some bit of my characters.

For Tess, the littlest Cahill sister, who is a terribly clever, observant, powerful young witch - I'd choose Elle Fanning. She did a spread for Teen Vogue a few years ago in which she looks so perfectly, perfectly like Tess that I gasped when I saw this picture! The braids, the pale blonde hair and gray eyes, the sweet-solemn face are all so Tess.

For Maura, the middle Cahill sister - the stubborn, romantic, impetuous one - I'd choose model Lily Cole. She's got the red curls and the round face and she's beautiful in a fierce bright way.

My heroine Cate is a bit more difficult. She's protective and loyal and independent - and looks-wise, thin and dark blonde and pointy. Reese Witherspoon has the stubborn chin but is a bit too golden (not to mention a bit too old to play 17 year old Cate). Chloë Moretz comes closest in this picture.

As for Finn - the clever bookseller-turned-gardener who steals Cate's heart - Andrew Garfield is my hipster dreamcast Finn. He's got the crazy rumpled hair and the soulful brown eyes - just add glasses and freckles! Ben Whishaw, who played Q in the most recent James Bond movie, would also be an excellently swoonworthy choice!

One last important role - the Cahill sisters' new governess - is Elena Robichaud. Elena is elegant and ambitious, and actress Aisha Dee would be perfect for the part with her dark curls and brown eyes.

Learn more about the book and author at Jessica Spotswood's website.

--Marshal Zeringue