INTERVIEW:
Interview Questions for
Rogue's Angels
1. What or who inspired you to start writing?
I've been writing
since I was a kid. I kept a diary; the kind with a small lock on it. Trust me,
growing up in a house with three younger brothers who got into everything made
this necessary. I also loved reading; I devoured books and the library was and
still is a favorite place. It wasn't until high school, when my short story won
first prize in the school literary contest (and a fifty dollar check!) that I
began to think I might have a future as a writer.
2. How did you come up with your idea for your novel?
New
York City has long been associated with glamour and all of the perks that come
with a big city lifestyle; it's also one of the most major hubs in the world
for the arts, which means anyone who's serious about a dance career knows they
need to be there. I came to New York City when I was fourteen, leaving my home,
my family and my friends behind after I received an invitation to become a
full-time student at the School of American Ballet. Those years in New York
were an incredible time of growth for me, both as a dancer and as a human
being, a pivotal period that shaped so much of who I am today. There were fun
discoveries, like finding the best breakfast spots (especially the delicious
super-sized muffins at the deli two blocks from my apartment), trying coffee
for the first time (hated it–although it's a very different story now), and
exploring the city with friends during rare free moments. It was a glorious
inspiration to walk past Lincoln Center most days and dream about dancing with
New York City Ballet some day. Occasionally I got to attend performances of New
York City Ballet when I worked at the gala events. Those evenings, everything
in life felt magical. Wealthy patrons shimmered in exquisite gowns, the top
dancers of New York City glittered like the stars they were, and the Lincoln
Center fountain sprayed liquid diamonds all night long.
When
I started writing the Indigo Ballet Series, I knew these were things I wanted
to share with readers. Even though it's been many years since I experienced
that part of my life, most of it lives on in my memory in crystal-clear detail.
3. What expertise did you bring to your writing?
After studying at
the School of American Ballet I went on to dance with San Francisco Ballet and
Miami City Ballet. I've been performing and teaching for more than thirty-five
years. Many people dream about having a life in ballet but only a few are able
to do it– I love being able to share what it's really like, the blood, sweat
and tears, and of course the thrill of touring and performing.
4.
What would you want your readers to know about you that might not be in your
bio?
Close friends insist I have an obsession with high school, and
they are probably right. I didn't go to a normal high school; I went to a
performing arts high school with a bunch of models, actors, musicians, and
dancers who needed a flexible schedule in order to pursue their careers. Sadly
this meant we missed out on some of the fun stuff, like prom. I live it
vicariously through my books, with real characters set in the real world. I
like YA because it focuses on a time in life where huge change occurs. It's a
dynamic and exciting time of life, a time to figure out who you want to be.
5.
As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans?
I am currently
working on Dream, book #3 of the Indigo Ballet Series. It's an exciting
installment to the series; we follow Indigo as she dances with a professional ballet
company and tried to move gracefully through the challenges and surprises she
faces.
I'm also working
on audiobook versions of the series, which will be available later in the
spring, through Audible. Audiobooks are a whole new way to share stories and
lots of fun to put together.
6.
If you could be one of the characters from this book, who would it be and why?
I'd
probably be Indigo because I relate to her the most. She has a lot of heart and
isn't jaded like some of the other characters. She's also talented enough to
have a career with a good ballet company but doesn't succumb to the competitive
environment by becoming cruel. That's not an easy thing to do and requires
inner strength and character.
7. Can you give us a sneak peak into this book?
Sure,
I'd love to! Here's an excerpt:
Maggie plunks her bag down, grabbing the spot next to me.
“Ten minutes ‘til the fun begins,” she says. She glances around furtively
before adding, “Who knows what torture she'll dish out today. But inquiring
minds want to know: will she reach new levels of cattiness or will we be left
sorely disappointed?” She grins wickedly as she finishes tying a ribbon on her
pointe shoe.
Neither of us fares well when Alexa
Damore teaches class. She's known for her snide comments and keen ability to
pick people apart. “I’ll take disappointment over outright humiliation any
day,” I counter. “But who knows. Maybe one of these days she’ll be miraculously
transformed.”
Maggie arches an eyebrow. “What?” I
continue. “It’s not too much to hope for–a little prayer can’t hurt. Pray with
me.” I fold my hands together and duck my head down. Maggie smacks me. I stick
my tongue out at her while I finish tying my shoes. I refuse to climb on the
negativity train with her. It's never a good way to start class.
The door to the studio
glides open and a sudden hush sweeps through the room, as if the oxygen has
been sucked away. Alexa Damore has arrived–but she’s wearing street clothes–and
she’s not alone.
Benjamin Stafford, Artistic Director
of Manhattan Ballet Theater, also known as the man who holds our future in his
hands, stands in the center of the room. From where I stand, the ambient light
behind him illuminates the outline of his body, as if he's a living embodiment
of a god. Then again, he is a god in the world of ballet. The silence is
deafening as he slowly rotates around, gazing at each of us in turn. He flashes
a brilliant smile and it’s all I can barely look at him. He's even larger in
life than he is onstage with broad shoulders, chiseled features, dark, tousled
hair, and blazing blue eyes. On any given day he’s something to look at, but
the glowing outline thing further illustrates the glaring difference between
him and everyone else in the room.
His eyes fall on me and my heart
flutters in my ribcage. I immediately stand a little bit taller and suck in my
gut. My breath gets shallower and tighter. I close my eyes and force myself to
breath normally. Passing out in class is not the way I want to make an
impression.
I may not survive this class.
8. Do you belong to a critique group? If so how does this help or hinder
your writing?
I
belonged to a critique group for many years and found it to be incredibly
helpful. My fellow writers understood the important components of what makes a
book work, like character development, plot, and pacing. They also asked
questions that made me realize where I needed to fill in details. Once I
started writing the Indigo Ballet Series I needed to work differently; I felt
that I would rather get feedback on the whole book instead of a few pages at a
time. These days I have a few close writer friends I work with regularly.
9. Do you outline your books or just start writing?
I
am definitely the kind of person who needs an outline; otherwise things get
complicated and messy very quickly. I look at it like taking a road trip; you
need a map, otherwise who knows where you'll end up! A map shows a clear route
with a beginning, middle and end. Of course, you can take a couple of side
trips (if you absolutely must go visit the World's Largest Ball of Twine, for
example), but you stick to the plan so you end up where you intended to go when
you first set out.
10.
How do you maintain your creativity?
I
find tons of inspiration in nature...or anything beautiful. I spend time
outside every day (although nowhere near as much time in my garden as I'd like,
which is evident in its somewhat sad appearance these days) walking and hiking.
I feel very fortunate living in the San Francisco Bay Area; it's the most
beautiful place I've ever lived, with amazing views and tons of open space and
hiking trails. I also love art–we have tons of museums (the DeYoung is my
favorite), and I really feel uplifted whenever I see art that speaks to me.
11.
Are your plotting bunnies angels or demons?
Ha!
It depends on the day, I guess. There's a certain point in the writing process
when magic happens: It's as if an unseen hand takes over and you take a back
seat and watch things unfold. Sometimes your characters take on a life of their
own, they say and do things that you, the author, find surprising. There have been times where I've read over my
work and said to myself, “Wow, I can't believe character X did that. I would
never have thought of that,” which is funny, since the idea came out of my
head. But that is where you really see the separation between you and your
characters. Sometimes there are surprising story twists and unexpected
endings...you just never know what the final result will be until you get there.
In that sense, writing requires living on the edge, being comfortable with
getting lost, taking that leap of faith and plunging forward through the dark,
spooky forest until you see where you end up. It's a little unnerving at times
but it keeps things interesting.
12.
Anything else you might want to add?
Yes!
Stay in touch... here's how:
Thanks the Angels
