Debreviews presents... Lauren Bjorkman, author of MY INVENTED LIFE
I had the good fortune to be paired up with Lauren Bjorkman as my Deb buddy for the Debreviews feature. Lauren is an absolute gem, so it's an extra special treat to bring you the fabulous Lauren and her equally fab debut, MY INVENTED LIFE (on shelves today!!!).
The Deb
Lauren Bjorkman grew up on a boat, sharing the tiny forecastle with her sister and the sail bags. She enjoys traveling, laughing, and making things up. She lives in Taos, New Mexico, with her husband, two sons, and their cat that believes he's a dog.
The Book
MY INVENTED LIFE
by Lauren Bjorkman
(September 29, 2009 - Henry Holt & Co.)
With Roz and Eva everything becomes a contest-who can snag the best role in the school play, have the cutest boyfriend, and pull off the craziest prank. Still they’re as close as sisters can be. Until Eva deletes Roz from her life like junk email for no reason that Roz can understand. Now Eva hangs out with the annoyingly petite cheerleaders, and Roz fantasizes about slipping bovine growth hormone into their Gatorade. Roz has a suspicion about Eva. In turn, Eva taunts Roz with a dare….which leads to an act of total insanity.
My Invented Life is a comedy of errors with mistaken identities, ambiguous sexuality, skate gods and stage geeks, and true love...of course!
The Interview
1. Tell us a little bit about My Invented Life. What inspired you to write it?
My Invented Life is a story about sisters, secrets, and Shakespeare. Events around my high school reunion inspired me to write it. Most (if not all) of my lesbian and gay classmates were in the closet back then. The teen years are a difficult time to be holding in large secrets of any kind.
2. The vignettes Roz creates in her mind are so creative. Did you have as active an imagination as Roz does when you were a teenager?
Yes! Living on a sail boat meant little room for toys and few friends to play with. My sister and I spent a lot of time in fantasy land. When I was a teen (after we moved off the boat), I often longed to be a part of things. But my shyness held me back. That changed later, but once in awhile I still have fantasies. Like I can imagine myself gliding across the stage toward Oprah who's smiling at me :D
3. Theater plays a key role in the novel. Were you involved in the theater growing up? Are you involved in it as an adult?
Ah. A perfect example of how my shyness held me back. In high school, I loved going to plays. (I still do.) But instead of auditioning, I hung around the theater crowd and watched them rehearse. The theater geeks were a funny and fearless sort.
In college, I performed in a children's play for a Chinese-speaking audience. (I was taking Chinese at the time.) It was terrifying.
4. Everyone loves hearing stories about an author getting The Call. What happened the day you found out My Invented Life was going to be published?
I walked around my house in a daze for some time afterwards. When I recovered my wits, I phoned the people who'd supported me and my writing over the years. I think my husband took me out to dinner that night, but I honestly can't remember. LOL.
5. What do you love most about writing?
I love that moment that happens sometimes as type on my computer. I'm writing away, thinking I know where a scene is going. Then, by happy accident or by unconscious will, some element appears out of nowhere that makes the story oh-so much better.
6. What do you like least about writing?
Critique. Of course, it is absolutely necessary. However, I dread hearing or reading a critique of my work in progress. For a while afterwards, I feel like a no-talented hack. But when that bad feeling goes away, and I come up with an idea to fix the problem, the world becomes good again.
7. What has been your biggest thrill so far as a debut author?
My greatest desire in writing is to connect with readers. The first review of My Invented Life by a teen reader who loved the book thrilled me the most.
8. Who are some of the authors who have influenced you most in your writing?
Jane Austen for her elegant phrasing and for writing about issues in an entertaining way. William Shakespeare for his passion and creativity. Rita Mae Brown for her sense of humor. Saki for his wicked wit. In the YA realm, I adore Carolyn Mackler, John Green, Sherman Alexie, and Ellen Wittlinger.
9. What are five things most people don't know about you?
I like small. My "tiny things" collection fits into a tiny bowl.
I was a cat in a past life. Which explains my love for fish and lounging around.
I can be a ferocious bargainer. Once in Thailand, I beat down this cute elderly couple selling hand-made pillow cases to less than half their asking price. I felt evil afterwards.
I met my husband-to-be in a poetry writing class when I was seventeen.
My favorite radio program is This American Life
10. What's up next for Lauren Bjorkman, debut author extraordinaire?
I'm revising my next young adult novel about friendship, an advice blog gone awry, teen pregnancy, Mini Coopers, and fortune cookies.
Thanks, Lauren, for great interview! Happy release day!!!
The Deb
Lauren Bjorkman grew up on a boat, sharing the tiny forecastle with her sister and the sail bags. She enjoys traveling, laughing, and making things up. She lives in Taos, New Mexico, with her husband, two sons, and their cat that believes he's a dog.
The Book
MY INVENTED LIFE
by Lauren Bjorkman
(September 29, 2009 - Henry Holt & Co.)
With Roz and Eva everything becomes a contest-who can snag the best role in the school play, have the cutest boyfriend, and pull off the craziest prank. Still they’re as close as sisters can be. Until Eva deletes Roz from her life like junk email for no reason that Roz can understand. Now Eva hangs out with the annoyingly petite cheerleaders, and Roz fantasizes about slipping bovine growth hormone into their Gatorade. Roz has a suspicion about Eva. In turn, Eva taunts Roz with a dare….which leads to an act of total insanity.
My Invented Life is a comedy of errors with mistaken identities, ambiguous sexuality, skate gods and stage geeks, and true love...of course!
The Interview
1. Tell us a little bit about My Invented Life. What inspired you to write it?
My Invented Life is a story about sisters, secrets, and Shakespeare. Events around my high school reunion inspired me to write it. Most (if not all) of my lesbian and gay classmates were in the closet back then. The teen years are a difficult time to be holding in large secrets of any kind.
2. The vignettes Roz creates in her mind are so creative. Did you have as active an imagination as Roz does when you were a teenager?
Yes! Living on a sail boat meant little room for toys and few friends to play with. My sister and I spent a lot of time in fantasy land. When I was a teen (after we moved off the boat), I often longed to be a part of things. But my shyness held me back. That changed later, but once in awhile I still have fantasies. Like I can imagine myself gliding across the stage toward Oprah who's smiling at me :D
3. Theater plays a key role in the novel. Were you involved in the theater growing up? Are you involved in it as an adult?
Ah. A perfect example of how my shyness held me back. In high school, I loved going to plays. (I still do.) But instead of auditioning, I hung around the theater crowd and watched them rehearse. The theater geeks were a funny and fearless sort.
In college, I performed in a children's play for a Chinese-speaking audience. (I was taking Chinese at the time.) It was terrifying.
4. Everyone loves hearing stories about an author getting The Call. What happened the day you found out My Invented Life was going to be published?
I walked around my house in a daze for some time afterwards. When I recovered my wits, I phoned the people who'd supported me and my writing over the years. I think my husband took me out to dinner that night, but I honestly can't remember. LOL.
5. What do you love most about writing?
I love that moment that happens sometimes as type on my computer. I'm writing away, thinking I know where a scene is going. Then, by happy accident or by unconscious will, some element appears out of nowhere that makes the story oh-so much better.
6. What do you like least about writing?
Critique. Of course, it is absolutely necessary. However, I dread hearing or reading a critique of my work in progress. For a while afterwards, I feel like a no-talented hack. But when that bad feeling goes away, and I come up with an idea to fix the problem, the world becomes good again.
7. What has been your biggest thrill so far as a debut author?
My greatest desire in writing is to connect with readers. The first review of My Invented Life by a teen reader who loved the book thrilled me the most.
8. Who are some of the authors who have influenced you most in your writing?
Jane Austen for her elegant phrasing and for writing about issues in an entertaining way. William Shakespeare for his passion and creativity. Rita Mae Brown for her sense of humor. Saki for his wicked wit. In the YA realm, I adore Carolyn Mackler, John Green, Sherman Alexie, and Ellen Wittlinger.
9. What are five things most people don't know about you?
I like small. My "tiny things" collection fits into a tiny bowl.
I was a cat in a past life. Which explains my love for fish and lounging around.
I can be a ferocious bargainer. Once in Thailand, I beat down this cute elderly couple selling hand-made pillow cases to less than half their asking price. I felt evil afterwards.
I met my husband-to-be in a poetry writing class when I was seventeen.
My favorite radio program is This American Life
10. What's up next for Lauren Bjorkman, debut author extraordinaire?
I'm revising my next young adult novel about friendship, an advice blog gone awry, teen pregnancy, Mini Coopers, and fortune cookies.
Thanks, Lauren, for great interview! Happy release day!!!