Interview with Jen Nadol

www.jennadolbooks.com

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’ve always wanted to be a writer, but in the same sort of way some little girls want to be an actress or ballerina when they grow up. I think I only started believing I could be a writer after I’d finished two books and got an agent.

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?

It’s a fairly quick read, but the main character’s struggle with the central question: if you knew today was someone’s last, would you tell? seems to really stick with people and get them thinking. One of the reviews called it a “deep, lingering story”, feedback I’ve gotten from a lot of readers, too.

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

I have a huge family – my parents are each one of eight kids - so I’ve had congrats coming in from all over which is really neat. My mom & dad are having a family launch party/signing for me back home this coming weekend – should be lots of fun!

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

Bread and chocolate and potatoes and coffee. But not all together.

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

Wish I were still sleeping, ask whichever boy woke me up whether it’s at least six o’clock, put in contacts.

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

Frogs? Bats? These are the things that surprise me in the basement and attic. We live in a really old house so you never know what you’ll find. Enter at your own risk.

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?

I’d love to be red - it’s so fearless - but, irl, I’m probably more like grey. Maybe navy blue.

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?

I’m not committed to any shows, but definitely choose American Idol, Fringe, or 24, if they’re on. I’m the only girl in the house, so there’s often some kind of sports on. I just can’t find the time for movies. The last one I saw in the theatre was Borat. That’s also the last movie I’ve seen, period.

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

Carpe diem. Seize the day.

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

We’re just starting to work on edits for The Mark ’s sequel, which will be out sometime in 2011. I have three other YA novels in early stages so I’ll have to see which is calling to me when the edits are done.

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