Interview with Chelsea of The Page Flipper - Not A Pencil Girl

I got the wonderful chance to interview Chelsea of The Page Flipper (yup, that awesome YA blog that you're all following), who is also going to have her memoir published in stores next year by HCI (yes, the people that publish the awesome Chicken Soup for the Soul books). It's time to figure out is she's a Colgate or Crest type of girl . . .

It's A Writing World After All . . .

Moi: 1. How did you find out about the Louder Than Words series?

Chelsea: I'd seen it posted about on a lot of blogs, and I actually sent in my story/writing samples for the first batch. I was pitched to HCI, but they didn't give the okay until they decided on a second set of LTW books. I'd already seen reviews and publications of the series, so I thought I missed my chance and was definitely surprised to get an email from Deborah, the editor, in my inbox. You should have seen me after I opened it. I think I might have ran laps around the house with my cat, whose probably still traumatized from it. Poor Kringer.

Moi: 2. How does it feel to know your memoir is going to be out in stores next year?

Chelsea: It's awesome, but really really nerve-wracking. If just one person likes or identifies with my story, then it was worth writing. But there's still that "I-hope-people-don't-hate-it" feel that I think every author has before their book hits shelves.

M: 3. Are you going to be pursuing a career in the writing industry, or will you be studying to be something else?

C: Yes! I'd already started working on a fiction book before I had this option, so I'll be heading straight back to that when everything is done and edited. I have a backlog of writing ideas, so I have a feeling I'll always be working on something. I'd really like to major in lit when I go to college (soon!). I hear creative writing classes can ruin your creativity.

M: 4. What do you want your author photo to look like? Your dream book cover?

C: Actually, this is a funny story. For the first batch of Louder than Words books, each of the covers has a girl on it and a color scheme. Like, Marni is blue, Emily is purple, and Chelsey is green. Each of the colors, if you look really closely, is actually the color of the cover model's eyes. If they do the same for batch two, I'm positive I'll be red. Demon eyes!

M: 5. How many times have you been interviewed by someone?

C: (I'm bolding this one just because I have no fricken' clue. I've been interviewed for reviewing, aside from the LTW books, and counting would be way too tiresome for the measly amount of caffeine I've had.) :)

The Serious Stuff

M: 1. Describe yourself without using any words. You can use pictures.

C:

M: 2. What's one thing you've always wished someone would ask you?

C: Not this one! It's hard thinking of a question to ask yourself, and kind of questionable of your sanity. I feel like I'm totally talking to myself. But, anyway, hmm. "If you could turn into any fictional character, who would it be?" Jacky Faber from Bloody Jack.

M: 3. Crest or Colgate?

C: Crest, all the way. *grins*

M: 4. What colour is the nearest pencil? (Not the lead, but the decorative strip).

C: I can't find one! My room is a complete mess - books everywhere. But I usually use pens, anyway. Pens are more dangerous - they don't erase, so everything you put down is permanent. Yeah, I like to live on the edge.

M: 7. Up to this point, have you answered every single question right away, or are you reading them through first?

C: I read them through. I like to know what I'm getting into before I dive. Even though I jokingly said I like to live on the edge, I like to know what's over the edge first.

M: 7. Did you notice that this question is numbered #7 . . . just like the last question?

C: Oh, boy. Is this an analysis test? (How did I do?) Yep, I noticed. I'm observant like that. :)

Note From Iryna: Yes - this was an analysis test. *adjusts serious-looking, black-rimmed glasses* However did you guess? :)

M: 9. Bold a question you don't want to/don't feel like/haven't got the time of day to answer.


Thanks for the interview Chelsea, and good luck on you memoir!!

Author Interview With Joy Lynn Goddard

Joy Lynn Goddard is the spectacular Canadian author of the Northview Tales series. Her novels include "Daredevils", "Charlie's Song", "Hello, my name is Emily" and "Jazz" which are all coming-of-age stories.

. . . . . .

A Garden of Books: Thanks for doing this interview with me! My first question is: why did you decide to write your first novel, "Daredevils"?

Joy Lynn Goddard: Well, a girl I once taught when I was teaching Grade 7 played on a hockey team and she was constantly being bullied. At the same time one of my friend's sons fell head first in the Niagra Falls so I connected the two. Actually, I wrote "Daredevils" in the bathroom.

A Garden of Books: Okay . . . why?

Joy Lynn Goddard: Because at the time I was living in my parents home and the only three-pronged plug was in the bathroom.

A Garden of Books: Wow, you must really have been motivated! You are also a mother and a teacher. That's great! So, how do you find time to write between your family and your teaching?

Joy Lynn Goddard: Aaagh! My husband does a lot of the marketing and buys the produce and everything so because of him, I somehow find the time to write. I also make sure that every Sunday and Saturday and during the holidays I wake up at around 5:00 a.m. and write for 5- 10 hours.

A Garden of Books: I've noticed that, so far, all of your novels are young adult contemporary fiction. Why do you write in that genre instead of, for example, science - fiction?

Joy Lynn Goddard: I guess it's just because I have these pictures in my head and there is a stoey to be told. They're probably contemporary fiction because it has to do with what's going on around me.

A Garden of Books: Do you have a favourite book that you wrote?

Joy Lynn Goddard: For sure it's "Jazz" because of the part that includes refrences the the Underground Railway, which is absolutaly fascinating to me. I can't believe how poorly they treated those people! I really wanted to teach kids about this but kids don't like to be told facts so I put it into a story.

A Garden of Books: Which one of your characters are most like you?

Joy Lynn Goddard: Om my goodness. I don't know . . . As I kid I was flighty so I was probably most like Alex. I was very interested in a lot of different things . . . I guess there is a bit of me in all of my characters.

A Garden of Books: Do you have a favourite book?

Joy Lynn Goddard: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

A Garden of Books: Can you give us a sneak peak of your next book, "Mrs. Maloney's Garden"?

Joy Lynn Goddard: Sure. It's a book about a group of boys whose baseball lands in a little old ladies backyard and the boys believe there is a dead body buried in the backyard. They also believe the lady is a witch because she does such strage things. This novel also talks about how to keep your own flower garden. *

A Garden of Books: If one of your books were to be made into a movie, which one do you think would be the best choice?

Joy Lynn Goddard: "Daredevils". I think it would make a good movie.

. . . . . .

Thanks for letting me interview you, Joy! I had a brilliant time! You can visit her website here.

* "Mrs. Maloney's Garden" is for ages up to 10.