5/30/06, interview
YAW: Thanks for taking the time to interview with YAW. First off, who is your favorite YAW-thor?
JW: I’d have to say S.E. Hinton. I love The Outsiders. “Stay gold, Ponyboy, stay gold!”
YAW: Secondly, what is your favorite dessert?
JW: Baskin Robbins Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
JW: I’ve been writing bits of stories since I was in elementary school, but I didn’t start my first manuscript until I was 23.
YAW: When and why did you start trying to get published?
JW: I started trying to get published after I finished that first manuscript (about a year and a half later) because I’ve always loved writing and books, and the thought of seeing my words on a shelf somewhere was inspiring.
YAW: What type of novel do you prefer to write or publish?
JW: Teen fiction, preferably in the fantasy genre or anything that makes a little of the impossible seem possible.
YAW: What has been the best thing to happen to you since you started on the path to publishing that you feel you wouldn’t have been able to have happen if you hadn't?
JW: Meeting so many fabulous authors. It’s such a warm, fuzzy feeling to be part of that community.
YAW: If you could have three wishes, and they wouldn’t backfire at you, what would they be?
JW: My one unselfish one: A cure for cancer. That is one of the scariest illnesses to me. My two selfish ones: To be able to make everyone proud of me and to never worry about financial issues again.
YAW: A lot of writers are friends with other writers, like JRR Tolkien was friends with CS Lewis. Are you friends with other writers of any age and if so, how does having other writers in your life influence your own writing?
JW: I actually have several writer friends, and they are a godsend. You can complain to your regular friends about writing issues, and they’ll be sympathetic, but they don’t relate to the situation as well as other writers. Plus, other writers can give you advice on how they got through what you’re going through.
YAW: A lot of people think that young writers don’t have enough life experience to write well. They think that young writers are a gimmick. As someone who started writing and trying to get published young, what is your response to those people?
JW: My response is: Don’t tell a young person they have no life experience when you have no idea what they’ve been through. I know some teenagers who have had to raise their siblings and deal with abusive parents, and they have had a TON of life experience. i know some adults who breezed through childhood, and they have very little life experience.
YAW: Do you tell new friends about your books right away or wait until you know them better?
JW: Actually, when I found out my first book was going to be published, I took a while to tell even my current friends! I had this irrational fear that I would jinx the whole deal if I talked about it too much. As for new friends, I don’t usually tell them about my books for a while because it seems like I’m trying to pitch a sale if I do it too soon. “Hi, I’m Jo. Nice to meet ya. I write books. Go buy one!”
YAW: Does your husband think it’s cool that you’re a published writer or does it not really mean much to him (is it just another part of who you are to him)?
JW: My husband is the biggest supporter I have as a writer. I tend to be a bit shy in front of other people about mentioning my work, but he knows when it needs to be brought up, and he’ll do it for me in this really casual, offhand way he has. He also doesn’t bat an eye when I tell him I need to budget some of our money for my latest book-marketing scheme.
YAW: A lot of young writers look up to young published authors, because you represent the hope that adults will take young writers seriously. What is one piece of advice that you would give to young writers?
JW: Have patience. I know that’s such an irritating thing to say, but this business will make you eventually develop it at any rate. You know how at the start of every school year, you start looking forward to the end of the school year? Waiting to get a book published is like that, but much longer.
YAW: Have you ever had someone walk up to you randomly and know who you were when you weren’t at an event? If so, what did you do?
JW: Not yet, but I hope that day comes soon!
YAW: What is one thing you wish you hadn’t done as far as your publishing life goes so far?
JW: I wish I hadn’t sent off my query letters to agents and publishers so prematurely. It’s embarrassing to think about now. I was just in such a hurry to get published that I didn’t show my best work for a long time. When I finally started sending off good material, I would cringe at my old stuff.
YAW: What do you feel are some of the reasons your novels resonate with your readers the way they do?
JW: The teenagers in my novels deal with issues that are realistic (even if the environment isn’t!) and common for someone their age. My characters also have human flaws. People like to be able to see themselves in characters. It’s difficult to do this when the character is the epitome of perfection.
YAW: What has it been like being young while also being a published author? How have things changed, or not, with your friends, family, and co-workers?
JW: Honestly, nothing much has changed except for people asking how the book biz is going. I still wash the dishes when I have dinner with my folks, I still work my day job, and I still go out to eat and to the movies with my friends. Once I get my own entourage, you can ask me that question again!
YAW: If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you take with you and what three people?
JW: Are we assuming there’s enough food and water on the island? If so, I would take (1) an unlimited supply of paper, (2) an unlimited supply of pens and (3) sunscreen. The three people I would take are my mom, my dad and my husband.
YAW: You saw Terry Brooks speak, and were inspired to write the Silverskin Legacy. When this series is finished, what do you think you’ll work on next? Do you have plans for any non-fantasy novels?
JW: When I finish this series, I plan to work on two other books. One is a semi-fantasy novel, and the other is non-fantasy.
YAW: There’s an amusing quote about you finding writing as your passion after coloring on the walls. Care to expand on that? What did your parents think of your desire to write your masterpieces where everyone could see?
JW: Ooooh. I got in trouble for that. I believe the color I used was a yellowish-orange. That was back in the day before crayons were washable. I thought my parents would be impressed, but they were just angry. Maybe if my wall scribbling had become a bestseller… FYI, I apparently had a penchant for doodling in inappropriate places. A year or so later, I drew mustaches and beards on all my school photos. Needless to say, those photos weren’t distributed to the family.
YAW: Sometimes you’re listed as JoAnne and sometimes, just Jo. Which do you prefer, and why are we seeing both?
JW: I prefer to be called Jo, but JoAnne is my legal name, so it ends up on a lot of documents. I’m hoping some day the confusion will end. I’ve seen one bookstore that has my books co-authored by Jo & JoAnne Whittemore!
YAW: [Weird!] You’ve been involved in some really great writing communities, groups, and organizations. How did you come to be an original member of AS IF!?
JW: I had joined a listserv for Young Adult authors, and a discussion came up about a school in Texas (St. Andrew’s Episcopal School) that had received a donation from a benefactor. The benefactor then asked that Brokeback Mountain be taken off the suggested reading list because it dealt with “inappropriate issues” (i.e., homosexuality). The school refused to remove the book and returned the benefactor’s donation, saying they couldn’t accept donations that came with conditions. The school’s progressive actions inspired the authors on the listserv into action, and we formed AS IF! (Authors Supporting Intellectual Freedom), an organization dedicated to fighting censorship of literature, particularly for young adults.
YAW: [That is really cool.] Well, that about does her! Anything else you'd like to say to YAW readers while we have you?
JW: Do what you want with your life (as long as it’s legal) and know that you are capable of great things.
YAW: Thank you, Jo! It's been an honor and a pleasure. I know everyone will be looking forward to Curse of Arastold this July, and the final third of the Silverskin Legacy. I wish you continued success in your writing career! And once more, YAW readers, you can learn more about Jo and her books by visiting her page www.JoWhittemore.com!
-- Interviewed by B.
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