Interview with Pam Bachorz

www.pambachorz.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 toda…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?

I dictated my first book, featuring Pooh Bear, to my mother when I was four. I lived the dream until college, writing and even publishing a few short stories in teen author mags like READ and MERLYN”S PEN. Come college, I decided writing was Thoroughly Impractical and focused on journalism, environmental science, an MBA, a Masters in Library Science… you know, anything except writing because that was SCARY. After a friend was nearly killed in a car accident, I re-examined my life and realized that if I had been in that car, my only regret would have been that I didn’t give my writing a real chance. That’s when I started writing again in earnest.

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

A few months after I started writing, I joined a critique group and we took a road trip to my first SCBWI conference. From there, I networked and made some great writing friends (both online and in person) while learning how to improve my writing and behave professionally. (That last lesson may not have entirely stuck, since my publisher has heard my wobbly rendition of “Goodnight Someone” from “The Music Man”). Five years from my writing “re-start”, I finished CANDOR (as well as two other novels that will never, ever see light of day). A writing friend pointed me to a new agent’s post on Verla Kay’s Blue Boards and promised we’d be perfect for each other. She was right. Elana Roth rocks, and she sold my book to the equally amazing Egmont USA.

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

CANDOR is a story about a perfect planned community where everyone is brainwashed—except the main character, Oscar. He’s found a secret way to fight the Messages, but his survival is thrown into jeopardy when sweet-tart Nia Silva moves to town.

Buy CANDOR if you want a book that will keep you up late with surprises and chills.

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

My stories wouldn’t be the same if I hadn’t read Lois Duncan’s teen thrillers, growing up. I still think about DOWN A DARK HALL, which was another story about teens losing control of their minds and their wills… obviously I’m still working out some issues from reading that one, huh? These days I still devour YA novels of all sorts, and every book I read teaches me something new. I’ve also been so lucky to have a passel of inspiring and challenging teachers in my life, plus librarians who always seemed to know which book I should read next.

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


My family is entirely supportive. We are a family full of educators and teachers, and I don’t think the school districts of St. Louis or upstate NY will escape a pitch for CANDOR from my family! Closer to home, I like to call my husband my Patron Of The Arts (he prefers CHIEF Patron Of The Arts… I only grant that on nights he brings me cupcakes) because he keeps the home ticking while I vanish into my study to write on nights, weekends, and early mornings. And then there’s my son, who I thanked in CANDOR’s dedication for inducting me into the world of boy. Even though he’s small, I believe he gave me the insider knowledge of boy brains that enabled me to write a novel from a boy’s perspective.

Now for some fun facts. What’s your greatest comfort food?

Salsa and chips. I could live off that stuff. And of course, cupcakes. I loved them before everyone started paying five bucks a pop for them.

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

I pick up the book closest to my nightstand and brush my teeth and wash my face while I read—many apologies to my local library if you ever discover water spots on the pages of a book I’ve borrowed. Then I head into my study and write until my son wakes and commands my computer to play Dinosaur Train games.

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

You would probably be surprised and a little scared by The Scary Door in our basement, which opens to steps that lead to absolutely nowhere, since the driveway was poured over them years ago. It’s just the sort of dank, dark spot for little magical creatures to set up residence in. I always make lots of noise before I pop the door open, just in case they need time to hide. Hey. It never hurts to be cautious.

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?

Orange—my hair is orange and the spot color on CANDOR is orange. It’s actually been my favorite color for a very long time. It’s vibrant and unusual and makes a darn good beverage too.

Who is your favorite cartoon character?

You know, Mulan doesn’t get enough love. Why? She’s fierce. Sorry Tink, I think I’ll go with Mulan on this one.

Which cartoon character is most like you?

Probably Tinkerbell, though I would have found my way out of that cage a lot faster. And I don’t wear my skirts quite so short.

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?

My father is a retired social studies teacher so I’m really feeling the pressure on this one. I think I’d like to head over to Prince Edward Island at the turn of the century and meet a young L.M. Montgomery, just after she published ANNE OF GREEN GABLES. That was my very favorite book, growing up, and I’d love to meet the woman who created the characters who feel like a part of my family. If this didn’t break some kind of time-travel rule, I’d love to tell her how beloved her books are, even now. She didn’t have the easiest life and maybe knowing that would have brought her some happiness during dark times.

So what’s your favorite type of music to listen to? Favorite musical artists? Do you listen to music while you’re writing?

I love to listen to music while I’m writing, of all genres. My current fave is Brandi Carlile; she goes for broke in her performances and her music is just gorgeous. When I’m feeling nervous about my writing, I cue up Brandi and she reminds me to type without fear or limits, just like she sings. The Fratellis are on frequent rotation on my iPod too.

Do you have any favorite T.V. shows? Movies you watch over and over again? What was the last movie you saw at the theater?

The last movie I saw was JULIE & JULIA (loved it). I’m not a big repeat movie watcher—there are too many ones I haven’t seen yet!—but I will happily re-watch John Hughes movies and, yes, the Anne of Green Gables miniseries. As for TV, I will be the first to admit I watch far too much of it. Current faves include LOST, THE AMAZING RACE, PROJECT RUNWAY, and GLEE!

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

Question everything you’re told to believe. Just because an authority figure tells you something doesn’t always mean it’s something that rings true for you.

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

I’m working on another YA for Egmont—another dark speculative tale. And already there’s another idea knocking in my head (yep, another dark YA!); the characters are talking to me and insisting I get going on their story. But they’re going to have to wait in line!

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