Interview with debut author DAPHNE GRAB:

How long have you been writing?

I wrote a lot in high school but then didn't write anything creative for over ten years. I had this idea that I wanted to be a writer but I could never come up with a story that I felt passionate about. Then, about five years ago, I happened upon some information on the MFA in creative writing at the New School here in NYC. On a whim I sent off for their catalogue and when I saw that they had a writing for children concentration I had one of those 'a-ha moments' where you know you've just encountered something that will change your life. Once I was in the program I started writing every day and have pretty much kept that up.



Why young adult?

I think all those years that I wanted to write but couldn't I was stuck because I was trying to think of adult stories. For whatever reason the stories I have are teen and middle grade. Somehow those years of my life are alive inside me and speak to me more clearly than any other period in my life.



ALIVE AND WELL IN PRAGUE, NEW YORK is your first novel, what sparked the idea?

Six years ago my dad was diagnosed with ALS and he died about six months later. Living with a sick parent was a profoundly difficult and life changing. After he was gone I had all kinds of feelings about it and a few years later, when I was at the New School, I wanted to channel those feelings into a character. Not just the hard stuff but also the parts that were beautiful and real about living with illness but still having the gift of that person in your life. And so Matisse was born.



Can you tell us how it went from idea to a published book?

I began ALIVE AND WELL IN PRAGUE, NEW YORK in my third semester at the New School. My writing teacher, Sarah Weeks, had us submit five pages of our manuscripts, plus a cover letter, to her editor at Harper, Jill Santopolo. It was a class exercise, not an official submission, so that we could get a feel for how our work might be received by an editor. Jill liked my pages so after I graduated I officially submitted to her. She liked the manuscript and ended up buying it.


Matisse is an interesting character. Can you describe her in three words?
Tough question! I'd say confident, strong and vulnerable.


Favorite thing about Matisse?

Her confidence. I was very insecure in high school and it was a lot of fun to write a character who believed so strongly in herself.



Interview by Lisa

January 2008

Interview with YA Author: Sara Hantz

How long have you been writing?

I’d been thinking about writing for a long time before starting. I actually started writing toward the end of 2002, and early 2003 found some online writing communities and also the Romance Writers of New Zealand. Once I’d joined these I began to write seriously with the goal of being published.



Why Young Adult?

Before writing for teens I wrote chick lit. I noticed many authors I admired starting to write fiction for young adults. And after trying to persuade all of my critique partners to try it, I finally decided I would instead. And it turned out to be a perfect fit. Plus, I’ve always been around teens from when I was lecturing and do have a couple myself (my son especially has given me so many ideas, thanks to his exploits).



What’s your writing process like?

Little and often. I have a very low attention span and am easily distracted. So, I open my manuscript up first thing in the morning and dip in and out of it during the day. Some times I get more done than others, depending on how busy our motel is and how sidetracked I get on the internet.



What’s your favorite part of being a writer?

Being able to make things up. I spent many years in academia, having to research and write papers on some very dry and boring subjects. Writing is like a breath of fresh air. Oh yes, and being able to wear track pants every day. Now that really is heaven!



What sparked the idea for THE SECOND VIRGINITY OF SUZY GREEN?

This story was different from ones I’d written in the past because I didn’t have the idea straightaway, it sort of evolved. I had a title in mind, which I loved - Virgin on the Ridiculous - and I wanted to write something around that (as you can see it’s not the title I ended up with, but that’s okay because I love the new title even more). I remember brainstorming with one of my critique partners and she told me about virginity clubs. I researched them on the net and came up with the idea of someone lying about being a virgin so they could join. And the rest of the story developed through brainstorming and planning.



Can you describe Suzy in three words?

Yikes…… just three words… let’s see… quirky, fun, and irreverent.


What was your favorite scene to write?

I loved writing the prologue because it took me back to my teenage years. Originally it wasn’t in the book but my editor wanted me to come up with something to show the contrast between old and new Suzy.



Any possibility of a sequel?

I’ve been asked this a lot. I have thought about doing Maddie’s story. Even though we don’t actually meet her in person, she seems to be a character people enjoy.



What’s next for you?

I’m working on a book called Dating The Megan Russell Way, which is about a teenage girl who sells psychic dating advice to pay off a huge debt.



Interview by Lisa

January 2008

Enchanting Review: The Second Virginity of Suzy Green

THE SECOND VIRGINITY OF SUZY GREEN
SARA HANTZ
Young Adult Contemporary
FLUX
$9.95
ISBN: 978-0-7387-1139-3
Trade Paperback – Available now

Rating: 4 Enchantments

Suzy’s busy transforming herself into a good girl after the death of her sister, Rosie. Gone are her wild ways, her all black clothes and her knack for getting into trouble. Now she’s all about good grades, good behavior and good boys -- which kind of explains how she finds herself not only at a Virginity Club meeting, but joining the V.C. The only hitch: she’s sorta missing the qualifying factor.

But that doesn’t matter to Suzy. Everyone at her new school, at least all the kids who matter, are part of the V.C, including the new hottie, Guy, she has her eye on. So what’s the harm of a little lie? Especially when no one is ever going to find out right?

All seems to be smooth sailing until the one person who knows for sure comes back into her life. Is Suzy’s past going to cause her life to crumble down around her?

I really enjoyed this book. Suzy’s a typical teenager, struggling to fit into her new life in a new place and make a fresh star. But even more importantly in her mind, to make amends for her role in her sister’s death.

THE SECOND VIRGINITY OF SUZY GREEN is Ms. Hantz’s debut novel and I look forward to reading more from her.



Lisa
Enchanting Reviews
January 2008