AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Margie Gelbwasser

A few weeks ago, I read Margie Gelbwasser's debut novel, INCONVENIENT.  I really enjoyed it!  I'm not Russian or Jewish, so I loved getting to learn more about those cultures.  I also found Alyssa to be a wonderful, relatable, and real protagonist.  If you like contemporary YA stories with emotional character journeys, I definitely recommend that you check out INCONVENIENT!

Here's my Magic 8 interview with Margie:

Margie Gelbwasser is the author of INCONVENIENT, a YA novel that was released by Flux on November 1, 2010.

In fifteen-year-old Alyssa Bondar’s Russian-Jewish culture, having a few drinks is as traditional as blinchiki and piroshki. So when her mom’s midday cocktails turn into an all-day happy hour, it seems like Alyssa’s the only one who notices—or cares. Her dad is steeped in the nightly news—and denial—and her best friend Lana is too busy trashing their shared Russian heritage so she can be popular.

Alyssa would rather focus on cross-country meets and her first kiss with her running partner, Keith, but someone has to clean up her mom’s mess. But who will be there to catch Alyssa when her mom’s next fall off the wagon threatens to drag her down, too?

1. 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?

I always wanted to be a writer. That was my dream. But in my family of science people (my dad is an engineer, my mom is a chemist, my sis a doctor), I think writing wasn't thought of as a career. My parents thought I was talented in it, but I guess no one thought you could have this as a job, including me. So since I was 4 I wanted to be a doctor. By 18, I realized math and science weren't my strong suit, so I went to school to major in English and Education (so I guess Teacher is the answer to age 18). By 28, I was making the transition of leaving  teaching and pursuing writing as a career.

2. Which Breakfast-Club-style label would have best fit your teenage self?

I played clarinet from 5th grade to 12th so let's go with band geek, but I really wanted to be a cheerleader.

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

I am really scared of mice and rats, not the cute ones behind cages in pet stores that keep busy sleeping and running on their wheels. I'm talking about the ones that you see on the streets or those that sneak into your house in the winter. DO NOT LIKE THEM. I'm also scared of heights.

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

One of my favorite characters in the book is Lana, Alyssa's best friend. I don't agree with how she behaves but she was so fun for me to write and I just love how she evolved from being totally mean in the first draft to more three dimensional in the final version. As for scenes, I really love the first kiss between Alyssa and Keith. I like the thoughts going through her head, how he acts, their banter. That scene just
makes me swoon. Another scene I like a lot is the barn party because you see a different side of Alyssa and her struggles.

5. 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?

I know I'm in the minority, but music doesn't fuel my writing. I love music. I love dancing to music, and I have favorite songs and artists. In fact, once the book is written, I often hear a song and think this would work so well in X scene in my book. But the whole playlist thing? I think the idea is terrific but I just don't think of my stories in that way as I write. Or, maybe, I'm just too lazy to create one (I tried an got up to two songs. They take A LOT of work!). I do, however, envision my books as movies and have ideas how all the scenes will play out and who would play the characters. For example, my ideal actor for Keith would be Chris Olivero (Declan McDonough from Kyle XY).

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

I am working on a YA called THE AIR I BREATHE which I'm excited about. It's told in multiple POVs and it's dark and edgy. It will be out by Flux in November 2011. I'm also revising an MG—aimed at boys in 4th -6th grade—for my agent.

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

Hmm...tough one, but I'm going with Beatles. Their songs were so thought-provoking and you got a choice of 4 dudes, not just one!

8. 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 thing is scarily accurate! Well, except for when it’s lying.)

Um, OK. Will INCONVENIENT become a major blockbuster with Jennifer Aniston playing the role of the mother? I love her!

Oops.  I forgot to tell you that my Magic 8-Ball is also a total jerkwad that seems to enjoy CRUSHING DREAMS.  Anyway, thank you so much, Margie!  :-D

Thanks so much for having me, Mindi!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Mindi Scott (Yes, I interviewed myself!)

If you've been reading this blog for any amount of time, you might have noticed this feature I do called "The Magic 8," which is eight questions for authors.  I originally wrote them for John C. Ford when his book came out in the summer of aught-nine after considering which questions I would like to be asked one day. 

Now that That Book I Wrote That One Time is coming out TOMORROW, I decided to finally answer these questions myself. So here I go:

1. 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?

Eight: a teacher
Eighteen: a dental hygienist
Twenty-eight: an author

2. Which Breakfast-Club-style label would have best fit your teenage self?

The Extroverted Introvert.

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

I am afraid of scary movies. And by scary, I mean just about anything resembling horror or suspense in any fashion.  They give me nightmares and sometimes make me afraid of the dark for years.  Also, seeing tempered glass all broken but still held together in a pane makes me cry (worst-case scenario) or feel itchy on the head(best-case scenario).

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

Hands down, Seth.  In him, I feel like I created a character who comes a long way in the course of the book.  The guy on page 1 would never have done what the guy on page 295 did.  (And, yes, The Thing that Happens on Page 295 is my favorite moment in the book.  But DON'T look up page 295 unless you've already read the book.  If you read the scene out of context, it won't mean anything to you and then you'll have spoiled yourself and then we'll both be sad!) 

5. 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?

Was there ever!  Seth's theme song is "It's Been Awhile" by Staind.  I know, I know! But it really, really fits when he's depressed and stuff.

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

I'm working on more contemporary YA!  And this is an exclusive!  Right here!  My three in-progress manuscripts deal with 1) teen marriage, 2) sexual abuse and 3) suburban gangs.  [/Bringing the Awkward. Like I do]

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

So here's the thing.  I was big into the Beatles when I was in my early-20s.  Then I decided I was over them.  Then I got waaaaay into Elvis.  Then I watched the movie ACROSS THE UNIVERSE and started to love the Beatles again.  And . . . I kind of feel like I prefer the Beatles to Elvis.  So Beatles!  That's my answer.   Until I change my mind again.

8. 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 thing is scarily accurate! Well, except for when it’s lying.)

You don't have to tell ME how scary-accurate it is!  My question is:  Will I eat a veggie corn dog from Hot Dog on a Stick tomorrow?

Hooray!!!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Steve Brezenoff

Steve Brezenoff is the author of The Absolute Value of -1, a YA realistic novel released by Carolrhoda Lab on September 1, 2010.

The absolute value of any number, positive or negative, is its distance from zero: |-1| = 1 .

Noah, Lily, and Simon have been a trio forever. But as they enter high school, their relationships shift and their world starts to fall apart. Privately, each is dealing with a family crisis—divorce, abuse, and a parent’s illness. Yet as they try to escape the pain and reach out for the connections they once counted on, they slip—like soap in a shower. Noah’s got it bad for Lily, but he knows too well Lily sees only Simon. Simon is indifferent, suddenly inscrutable to his friends. All stand alone in their heartache and grief.

In his luminous YA novel, Steve Brezenoff explores the changing value of relationships as the characters realize that the distances between them are far greater than they knew.

And now for the Magic 8 questions!

1. 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?

Eight: a chef. I was endlessly whipping up terrible masterpieces in the kitchen
Eighteen: an English teacher, because I was certain I’d never succeed as a writer
Twenty-eight: a music journalist, and I had a little success. Very little.

2. Which Breakfast-Club-style label would have best fit your teenage self?

Burnout Band-geek?!

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

This is kind of embarrassing, but when I was much younger—like maybe 8—I started sleeping with the blankets over my head to prevent vampire attacks during the night. I STILL DO THIS.

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

I’m most proud of Lily. I never thought I’d be able to give a female character a good voice, but I think Lily comes across as quite real. Several girls and women have read |-1| already, and most really connected with her. That makes me feel pretty good.

5. 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?

There are three protagonists here, and I actually know just which songs they all get as their themes. Lily gets “Paperdoll” by Kittie; Noah gets “Passin’ Me By” by the Pharcyde; and Simon gets “He Feels Bad” by Helmet. What can I say? The 90s were a good musical decade.

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

I’m this close to selling my second novel, about which I will say very little: it’s more realistic fiction, this time in Brooklyn and starring a couple of runaways.

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

Elvis Costello? No? In that case, the Beatles, but I’d love a third choice.

8. 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 thing is scarily accurate! Well, except for when it’s lying.)

Will we ever have a bigger house??

As usual, the camera on my Blackberry is taking TERRIBLE pictures.  But!  The good news, in case you can't read it, is that the answer is, "As I see it yes." 

Hooray!!!!!  Thank you so much, Steve!

And, everyone else, if you love edgy YA (like I do!), do check out THE ABSOLUTE VALUE OF -1.  I got a chance to read it already and I absolutely loved the three-narrator structure.  Steven does a fabulous job with voice and authentic teen dialogue and point of view! 

Wait!  One more thing!  Here's the book trailer:

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Denise Jaden

Denise Jaden is the author of LOSING FAITH, a contemporary YA novel coming out from Simon Pulse on September 7, 2010.  That's in just a few days, you guys!  I already got a chance to read the ARC and it was a really great read.  I had taken it with me to work one day and was very, very tempted to read a page or two during the workday.  :-D

Denise is currently doing a really fun online launch party with lots of great interviews and prizes for you!  Check out her blog to get the scoop each day.   

And now, here are her answers to my Magic 8 interview!

1. 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?

At eight I probably wanted to be some kind of dancer. I still am a professional Polynesian dancer, performing regularly with a very fun dance troupe, so I got that part right!

At eighteen, I wanted to be an actress. I went to the University of Victoria and majored in Theatre (and parties).

By twenty-eight, I just wanted to be a mom. It took me several years to make it happen, but now I have one very adorable little boy (adorable most of the time, anyway!)

2. Which Breakfast-Club-style label would have best fit your teenage self?

I was the Drama Geek. And the girl who got along with everyone. I’m probably still kinda that girl.

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

I’m not terribly superstitious and I’m constantly trying to break myself of my fears. Like my main character, Brie, I do have an ongoing fear of heights I can’t seem to shake though.

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

I LOVE Tessa Lockbaum. Even though she wasn’t in my outline, she appeared during the writing of the first draft and pretty much took over the story. As for a favorite scene, I really like the one when Brie and her mom are making pasta together. It always makes me cry. I can’t say any more than that without spoilers.

5. 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?

You know, I love music, and have very eclectic taste, but I’ve never really felt a connection between music and writing. I need silence to write. One of the activities on the LOSING FAITH Discussion Guide on my website is to create a playlist for my book, and I hope one day to be able to see some of those playlists. I’d love to see what music other people would choose for LOSING FAITH.

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

At the moment I’m working on another YA book, this one about a teen archer who’s battling some family problems and falling for the wrong guy. It’s titled PERFECT AIM.

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

This is a tough one! Elvis has the moves. But then again, who can compete with… Hey, Jude…
I plead the fifth!

8. 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.)

Will I be bigger than John Grisham? (Now we’ll KNOW if it’s lying!)

T
These pictures are getting harder to read every time!  Sorry!  What it says is, "Better not tell you now."   I guess it thinks that we CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH.  Ha!  Thanks so much, Denise!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Shari Maurer

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Shari Maurer is the author of Change of Heart, a YA novel published by WestSide Books and now available.  She joins us as part of her “You Gotta Have HEART” blog tour.

In a world where the most stressful thing seems to be winning a soccer game or what to wear in the morning, you take some really basic things for granted.

Like the love of your parents.

Or hanging with your friends.

Or the beating of your heart.

When you’re 16 years old, it never occurs to you that you might die. Emmi Miller’s got a fabulous life. She has tons of friends, does great in school and is an all-star soccer player who played in Europe last summer. It even looks like Sam Hunter, a totally cute baseball player, might be interested in her. And then she gets a virus. No biggy, right? Until the virus goes to her heart and weakens it so much that, without a transplant, Emmi will die.

Will Emmi get a heart in time?  Is Sam too good to be true?  What about her new friend Abe, who has also had a transplant and guides her through these scary times — is he just being supportive or is there more going on between them?  And will Emmi realize it before it’s too late?

THE MAGIC 8

1.      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?

At eight, I wanted to be a Supreme Court Justice.  I was very into the Women’s Lib Movement of the 70’s (yes, at eight).

At eighteen, I was still figuring it out.  It was the time I was morphing from being a pre-Law Political Science major to an English Major who had no idea what I wanted to do.

 

At twenty-eight, I had a one year old daughter and had decided to “retire” from my career in International Production for Sesame Street.  So at that point, I was just focused on being a mom and figured I’d worry about the future as the kids got older.

2.      Which Breakfast-Club-style label would have best fit your teenage self? 

(Clever Examples:  The Bad Ass, The Athlete, The Hottie, The Dork, The Genius, The Psycho, The Social Butterfly, The Band Geek, The Drama Queen/King, The I Wish I Were a Vampire, The Entirely Something Else.)
I just read through the list and crossed them off as I went.  Is there a “goodie goodie” choice?  I was an honors student, played volleyball, was a yearbook editor – that kind of stuff.

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

Huge snake phobia (yeah, don’t try to psychoanalyze that one).  When my husband and I were at camp when we were 17 he came back from the soccer field with his hands behind his back, telling me he had a surprise.  I thought ‘wow, he picked wildflowers, what a great guy.’  Until he pulled the dead snake out.  I screamed and sobbed and it took me about a half hour to recover.  He never did that again!

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

I like Abe, Emmi’s friend who has also had a heart transplant.  He’s a little geeky and a little cool and I’m not sure if he’s majorly insecure or has more self-esteem than all of us.

5.      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?

“Don’t Stop” by Fleetwood Mac.  You’ll have to read the book to see how it fits in.

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

Tweaking Book 2, “Ellie’s Sister” and creating a Book 3.

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

My mom was a huge Elvis fan, but I’ll have to say the Beatles.  Lennon and McCartney were two of the greatest songwriters ever.

8.      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 thing is scarily accurate!  Well, except for when it’s lying.)

Will BP find a solution to the oil spill before the end of the summer?

 Oh.  Outlook not so good.  That is disappointing news.  :-( 

Thank you so much for answering my questions, Shari!

Thanks, Mindi. I just wanted to throw in one more little thing: a plug for organ donation registration. I’ve been using my book tour to encourage people to register to become organ donors. There is a severe shortage of available organs and while I hope you never need it, if the unimaginable does happen, wouldn’t it be great to save several lives? For more information please go to www.donatelife.net.