In talking to Chelsea (The Page Flipper) and Heather (Book Woman), I thought it would be a fun to turn the tables and do a series on my blog of interviews with YA book bloggers — let them be the stars! So now every Tuesday, another Book Blogger will be featured.
If you’re interested, please e-mail me.
Jodi Wayne, Whatcha’ Reading Now?
1. Describe yourself without using any qualifiers relating to reading, blogging, or writing… who are you outside of your literary life?
I’m obsessed with music and always on the search for the perfect song.
2. You’re trapped in a dystopian society like that in Fahrenheit 451, where all books, periodicals, scriptures, texts, or other forms of written communication have been banned… but in this society, every person can hoard away one piece of writing to keep for herself. What is the one written piece that you choose to keep, and why?
A copy of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution–freedom of religion, speech and press.
3. Congratulations! You’ve been given the position as Personal Assistant to any author of your choice (all time periods and genres allowed)… who is it, and what’s the biggest problem you have to overcome working with them?
I would’ve loved to work with Jane Austen. She was defiant, a free-thinker, and ahead of her time. I admire how her novels show concern for moral issues and questioning a woman’s place in society. Our biggest problem working together would probably be her constant need to rein me back in.
4. When it comes to reading and reviewing, which aspect of a book is the most important to you? The plot? The characters? The setting? Something else entirely?
The character-driven novel has always been my favorite. Strong characters pull me into the story and encourage my imagination.
5. If book blogging weren’t an option, how would your reading habits be affected? Would you be as motivated to read if you couldn’t widely impart your thoughts on books to other readers?
For me, the inability to blog about books is like going to Disney World by yourself–sure it’s fun, but so much better with someone else there to share the experience with…
6. What’s your favorite punctuation mark? Why?
I adore the em dash, which can be found throughout my own writing. I love how it makes the reader pause and catch an emotion or point out what I want to bring to their attention.
7. What literary device could you happily never see used again? (Simile, metaphor, spoonerism, hyperbole, etc.)
Though I’m not in favor of rules in writing, I certainly wouldn’t miss never seeing spoonerism again–soooo cheesy!
8. What is your favorite local bookstore? What’s a bookstore that you’ll never set foot in again? And do you have a ‘dream bookstore’ that you’d either love to visit… or would love to design and own one day?
When I lived in both England and New York, I was a big fan of indie bookstores. Unfortunately, I don’t know of any in the area I live now. So, I tend to buy most of my books from the local Barnes & Noble and Borders.
9. Have you been to any Teen Read Week events or other Writers’ Conferences? What was your favorite meet-and-greet or interview experience?
I’m really excited about going to my first writing conference in January—the SCBWI in Miami!
10. In your opinion, what is a YA novel? How is it different from a children’s novel, and how is it different from an adult novel? What makes someone a YA reader — because it’s clearly more than a matter of their being “a young adult.”
In recent years, the lines drawn between YA and adult fiction have become less clear. Though YA generally has main characters of an age ranging from fourteen to eighteen, the stories are often exceptionally well-written and addressing issues beyond the standard teen or high school experience. Because of this, it is common to see adults in the YA section of bookstores. YA is often separated from children’s (middle-grade) due to the often mature themes and use of profanity.
11. What’s your guilty pleasure reading snack? And what’s your guilty pleasure to read while snacking on it?
I don’t generally eat while reading and never feel guilty for reading anything–every bit of literature has its place.
12. “Don’t judge a book by its movie!” As a connoisseur of all types of books, which genre do you think translates the best from page to screen? What’s your favorite book-to-movie adaptation? Conversely, what’s a book that you hope never to see filmed?
I rarely find a movie to ever be as wonderful as the novel. That said, I did love the book and movie of both The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
13. What are your plans for the future? Do you see yourself working in the literary community?
I see my novel published and loved by an endless number of readers.:)
14. Describe your perfect reading location… are you in a coffee shop sipping cappuccino or curled up at home near the window? Reading on a Kindle in the Big City or taking in the smell of a dusty hardcover?
I enjoy reading in bed surrounded by pillows. I tend to be “old school” and love the feel of a book in my hands.
