Interview with Fran Cannon Slayton

http://www.francannonslayton.com/

First off, thanks so much for joining us for an up-close and personal interview for TeensReadToo.com! My name is Jen, and I’ll be your server today…oh, wait, wrong job! Anyway, thanks so much for taking time out of your writing schedule—which I’m sure is busy!—and answering a few questions for your readers and fans. Let’s get some of the typical interview questions out of the way first.

When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?

Fourth grade is when I had my first clue. I wrote the poem “Sadness Is” and my mom typed it up and mimeographed it. (Do you remember the ultraviolet kind of purple ink that used to come out of those mimeographs machines? Yikes!) I was so proud that Mom had typed it up. And there was just something about the way those purple words of mine suddenly looked so official . . . I loved it!

Can you tell us a little bit about your road to publishing?

Before I went to law school, an idea for a story hit my brain and wouldn’t let go no matter how much I tried to ignore it. So I finally gave in to the story and for the next 13 years I wrote on and off, in competition with my day-job, until the story was 100 pages long. When my daughter was born and I decided to quit my job to stay home with her, I finally got serious about my writing. But I found I didn’t want to show anyone what I’d been working on for 13 years of my life – what if it wasn’t any good? After investing so much time in it, I really didn’t want to risk finding out. And I guess I knew deep down in my heart that all that writing had really been “practice” for me. So in order to prevent myself from being discouraged I took all I’d learned in those 13 years and began writing what I always thought would be my second novel, which eventually turned out to be When the Whistle Blows.

In 2005, I submitted the first chapter of When the Whistle Blows to the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Work-In-Progress Grant competition and to my surprise and excitement, was chosen as a finalist. Encouraged, I subsequently applied for and received a scholarship to the Highlights Foundation’s children’s book writers weeklong workshop in Chautauqua, New York. That turned out to be a life-altering event, because it was there in July, 2006 that I met my editor, Patricia Lee Gauch. Even though I was only partway finished with my manuscript, she graciously offered to provide me with professional guidance and encouragement as I finished it. It was quite a gift, and it really lit a fire under my rear end to get the book finished! Meanwhile, Laura Rennert at Andrea Brown Literary Agency also offered to become my agent based on my partial manuscript. Talk about a double incentive to finish!

I worked very hard, and finally completed the book in May, 2007. And to my delight, Patti bought it! Viola “instant” author (16 years later)!

Tell us a little bit about either your latest or upcoming release.

When the Whistle Blows (Philomel Books, June 2009) is an adventure, mystery, and coming of age story about a boy – Jimmy Cannon – who just can’t quite figure out his father, who Jimmy knows is a member of secret society. Each chapter takes place on a different Halloween in Jimmy’s life, from the time he is twelve to the time he turns eighteen years old. Through football games, robberies, nighttime chases and a midnight visit to the funeral home, Jimmy tries to navigate his way through the changes that face both his hometown and his family.

If you could only tell your readers one thing about the story that had to convince us to buy the book, what would it be?

It’s jam packed with adventure, starting out with a midnight visit to a funeral home and never letting up from there.

What, or who, has been the greatest inspiration for your stories?

My parents. My dad shared great stories with me about his childhood that eventually inspired When the Whistle Blows. And my mom has always loved me so surely, so deeply, that I’ve always believed I could do anything I set my mind to.

Let’s hear about your family, who I’m sure are thrilled to have a published author among them!

I have an amazingly supportive husband and young daughter. My husband and I met and fell in love as undergraduates at the University of Virginia. He is a bankruptcy attorney, and he has believed in my writing since the moment I put pen to paper in law school. He is wonderful, and I never could have written When the Whistle Blows without all of his support, encouragement, and input. My daughter is very proud, too, and insisted on bringing a copy of my book to her class as soon as we got the first review copy. The kids were too young to read yet, but that did not deter her! I think she’s almost as proud of me as I am of her.

Now for some fun facts.

What’s your greatest comfort food?

Campbell’s Bean with Bacon Soup. With saltines all broken up in it. Mmmm . . .

What are the first three things you do when you wake up in the morning?

Hit the snooze button. Snuggle with my daughter while my husband is in the shower. Go to the bathroom (hey, you asked!)

If I came to your house and looked in your closet/attic/basement, what’s the one thing that would surprise me the most?

I don’t know – I think I would be surprised at what you’d find there, too. It’s easier just not to look.

Everyone asks the question about “if you could be a tree, which tree would you be?” so I want to know: If you could be a color, which color would it be, and why? 


Yellow. It’s happy, comfortable, warm and strong.

Who is your favorite cartoon character?

Kimba the White Lion was my favorite when I was a kid (who knew back in the ‘70’s that I was an early manga lover?) Bugs Bunny is now.

Which cartoon character is most like you?

I loved Schoolhouse Rock when I was a kid. I’d say the cartoon character most like me (or maybe the one I most want to be like) is Verb. Check Verb out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4QEzJe6_ok I like the words to the song – especially the parts about “turning in towards creation” and “to love!”

If you could beam yourself to anywhere in the world (“Beam me up, Scotty!”), during any time in history, where and when would it be—and why?

Do I have to stay there, or can I come back? If I have to stay there, I’d beam myself to here and now – I like where I am, and I figure I’m here for a reason. If you promise me I can come back then I’d go to Israel during the three years Jesus was preaching publicly. So many people have differing viewpoints on what his words really mean. I would like to hear firsthand what he actually said and experience the context. And maybe just hang for awhile.

So what’s your favorite type of music to listen to?

‘80’s rock, generally. But lately I’ve been listening to lots of Broadway show tunes. I wish I had some kind of good explanation for this, but I don’t.

Favorite musical artists?

I like Bruce Springsteen. I also like Frank Sinatra, Barbara Streisand, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Sting, Elton John, and U2.

Do you listen to music while you’re writing?

Never. I have to do one or the other. Both require my undivided attention.

Do you have any favorite T.V. shows?

No, I don’t watch much T.V. these days. But I loved M*A*S*H back in the day.

Movies you watch over and over again?

History of the World Part I, Time Bandits, Princess Bride.

What was the last movie you saw at the theater?

Charlotte’s Webb or Wallace and Gromit’s
Curse of the Were Rabbit, I can’t remember which. And I honestly can’t remember the last adult movie I’ve seen at the theatre.

You have the chance to give one piece of advice to your teen readers. What would it be?

Follow your heart. Not your romantic heart, but the thing inside you that tells you who you really are, what you (you, not your friends) are interested in, care about, and dream of. Take time away from all distractions – away from friends, TV, radio, computer – and listen to what your heart is telling you. You won’t be able to hear it if you don’t take the time to listen. And when you hear it – follow it. It will lead you to your truest, coolest, best, most amazing self.

One last question. What stories can we look forward to from you in the future?

I’m working on my next novel right now, which is about a girl who wants to be a pirate!

Again, thanks so much for joining us at TeensReadToo.com!

Thanks for hosting me!