Meet the Author of Perfectly Good White Boy

After welcoming attendees, brief introductions will be made.  The author will then read a passage of her choosing from the book.  This will be followed by a few questions on the writing process, as well as questions about the book.  The discussion will conclude with questions about future books and activities.  Throughout the question and answer period, attendees are encouraged to ask their own questions of the author.  The event will end with a drawing for a copy of Sex & Violence and another for Perfectly Good White Boy.

Copies of the books Sex & Violence and Perfectly Good White Boy will be available for purchase before and after the event.

1. How long did it take you to write the book and then how much longer did it take to get published?

2. What is your preferred routine for writing?

• Do you sit down at a desk to write for a period of time or do you wait until the mood strikes you?
• Do you have a designated area for writing?
• Do you write in longhand or on a computer or laptop?
• What research do you usually conduct either before or during the writing process?

3. What inspired you to write young adult fiction?

• What author or authors serve as a source of inspiration for you?

4. What aspect of writing is the  most challenging for you?

Please note the audience will be encouraged to ask follow-up questions, as well as any other questions they may have.

1.  Could you tell us a little about the title?

2.  Where did the character Sean come from?  How did he arrive?

3.  Did you have to do a lot of research on Marine recruiting?

4.  Sean's experience of his own sexuality seems very real.  How do you get into the head of a teenage boy?

5.  How do you develop and hone a voice?  Your protagonists are both big voiced, but very different.

6.  This is not a book built on the conventions of plot, but it's still compelling and dramatic.  When you wrote this book, how did you choose the beginning and ending?

7.  How did you choose the main events of the story?

8.  Sex is of critical importance in both your published works.  What drives you to write about sex in this context?

9.  How do you develop your side characters?  Hallie, Neecie and Brad are of particular interest!

10. What's your favorite thing about the book?

11. Is there anything you'd like to change?

Please note the audience will be encouraged to ask follow-up questions, as well as any other questions they may have.

1.  You're now on the book a year train YA authors often climb aboard.  Describe your process for drafting.

2.  So, looking into the future.  It's bright, right?

3.  You're now represented by one of the great agents in YA.  Can you describe how that relationship came about?

4.  How do you work together?

5.  Tell us a little about what books we can look forward to reading from you.

Please note the audience will be encouraged to ask follow-up questions, as well as any other questions they may have.