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1. Tell us a little about your high school experience overall.
High school was ok -- for most of my time there, I was a girl who straddled
various social groups. I was in drama and art classes,but I also turned out for
swimming and diving one year. I did student governmentstuff, but I also was into
going out to underage clubs and hanging with that crowd, too. I was a National Merit
Letter of Commendation winner (the only girl who was in my school that year.) I guess I
was kind of a smarty pants with artsy tendencies. I don't think I ever really fit into
any group all the way, and maybe that, in itself, was kind of hard.
Also, I worked at a fast-food place my junior and senior years and let me tell you,
there is nothing as humiliating as serving a cheeseburger through a drive-thru window
to the boy youhad been crushing on all year. Yikes.
2. What was the best book you've ever read that was assigned reading?
Wow, that's a hard one. I think it may be Moby Dick. That one I had to read twice - once in
school, where I read just enough to write the assigned paper, and once as an adult, when out of guilt I made a point to actually re-read the whole thing. I loved it.
3. Why did you pick werewolves to write about as opposed to, say, vampires or witches?
At the time I wrote the book, there was only one other werewolf book out there that I knew of - Blood and Chocolate, from the 1990's. I really wanted to write another paranormal (I'd just written a ghost manuscript) so werewolves seemed a natural choice. Plus, I love that they are not undead - they are very much alive and human most of the time.
4. Is there a particular teacher you had in school that inspired you?
I had so many, but, I guess I really loved my art teacher Susan Aurand in college. She told me not to be afraid of creating junk, just to create! You can always refine a first draft, afterall. I still live by those words in my life.
5. What's your favorite thing about the fall season?
I love cold, crisp mornings and sunny afternoons. I love the idea of fireplaces and
soup simmering on the stove and curling up with a good book. I love wearing lots of layers
and really great boots. Can't wait!
6. What are you reading right now?
I'm reading a book by Eric Maisel called Creativity for Life. It's about sustaining your
energy as an artist/writer. I just finished Beating Heart by A.M. Jenkins a few weeks
ago -- that was amazing, spare, beautiful writing.
7. What YA fall/winter release are you most looking forward to?
So many, again! Can't wait to read my friend Diana Peterfreund's book Rampant, about killer unicorns.
8. Where is your favorite place to read/write?
This is cliche, but I love my favorite Seattle coffee shop for first drafts. It's
really comfortable for me to use my home office for revisions, but the hard thinking I
do "off-site" with a tall latte. ;)
9. Pick 3 songs you think readers should listen to while reading your novel Never Cry Werewolf.
I will Possess Your Heart by Death Cab for Cutie
The Killing Moon by Echo and The Bunnymen
My Moon My Man by Feist
10. The book you've been dying to read is out in paperback and hardback.Which one do you buy?
If I'm dying to read it - I'm buying it in hardback right when it comes out!
Hope you guys will stop by my blog at www.booksboysbuzz.com for release week, and go
to HarperTeen's site to read an excerpt of the book!!
Showing posts with label Interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Interview. Show all posts
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Author Interview: Nina LaCour
1. Tell us a little about your high school experience overall.
I went to a big, suburban high school, much like Caitlin's school in Hold Still. I was very shy in school and never spoke in my classes. I was good at English and bad at math, and my best friend and I were constantly together. We wrote each other long notes when we were in our classes, full of code names and embellished with little drawings and song lyrics. We had so much fun together, and this made everything else okay.
2. What was the best book you've ever read that was assigned reading?
There are so many, but I'm going to have to go with Catcher in the Rye. I know that it's a very typical answer, but I can so clearly remember reading that book in ninth grade and worrying for Holden in a way that I had never worried for a character in a book before.
3. Why did you decide to be a teacher?
Both of my parents are teachers, so it runs in the family. But I had no idea that I would become a high school teacher when I was a teenager. I knew I wanted to be a writer, and I thought that I would also be a professor. I tutored and taught in many places when I was in college and grad school: a private college, a city college, an Oakland elementary school, a juvenile hall. . . . Then I decided that I wanted to teach high school. And as soon as I started, it felt right.
4. Is there a particular teacher you had in school that inspired you?
I had so many amazing teachers. I was really lucky. The teacher I'll mention here is George Hegarty. I took his class in my senior year of high school. He made me talk in front of people, which I was terrified of doing, and he was incredibly supportive of my creative writing. I remember that he wrote, "The gift exists in you," on the back of a short story I wrote for his class. To receive feedback like that from a teacher I admired so much was thrilling.
5. What's your favorite thing about the fall season?
My birthday is the first day of fall, so I feel a special connection to the season. For me fall is a time of change and new beginnings. The school year starts; I meet new people; everything seems full of promise.
6. What are you reading right now?
I am reading The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. It's our school's summer reading book this year.
7. What YA fall/winter release are you most looking forward to?
I am really looking forward to reading How to Say Goodbye in Robot by Natalie Standiford. Gayle Forman recommended it to me, and I trust Gayle's judgment. The cover is excellent, too.
8. Where is your favorite place to read/write?
Anywhere with good coffee and lots of other people who are also reading or writing.
9. Pick 3 songs you think readers should listen to while reading your novel, Hold Still.
Close to Me by The Cure, because Caitlin falls in love with it in the book.
I Feel It All by Feist, because it's my favorite upbeat song about hope and uncertainty.
Call it Off by Tegan and Sara, because it's just so pretty and sad.
10. The book you've been dying to read is out in paperback and hardback.Which one do you buy?
Hardback.
I went to a big, suburban high school, much like Caitlin's school in Hold Still. I was very shy in school and never spoke in my classes. I was good at English and bad at math, and my best friend and I were constantly together. We wrote each other long notes when we were in our classes, full of code names and embellished with little drawings and song lyrics. We had so much fun together, and this made everything else okay.
2. What was the best book you've ever read that was assigned reading?
There are so many, but I'm going to have to go with Catcher in the Rye. I know that it's a very typical answer, but I can so clearly remember reading that book in ninth grade and worrying for Holden in a way that I had never worried for a character in a book before.
3. Why did you decide to be a teacher?
Both of my parents are teachers, so it runs in the family. But I had no idea that I would become a high school teacher when I was a teenager. I knew I wanted to be a writer, and I thought that I would also be a professor. I tutored and taught in many places when I was in college and grad school: a private college, a city college, an Oakland elementary school, a juvenile hall. . . . Then I decided that I wanted to teach high school. And as soon as I started, it felt right.
4. Is there a particular teacher you had in school that inspired you?
I had so many amazing teachers. I was really lucky. The teacher I'll mention here is George Hegarty. I took his class in my senior year of high school. He made me talk in front of people, which I was terrified of doing, and he was incredibly supportive of my creative writing. I remember that he wrote, "The gift exists in you," on the back of a short story I wrote for his class. To receive feedback like that from a teacher I admired so much was thrilling.
5. What's your favorite thing about the fall season?
My birthday is the first day of fall, so I feel a special connection to the season. For me fall is a time of change and new beginnings. The school year starts; I meet new people; everything seems full of promise.
6. What are you reading right now?
I am reading The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. It's our school's summer reading book this year.
7. What YA fall/winter release are you most looking forward to?
I am really looking forward to reading How to Say Goodbye in Robot by Natalie Standiford. Gayle Forman recommended it to me, and I trust Gayle's judgment. The cover is excellent, too.
8. Where is your favorite place to read/write?
Anywhere with good coffee and lots of other people who are also reading or writing.
9. Pick 3 songs you think readers should listen to while reading your novel, Hold Still.
Close to Me by The Cure, because Caitlin falls in love with it in the book.
I Feel It All by Feist, because it's my favorite upbeat song about hope and uncertainty.
Call it Off by Tegan and Sara, because it's just so pretty and sad.
10. The book you've been dying to read is out in paperback and hardback.Which one do you buy?
Hardback.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Interview with Lisa Ann Sandell
Today I have an interview with Lisa Ann Sandell, author of A Map of the Known World.
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Cora is a very creative girl. Do you consider yourself creative? In what ways besides writing do you express your creativity?
I do consider myself creative—art and music have always been interests of mine. I played several instruments when I was in school. Now, living in an apartment in New York City, it’s hard to practice without disturbing all my neighbors. I have studied flamenco dance, drawing, and sculpting in the last few years. Sculpting is definitely a passion of mine.
Did the inspiration to write A Map of the Known World come from something that actually happened to you or someone you know?
My grandmother, Bessie Sandell, passed away about half a year before I decided to write this book. Losing her affected me very deeply, and while the loss of a grandmother isn’t the same as losing a sibling, and my family didn’t undergo the same sort of grieving process as Cora’s, I did want to find a productive and creative way of dealing with and trying to understand my own remorse and grief. Writing and art have always been an outlet for me. So I decided to use my writing to explore my own feelings and in doing so, create a character who uses art to deal with her own emotions.
Cora dreamed of traveling all over the world. Where have you traveled? Where else do you plan to or want to travel to in the future?
I love to travel. I’ve been super lucky and had the opportunity to see lots of amazing places. Some of the countries I’ve spent time in: Spain, France, Portugal, England, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, Czech Republic, Hungary, Canada, Mexico, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, China, Mongolia, Russia, and this winter, my husband and I are planning a trip to India and Bhutan. I can’t wait! Next, I’d love to visit Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia someday. Plus, I’d love to go back to some of these countries and spend more time…oh, there are so many places to go!
A Map of the Known World was set in a small town. Did you grow up or live in a small town? If so, did it have the same effect on you that it did on Cora?
I grew up in a smallish or medium-sized town in a very small state. And while I don’t think I felt quite as suffocated as Cora does, I certainly longed to get out and to see and explore more of the world. Now that I’ve been out and about and seen some of the rest of the world, I love my hometown very much.
Cora fell for the "bad boy" Damian. Do you have a soft spot for guys of this nature? Why do you think so many girls are attracted to this type of person?
I definitely have a soft spot for bad boys, especially in movies! I think their appeal is threefold. First, there’s the challenge of breaking through the tough exterior and getting them to reveal their mushy side, and second, there’s the idea of being able to help them reform. Who doesn’t love a good challenge, and who doesn’t love the idea of getting a boy to love you so much, he wants to be a better man, right? And finally, there’s the excitement of the danger the bad boy poses. Oooh…danger is always a draw!
The character Helena became friends with Cora after her so-called best friend ditched her. Have you ever had a similar experience? Why did you feel the need to include someone like Helena in Cora's life?
I didn’t have a similar experience, and my best friend from high school is still one of my best and dearest friends in the world, even though we live on opposite sides of the country now. But, Cora made such a huge transition in her life after losing her brother, and sometimes people grow out of their friends. It can happen at any stage of life, and it seemed natural for Cora to undergo this kind of change, given the monumental change that has happened in her life. Helena seems to me almost like a guide for Cora as she begins to navigate her passions and her new life as a young adult, figuring out what is important to her, who she wants to be, what she wants to do. Helena embodies the strength that Cora needs to find within herself to be the person she is meant to be.
Where did you get the ideas for Cora, Damian, and Nate's artwork?
While I don’t use found objects in my own sculptures (I sculpt in clay and cast in a bronze resin), when found object sculpture is done well, I think it is just about the coolest, most interesting art form. The notion of taking a totally ordinary object that one sees every day and turning its function completely on its head is almost rebellious, and I thought this is something that Damian and Nate, being rebels, would find thoroughly compelling. I also love maps, and I knew I wanted Cora to use maps to express herself and her desire to see the world, so combining the two forms seemed like such an intriguing—and challenging—idea, I couldn’t resist.
Name 3 songs you listened to while writing A Map of the Known World.
I listen to a lot of music while I write, but here are three:
“Busby Berkeley Dreams” by The Magnetic Fields
“River” by Joni Mitchell
“Chinese Translation” by M. Ward
What is your favorite kind of pie? (Yes, I know this is random.)
Key lime. Tart and sweet. Perfection.
What YA book are you most looking forward to reading?
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. I LOVED Hunger Games.
What is the best movie you've seen lately?
Up. It’s fabulous.
Anything you'd like to say to the YA blogging community?
I would like to say THANK YOU, to the YA blogging community. You guys are doing something so amazing, and I just feel lucky to be a part of it and to be so supported by it. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
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Friday, July 17, 2009
Interview with Eileen Cook
Today I have an interview with Eileen Cook, author of What Would Emma Do?.
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Are experiences in your novel based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
I tend to steal traits and quirks from different people and then mix them up to create someone new. What I find interesting is when someone who knows me reads a book and thinks they identify someone else and it wasn’t even someone I had in mind at the time. I think all writers tend to steal from their own life. For WWED I shared the background of growing up in a small town (although mine wasn't quite that small) and also the feeling about wanting to leave your hometown but not knowing what that means for the friendships you've made.
Which character in What Would Emma Do are you most like?
It is much easier being the writer than my characters- I get them into the most difficult situations. I would love to be Emma from What Emma Would Do because although she’s having a difficult time being in that transition from high school life to college life- she is also so willing to dream big. Plus she’s a great runner and I tend to be one of those people who runs for a block and then feels like throwing up.
What sets WWED apart from other YA novels?
Ooh hard question. The first answer I came up with was "well I wrote this one, but not the others" which I suspect was not the answer you were going for. I hope what sets it apart is the humor. I laughed out loud when I wrote it- so I hope people laugh when they read it.
How did you decide on the title of WWED?
I wanted to play on the WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) theme.
What's the biggest obstacle you've had to overcome to get to where you are today as a published author?
The biggest challenge was to believe in myself. There are zillions of people who have no dreams of their own and spend their time trying to tell you why it is waste of time to pursue your own. Writing has a lot of rejection, but as long as you are willing to keep pushing yourself, keep learning and keep trying you can see your book on the shelf.
How long did it take you to write WWED?
It took me about a year. I work part time and write the other time so I have to find time to fit everything in.
Are you working on any new YA novels? If so, can you tell us a little about them?
I’m working on another YA, which is called Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood. It's a story of revenge, classic movies, friendship, and love. I’m having a lot of fun coming up with all sorts of evil plots for the revenge part. Turns out I have a very evil side. It should be out around January 2010.
If you had to create a soundtrack WWED, what would be on it?
I blame you for the past two hours spent on I-Tunes. I didn’t have a soundtrack in mind so I’ve been searching (and downloading) various songs trying to figure out the best fit. I think this would be a question I would like to have answered by readers. I’d be interested to hear what they have to say.
What are you currently reading?
I'm reading Fade by Lisa McMann. I really liked her book Wake so I've been looking forward to this one.
What is your favorite book of all time and why?
I love to read-period. I love fiction and non fiction. Mysteries, romance, comedy, classics and thrillers. If I have nothing to read I get all worked up and will start reading the side of the cereal box, or anything else that is handy. Picking one favorite is hard. So much of what I like depends on the mood I'm in. One day I might tell you a favorite is Harry Potter and the next day tell you it is A Prayer for Owen Meany.
So many good books to read- so little time!
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I like to knit and love the feel and color of yarn. I’ve bought enough that there could be a world wide sheep shortage and I would have enough stockpiled to last me the rest of my life. I’m a lazy knitter- I don’t like to do complicated things- thus I make a lot of socks and scarves.
I have two dogs so running around on the beach with them is a lot of fun (although quite sandy). I love to read of course and always have a stack of books I'm planning to read. Lastly, I'm a movie junkie.
What advice to you have for aspiring novelists? The YA book blogging community?
1) Read- read a lot. You can learn so much about writing this way. Read books you like and books you hate. Break them down to see what works and what doesn’t. Underline or highlight passages/dialog you really like (assuming that this isn’t a library book). It isn’t about trying to write like someone else, it is about discovering the process of what makes a story work.
2) Keep Writing: A lot of people talk about writing, but don’t do it. With every thing you write you get a bit better, you learn a bit more. If you give up then you won’t be published. If you keep trying- then who knows?
3) Seize the day: You won’t have anything to write about if you never leave the house. Try new things, meet new people, travel, you never know what will lead you to the next story.
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Thanks for the interview, Eileen!
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Are experiences in your novel based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
I tend to steal traits and quirks from different people and then mix them up to create someone new. What I find interesting is when someone who knows me reads a book and thinks they identify someone else and it wasn’t even someone I had in mind at the time. I think all writers tend to steal from their own life. For WWED I shared the background of growing up in a small town (although mine wasn't quite that small) and also the feeling about wanting to leave your hometown but not knowing what that means for the friendships you've made.
Which character in What Would Emma Do are you most like?
It is much easier being the writer than my characters- I get them into the most difficult situations. I would love to be Emma from What Emma Would Do because although she’s having a difficult time being in that transition from high school life to college life- she is also so willing to dream big. Plus she’s a great runner and I tend to be one of those people who runs for a block and then feels like throwing up.
What sets WWED apart from other YA novels?
Ooh hard question. The first answer I came up with was "well I wrote this one, but not the others" which I suspect was not the answer you were going for. I hope what sets it apart is the humor. I laughed out loud when I wrote it- so I hope people laugh when they read it.
How did you decide on the title of WWED?
I wanted to play on the WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) theme.
What's the biggest obstacle you've had to overcome to get to where you are today as a published author?
The biggest challenge was to believe in myself. There are zillions of people who have no dreams of their own and spend their time trying to tell you why it is waste of time to pursue your own. Writing has a lot of rejection, but as long as you are willing to keep pushing yourself, keep learning and keep trying you can see your book on the shelf.
How long did it take you to write WWED?
It took me about a year. I work part time and write the other time so I have to find time to fit everything in.
Are you working on any new YA novels? If so, can you tell us a little about them?
I’m working on another YA, which is called Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood. It's a story of revenge, classic movies, friendship, and love. I’m having a lot of fun coming up with all sorts of evil plots for the revenge part. Turns out I have a very evil side. It should be out around January 2010.
If you had to create a soundtrack WWED, what would be on it?
I blame you for the past two hours spent on I-Tunes. I didn’t have a soundtrack in mind so I’ve been searching (and downloading) various songs trying to figure out the best fit. I think this would be a question I would like to have answered by readers. I’d be interested to hear what they have to say.
What are you currently reading?
I'm reading Fade by Lisa McMann. I really liked her book Wake so I've been looking forward to this one.
What is your favorite book of all time and why?
I love to read-period. I love fiction and non fiction. Mysteries, romance, comedy, classics and thrillers. If I have nothing to read I get all worked up and will start reading the side of the cereal box, or anything else that is handy. Picking one favorite is hard. So much of what I like depends on the mood I'm in. One day I might tell you a favorite is Harry Potter and the next day tell you it is A Prayer for Owen Meany.
So many good books to read- so little time!
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I like to knit and love the feel and color of yarn. I’ve bought enough that there could be a world wide sheep shortage and I would have enough stockpiled to last me the rest of my life. I’m a lazy knitter- I don’t like to do complicated things- thus I make a lot of socks and scarves.
I have two dogs so running around on the beach with them is a lot of fun (although quite sandy). I love to read of course and always have a stack of books I'm planning to read. Lastly, I'm a movie junkie.
What advice to you have for aspiring novelists? The YA book blogging community?
1) Read- read a lot. You can learn so much about writing this way. Read books you like and books you hate. Break them down to see what works and what doesn’t. Underline or highlight passages/dialog you really like (assuming that this isn’t a library book). It isn’t about trying to write like someone else, it is about discovering the process of what makes a story work.
2) Keep Writing: A lot of people talk about writing, but don’t do it. With every thing you write you get a bit better, you learn a bit more. If you give up then you won’t be published. If you keep trying- then who knows?
3) Seize the day: You won’t have anything to write about if you never leave the house. Try new things, meet new people, travel, you never know what will lead you to the next story.
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Thanks for the interview, Eileen!
Monday, May 11, 2009
Interview with Darlene Ryan + CONTEST!
Keep reading if you want to win a copy of her book!
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Are experiences in your novel based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
There’s a little bit of my own life experience in this book. A guy I went to school with committed suicide when we were teenagers. I still remember how shocked and sad and hurt we all were. He had moved away, but we all still considered him a friend. It didn’t make any sense. No one knew there was anything wrong in his life.
What sets Five Minutes More apart from other YA novels?
That’s a hard question. I think the fact that it’s written in the present tense will be different for some readers and intriguing for others. The book deals with some sad and serious things, but in the end it’s not a sad book—at least not to me.
What would you like readers to take away from reading FMM?
Most of all, I hope readers feel they got a good story. I don’t want a reader to finish the book and say, “Well, that was boring.”
In FMM, D'Arcy's father committed suicide. What would you say to someone in this situation in real life?
Please, please don’t do it. There are people who care about you and who will help you. Ask for help and keep asking for it until you get what you need.
D'Arcy's father chose to drive his car into a river. Why did you choose this form of suicide?
I read a news story somewhere, I don’t remember where now, about someone who committed suicide by driving into the water and it stayed with me. I’d never heard of someone doing that.
Why did you choose to write books geared toward young adults?
Even as an adult I like to read books written for teens. I think writing about teens is fascinating. There’s so much happening at that time in your life.
Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
One? There’s no way I can pick just one. I’m a huge fan of children’s writer, Robert Munsch. As far as young adult authors go, I like Kevin Major and Graham Mcnamee. Mcnamee’s Hate You is a terrific book. My list of favorite adult writers is long—LynnViehl’s Darkyn series is a favorite. I like Kim Harrison, Robert Crais, Tim Cockey, Harlan Coben, Kelley Armstrong and Kurt Vonnegut. If I could only pick one writer as a favorite it would be Vonnegut. He makes me think. He makes me laugh. I’ve been reading his books since high school. (And I’m not telling you how long ago that was!)
Are you working on any new YA novels? If so, can you tell us a little about them?
I’m working on a book about a bunch of street kids. The idea for that started when I read a newspaper article about a group of homeless people setting up a tent city on the riverbank. (You’ll notice things I read in the newspaper seem to stick with me.)
What are you currently reading?
I always have more than one book on the go at a time. I’m reading Amber Benson’s Death’s Daughter. It’s terrific. She’s very funny. (She was
What's the biggest obstacle you've had to overcome to get to where you are today as a published author?
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And now for the contest!
The prize: a copy of Five Minutes More
To be entered: Leave a legitimate comment on this post including your email address.
For extra entries:
+1 already follow or start following this blog
+2 get a friend to start following (no limits on how many you can do, but they all have to comment and tell me that you got them to follow me)
+2 link to this contest (sidebars are fine, just tell me what/where you did.)
+1 add me to your blogroll
+2 make a POST about this contest
+2 if someone tells me you referred them (no limits)
+1 Tweet about this with an @katiesbookshelf
+1 follow me on twitter
If you do something creative to get the word out about this contest that I haven't thought of already there could be some extra entries in store for you! Just tell me what you did!
PLEASE PUT ALL THIS IN ONE COMMENT!
Contest ends: May 31, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
Interview with Cindy Pon + Bookmark GIVEAWAY!
Cindy Pon is the author of Silver Phoenix: Beyond the Kingdom of Xia which was released April 28, 2009. The sequel and a picture book with her Chinese brush art will follow.
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Is there a story behind the title of your novel?
originally, my title for my novel was SPIRIT BOUND. but i think
it was too vague and wasn't as evocative. my editor and i had
many brain storming sessions to come up with a better title.
and SILVER PHOENIX was one of the last that i offered.
i really like it, and i think it's fitting.
Why did you pick young adults to write for as opposed to other age groups?
it sort of picked me! my first genre love will always be fantasy.
and when i wrote SILVER PHOENIX, i wrote it as a straight adult
fantasy. it wasn't until i began querying that i got some comments,
isn't this YA? i wasn't opposed to my book being young adult at all.
my crit group friend, amber, had told me all along, but i wasn't familiar
with the genre that it is today.
so when i began querying YA agents and no one said, this isn't YA--
i found my novel a new home. in retrospect, the themes of finding
yourself, first love--they are all intrinsic to many young adult books.
What is the best book you've ever read and what was it that made it so great?
wow. that's a hard question. i can't tell you what is the BEST
book i've ever read--but two of my favorite books of all time
are island of the blue dolphins by scott o'dell and a little princess
by frances h burnett. both feature young heroine's who presevere
despite the difficulties they face in life. with dignity and a quiet
determintion. writing this, i think that they have definitely influenced
my own heroine in some ways.
How long did it take you to write Silver Phoenix?
to write the rough draft, maybe 4 or 5 months. to revise
it, one year.
If your novel was made into a movie, who would play the characters?
ooh. very tough one. and a game all authors love to play.
since mine would require asian-american actors, i'm a bit
more limited. but i always thought that golden sparrow from the
forbidden kingdom reminded me a lot of my own heroine!
If you could have any other career besides being an author, what would you choose?
food critic!
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
i love to travel--tho that's limited now that we have two little ones.
i love to eat! i'm not an adventurous eater, per se, but i love trying
new restaurants and new foods from diff cultures. i love to read,
of course. and i also enjoy chinese brush painting.
Is there anything else you want your readers to know
about you?
i'm basically a big old goof and stubborn to boot. =)
i'm very cynical but also quite optimistic. if that's possible.
you can nearly always find me online. i don't carry a cell phone
but i'd die if i didn't have my wifi connection. i use a macbook pro--
it's one of the first things i bought with my advance, and i LOVE it.
Any advice for aspiring writers and/or the YA blogging community?
to keep writing and believe and chase the dream.
for what are we without our dreams? it's a tough tough
business to get into, takes loads of determination and
a thick skin--but it's worth it.
----------------------------
Now for the giveaway part!
Some commenters will be lucky winners of a lotus bookmark! The more people that comment, the more bookmarks will be given away.
So what are you waiting for? Get commenting! And don't forget to spread the word!
---------------------
Is there a story behind the title of your novel?
originally, my title for my novel was SPIRIT BOUND. but i think
it was too vague and wasn't as evocative. my editor and i had
many brain storming sessions to come up with a better title.
and SILVER PHOENIX was one of the last that i offered.
i really like it, and i think it's fitting.
Why did you pick young adults to write for as opposed to other age groups?
it sort of picked me! my first genre love will always be fantasy.
and when i wrote SILVER PHOENIX, i wrote it as a straight adult
fantasy. it wasn't until i began querying that i got some comments,
isn't this YA? i wasn't opposed to my book being young adult at all.
my crit group friend, amber, had told me all along, but i wasn't familiar
with the genre that it is today.
so when i began querying YA agents and no one said, this isn't YA--
i found my novel a new home. in retrospect, the themes of finding
yourself, first love--they are all intrinsic to many young adult books.
What is the best book you've ever read and what was it that made it so great?
wow. that's a hard question. i can't tell you what is the BEST
book i've ever read--but two of my favorite books of all time
are island of the blue dolphins by scott o'dell and a little princess
by frances h burnett. both feature young heroine's who presevere
despite the difficulties they face in life. with dignity and a quiet
determintion. writing this, i think that they have definitely influenced
my own heroine in some ways.
How long did it take you to write Silver Phoenix?
to write the rough draft, maybe 4 or 5 months. to revise
it, one year.
If your novel was made into a movie, who would play the characters?
ooh. very tough one. and a game all authors love to play.
since mine would require asian-american actors, i'm a bit
more limited. but i always thought that golden sparrow from the
forbidden kingdom reminded me a lot of my own heroine!
If you could have any other career besides being an author, what would you choose?
food critic!
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
i love to travel--tho that's limited now that we have two little ones.
i love to eat! i'm not an adventurous eater, per se, but i love trying
new restaurants and new foods from diff cultures. i love to read,
of course. and i also enjoy chinese brush painting.
Is there anything else you want your readers to know
about you?i'm basically a big old goof and stubborn to boot. =)
i'm very cynical but also quite optimistic. if that's possible.
you can nearly always find me online. i don't carry a cell phone
but i'd die if i didn't have my wifi connection. i use a macbook pro--
it's one of the first things i bought with my advance, and i LOVE it.
Any advice for aspiring writers and/or the YA blogging community?
to keep writing and believe and chase the dream.
for what are we without our dreams? it's a tough tough
business to get into, takes loads of determination and
a thick skin--but it's worth it.
----------------------------
Now for the giveaway part!
Some commenters will be lucky winners of a lotus bookmark! The more people that comment, the more bookmarks will be given away.
So what are you waiting for? Get commenting! And don't forget to spread the word!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Interview with Deborah Kerbel + Bookmark GIVEAWAY!
Deborah Kerbel is the author of Mackenzie, Lost and Found. It was released in November of last year. Click here for my review. Deborah has donated some bookmarks to be given away so read on for more information!Did any of your inspiration for Mackenzie, Lost and Found come from real life experiences?
Absolutely! I draw on real-life experiences for all my books. The main idea for Mackenzie, Lost and Found came from a good friend of mine whose own move to
If you had to create a soundtrack to ML&F what would be on it?
Definitely some love songs – because, at its core this book is a love story. And also something fast-paced and rocking to match the intensity of the final scenes. And …I won’t say any more because I don’t want to spoil the story.
What are you reading right now?
I just finished Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King (fabulous!) and now I’m reading Sarah’s Key by Tatiana De Rosnay -- it came highly recommended by my mother-in-law who’s always really good at picking great books.
How did you decide on the title of Mackenzie, Lost and Found?
The title was something that came pretty easily. The first title I came up with was Finding Mackenzie – I liked it because addressed the main character’s biggest issues (feeling lost, alone, different). But after a week or two, I changed it to Mackenzie, Lost and Found which felt just right. And when my publisher accepted the manuscript, they never suggested I change the title.
Which character in Mackenzie, Lost and Found are you most like?
I’m definitely most like Mackenzie. Both of us avoid conflict and neither of us can get a tan!
What sets Mackenzie, Lost and Found apart from other YA novels?
A lot!
If Mackenzie, Lost and Found were made into a movie, who would play the characters?
I love this game! Okay, how about:
Dakota Fanning for Mackenzie
Olivia Thirlby (from Juno) for Marla
Shia LeBoeuf for Nasir
and Russell Crowe for Professor Hill
How long did it take you to write Mackenzie, Lost and Found?
From the first word on the page (May 2005) to finishing the final draft (December 2007), it took about 2 and a half years. But I took at least a full year of that time off from writing and revising to be a full-time mom to my daughter Dahlia (who was born in July 2005).
Why did you choose to write for young adults?
It wasn’t actually a choice at all. Once I decided I wanted to be a writer, I picked up my pen, and teenagers flowed out onto the page. And like real teenagers, there was no holding my characters back after that!
What advice do you have for aspiring novelists?
Believe in yourself and develop a thick skin -- because a certain amount of rejection is hard-wired into this business. The writers who can rise above the rejection and keep moving forward are the ones who turn into authors!
The YA book blogging community?
Keep up the fantastic work! I truly believe that what you’re doing is changing the traditional (and by that I mean out-dated and elitist) approach to book reviews and promotion!
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Thanks, Deborah, for doing this interview!
BOOKMARK GIVEAWAY:
Five lucky commenters will win a bookmark signed by Deborah Kerbel.
One will be chosen out of every five comments, so for her to give all five there must be 25 comments minimum.
The deadline will be April 23, one week from today.
So what are you waiting for? Get commenting!
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Interview with Ben Esch
Ben Esch is the author of Sophomore Undercover, which was released by Disney-Hyperion last month. You can find him on myspace here and facebook here. Also, be sure to check out his main website and play the Sophomore Undercover video game!
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What sets Sophomore Undercover apart from other YA novels?
There's a lot of great books in YA, but I think Sophomore Undercover is different because it is exactly the kind of book that I wanted to read when I was a teenager but could never find. I think Sophomore Undercover hits a lot of different notes than a lot of the books that are out there right now, and I really wish I could send this book back to the fifteen year old me. Hopefully some kids out there who are like the fifteen year old me will find Sophomore Undercover and enjoy it. That's my goal as a writer.
I would also like to sell enough books so I can buy a jet ski. That's my second goal as a writer.
If you had to create a soundtrack Sophomore Undercover, what would be on it?
I guess I'll just have to go with the music that I listened to when I wrote it, which was basically Ratatat's "The Classics" on loop. Also, and this is kind of embarrassing to admit, but when I was feeling blue, I used to blast that Taylor Hicks song "Do I Make You Proud." Yeah...like I said, pretty embarrassing, but that dude can sing.
Are you working on any new YA novels? If so, can you tell us a little about them?
Yes, I'm under contract with Disney-Hyperion for another novel. We're still hashing out some of the details, but I'll be posting updates about this on my website (www.benjaminesch.com) very soon.
What are your favorite YA books/authors?
There are a ton, but I'm just gonna stick to the highlights:
King Dork by Frank Portman. The first YA book that I ever read, and how I found my agent. I don't think I ever would have gotten published without this book.
The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex. Adam is the most talented guy in the entire YA world and possibly the nicest person I have ever met. Smekday is particularly cool, because Adam breaks up the text with really great illustrations and comic book panels.
Girls for Breakfast and Stop Me If You've Heard This One Before by Dave Yoo. Full disclosure: Dave is my favorite writer in the entirety of young adult literature. His books have a mix of humor and heart that's really unique and awesome. You really need to read these books.
I could go on with this all day, but some other writers that are rad: Emily Ecton, Paula Yoo, Jonathan Stroud, Sonya Sones, MT Anderson.
If SU were made into a movie, who would play the characters?
Dixie: I'm not sure. Somebody from Nickelodeon I guess? I kinda stopped watching that channel ever since they canceled "Clarissa Explains It All."
Huggy Bear (the hippy school counselor): John C. Reilly or Philip Seymour Hoffman. Wait...no, it has to be Zach Galifianakis. This role was made for him.
Rick (jock/bully): Brian Urlacher from the Chicago Bears with a blond wig.
Mrs. Trasker (Dixie's journalism teacher): Sharon Stone or Glenn Close.
Sergeant Presto (Dixie's dad): The guy who played the dad in Twilight or Tom Selleck.
Brandon (Dixie's older brother): That hunky guy from Twilight. I understand he's popular.
Can you summarize the plot of Sophomore Undercover?
Here's what the people at Disney-Hyperion worked up, and they do a much better job at explaining it than me:
For fifteen-year-old, adopted Vietnamese orphan Dixie Nguyen, high school is one long string of hard-to-swallow humiliations. He shares a locker with a nudist linebacker, his teachers are incompetent, and he's stuck doing fluff pieces for the school newspaper. But Dixie's luck takes a turn when he stumbles across one of the jocks using drugs in the locker room; not only does he finally have something newsworthy to write, but the chance to strike a blow against his tormentors at the school as well.
However, when his editor insists he drop the story and cover homecoming events instead, Dixie sets off on his own unconventional--and often misguided--investigation. He soon discovers that the scandal extends beyond the football team to something far bigger and more sinister than he ever thought possible. Once he follows the guidelines of his hero, Mel Nichols (journalism professor at Fresno State University and author of the textbook Elementary Journalism) this high school reporter just might save the world. That is, of course, if Dixie can stay out of juvenile hall, the hospital, and new age therapy long enough to piece it all together.
Part social satire, part teen-mystery parody, and wholly hilarious, Sophomore Undercover is a dazzling debut that will make headlines with teens everywhere.
What's the biggest obstacle you've had to overcome to get to where you are today as a published author?
The biggest obstacle was deciding that I wanted to be a writer and that I might be good enough to make a living writing books. I know that sounds pretty simple, but it took quite a while to drum up the confidence to believe a career as a writer was possible and even longer before I would admit it to anyone outside of my immediate family.
Up until the book sold, when people would ask me what I did for a living I used to stare down at my feet and mumble something like "oh, I just kinda do this and that" which is pretty embarrassing when you run into your old teachers at the supermarket.
Did any of your inspiration for this novel come from real life experiences?
Well, Sophomore Undercover is set in my home town, and pretty much all the characters are based on people I grew up with, so yeah, my real life experiences were a huge inspiration.
However, I'm not a Vietnamese orphan and I never worked for the school newspaper, so a lot of this was just make believe, too. Make believe is an underrated but essential part of fiction.
How long did it take you to write Sophomore Undercover?
The first draft took about six months or so. Granted, this was a pretty rough draft.
It took me another three months of revisions before I got the draft to a place where I felt I could show it to an agent.
After I hooked up with the agent, it was another seven months of revisions before he felt like we could sell it.
And then after the book sold to Disney-Hyperion, I probably went through another four or five rounds of revisions with my editors over the past year and a half.
So...I guess that makes the grand total of time to get the final book about two and a half years or so. Wow. That is staggeringly long. You kinda lose track of how much time these things actually take.
Do you have any advice or comments for aspiring novelists and the book blogging community?
My key advice to both writers and bloggers is the same thing: Write what you like.
If you're interested and passionate about a subject, that's really going to show through in your writing. Plus, if you're writing a book, you're going to be stuck with this thing for the next few years, anyway. You might as well make sure it's about something that you really like.
-------------
Thanks for the interview, Ben! Be sure to keep an eye out for my review!
-------------
What sets Sophomore Undercover apart from other YA novels?
There's a lot of great books in YA, but I think Sophomore Undercover is different because it is exactly the kind of book that I wanted to read when I was a teenager but could never find. I think Sophomore Undercover hits a lot of different notes than a lot of the books that are out there right now, and I really wish I could send this book back to the fifteen year old me. Hopefully some kids out there who are like the fifteen year old me will find Sophomore Undercover and enjoy it. That's my goal as a writer.
I would also like to sell enough books so I can buy a jet ski. That's my second goal as a writer.
If you had to create a soundtrack Sophomore Undercover, what would be on it?
I guess I'll just have to go with the music that I listened to when I wrote it, which was basically Ratatat's "The Classics" on loop. Also, and this is kind of embarrassing to admit, but when I was feeling blue, I used to blast that Taylor Hicks song "Do I Make You Proud." Yeah...like I said, pretty embarrassing, but that dude can sing.
Are you working on any new YA novels? If so, can you tell us a little about them?
Yes, I'm under contract with Disney-Hyperion for another novel. We're still hashing out some of the details, but I'll be posting updates about this on my website (www.benjaminesch.com) very soon.
What are your favorite YA books/authors?
There are a ton, but I'm just gonna stick to the highlights:
King Dork by Frank Portman. The first YA book that I ever read, and how I found my agent. I don't think I ever would have gotten published without this book.
The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex. Adam is the most talented guy in the entire YA world and possibly the nicest person I have ever met. Smekday is particularly cool, because Adam breaks up the text with really great illustrations and comic book panels.
Girls for Breakfast and Stop Me If You've Heard This One Before by Dave Yoo. Full disclosure: Dave is my favorite writer in the entirety of young adult literature. His books have a mix of humor and heart that's really unique and awesome. You really need to read these books.
I could go on with this all day, but some other writers that are rad: Emily Ecton, Paula Yoo, Jonathan Stroud, Sonya Sones, MT Anderson.
If SU were made into a movie, who would play the characters?
Dixie: I'm not sure. Somebody from Nickelodeon I guess? I kinda stopped watching that channel ever since they canceled "Clarissa Explains It All."
Huggy Bear (the hippy school counselor): John C. Reilly or Philip Seymour Hoffman. Wait...no, it has to be Zach Galifianakis. This role was made for him.
Rick (jock/bully): Brian Urlacher from the Chicago Bears with a blond wig.
Mrs. Trasker (Dixie's journalism teacher): Sharon Stone or Glenn Close.
Sergeant Presto (Dixie's dad): The guy who played the dad in Twilight or Tom Selleck.
Brandon (Dixie's older brother): That hunky guy from Twilight. I understand he's popular.
Can you summarize the plot of Sophomore Undercover?
Here's what the people at Disney-Hyperion worked up, and they do a much better job at explaining it than me:
For fifteen-year-old, adopted Vietnamese orphan Dixie Nguyen, high school is one long string of hard-to-swallow humiliations. He shares a locker with a nudist linebacker, his teachers are incompetent, and he's stuck doing fluff pieces for the school newspaper. But Dixie's luck takes a turn when he stumbles across one of the jocks using drugs in the locker room; not only does he finally have something newsworthy to write, but the chance to strike a blow against his tormentors at the school as well.
However, when his editor insists he drop the story and cover homecoming events instead, Dixie sets off on his own unconventional--and often misguided--investigation. He soon discovers that the scandal extends beyond the football team to something far bigger and more sinister than he ever thought possible. Once he follows the guidelines of his hero, Mel Nichols (journalism professor at Fresno State University and author of the textbook Elementary Journalism) this high school reporter just might save the world. That is, of course, if Dixie can stay out of juvenile hall, the hospital, and new age therapy long enough to piece it all together.
Part social satire, part teen-mystery parody, and wholly hilarious, Sophomore Undercover is a dazzling debut that will make headlines with teens everywhere.
What's the biggest obstacle you've had to overcome to get to where you are today as a published author?
The biggest obstacle was deciding that I wanted to be a writer and that I might be good enough to make a living writing books. I know that sounds pretty simple, but it took quite a while to drum up the confidence to believe a career as a writer was possible and even longer before I would admit it to anyone outside of my immediate family.
Up until the book sold, when people would ask me what I did for a living I used to stare down at my feet and mumble something like "oh, I just kinda do this and that" which is pretty embarrassing when you run into your old teachers at the supermarket.
Did any of your inspiration for this novel come from real life experiences?
Well, Sophomore Undercover is set in my home town, and pretty much all the characters are based on people I grew up with, so yeah, my real life experiences were a huge inspiration.
However, I'm not a Vietnamese orphan and I never worked for the school newspaper, so a lot of this was just make believe, too. Make believe is an underrated but essential part of fiction.
How long did it take you to write Sophomore Undercover?
The first draft took about six months or so. Granted, this was a pretty rough draft.
It took me another three months of revisions before I got the draft to a place where I felt I could show it to an agent.
After I hooked up with the agent, it was another seven months of revisions before he felt like we could sell it.
And then after the book sold to Disney-Hyperion, I probably went through another four or five rounds of revisions with my editors over the past year and a half.
So...I guess that makes the grand total of time to get the final book about two and a half years or so. Wow. That is staggeringly long. You kinda lose track of how much time these things actually take.
Do you have any advice or comments for aspiring novelists and the book blogging community?
My key advice to both writers and bloggers is the same thing: Write what you like.
If you're interested and passionate about a subject, that's really going to show through in your writing. Plus, if you're writing a book, you're going to be stuck with this thing for the next few years, anyway. You might as well make sure it's about something that you really like.
-------------
Thanks for the interview, Ben! Be sure to keep an eye out for my review!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Interview with Lisa Greenwald
Lisa Greenwald is the other of the upcoming young adult novel, My Life In Pink & Green. It is being released March 1, 2009. Click here to preorder it!
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Who is your favorite author and why?
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Thanks for the interview, Lisa! I'm really excited to read My Life In Pink & Green!
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What do you like to do when you're not writing?
When I'm not writing, I like to read (of course,) go to the movies, and go out to eat. I also like to people watch and walk around New York City. I'm not really a party-all-night kind of person and I prefer to go places where I can wear jeans and a hooded sweatshirt.
How long did it take you to write My Life In Pink & Green?
I started MY LIFE IN PINK & GREEN in the spring of 2007 and I sold it in November of 2007 but then I did a few revisions after that. I'd say it took about a year and a half.
How did you come up with the title?
Actually my fabulous agent Alyssa Eisner Henkin came up with the title so I can't take any of the credit. I know a great title when I see one, but it's very hard for me to think of them on my own!
Are the experiences in MLIP&G based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Most of MLIP&G is totally fictional but my grandfather was a pharmacist and he told me many stories about owning a pharmacy. My mom would help out there so she also told me stories about working behind the counter and talking to the customers. And even though the rest is totally made up, I think that I'm a little bit like Lucy. I worry like she does and I like to try to find ways to help when people are struggling. Also, Sunny is based on my best friend growing up. I loved her family and spending time at her house and learning about her culture.
Who is your favorite author and why?
My favorite book of all time is TUCK EVERLASTING by Natalie Babbitt. I read it in 6th grade and fell in love with it immediately. The characters felt so real to me, the writing is beautiful and the concept of living forever fascinates me. As for other favorite authors, I love Gabrielle Zevin, John Steinbeck, Ann Packer and Melissa Bank.
Who is your favorite band/singer and why?
This is a hard question! I can tell you my favorite song is "When a man loves a woman" by Percy Sledge. My other favorite singers/bands are: Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen and Dar Williams. I like songs that tell stories and songs that take a stand on events/circumstances going on in the world.
Are you working on any other novels?
Yes, right now I'm working on another tween novel. This one is about a girl going to the summer camp that her mother went to. I'm also beginning an adult book. I love writing for teens but the main character in this story is 21 so it's for slightly older readers.
Why did you choose to write books geared toward young adults?
I chose to write books geared toward young adults because in many ways I still feel like I'm a teenager. I remember middle school better than any other time in my life. I think the stories and experiences of young adults are the most interesting and often the most inspiring.
What advice to you have for aspiring novelists?
Write about what's important to you. Don't worry about writing anything groundbreaking or trying to write commercial fiction and don't think at all about following trends. Write what's meaningful to you and the passion and heart will come through.
Can you summarize the plot of My Life in Pink & Green?
I'm terrible at writing summaries actually. But you can visit my website for a summary: www.lisagreenwald.com/books
If MLIP&G were made into a movie, who would play the characters?
I'd pick Abigail Breslin to play Lucy. I'd pick Laura Linney or Mary Louise Parker to play Lucy's mom and Mimi Weddell to play Lucy's Grandma. She's a little old for the part but the makeup people can make her look younger and I love her. I don't have anyone in mind for Sunny so I'd love to do an open casting call where kids could come and be discovered! When I was that age, I really wanted to get discovered and even went on a few casting calls! It was so much fun.
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Thanks for the interview, Lisa! I'm really excited to read My Life In Pink & Green!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Interview with Lauren Baratz-Logsted
Lauren Baratz-Logsted is the other of quite a few novels for all age groups. Her upcoming young adult novel Crazy Beautiful will be released on September 7, 2009. The countdown widget for it can be found in the sidebar of my blog. I encourage you to add it to your blog!
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According to your website, Crazy Beautiful is "a contemporary re-visioning of Beauty & the Beast." How so?
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According to your website, Crazy Beautiful is "a contemporary re-visioning of Beauty & the Beast." How so?
CRAZY BEAUTIFUL is told in he-said/she-said fashion and is similar to Beauty & the Beast in many ways. Both stories feature characters who are judged by most of the world - one positively, one negatively - strictly based on what can be seen on the surface. There's also the theme of impossible love. And - without giving too many secrets away! - there's a handsome boy who is evil like Gaston, and a librarian father who is widowed. Yet, despite it's debt to classic fairy tales, CRAZY BEAUTIFUL is also a very modern story of teens just trying to fit in.
Speaking of Beauty & the Beast, what's your favorite fairy tale?
Speaking of Beauty & the Beast, what's your favorite fairy tale?
I do like Beauty & the Beast for the way it's set apart from other fairy tales - it's really the only one of the major ones that features the male as more than just a device to make the girl look good and to save her in the end. But if I have to pick a favorite, I think I'll go with Sleeping Beauty, because if I'm going to live in a fairy tale I want the prince to have to do something grand to save me in the end like battling a fire-breathing dragon on a narrow bridge.
Which character in Crazy Beautiful are you most like?
Which character in Crazy Beautiful are you most like?
The librarian father, maybe? Really, I don't think I'm most like any of them, certainly not the lead characters Lucius and Aurora. That said, there's a part of each of them in me and I suspect that's true of a lot of us. Like Lucius, sometimes the greatest tragedies in my life are of my own making; and like Aurora, I sometimes fail to see my strengths in the ways that others view them. And yeah, like the librarian father, I really am gaga about books.
What sets Crazy Beautiful apart from other YA novels?
What sets Crazy Beautiful apart from other YA novels?
Oh, I think I'll leave that one to readers to decide. After all, if I attempt an answer, won't people say, "Ooh, doesn't she think she's special?" The only answer I'm qualified to give would be to say how it differs from my previous YA novels, ANGEL'S CHOICE and SECRETS OF MY SUBURBAN LIFE, and that would be that due to using the he-said/she-said format, and writing each of Lucius' and Aurora's perspectives in first person, this is the first time in my career that I've channeled the voice of a boy. It has been both challenging and fun in ways I hadn't dreamed.
How did you decide on Crazy Beautiful for the title of your upcoming novel?
How did you decide on Crazy Beautiful for the title of your upcoming novel?
Finally - an easy question! It's because the rumor about Lucius is that he's crazy and the first thing anyone thinks about Aurora is that she's beautiful.
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
Read. I read an insane amount of books. I also like to spend time with my family and friends. And, occasionally, I still get out to shoot pool.
You've written books geared toward all age groups from children to adult. Which age group is your favorite to write for and why?
You've written books geared toward all age groups from children to adult. Which age group is your favorite to write for and why?
I love them all, and I'm not just saying that so none of the genres or age groups I write for will be offended! Seriously, each one stretches different writing muscles and I'm grateful to have a writing career in which I can pursue so many different writing interests. That said, I am particularly fond of THE SISTERS EIGHT series for young readers, because I created it with my novelist husband Greg Logsted and our nine-year-old daughter Jackie. Readers can learn more about the series at www.sisterseight.com. How could I not be partial to the series I got to create with my kid??? But of course, I adore writing YA, because it's just such a fascinating age group to write for and about. And then there's writing for adults, which I love because... Do you see how hard this question is for me?
Can you give us a teaser quote from Crazy Beautiful?
Can you give us a teaser quote from Crazy Beautiful?
From Lucius, who opens the book:
My arm rises toward my face and the pincer touch of cold steel rubs against my jaw.
I chose hooks because they were cheaper.
I chose hooks because I wouldn’t outgrow them so quickly.
I chose hooks so that everyone would know I was different, so I would scare even myself.
And then when Aurora's voice enters into the story 10 pages later, it sounds like this:
I hear the dog alarm go off in the same instant I become aware of the first morning light in my room. I like rising early, like sleeping with the blinds open because I’m scared of the dark.
In the dark, almost anything can happen.
What are you reading right now?
What are you reading right now?
Graceling, the YA novel by Kristin Cashore, and it's absolutely glorious.
What advice to you have for aspiring novelists? The YA book blogging community?
What advice to you have for aspiring novelists? The YA book blogging community?
For aspiring novelists, I always give the same two pieces of advice: read, read, read everything you can get your hands on because you need to be a good reader if you want to be a good writer; and always remember, the only person who can ever really take you out of the game is you.
As for my advice to the YA blogging community, it's simple: keep doing what you're doing! I've been in the publishing business in one capacity or another - independent bookseller, Publishers Weekly reviewer, freelance editor, novelist - for over a quarter of a century and I've never seen anything like the enthusiasm that the YA book blogging community brings to the table. Every time I read another article bemoaning the supposed fact that teens don't read anymore, I think about all of you and realize that about some things the conventional journalists don't appear to have a clue. You people rock.
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Thanks, Lauren! I can't wait to read Crazy Beautiful!
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Thanks, Lauren! I can't wait to read Crazy Beautiful!
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