AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Amy Brecount White

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Amy Brecount White is the author of Forget-Her-Nots a magical realism YA novel to be released by Greenwillow/HarperCollins on 3/2/2010.

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Delicious and magical, here is a debut novel about a new (and slightly misunderstood) girl at an exclusive boarding school. Laurel has always loved flowers, but when a class project calls for research into the Victorian language of flowers, she makes a potent discovery. Her affinity for blooming things is actually age-old magic, passed from one generation to the next-a bittersweet gift from her beloved mother, who’s recently died-and it gives Laurel the power to make people fall in and out of love. Laurel’s introduction to the secret society of flowerspeakers is rife with complications and mishaps-especially when her classmates convince her to use her magic at the prom. This evocative coming-of-age story lingers in the air much like the fragrant blooms that determine Laurel’s fate so mysteriously.

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THE MAGIC 8

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1. Mindi Scott: At age eight, what did you want to be when you grew up? And at age eighteen? And while you’re at it, what about at age twenty-eight?

Amy Brecount White: At age 8, I’m pretty sure I wanted to be exactly like my wonderful teacher.

At age 18, I wanted to be a college English professor. (Then I got tired of living in the library.)

At age 28, I wanted to be a writer.

2. MS: Which Breakfast-Club-style label would have best fit your teeanage self?

ABW: The Total Nerd Who's Trying to Pretend She's Not.

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3. MS: What are some of your superstitions and/or phobias?

ABW: My major phobia is heights. It’s not that I don’t like them, it’s just that they make me feel like I want to jump. Not a good thing.

4. MS: Without giving away too much from your book, which character or scene are you the most pleased about having created, and why?

ABW: I LOVE the prom scene, because it’s serious but funny and romantic, too. And I wrote and rewrotes it like a gazillion times, so it better be good.

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5. MS: Was there any certain music that inspired you while you were writing this book, or is there a song that could serve as your protagonist’s theme song?

ABW: I’m weird in that I write best in total silence. Otherwise, it’s hard for me to hear the voices in my head.

For Laurel, I like The Fray’s “Over My Head.” It’s not a perfect fit, but it makes me think of how she feels at lots of points in the novel.

6. MS: What’s up next for you as a writer?

ABW: I’m finishing up a second YA, but this one is realistic and has nothing to do with flowers. I’d love to revisit the flowerspeaking world, but that’s still in the future. Eight ball?

7. MS: And now, the most important question of all: Beatle or Elvis? Please support your answer. ;-)

ABW: Beatles. “Norwegian Wood.” Bizarre but lovely. I just adore that song and so many others. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNV2vaxOQ-Y

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8. MS: Okay, your turn. Do you have a question you'd like me to ask my Magic 8 Ball on your behalf? (I'm telling you, this things is scarily accurate! Well, except for when it's lying.)

ABW: What will my next work be about? (Still working on this and taking suggestions!)

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MS: I don't think that really answered your question! But it would make a cool title maybe? :-D Thank you so much, Amy!

ABW: Thank you so much, Mindi. It's been fun. :-)

To learn more about Amy and her debut novel, FORGET-HER-NOTS, visit http://www.amybrecountwhite.com/