Interview with YA author Selene Castrovilla, and two-book giveaway

Today I talk with YA author Selene Castrovilla about her writing, her books, and more. Selene Castrovilla is the author of Saved by the Music; The Girl Next Door; and Melt. You can read an excerpt of Melt on SeleneCastrovilla.com.

And as an extra treat, Selene is giving away two copies of her books to readers here. Just leave a comment on this blog post to enter the giveaway. Open to US, contest runs from today until Thurs Sept 15. For an extra entry, tweet or post about this contest, and let me know in the comments.

And now–Selene!

Why do you write?

I write because the voices tell me too. This seems funny, but it's true. I've had to pull over on side of the road to "take dictation" from characters. They want their stories told. There's a certain spot a block and a half from my house where they are especially vocal. I'm on my way home to cook dinner, and then bam! somebody starts talking in my head.

The first time this happened, many years ago, a girl started ranting about how she hated her name: Willow. She went on about how her mom – Isadora – gave Willow a weak name on purpose, so she could stomp all over her. I was surprised, of course, but I knew I needed to write this all down. At home, I dutifully typed it in my computer. I didn't know what to make of it, and it sat in a file for years.

Then came time to write my thesis in The New School MFA Writing Program. I was terrified to write a novel. I felt like someone had to come down from the heavens and grant me permission. Plus, the story was going to be autobiographical. That's akin to opening up a vein and bleeding onto the page. I was speaking with my thesis advisor, Hettie Jones, about a possible name for the character, and it hit me. "Her name is Willow," I said.

She said, "That's a terrible name."

I answered, "I know. She hates it."

I wound up using Willow's rant almost verbatim in my novel, Saved By The Music.

So why do I write? Because I have to. Those voices won't leave me alone. And sometimes it's my own inner voice, reminding me of my purpose. Because if we don't fulfill our life's purpose, that's the greatest tragedy of all.

I understand needing to write, Selene!


What do you love about writing? (Or about the publishing business, or both.)

I love the thrill of the chase when I'm writing. I love knowing what comes next, and then being surprised anyway. I love revising and finding that perfect word. There are so many words for the same general thing, and to find the one with just the right tone and shading is the equivalent of winning an Olympic gold medal to me. And I love the simplicity of writing. I try to carrying that over into my "real" life.

What I love about the publishing business is being published

What don't you like about the publishing business? (Or about writing.)

I don't like sitting down to write. This crazy fear grips me: What if it was all a fluke? What if I can't do it any more?

The only thing to do at that point is to sit down and write. Once I do that, I'm like a fish in water. I don't like having to stop, but when I do, I try to do it at a point where I'll be able to continue a thought the next day. That makes it easier to get my butt into the chair, as Jane Yolen would say.

I don't like being my own boss because I am a nice person. I need a boss who cracks a whip, lol. But when I'm deep into a novel, I become so much of a whip-cracker that I fail to perform my "lifely" duties. What I don't like about writing most is that I don't have a maid and a chef

As for the business of writing, I don't like math, so that's a problem. I don't like knowing how many books I've sold because I'm type A and it would never be enough. I don't like having no control – It's like sending your baby off in the world all alone. I don't like the seemingly randomness of it, and I abhor marketing! I don't like when books that have no literary merit become popular. It's an insult to the craft, and hurts both writers and readers. But I'm grateful to be published and have readers, so I don't think about the thinks I don't like very much

What would you want in your ideal writing studio? What does your writing space look like now?

I'm very visceral, and I like a lot of symbolic, inspiring things. Shakespeare is my hero, so I have some souvenirs from Stratford surrounding me. I love purple, so there's a lot of that. I have quotes that mean something to me, and pictures of my kids. I live on the water, and my desk overlooks it, which is nice of course! I'd like a loft or a barn overlooking water, and lots of old furniture inside. My desk is a bit ratty – I'd like a big old wood desk – maybe one of those roll-top ones.

I love purple, too. And how lovely that your desk overlooks the water!
Where do you write most often?

Lately I have been writing in the kitchen, oddly enough. I've just had it re-done after years of devastation, so I find it relaxing and satisfactory to sit in there. I painted it two-tone purple myself! I have a New Orleans section and a New Mexico section on my walls, from recent trips. I have to find my Europe stuff, packed away somewhere. And there's a frame that says "Laugh" with a picture on my sons laughing in it, right by the front door. I know you should be able to create in chaos – and I have! – but I do enjoy a pleasant work space! Right now I'm writing outside, by the water. There's an egret who plods by pretty much every day – my old, dear friend.

What do you think is the most important thing (or things) that makes a good book work?

Voice – which brings empathy for the character. You have to like something about him, even if he's pretty horrible. A reader will follow a character anywhere if they care about him.

I agree–voice is so important.


What is your favorite type of book to read?

A book in which I worry about the character. And it must be well-written.

What are some of your favorite YA books? How about picture books?

My favorite book is Melt. It helped inspire The Girl Next Door (long story.) I loved Boy Meets Boy, except for the last line, which I think was a cop-out. I like You Don't Know Me and When Jeff Comes Home. I think Coe Booth's books are gritty and great. Wintergirls is amazing, though too close to home. Americais an awesome book. Breathing Underwater, Cut… these are books I used to identify sensory details as I was searching for ways to intertwine my own without "forcing" them.

I like the classic picture books like Cat in the Hat. Love that scolding fish! I like Go, Dog, Go; A Fly Went By; Green Eggs and Ham. I like a well-written picture book that makes you laugh and think. They've cut them up a lot these days, because parents don't want to read longer books to their kids. My friend Orel Protopopescu just came out with a book called Thelonious Mouse which reminds me of the "old-time" books I love. It's so funny, and musical, too. And I like Knuffle Bunny – there's a line in it about the child going "boneless" which made me buy the book!

Thank you for those recommendations, Selene. I love a lot of those books, and the ones I don't know I'd like to check out.


How much of yourself or your own experiences and emotions do you put in your books?

So much…It's very hard to handle sometimes. When I've written a tough scene, I have to go to bed and take a nap.

I understand.
What is your favorite book that you wrote? Why?

That is like asking which child is my favorite. Impossible! I will say that I have a soft spot for Saved by the Music because it's about my life, and especially for Axel¸ who I worry about still. I won't give anything away, but readers have e-mailed me while close to the end of the book expressing their concern for him. I consider that the highest compliment. I girl recently posted a video on YouTube about why Saved is her new favorite book.

What do you want to tell readers?

If life gets tough, use books as an escape. You are not alone. I went through hell and came back.

Books involve an active participation that movies and television don't – We need books to make our minds move and expand.

Tell the truth, as you perceive it. You are not wrong. It is your truth, and no one can take that away from you.

And please do what you love. It took me a long time to get the nerve to do what I always knew what I was meant to do…Your passion will make you happy like nothing else.

I agree! Books can help us so much.


Where can readers find you online?

SeleneCastrovilla.com. Please write to me, and I'll write back!

Friend me on Facebook: Selene Bayrack-Castrovilla

Twitter: @SCastrovilla

There are some YouTube videos too, if you search for my name. You can watch A Girl Next Door book trailer.

What are you working on now? Or what's your next book that we can look for?

My next book is called Melt. It's being released November 15 by WestSide Books, but is available for pre-order on Amazon. Please read the excerpt on my website. It's in dual first person, half verse and half prose. It's a love story between a girl with a pretty perfect life and a messed-up boy with a dark family secret. This is a departure for me – very raw and intense. I'm so excited to share it with everyone!

You will also enjoy my stories about the American Revolution, because they are not your typical history books. They are tales about people like us, minus our conveniences and technology. You will relate to them and worry about them. What's in our hearts doesn't change.

That's why I write about humanity. Then, now…Whenever. I care about people, and I think that translates to the page

Selene Castrovilla is an award-winning teen and children's author. Her teen novels are Saved By the Music , The Girl Next Door and the forthcoming Melt. Her children's books – both about little known events in the American Revolution – are By The Sword and Upon Secrecy. Selene holds an MFA in creative writing from New School University and a BA in English from New York University. She lives on Long Island with her two sons. Visit her website www.SeleneCastrovilla.com for book excerpts and more information!