Author Interview-Justina Chen Headley
By, Teen Book-Shelf
By, Teen Book-Shelf
1.What Was Your Inspiration For "GIRL OVERBOARD"?
To tell you the truth, I watched a few too many episodes of My Super Sweet Sixteen on MTV! Those shows are like watching traffic accidents of teen lives—and yet you can’t look away. And then after I turned off the TV, I’d feel so repulsed at those kids’ devouring materialism AND my own weird fascination with their lives. So think of Girl Overboard as the dark side of the rags-to-richest story. I wanted to show what having it all really means. Like how Syrah knew that everyone who orbited around her only wanted access to her dad’s toys. Like how Syrah was raised by a nanny.
2.Do you think Syrah had any character development?
You bet! By the end of the book, Syrah has such a strong sense of herself—you just know that she’s not going to let anyone push her around. More than that, she knows what she wants in life: to be open to possibilities. That’s such a long way from where she starts in Girl Overboard.
3.Is this story based off of any of your life?
Like most people unfortunately, I know what it’s like to be used by someone. It hurts. And afterwards, you think to yourself, stunned: how did I not know? So I was able to channel a lot of those experiences into Syrah.
4.In one word, how could you describe your book?
Multi-layered.
5.Do you think Bao-Mu leaving Syrah for the short period of time, helped Syrah become stronger or if it was finding her REAL family?
I love this question! The short answer: absolutely. Syrah really needed to stand on her own. What Bao-Mu instilled in Syrah was the knowledge of unshakable love. She was so loved. But Syrah needed to know that she could fight for herself and what she wanted.
6. Could Syrah alter-ego?
Shiraz was Syrah’s manga alter-ego—able to do the things that Syrah wished she herself could do.
7.Which Character did you have the most fun writing about?
I must say, I loved it every time Bao-Mu came on scene. She was so strong and so clearly drawn in my head.
8.Any advice for other writers?
Read, read, read, read, read. And then write every day.
9.What else are you working on in the moment?
I just saw the cover for my next novel, NORTH OF BEAUTIFUL, which is due out in February, 2009. That was so exciting and makes the novel feel so real.
Now, I’m trying my hand at my first fantasy novel. It’s so much fun to write in a different genre. And the wonderful thing is, my agent and editor are incredibly supportive. They always tell me to write whatever I want. That’s really a blessing.
10.Will there be a sequel?
Hmmm…do you think there should be a sequel? More than with my first novel, NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH (and a few white lies), I can see sequel material for Syrah…if enough readers demand that her story continue.
11.Do you like manga?
I really love manga and the way stories can be told in that medium. I really wish I were artistic. I would definitely be a manga writer.
To tell you the truth, I watched a few too many episodes of My Super Sweet Sixteen on MTV! Those shows are like watching traffic accidents of teen lives—and yet you can’t look away. And then after I turned off the TV, I’d feel so repulsed at those kids’ devouring materialism AND my own weird fascination with their lives. So think of Girl Overboard as the dark side of the rags-to-richest story. I wanted to show what having it all really means. Like how Syrah knew that everyone who orbited around her only wanted access to her dad’s toys. Like how Syrah was raised by a nanny.
2.Do you think Syrah had any character development?
You bet! By the end of the book, Syrah has such a strong sense of herself—you just know that she’s not going to let anyone push her around. More than that, she knows what she wants in life: to be open to possibilities. That’s such a long way from where she starts in Girl Overboard.
3.Is this story based off of any of your life?
Like most people unfortunately, I know what it’s like to be used by someone. It hurts. And afterwards, you think to yourself, stunned: how did I not know? So I was able to channel a lot of those experiences into Syrah.
4.In one word, how could you describe your book?
Multi-layered.
5.Do you think Bao-Mu leaving Syrah for the short period of time, helped Syrah become stronger or if it was finding her REAL family?
I love this question! The short answer: absolutely. Syrah really needed to stand on her own. What Bao-Mu instilled in Syrah was the knowledge of unshakable love. She was so loved. But Syrah needed to know that she could fight for herself and what she wanted.
6. Could Syrah alter-ego?
Shiraz was Syrah’s manga alter-ego—able to do the things that Syrah wished she herself could do.
7.Which Character did you have the most fun writing about?
I must say, I loved it every time Bao-Mu came on scene. She was so strong and so clearly drawn in my head.
8.Any advice for other writers?
Read, read, read, read, read. And then write every day.
9.What else are you working on in the moment?
I just saw the cover for my next novel, NORTH OF BEAUTIFUL, which is due out in February, 2009. That was so exciting and makes the novel feel so real.
Now, I’m trying my hand at my first fantasy novel. It’s so much fun to write in a different genre. And the wonderful thing is, my agent and editor are incredibly supportive. They always tell me to write whatever I want. That’s really a blessing.
10.Will there be a sequel?
Hmmm…do you think there should be a sequel? More than with my first novel, NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH (and a few white lies), I can see sequel material for Syrah…if enough readers demand that her story continue.
11.Do you like manga?
I really love manga and the way stories can be told in that medium. I really wish I were artistic. I would definitely be a manga writer.
Hopefully we can see more of Justina in the future! We hoped you enjoyed this interview!
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