Today, I'm lucky to have two authors chat with me:
Charlotte Bennardo and
Natalie Zaman. Thanks for hanging out with me today and answering all my questions!
Their second book - Sirenz: Back to Fashion just came out.
What made you choose
to write YA?
Nat: I think there’s still a tiny corner of me that’s
seventeen. It’s also what I’m surrounded by at home at the moment—either way,
it’s what I’m enjoying J
Char: I’ve written an MG which is out on submission, and
have several adult novels that are being reworked. I kind of fell into YA on a
fairy story (which I’m still revising), and then when Nat & I decided to
write together, we chose YA for its audience- they love to read vampires, mythology,
angst, humor, anything.
Where do you write
best?
Nat: Anywhere where I’m by myself. I can be surrounded by
people and noise, but as long as I’m solitary, it seems to work.
Char: Where ever it’s quiet, comfortable and I’m alone!
Sometimes in my office surrounded by great books and little junkies to inspire
me, or poolside, at the fencing club waiting for my son- but when I’m inspired,
I can write anywhere.
How do you get your
ideas? Do you use real events in your
novels and if so, can you describe one?
Nat: I try to be always prepared and alert—because you never
know when something will come to you. When I’m note-bookless, I probably look
weird trying to repeat over and over to myself the thought that decided to come
to me. Real events, real events… I have some real objects that I’ve
incorporated into my writing; books, pieces of jewelry—they have this odd way
of meeting up (ie: I’ll write about something, then find it).
Char: Whatever and whenever I see something interesting or
funny I incorporate it. In Sirenz, the opening scene has my character,
Sharisse, making a snarky remark about her roommate Margaret’s shoes. Nat wears
some pretty wild shoes and I’ve made some remarks about her choices, and she’s
countered about not being able to wear stilettos like I do.
How did you come up
with your titles?
Nat & Char: Originally we named it Sirens, but our
editor, Brian Farrey-Latz, added the z to make it more current. The Flux team
also came up with the “Back In Fashion” tag for the second book.
Can you tell us a
little bit about Sirenz Back In Fashion?
Nat & Char: While it can stand alone (there’s a short
recap in the first chapter), it’s the continuation of Meg and Shar in their
standoff with Hades. He’s intent on getting his sirens back, and has pulled a
sneaky trick from his Armani suit sleeve; he had a loophole in the contract
which indentures them for another Herculean task. The only problem is this time
he’s going to divide and conquer; Shar goes to the Underworld to play hostess
and Meg stays topside to send Paulina Swanson to the Underworld. If either
don’t live up to his expectations, it’s Tartarus—and doggy sitting duty for
hell hound Cerberus—for them.
How many books will
there be in the series?
Nat & Char: Originally we’d planned four. While Flux is
only doing the two, Sirenz Myth Appropriated is partially written and we plan
to release it next June. We’ll wait to see about Sirenz 4, depending on other
projects and how well the series does.
Is it hard having a
co-author?
Nat: Any partnership has its ups and downs—co-writing is no
different. We’re both still breathing, and that’s what counts!
Char: Yes—and no. Yes
because we both have visions in our heads of what we’d like to see, and that
doesn’t always jive with what our partner sees. It’s a balancing act where
there’s no room for petty squabbles, egos or stubbornness. And no because I
like to start the project, which Nat hates, and she likes to do the revisions,
which I hate. We really balance each other out.
What’s your favorite
Greek Myth?
Nat: The more I think about it, the more I like the Kraken.
He’s probably misunderstood.
Char: Well, I like our take on the Persephone-Hades myth.
Was she really seduced, or was she
manipulative to catch her man?
What will you do on
your release day?
Nat & Char: We’ll be at the NJ Society of Children’s
Book Writers and Illustrator’s Annual Convention in Princeton, NJ. (Char will
be manning the registration desk and talking to everyone, Nat’s moderating some
panels…)
What was the last book
you’ve read that you’ve been recommending to everyone?
Nat: Chime by
Franny Billingsley. Every word is gorgeous and counts for much.
Char: I Hunt Killers
by Barry Lyga. It’s intense, and almost too scary and I loved it.
Do you have a book
crush?
Nat: The Vintage Tea
Party Book—a visual feast as well as a wordly one J
Char: One that I wished I’d written? Lord of the Rings. I have serious Tolkien envy.
Do you have a
favorite library experience?
Nat: I used to work in the library when I was in college—so
many old, old books. I like discovering new things, but old books. Oh, old
books!
Char: When I was writing non-fiction articles, I was
drafting a piece on food science and not knowing much about it, couldn’t really
find anything on the internet. One of our local librarians recommended I
contact the Library of Congress. They truly are the ‘people’s librarians’ and
can find anything. They were so
anxious to help! Between the two librarians, I felt loved! (Even though that
article never did get pubbed…)
Are there any authors
you’d love to meet?
Nat: There are loads—but here’s the thing: I tend to get
completely tongue-tied, then turn into a gushy puddle in these kinds of
situations, so I’m content to admire from afar…
Char: Um, all of
them? Every time we go to an event, like PAYA (PA loves YA), or BEA, or
conventions and conferences, we meet so many great authors. I figure I’ll run
into most of the ones I’d like to meet.
Do you have a
favorite literary quote?
Nat: “The End.” My
favorite words—they mean that I’ve either finished reading a good book, or I’ve
finished a round of writing and revisions of my own work—either way, I win!
Char: “Not now, I’m reading.” Don’t know who said it, but my
mother used it a lot!
Listing of your favorites: (add anything else fun you can
think of)
Candy: Nat: Anything cinnamon. Char: chocolate covered M&Ms peanuts!
Cake/Cupcake
Flavor: Nat: Victoria sponge with
raspberry jam Char: red velvet w/cream
cheese icing
Ice Cream:
Nat: When I could eat it, Cherry Garcia
Char: Rocky road, w/almonds and brownie chunks
Pizza
topping: Nat: Mushrooms Char: lobster!
Genre of
books: Nat: all of them? Char:
Anything that is un-put-downable
Singer
and/or Song: Nat: at the moment—Florence and the Machine, Blinding Char: Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven is all
time fave, but Adele & Evenescence
Restaurant:
Nat: Tea and Sympathy, New York, NY
Char: Café Picasso, Somerville, NJ
TV show
/Movie: Nat: Downton Abbey/Evil Dead II (I’ve been watching this
lately—LOVE Bruce Campbell!) Char: TV
show Dexter and Vampire Diaires,
movie Lord of the Rings
Color: Nat: Black Char: Emerald green
Shoe: Nat:
Vivienne Westwood Rocking Horse Boots
Char: Franco Sarto black stilettos
Video Game:
Nat: Is it bad to say I don’t play video games? Oh wait, Ms. PacMan Char: Wii bowling
Anything I didn’t
ask?
Char: Favorite place to end up in if I was the only person
left alive- a huge library or mega bookstore (with a Starbucks nearby for my
Chai lattes!)
