Showing posts with label Interviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Interviews. Show all posts

Author Interview - Margie Gelbwasser

You can read the books synopsis and some user reviews of the book over at Goodreads HERE 

You might recall my PIECES OF US review . I remember feeling so many emotions after finishing it. It was a little tough to stomach at times, but at the same time it was so thought -provoking that I couldn't get it out of my head. It stayed with me. One thing I knew was that I wanted to know MORE after finishing it.  So what can be more perfect than a interview with the author herself?

 Thank you for joining me today!  :)

What do you think about some readers mentioning that Pieces Of Us is not YA? Do you consider it Adult or you don't pay attention to labels? 
Flux describes YA like this: “Where young adult is a point of view, not a reading level.” I completely agree with this. However, I do think PIECES OF US is best suited for teens 15 or 16 and up due to the mature content and subject matter. I also think it's a great crossover book, meaning it can be read by both adults and teens. In fact, I recommend parents read it with their teens because I think it could be a great tool for the discussion of the important issues concerning teens today. As for the comments, that it is not a YA book, I find them disturbing because the events occurring are happening to teens today. So it's ok for these horrors to occur, but not ok for people to read about them? Until rape, cyberbullying, dating violence, and abuse stop affecting teens, I'll keep writing about them.

I understand that Kyle's narrative being in second person had to do with him not being to accept all that was happening, or distancing himself from it all. He also seemed the most innocent out of them all. Him being a favourite of mine, I have to ask, does Kyle remind you of anyone in particular?
Kyle was my favorite too because I found him to be the greatest victim. I felt he had the least control of what happened to him. But, no, Kyle wasn't based on anyone I know.

Although Kyle is a spectator to what Katie is going through, he never actually intervenes and tries to stop what is happening. Why is this?
I think he wants to, but he is as scared of Alex as Katie is. Both Katie and Kyle are his victims, and Kyle is shamed by the fact he doesn't intervene.

All four have troubled childhoods in some way or the other. But do you personally feel that it justifies any of their actions?
No, I do not feel the actions are justified, but their difficult childhoods could explain why they behave the way they do. However, just because a childhood may be traumatic due to poor parenting, etc., it does not give anyone the excuse to hurt another human being.

Why did you choose to make this book so bleak, without any sense of hope until the very end? (because their lives seemed to be so full of bad times, with so little of the good. but surely, there are the happy times in between, too, right?)
I appreciate you seeing that there is hope in the end. :-) It wasn't a conscious decision to make it bleak or not. I wanted to write about the issues these four teens faced and how one person's actions can affect others, how bullying and abuse do not just affect the victim. So that is what this book is about. These parts of the character's lives and what happens. In your review you say, “They said it was too dark, graphic, disturbing and edgy. I just say it's real.” I LOVED that. And that's how I see it too.

Can you shed a little more light on how you feel Alex abusing Kyle throughout the novel has shaped Kyle as an individual.
When someone is victimized throughout his life by someone he trusts, I believe it makes him question his own judgement, who he is, his strength or lack thereof. It makes the victim doubt who he is and what he stands for. It makes him think this is the life he must have and that there is no way to break free. I think all this applies to Kyle.

Could you tell me a little about why Alex feels the way he does about women? And what his thought process is when it comes to women as a whole? (I have my thoughts but would love to hear your personal thoughts on him)
Since Alex blames his mother for all the horrors in his life, he takes this anger out on other women. He puts “virtuous” women on pedestals and others he looks down on. I do say it's because of his mother, but I bet it goes deeper than that. I have known guys like Alex and I had wondered the same thing—why they behave how they do, what I could have done differently to change them. Writing this book I learned it's not about the woman at all. It's about whatever demons these types of men possess, and it's best to recognize this kind of guy from the beginning, rather than fall into an abusive trap. Now, please tell me your thoughts. :-)

What four words come to mind when I name the following:
Alex: Controlling
Kyle: Damaged
Julie: Beaten-down
Katie: Scarred
Katie & Julie's mother: Selfish

Posted by Blueicegal ♥ at 23:19 Comments
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Interview - Jay Asher


JAY ASHER has worked at an independent bookstore, an outlet bookstore, a chain bookstore, and two public libraries. He hopes, someday, to work for a used bookstore. When he is not writing, Jay plays guitar and goes camping.Thirteen Reasons Why is his first published novel
I have been anticipating this day for quite some time. Ever since I first read Thirteen Reasons Why back in 2009, I was left at a loss and in complete shock. I wanted, no, I needed answers. Ever since, this book has always held a special place. I have recommended it to many. And all have loved it, and rightfully so. Today I have the wonderful author Jay Asher joining me. Hopefully through this interview many of your questions will be put to rest. Enjoy!

  


Which book cover do you think captures Hannah the best? (I personally think the US cover does. It captures her and her loneliness perfectly.)
We're in agreement! There was so much I was hoping to say with this book, to challenge certain stereotypes of suicide, and the US cover captured it perfectly. If you saw that girl, you'd probably think her life was going okay. And yet, her expression tells you that something isn't quite right. Some of the other covers have a similar feel to them, but the US cover hits the perfect tone, especially with the swingset being used a symbol of past innocence.

Can you tell me something about Hannah that we don't know? Some facts that could help us know her a little better. 
Everything I know about Hannah is in the book. When her voice came to me, it was so strong that I just had to back away and let her tell her story. In fact, there are certain things she says that I don't fully understand, but they felt right coming out of her mouth, so I let her say them. There aren't any ideas or notes floating around from when I developed her character that didn't make it into her story. So I suppose anyone who reads the book knows her just as well as I do.

Clay could have easily been at fault in someway, just as much as the others since he was on the tape. However, you chose for him to be innocent. Why? Was it because he shared so much of your traits and regrets in high school, or was there another specific reason?
Clay serves two purposes. First, he acts as the eyes and ears of the reader. Everything we hear from Hannah is immediately filtered through Clay's thoughts. Because of that intimacy readers have with him, it was important to give them a break when Clay's story finally gets revealed. Had they been following any of the other characters that closely, the reading experience would've been a lot less satisfying. Second, I wanted this to be a suspenseful read, and one of the main ways to do that was to have Clay wonder what Hannah was going to say about him. If he knew what his cassette was going to be about (if he knew he did something horrible), readers would also know because they're in his head, and the book would've lost a lot of its tension.

When you think of Hannah's story, is there a moment which takes you back to a tough time in your life?
No, and I think it's because I tried to make every scene about Hannah and not about me. Certain things she went through may have been inspired by real events or emotions I've experienced, but then I twisted them around to make them fit her specific story. So whenever I think about her situations and emotions, I can only picture them as they relate to her.

What do you say to those who say her reasons were not enough?
I knew people would expect there to be one or two huge things they could point to and say, "That's the reason she killed herself." But if I wrote the story that way, everything else Hannah talked about would get brushed aside as insignificant by the other characters and the readers, but all of it was significant to her. One point I wanted to make with this book is that every person has a different threshold for what they can handle, and we can't set that limit for anyone but ourselves (and even that isn't entirely possible). So yes, there are plenty of people who've survived far worse than what Hannah went through, but there are also those who took their lives based on far less.

Tyler was a pervert and wrong, yes, but there were those who did things just as bad, if not worse, so why do you think Hannah pointed out his wrong-doings and flaws for so long? And also took most of the aftermath (regarding rocks being thrown at his window). Was it because he was the weakest and a easy target for the others on the tape, because it helped them feel less guilty, or because they felt so guilty that they had to blame someone else who they knew would take it?
As far as Hannah's portion of the book, all of the chapters are about the same length, so I don't think she spends more time on Tyler than the others. But she does tell his story in a more creative way. I think she assumed Tyler would think what he did wasn't that bad, so she gave him a taste of what he did to make her point a bit clearer. As far as why some of the other people took out their frustrations on him, I think you're right. He was an easy target and it helped them accept less blame.

Apart from Hannah and Clay, which character was the most emotionally draining to write?
Tyler, for the exact reasoning in your last question. He endured so much from the other people, beyond what Hannah dished out, that I felt bad for him. Even though I never wrote a scene from inside his house, it must've been devastating whenever someone threw a rock at his window. He must've known why it was happening, and I'm sure his parents were asking him about it. That's actually one repercussion of these tapes that I don't think Hannah anticipated or would've wanted.

Clay seems to represent us readers. Like many of us, he loved Hannah whilst he also grew frustrated and angry with her for pushing him and others away. In a way, he said all the things that we couldn't. And I feel that it only connected us more to Clay. Was that done intentionally?
It took me a year-and-a-half to write Hannah's story straight through, and then I went back to write Clay's portion. By then, I'd forgotten a lot of the particulars in Hannah's story. So if I had a strong reaction to something she said on the tapes, it made sense that Clay would, too. Because I knew some readers would get frustrated and angry with Hannah, having Clay feel the same way lets them know that those emotions are entirely appropriate. Still, I've read some negative reviews that state they "know" my intention was to have the reader feel nothing buy sympathy for Hannah, and they didn't share that "intended" sympathy, which always puzzles me. They must think Clay's side of the story was written by someone other than me. But I swear, I wrote the whole thing!

On one hand, I nodded along with Hannah when she was exposing these people, but then, there was this other side telling me that in her doing this and being so bitter, and in taking pleasure by breaking them all as they did her, does she really think it makes her any different from them? What is your thought on that?
For some of the characters, what she's doing is definitely more hurtful than what they did to her. But just as she wasn't blameless in some of the events she talks about, I also don't think she considered all of the ramifications of her cassettes. Again, some people wrongly think I intended for Hannah to be a perfect citizen. She wasn't! But from her own perspective, she just wanted to tell her story and hopefully make some of the people see the unintended results of their actions. I think if you were to catch her mid-recording and ask her if sending the tapes will make her any different than the people she's talking about, she would think for a moment and then answer, "Maybe not." But at that point, I don't she'd care. So does Hannah think the tapes will make a difference? I think she was realistic about it. For some of the characters, like Marcus, he'll just continue digging in his heels and denying his role in things. But for others, like Clay, he'll walk away from the tapes a better person.

Why not make Clay the thirteenth reason why since he was the only one who did good by her. I mean, wouldn't you save the best for last?
I knew that's what people would expect, so that's why I didn't do it. It was a risk, though, putting several more stories after his big reveal. But I knew there were more intense scenes to come, and I hoped readers would simply need to know the rest of the story by that point.

If Hannah knew that the tapes would not reach those on them, or even affect anyone, do you think she would have followed through with the suicide? (I ask this because those knowing how much they hurt her seemed very important to her and almost the one thing that made her feel in control. Like, in knowing after her death, their lives would be changed forever.)

Yes, she would've still commited suicide, because her reasoning for that wouldn't have changed. But I don't think she would've made the tapes if she thought they wouldn't make it through the list.

You could have made Hannah more likable - in the sense that despite caring for her, she had the tendency to frustrate the reader which hindered you being sympathetic towards her at times - when really, you could have given her typical traits of a MC. For instance, a girl who even though she was suicidal, wasn't on the verge of being disliked. Yet you chose not to. Did you choose this route with her because you wanted to challenge the reader in getting to know her and to accept her for who she was?
 I know it sounds weird, but Hannah truly came out however she wanted to come out. I didn't make her any more or less sympathetic to make a specific point. That said, I think it's much more powerful when readers are able to point out where she could have made better decisions. And it never mattered to me whether readers accepted Hannah, but I hoped they would try to understand her even if they didn't like her. She's a fictional character, but I think that's the best way to deal with real people, too.

Do you know what became of characters like Clay, Skye, and Bryce, or does Hannah and everyone else’s story end with the last page for you as it does with us readers?
I haven't put any thought into what happens with any of the characters after this story because it ends the very moment I said everything I wanted to say. Readers sometimes tell me what they think happens next, and I love hearing their ideas without having already formed ideas of my own. In that way, their suggestions could be right!

Why did Hannah's parents choose not to bury her where she passed away? Was it because they were aware of the tapes?
Those little questions in the book were fun for me, because they prove that we only know as much as the characters in the story know. Because Clay doesn't know the answer to the burial question, neither do the readers. Clay can only assume that they took her to be buried in the town they came from, and even though I wrote the book, that's my best guess, too.


Skye was someone who I would have liked to have known a lot better. What were your intentions with her character? That there are always second chances? (Which is what she largely seemed to represent. I also saw some possible romance in the future between her and Clay. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong there.)

I wouldn't use the term "second chances" as much as the idea that we always have room to change for the better. When readers first see Skye on the bus, Clay gives a little background into her character. She used to be happy and friendly, but then something happened in her life and she changed. That's all we know because that's all Clay knows. A lot of people ask if she's suicidal like Hannah, but I have no idea. She does exhibit some of the same traits as Hannah, but maybe she'll be just fine once she gets out of high school. Either way, Clay decides to no longer ignore her the way everyone else does. Maybe, in the moments after the book ends, Skye tells Clay to mind his own business because maybe she was happy in her bubble. Or their relationship could develop into a romance. Or they could become casual friends. Or good friends! Whatever you think is most plausible based on the characters you read about, that's what happens!
  
Many years have passed since the release of Thirteen Reasons Why, yet it continues to affect us and holds a special place among us readers. What can you say looking - when looking back - is the biggest lesson that you have learnt, not only from the large response from your readers, but from writing the book itself?
What I learned while writing the book was to trust my instincts about character and plot and setting, and not follow every "writing rule" if the rule doesn't fit this particular story. But more important than that, I've learned so much from what my readers have told me about their experiences with Hannah and Clay. Because of them, I was able to take a step back and internalize what they told me they learned from my book. So I suppose it's their fault that I'm now much more in love with this world, with the idea of being there for others, and with my life, than I was when I wrote the book. For that, I will forever be grateful to the fans of Thirteen Reasons Why.

Posted by Blueicegal ♥ at 20:14 Comments
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Delirium - Review & Interview with Lauren Oliver




Pub. Date: 3 February 2011 Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton 
Format: Hardcover , 400 pages  Age Range: Young Adult Source: Publishers


                         Rating;


- 100 pages to get into the book. Everything before all that is confusing and slow. But if you can bring yourself to trudge through those first 100 pages guys, then you will delve into heck of a treasure    

.    

My Thoughts - Lena, lives in a society where something many of us cherish is believed to be a disease; diagnosed asamor deliria nervosa i.e "Love" It is something she has grown up fearing ever since she can remember. The disease is known to be deadly, and thankfully Lena' birthday is approaching fast, she can't wait to get the procedure done to be cured. Her best friend Hana is slightly different though, she likes the idea of independence, and is even slightly rebellious. When Hana starts to drift away and change Lena feels hurt, but with it feels her curiosity heightening. With time, her best friend is able to give her a glimpse of a world completely forbidden, but so different from their own.

The key to unveiling all for Lena (as cheesy as it may sound) is Alex. Their romance is something that blossoms with time, and although Lena is hugely sceptic, and looks down on Hana at times because of her different way of thinking, it is Alex who shows her the true meaning of life, and due to this she opens herself up to a life full of possibilities, but also danger as well as "love".

Lena, had a mother once; that is until the disease took her and she committed suicide. It's something which has made her fear the disease, and hate her mother for succumbing to it. What Lena with time will find is that, there is so much that is being hidden from her. "The Truth"  if unravelled will make her a living target. The truth that society will stop at nothing to ensure; is never revealed.

Delirium, is a thought-provoking read with a sense of a Romeo and Juliet feel to it when it comes to the romantic aspect between Lena and Alex. 

A personal highlight for me is, characters you would never imagine liking e.g. ( Lena' older sister) you all of a sudden find yourself hugely sympathising for. Her sister was someone that stayed with me for so long. Something about what happened to her just wouldn't leave me. Her story is just so tragic, and if you really think to much into it, it has the potential to niggle at you for a long time like it did with me.

Delirium without a doubt is written absolutely beautifully; there is no denying Lauren Oliver' talent, in particular, her potent use of language which has the ability to engage readers on an emotional level.

It is a must read, and I most definitely will be looking forward to the two future instalments!

As always, I have tried to ask questions to which I knew you guys would be desperate to know the answers of. I know that I don't do enough interviews on the blog, but I'll be changing that in the near future, so. I guess this is a pretty good time to introduce the author I am interviewing today.  

An amazing writer and women that has already left a great mark, and impression among her writing peers as well as her readers; I give you.... Lauren Oliver!

Interview - Lauren Oliver



Is it better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all?

Oh, definitely to have loved and lost. Especially because, though it sometimes seems inconceivable, you can always love again.

If say a few years from now, love was believed to be a disease and you were to be cured within days, what would you do?
  
I would probably try to escape to Canada! And then I would make out with my boyfriend a lot. And I would spend a lot of time writing down what I love about love, so that I could be reminded of it after the cure.

Could you share with me a favourite quote, and explain the reason behind it.?

I love the quote: “Aim for truth, and beauty will follow. Aim for beauty, and truth will not necessarily follow.” It’s a quote I learned from a writing teacher, and he was counseling us about the craft of novel-writing, but I think it applies more generally to the best orientation to have to the world.

Spoiler *Delirium, DO not read the question!* 
What made you decide that Alex had to sacrifice himself rather than the both of them escaping?

It seemed more plausible to me. And I do believe a large part of love is sacrifice--except it doesn’t feel like sacrifice, because you’re happy to do it.

I always felt like Hana was the one person who thought outside the box, and not what she was expected to believe by society, until towards the end that is, then I realised that maybe she didn’t think so differently after all, maybe she just loved the idea of being different. Am I wrong or right there?

That’s a really great interpretation, and yes, I think you’re right. She liked being different to a point, and she certainly did like being thought of as different—but ultimately she was reined in by fears and conventions.

Why does Gracie choose not to talk?

Ah. Good question. Perhaps because she feels that the world is not prepared to hear what she has to say. :)

Would you leave the people you love, for the one you are in love with if you had to choose?

No. At least, I don’t think so. I certainly hope I never, ever have to make that choice.

I am one of the odd bloggers who just couldn't get past Sam's initial attitude, and sadly it affected me throughout the book, so, I would like to ask, if you were Juliet would you forgive Sam despite what she did for you in the end?

I’m not sure. Forgiveness is tricky and difficult; it’s so much easier to hang onto anger, pain, and judgment. But forgiveness is tremendously important, and can be freeing. You have to allow people to change; you have to believe in that possibility, I think.

In your opinion, why do girls go for guys like Rob when they have amazing boys like Kent completely in love with them already?

Oh, well, because people feel that if they can wrangle a difficult, standoffish, and kind of obnoxious man into a loving boyfriend it “proves” that they are lovable. Unfortunately, that often doesn’t work. And I also think that particularly in high school, people are attracted to an idea of popularity or social status, as much as they are attracted to the actual person.

I felt like Juliet was such an amazing character, yet we were kept at arms length and never got to truly know her, any particular reason as to why?

Our experience of Juliet is Sam’s experience of her; part of what Sam must come to realize is that Juliet has hidden depth and complexity. She has feelings and a life, parents, siblings. Sam and her friends treat Juliet like a symbol for much of the book. I wanted to leave the reader with precisely the recognition of depth that has not been explored—we have a tendency, to often, to judge people on surface alone.

When we were told of Rachel once being in love it really pulled at me. I found it so incredibly sad *You described her moments with Thomas beautifully* is there a chance that her story may be elaborated on in more detail in the next instalment?

It’s possible! Not in the next installment, necessarily. But I love the world I’ve created and I’m open to the future possibility of doing companion novellas or added materials to explore some of the supporting characters’ stories.

Could you tell me the actual reason behind why Thomas left Rachel despite the both of them being so in love?

Oh! Well, he probably just fell out of love with her. That’s a hard truth about love, too. It doesn’t always ask.

Could you elaborate on what happens during the procedure when you are supposedly cured?

I imagine that they perform alterations to the neuronal connections in the places responsible for mood regulation and perhaps memory.

Both Rachel and Juliet are personally, favourite characters of mine; could you tell me something that readers may not be aware of regarding both characters?

 Juliet used to make origami figures of swans. And Rachel sometimes sleep-walks; one time, she found that she had walked all the way to the beach, and waded ankle-deep in water, before she woke up.

I know that Rachel is not able to feel to an extent anymore, but does she truly not ache inside when she see's Thomas with her best friend? *I can't help but hope that there is more to her character.* 

She doesn’t. The cure has taken away from her ability to feel that pain. Some would say that that is one of its benefits, undoubtedly.

Spoiler - *Before I fall* 
What made Sam do what she did in the end, and why did you choose to end it that way?

Sam wanted to save Juliet. That’s all. It was the right thing to do and she realized she could do it. In fact, she realized that only she could do it, and that was the meaning behind the repetition of the last day. I always knew that the book would end this way. It had to, in order for Sam’s growth to be legitimate. She does the right thing despite the fact that it will have no additional positive consequences for her. It’s a pure action.

Don't read the question, if you have not read Before I Fall! 
Now that Sam is gone, could to tell me how all her friends are coping, including Juliet and Kent and Lindsey. What happened to them? *I have always been curious*

Well, that is for you to figure out! The world I created was Sam’s world, and Sam’s story—everything that occurs beyond that belongs as much to my readers as it does to me. That’s part of the beauty of a novel—it can reverberate outward, and its characters can resonate with you long after the book is done. You become, in a sense, an author of the story as well.

Lindsey is so ruthless towards Juliet despite knowing she will never retaliate, what in your opinion makes a person like Lindsey turn cruel for such a long period of time without remorse.

What makes a dog turn violent and aggressive? Past pain—fear and insecurity, a sense of never being safe. Often, I think people have the sense that they have two options: either push, or be pushed. And so people like Lindsay begin to push.

Spoiler *Delirium* This has been niggling at me for quite some time, did Hana betray Lena in the end?

No! Hana helped Lena at the end. She finds Alex and tells him about the change to Lena’s procedural date.

If you could go back, would you change anything about either of your books?

Lots of little stuff—phrases and sentence structure, certain paragraphs. But nothing major.

What was the defining moment that made you realise, that you believe in love? :)

Steve Gaynor. 2000. I’m not saying more than that! :)

Thank you so much for joining me Lauren!  

Posted by Blueicegal ♥ at 19:42 Comments
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