Blurb:“I thought they were my best friend…”There lives a little girl whom you will never know the name of, and for her, a terrible storm is coming. She is going to a new, public middle school knowing no one but her sister, and the horrors are absolutely endless.But she doesn’t expect what is to come.In her first few months of school, terrible and unspeakable things begin to happen, that go beyond what is considered “normal”. Finding the courage to get away from the wrong people is a difficult thing, but when a horrific incident occurs, she finds herself running from who she once thought to be friends.Now lost and alone, The Girl turns to one thing to help her get through her darkest moments. Writing poetry is the one way she can express her anger, and when her school announces that they will be hosting an open-mic night, she knows she has to enter. But entering means that she will have to face her demons, and it could be her worst nightmare…From a teenaged author, You Won't Know Her Name shines a light on a heartbreaking reality that often goes unspoken about - the issue that is bullying in middle school. From hateful comments to real, shocking violence, this book shares what cannot be ignored.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be? Without a doubt, I would tell my fourth-grade self a great many things. For one, I would tell her that it doesn’t matter whether or not your teacher picks you to read your writing out loud, and that the kids in your class do not determine whether or not you’re a good writer. And, of course, keep your head up, because excellent (and not so excellent) things are coming your way.
Favorite childhood memory involving books?
As a child, my parents would read to me before I fell asleep, often when I was too tired to read on my own. We read every single night, and I still remember the books we read.
If you could dine with any literary character, who would it be and why? Definitely Kaz Brekker from Six of Crows. I’d love to know how he pulls off the things he does (though he’d probably kill me instead of telling me).
What fantastical fictional world would you want to live in (if any) given the chance?
I wish I could at least visit the country of Ravka from Shadow and Bone. Ketterdam and Fjerda, among other countries in the world, are also on my fictional-world-travel-wish-list.
Did you want to be an author when you grew up?
While I am still technically a child (or teen), I have memories of visiting bookstores when I was very young, seeing the pictures of authors in the windows, and thinking, “I want to be like them!”
What is your most unusual writing quirk?
I’m not quite sure if this counts as a quirk or not, but I usually prefer to write without any idea about how the story is going to go prior.
What’s one movie you like recommending to others?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is both my favorite book, and one of my favorite movies. The story is intense, but I, without a doubt, think it’s a film every teenager needs to see at least once.
Have you ever met anyone famous?
I met Sabrina Carpenter at a play in 2015. I still have the photo!
What is the first book that made you cry?
Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo. I cried a number of times throughout that book, and while I’m sure there were other books that had made me cry before, it was the first in a while.
How long, on average, does it take you to write a book?
It fully depends on how I’m enjoying writing the story, and how much time I have on my hands. I finished writing my novel-told-in-poetry, You Won’t Know Her Name, in ten days, and my dystopian novel The Accidental Insurgent, in sixteen. I have others that take me longer (usually when I have school).
How do you select the names of your characters?
I have a whole list of names I like, and if I can’t think of any, I usually resort to name generators.
If you were the last person on Earth, what would you do?
Panic - then either explore mansions, or read a ton of books for free!
What fictional character would you want to be friends with in real life? Charlie Kelmeckis from The Perks of Being a Wallfower. I feel that we have a lot in common, and perhaps, could give each other advice.
Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Write the same amount a day, whether it’s 100 words or 1000. And, as corny as it is, never give up!
What is your favorite genre to read?
Definitely either Science Fiction or Fantasy. I have a soft spot for Contemporary novels, however.
When did you write your first book?
I wrote my first published book, Odyssey (it’s really bad), when I was eleven and starting the sixth grade. I, unfortunately, published it, and its sequel, that same year. A few months later I wrote a better and MUCH longer novel, Biome Lock, that, by the time I turned thirteen, needed to be split into multiple books.
What sparks your creativity/how do you get your ideas?
I get my ideas from the things I see and hear around me - often songs, images, and anything that floats to mind!
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
I like to read, though it’s probably obvious. I also enjoy playing with and taking care of my kittens, Apollo and Eclipse!
What’s a typical writing day like for you?
On the days when I have school, I try to find times during the day to write at school, and later at home. On the days when I don’t have school, I usually sleep in until about eleven, which is the time I like to write at. I panic, eat breakfast, and then write on-and-off until I’ve hit my word count for the day.
Do you listen to music when writing?
Yes! I can’t write without it.
If you had to pick a celebrity to cast for your main character, who would it be?
For You Won’t Know Her Name, I think I’d cast a younger version of Millie Bobby Brown as The Girl, and for the other books, I have absolutely no idea!
Do you have a favorite food/snack/drink when writing (or anytime)? Bubblegum!
What’s one thing you’d like to say to your readers?
I’m always available to give tips on anything - particularly writing, though!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please try not to spam posts with the same comments over and over again. Authors like seeing thoughtful comments about their books, not the same old, "I like the cover" or "sounds good" comments. While that is nice, putting some real thought and effort in is appreciated. Thank you.