Today, Jackie Morse Kessler joins me for a fun little interview as part of the Crossroads Tour. We talked about her, her books, and Halloween!
The Horsemen of the Apocalypse series deals with some pretty serious issues. Why did you decide to write about these deep problems? We have to talk about these issues; ignoring them doesn’t make them go away. The more we read about them and discuss them, the more likely it is that we can tackle these issues in real life. That’s why I’m donating a portion of HUNGER proceeds to the National Eating Disorders Association.
What is the biggest difficulty shifting from adult author to YA author?
More difficult than changing audiences is writing the correct story—but that’s independent of whether I’m writing for adults or teens. You have to write the right book, no matter what. And that means finding the right direction, the right voice, the right pace, etc. Sometimes, it just flows, like it did for me with HUNGER (but to be fair, that book had been percolating for 10 years before I finally wrote it). But RAGE? Man, that was the most difficult book I’ve ever written. I try my best to channel the characters I’m writing about, which can make the writing process extremely emotional.
Do all the Horsemen books end similarly to the way HUNGER ended?
You really want me to tell you that? Heh. The most I’ll say is that RAGE ends differently than HUNGER—which is appropriate, because the protagonist in RAGE, Missy, is not the same protagonist from HUNGER, Lisa.
Currently working on LOSS, the third of the Riders’ Quartet. That book focuses on Pestilence.
What’s your favorite candy?
CHOCOLATE!!!
What a fun interview! Make sure you guys go buy Hunger and check out the Crossroads Tour site for more info about the tour and all the authors featured.
Remember, if you go to the Wolfy Chicks blog, you can get information about all the prizes and such YOU can win! Also, anytime you comment on this blog during the tour, you will be entered to win a great contest!
Awesome interview! I just got done reading Hunger yesterday and LOVED IT!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! I'm more stoked than ever for RAGE.
ReplyDeleteTeens Read and Write
Exactly about talking or writing about these issues that affect teens. We can't sweep them under the rug and pretend they don't exist. That's what Banned Book Week was all about for me. Well, no, I can't say that because a Farting dog doesn't really come up a lot but I have two that fart a lot. But Speak, the rape of a teen girl who keeps quiet about it, that should be in the forefront of teen books. Teen pregnancy. Sex. Any parent that thinks these things aren't happening have their head stuck in the sand.
ReplyDeleteI'm really glad you're bringing eating disorders to the forefront. People overlook those so much and teens and women deal with those issues so much, thanks to the media. I understand Rage is about cutting?? maybe I have that wrong. Another issue that needs to be brought to the forefront, it's hidden under long sleeves long enough!
Again, I think your use of the Four Horsemen is absolutely brilliant!
Heather
Hunger was a really great read for me. Very moving - I highly recommend it!
ReplyDeleteGrrr, I wanna read this book!!!
ReplyDeletemissy1549[at]gmail.com
Great interview! I was wondering if the other books would end the same way, or how she would work it. I'm even more curious now to continue the series. Can't wait for Rage!
ReplyDelete