Ask the Author: Liza M. Wiemer
Answered Questions (8)
Liza M. Wiemer
I just added you as a friend, which you will have to approve. When you go to someone's page, click on the button under their name to friend/follow. It's a dropdown.
Liza M. Wiemer
Hi Ruchama, thank you for your important question. On April 4, 2017, when I found out about the real assignment that initially inspired this story, I was stunned that any teacher would ask students to be Nazis and argue in support of their hateful actions. At the same time, I was also inspired by the courage of the real teens who spoke up against the assignment. (Check out The Story Behind The Assignment: https://www.lizawiemer.com/the-story-...) When I started doing research for the novel, I discovered many similar assignments. It was painful and challenging to take those experiences and fictionalize them, but absolutely necessary. In the novel, addressing antisemitism, racism and other forms of hatred was difficult because it's a mirror to the worst of humanity. It also forced me to confront the horrible antisemitism I've faced in my life. But in writing the book, I also had the opportunity to show how kindness, compassion, tolerance, and love can transform.
Since I finished the novel, the vast majority of my days have been devoted to speaking out against assignments like this and empowering others to utilize their voices to make this world a better world. I've given numerous workshops on what it takes to be an upstander. And I find strength in this.
Seven years ago, when I began this journey, I could never have imagined the kind of hatred we're seeing in society today. But throughout this journey, I've met many extraordinary people who bring light into this world through their goodness, kindness, and compassion. They give me hope. They are hope. Our world needs a lot more hope. So as hard as it is to address such painful topics such has antisemitism, racism, bullying and other forms of hatred, I'm grateful and humbled to be able to do this tireless work.
Thank you for reading the novel. 😍
Since I finished the novel, the vast majority of my days have been devoted to speaking out against assignments like this and empowering others to utilize their voices to make this world a better world. I've given numerous workshops on what it takes to be an upstander. And I find strength in this.
Seven years ago, when I began this journey, I could never have imagined the kind of hatred we're seeing in society today. But throughout this journey, I've met many extraordinary people who bring light into this world through their goodness, kindness, and compassion. They give me hope. They are hope. Our world needs a lot more hope. So as hard as it is to address such painful topics such has antisemitism, racism, bullying and other forms of hatred, I'm grateful and humbled to be able to do this tireless work.
Thank you for reading the novel. 😍
Liza M. Wiemer
Hi Marlyee! I loved meeting you! Coming to your school was fantastic and I hope to return in the not-so-distant future. Thank you so much for your question. I don't know the exact number of books that have sold since publication, but I am grateful to say that it's been reprinted numerous times and so far has also been translated to Italian, Korean, Russian and Polish.
Liza M. Wiemer
Hi Marilyn, I am so happy and honored to hear about the recommendation (and very much appreciated your comment on my review of The Yellow Bird Sings). Since the book's publication, I know my publisher stopped sending out ARCs. If the book isn't available to you through your library, message me! With gratitude, Liza
Liza M. Wiemer
April 7, 2020: Wisconsin voters standing in long lines without social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic. This may very well be a death sentence.
Liza M. Wiemer
Hi Emily,
Thank you so much for your question. It was so wonderful to meet you! The characters in HELLO? really spoke to me and I had to tell the story. One of the biggest reasons why I didn't get bored was because I lived in that world and found my characters to be really interesting. I spent a lot of time talking with them, asking questions, interviewing them as if they were real people. I needed to understand them, protect them, yet at the same time reveal their secrets.
Because there are five different narrators and different writing styles—free verse poetry, screenplay format, narration, and narration with illustration—I was constantly challenged and pushed myself to tell their story, and that definitely kept boredom at bay.
If you find yourself bored with a story, challenge your characters. Have them do something completely unexpected and discover the results. Put your characters in a situation that pushes their limits physically, morally, or emotionally.
Hope this helps. If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask!
Thank you so much for your question. It was so wonderful to meet you! The characters in HELLO? really spoke to me and I had to tell the story. One of the biggest reasons why I didn't get bored was because I lived in that world and found my characters to be really interesting. I spent a lot of time talking with them, asking questions, interviewing them as if they were real people. I needed to understand them, protect them, yet at the same time reveal their secrets.
Because there are five different narrators and different writing styles—free verse poetry, screenplay format, narration, and narration with illustration—I was constantly challenged and pushed myself to tell their story, and that definitely kept boredom at bay.
If you find yourself bored with a story, challenge your characters. Have them do something completely unexpected and discover the results. Put your characters in a situation that pushes their limits physically, morally, or emotionally.
Hope this helps. If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask!
Liza M. Wiemer
Hi Steve! Your comment made me smile and laugh! Thanks for that. I fully admit that I put a little rivalry in HELLO? between Packer and Viking fans. Just couldn't resist. :) It's all in fun, though. If it weren't for football, fall and winter would be much tougher to get through. My least favorite times of the year! :/
Liza M. Wiemer
If I'm stuck, it means I need to stop and listen to my characters. I'll explain more, but first I want to give an example.
With the ending of HELLO?, I thought I knew exactly what was going to happen. For several weeks, I tried writing it in the way I had envisioned. I can't even begin to tell you how many times I typed and deleted different variations based on what I THOUGHT should happen. Frustration grew. Finally, I stopped, sat quietly and asked Emerson. It was so different from what I had in my mind!!!!! And it's exactly how I wrote it in the novel. I love the ending. The last paragraph! The last word!!!!! I smile every time I see it.
Part of the writing process is asking your characters questions, interviewing them as if they're real. A writer needs to get into the "head" of their characters, know their secrets, fears, hopes, traumas, hurts, pet peeves, relationships with family and friends. At first, they start out as strangers or new acquaintances. But as time goes on, they become your closest friends. As the writer, you "build a relationship" with them. Interviewing is one of my best tools. I bet you'll be surprised by some of the answers. I certainly have been.
With the ending of HELLO?, I thought I knew exactly what was going to happen. For several weeks, I tried writing it in the way I had envisioned. I can't even begin to tell you how many times I typed and deleted different variations based on what I THOUGHT should happen. Frustration grew. Finally, I stopped, sat quietly and asked Emerson. It was so different from what I had in my mind!!!!! And it's exactly how I wrote it in the novel. I love the ending. The last paragraph! The last word!!!!! I smile every time I see it.
Part of the writing process is asking your characters questions, interviewing them as if they're real. A writer needs to get into the "head" of their characters, know their secrets, fears, hopes, traumas, hurts, pet peeves, relationships with family and friends. At first, they start out as strangers or new acquaintances. But as time goes on, they become your closest friends. As the writer, you "build a relationship" with them. Interviewing is one of my best tools. I bet you'll be surprised by some of the answers. I certainly have been.
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