Change in Review Policy

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Review: Between Shades of Gray

Details:
Title: Between Shades of Gray
Author: Ruta Sepetys
Publisher: Philomel Books
Pub Date: March 2011
Genre: Historical Fiction

Lina is just like any other fifteen-year-old Lithuanian girl in 1941. She paints, she draws, she gets crushes on boys. Until one night when Soviet officers barge into her home, tearing her family from the comfortable life they've known. Separated from her father, forced onto a crowded and dirty train car, Lina, her mother, and her young brother slowly make their way north, crossing the Arctic Circle, to a work camp in the coldest reaches of Siberia. Here they are forced, under Stalin's orders, to dig for beets and fight for their lives under the cruelest of conditions.

Lina finds solace in her art, meticulously—and at great risk—documenting events by drawing, hoping these messages will make their way to her father's prison camp to let him know they are still alive. It is a long and harrowing journey, spanning years and covering 6,500 miles, but it is through incredible strength, love, and hope that Lina ultimately survives. Between Shades of Gray is a novel that will steal your breath and capture your heart.
-- Goodreads

My Thoughts:
I was incredibly excited to read Between Shades of Gray, and it was so much better than I hoped it would be. The subject matter is so difficult and depressing, but the book was so much more. I'm not even sure how to describe how much I liked the book and what a wonderful writer Ruta Sepetys is.

The main character Lina really made the story for me. Seeing everything through her eyes; through her struggles made the horrible things that happened to her and family more real and heartbreaking. She continues to find strength in her fellow Lithuanians and in her artwork. Although she is forced into a horrible life and struggles to remain hopeful, she doesn't lose what makes her her. Lina is strong, but she does lose hope briefly and struggles to remain who she is, which makes her so real. You can't help but relate to her and feel her anger, fear, sadness, and her strength.

The writing is wonderful and mixes Lina's current struggles with flashbacks to her previous life before the Soviet occupation. This mixture helps create a richer story of what was happening in Lithuanian in the 40s, but also keeps the story from being too much.

Everyone needs to read this story, not only because knowing this terrible history will help us insure that it doesn't happen again, but because it is a beautifully written story about hope.

Rating:

Author Interview: Siobhan Nichols

YA Titles:

• Darling Rebels

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Darling Rebels Summary:

When Charlotte returns to her hometown of Asebrook from boarding school, she knows what she can expect from her days--lessons from tutors, criticism from her mother, and listening to the same gossip from the same people. But there seems to be something different in store for Charlotte when she meets Adam and Jack, the two boys who will change her forever. However, when Jack and Charlotte fall in love, they realize the fight that they are going to have to put up if they want to be together. During a time when money, society, and how one is viewed as everything, Charlotte stops at nothing to be with the boy that she knows she loves. Even so, Jack seems unwilling to sacrifice her future and happiness since he knows he has nothing to offer. The Darling Rebels tells the story of bravery and resilience in the face of insurmountable odds and how far one girl will go for love, even if it means leaving her seemingly perfect life behind. -- Goodreads

Buy Dariling Rebels | Publisher's Site | Author Site

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Interview:

What's your writing process (do you generally go through a lot of drafts and revisions, are you part of writing group)?

I start with little snippets of scenes, which usually come to me while I'm lying in bed trying to go to sleep. So I'll jot down dialogue in my Moleskine and then flush it out later in the actual document. I do do a lot of revisions, but it's a sort of "clean as you go" thing. If I see something that needs fixing or if I suddenly get inspired to add on to it, I'll go and revise it. I read something by Zadie Smith, I believe, that said you should leave a fair amount of time in between writing and revising, and I really should start doing that because the perfectionism messes with my head. I am not part of an official writing group, but I have friends who read scenes or chapters and give me comments/critiques, and I do the same for them.

What made you want to become a writer?
There's a stereotype that all writers always knew that they wanted to write. I didn't. I always enjoyed writing, I was always good at English when I was in grade and high school. I wrote because I had ideas, but I never thought that they would amount to anything. When I started showing scenes from Darling Rebels to my friends and they kept asking for more, that's when it dawned on me that something I had been doing for myself could actually be shared with other people. Today, I want to be a writer, because it's the only thing that could be classified as work that I enjoy doing. Pursuing an artistic career and lifestyle is the only thing that interests me, now that I'm about to graduate from university.

Where did the idea for Darling Rebels come from? How did you start the novel?
I was on the bus home from school when I was a sophomore in high school, I believe. I was daydreaming and it's the first time I actually remember physically needing to write my idea down. I started the novel with the scene that popped into my head, which is midway through the story. I wrote a little more and it was like the characters were already developed in my head. Then I went back and started from the beginning. I write sporadically--beginnings and endings are very easy for me to write. It's the middle stuff that always poses a challenge.

What drew you to write a historical fiction novel?
It was just always that way in my head. The clothes, the scenery, and the mannerisms--it was just always not in modern day. I know that I didn't write the most historically accurate novel, but if the story was set in modern times, there would really be nothing rebellious about the characters' actions. And the rebellion is obviously the whole point of the story. 

A lot of YA authors today are really involved in the marketing of their books; they're on Facebook, Twitter, and have their own blogs. What sort of marketing for Darling Rebels have you been a part of?
I used to have an official Twitter, but I didn't really find that it was helping to market the book. I do have a website--siobhannichols.com--as well as an Amazon Author Central page. I'm planning on designing a Facebook fan page for the book, so that people can 'like' it.

Any really particularly memorable or difficult moments in the writing or publishing process you want to share?
Actually, once I figured out that I wanted it to be a book, it came very easily to me. I was really lucky that I didn't struggle through writing it. I still can't stop writing about those four teenagers; I have their whole lives planned out for them. The difficulty for me has only come recently, because as I've gone through university and grown as a writer, there are many things that I would like to change or embellish about the book. I want a bigger, more layered, and more historically accurate story. Like George Lucas always wants to rewrite Star Wars, I always want to rewrite Rebels. So I'm going through the difficult moments right now, where I have to learn to let go and write about something else for a change.

What one piece of advice would you give aspiring writer?
Never give up, no matter who tells you that you can't do it. Prove them wrong, because it feels fantastic. The best advice that I ever got was from Elizabeth Gilbert's website. She has a section called "On Writing" and I highly recommend it, because it puts everything about your dream into perspective for you.

Were you an avid reader as a teen, and what were your favorite books? 
Like I said before, English was my best subject in school (which is why I majored in it in university), so I did read a lot. My two favorite books ever are Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli, and The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. Harry Potter also changed my life. I have a picture of JK Rowling on my wall to inspire me to keep writing and to just always do the best work that I can.


What are you reading now?
I just finished The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, as well as City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare. I recently got into John Green's work and I'm always on the lookout for good historical fiction novels. I really wish Phillippa Gregory would write a book about Queen Victoria, because that's my favorite time period and queen. Oh, and I cannot wait for Sarah Dessen's new book, Whatever Happened to Goodbye? I'm really into memoirs and books that are about more than just love. I need to find some books about people who have just gotten out of university and how they manage it, because I graduate in three weeks and I'll need loads of help adjusting to the real world. 

Thank you Siobhan and best wishes!

Review: Darling Rebels

Details:
Title: Darling Rebels
Author: Siobhan Nichols
Publisher: Diversion Press
Pub Date: May, 2009
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating:

When Charlotte returns to her hometown of Asebrook from boarding school, she knows what she can expect from her days--lessons from tutors, criticism from her mother, and listening to the same gossip from the same people. But there seems to be something different in store for Charlotte when she meets Adam and Jack, the two boys who will change her forever. However, when Jack and Charlotte fall in love, they realize the fight that they are going to have to put up if they want to be together. During a time when money, society, and how one is viewed as everything, Charlotte stops at nothing to be with the boy that she knows she loves. Even so, Jack seems unwilling to sacrifice her future and happiness since he knows he has nothing to offer. The Darling Rebels tells the story of bravery and resilience in the face of insurmountable odds and how far one girl will go for love, even if it means leaving her seemingly perfect life behind. -- Goodreads

My Thoughts:

I must say I had a really hard time getting into this one. I think I would have liked it a lot more if it was set in the present day. Too much what was going on and the characters' dialog and actions just didn't feel "nineteen hundreds" to me. I liked the characters and the basic plot, just didn't feel like the time period choice fit. I like historical fiction, but it really has to feel historical to me, right down to the slang. I know not everyone feels that way, but it's one of my reading pet peeves.

That said, once I got into the novel I did like the characters and found it to be a fun read. I haven't read many romances recently (been on a dystopia kick lately), so it was really refreshing to read something with a love triangle that didn't also involve the world ending or society collapsing. And the love triangle in Darling Rebels was interesting not too over-the-top. It actually felt realistic, like three teenagers could find themselves in this sort of situation. 

Check back later today for an interview with Siobhan

Interview: Jennifer Caloyeras

YA Titles:

• Urban Falcon

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Urban Falcon Summary:

Evan Falcon was all set to finish high school in Elbow Creek when his dad's job forced the family to move to Lincoln Heights, a booming metropolis. Now, his best friend won't even talk to him and he suspects that his mom is having an affair. Caught between who he used to be and the possibility of who he could become, Evan is thrown into a world of dating, out of control parents, and family drama. -- Goodreads

Buy Urban Falcon | Publisher's Site | Author Site | Facebook | Author's Crafting/Cooking Blog

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Interview:

How did you get the Urban Falcon started? Where did the idea of the book come from?

When I finished my MA program in English literature I had a big void in my life. While working on my graduate thesis (focusing on gender and sexuality in Victorian literature) spending hours a day in front of my computer had become quite meditative. So when that project was completed, I stayed at the computer.

But what should I write?

Then Evan Falcon (the 16-year old male protagonist of my novel, Urban Falcon) came to me. He first showed up as a whisper -- a sort of nagging in my mind. As I stared at a blank screen I got to know Evan - his likes and dislikes -- and then I started creating a world around him. For me, a story always begins with a “what if….” statement. For Urban Falcon, the question became, “What if Evan Falcon is forced to move to a new home and discovers his mom is having an affair?” How would he react?

I was drawn to this idea because usually in young adult novels, the adults tend to act like…adults. They don’t make tons of mistakes. How would it feel for this boy on the verge of manhood to learn that his parents aren’t the superheroes he once thought they were? How would it feel for Evan to fall in love for the first time? How would it be for Evan to have to start over -- a country boy suddenly placed in a big city? How would he find his way?

And then, the writing began. The story took so many different turns before it found its direction. At one point, Evan had a little sister (she was later cut). In another version -- his mom was a doctor. Cut. I couldn’t tell you how many drafts I wrote, but I recycled lots and lots of paper. 

How long did it take you to write the novel?

 

I would say that from the initial inception of the idea to the completion of the novel took about two years. I think it would have been shorter had I not enrolled in a MFA program in Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. In addition to working on the novel (which I was able to further develop in a children’s literature class I was taking) I had a lot of other course work and reading to complete, so my immediate goal was to get through each semester with my head on straight rather than finish the novel -- that was more of a long term goal.

How many revisions did you do?

Too many to count! I’m not a “start at the beginning and work my way forward” kind of reviser. Initially, it begins this way, but if I continue to start at the beginning, the first half of a novel can seem overworked, overwritten, over-revised. I like to work in small chunks. I always keep a few running lists next to me as I write. The first is a timeline of events. When working on a novel-length piece, this is especially helpful to make sure that things are taking place in the correct order and if a major edit happens early on, I use this list to see how this impacts the rest of the story. 
 
Another list I keep next to me while working is a list of research questions. Some of these questions for Urban Falcon included things like, “what does a periodontist do?” “What kind of camera would an aspiring photographer use?” “What kinds of snakes are kept as pets that might be on a semi-endangered list?” Because this world is fictitious, I had less research questions. The novel I am currently working on takes place in Santa Cruz, California, so I have a lot of questions related to that specific region. The female protagonist is obsessed with biology facts, so there’s been a lot of research there. And there also is a juvenile delinquent component, so my research involves the California juvenile court system. But no matter where the book takes place, I have a running list of questions. It’s so satisfying to cross of the list as I research. And truth be told, on days when I don’t feel like writing or editing, I make my way down the research list.

The third list I work with is a character list. I keep this handy for practical reasons like their names and descriptions but also I use it to trace character growth. How does a character change throughout the novel? What is their arc? I am much more aware of this now working on a second piece. 

Did you work with a developmental editor while revising and writing the novel?

I did not work with a developmental editor, but I suppose that since I completed this piece of work in graduate school, my peers and professor acted as developmental editor. Writing workshops were an integral part of the shaping of this story. Fellow students questioned parts of the story that weren’t working and sent my characters off in new directions. Now that I am out of school and I don’t have the safety net of peer editors or an acclaimed instructor / writer such as Glen Huser (recipient of the Governor General award for his children’s fiction -- which is the Canadian version of the Newbery). I have, instead, a select group of fellow writers whose honest opinions I trust.

How did you approach editors to get Urban Falcon published?

I am a huge fan of Poets and Writers Magazine and I recommend getting a subscription as soon as possible! They have a wealth of information on publishing and writing and what’s happening right now in the world of writing. In any case, I began my search there. I felt like this book screamed to be published by a small press -- it just felt like a right fit. I was thrilled to find that my publisher, Diversion Press, was run by two academics, both college professors. Because I also write short fiction -- I am very well versed in sending out queries and stories to literary magazines. Which means I’m also very well versed in receiving rejections. You have to have thick skin to be in this business. You have to be able to tell yourself, “okay, that story is not right for that particular agent, editor, publisher” and then you have to believe it will be right for someone. So you press on.

Was there anything else about your writing process or publishing experience that was particular memorable or difficult?

When the publishers sent me the initial cover for the novel I admittedly wasn’t thrilled. It was a cityscape scene with a male and a female in a romantic embrace. It wasn’t the mood that embodied the book (for me), but I understand why it may have been appealing for a certain audience. I was really worried about alienating a male-teenage audience. Since the story has a male protagonist, I tried to think of teenage boys I knew who would want to carry a book around with a romantic scene on the front! I expressed my concern to my publishers who sent four or five more options, which were better, but still didn’t quite hit home. I’d imagine that the cover image is such a personal thing for a writer! I just wanted it to reflect the heart and soul of the story. My childhood friend, Lizabeth Zindel (author of three young adult novels including the wildly popular Girl of the Moment) said, “let’s do a free clip art search”. She explained that that is how most major publishing companies find their covers. We spent hours going back and forth typing in key words that I thought encompassed my novel. I have to credit her for finding the image that is now the cover of the novel. And I was so thankful that my publishers also supported the photo which is a teenage boy walking towards the city with a suitcase. The fact that he’s alone is so important as it symbolizes the solitude and alienation he feels throughout the story.

I do have a little remorse about starting my writing career in my late 20’s! I keep thinking about all the free time I had in my early twenties, before I had a job, before marriage, before kids! Now I write in small spurts. My youngest (age two) takes a two-hour nap every day, so I try and get some writing done then. But I can’t help but think back to an earlier time in my life when I had days free when I could have been writing! So time is my biggest hurdle now. But I’ve always worked well on a deadline. I began a second young adult novel in January of 2010 and I gave myself a deadline of December 2010 to complete a draft (which I did) and then a deadline of June 2011 for a completed draft ready to send out ... the finish line is approaching, but I find that I work much better on a deadline, even if self-imposed. You have to have a lot of discipline to be a writer, otherwise you end up spending far too much time staring at a blank screen while fiddling with a pile of paper clips, organizing highlighters and doodling on post-its (yes, I spend far too much time doing all of the above). On good days I’m able to quit procrastinating and start writing!

Thanks for stopping by Jennifer, and best wishes