Interview with Julia DeVillers, Author of Meet Me at Wonderland
Welcome to Smack Dab, Julia! Meet Me at Wonderlandfeatures a theme park setting. What brought you to writing about this setting?I’d say it’s a fantastically fun background, but it’s far more than just background!
Hi, Smack Dab! Yes, Wonderland Amusement Park ispractically a character in my book. Going to a theme park is such a core summermemory, so having Coco’s family own one so she can go behind the scenes (skipthe lines! Be there after hours! Go into the creepy basement of broken downrides and animatronics!) was fun to write.
It was actually my editor, Alyson, who came up withthat setting, while we were brainstorming. The book is inspired by my teen jobat Chuck E. Cheese (as Chuck E. Cheese) but I couldn’t set it there so shesuggested the theme park. Which was perfect.
The protagonist Coco has a deep connection to herfamily's amusement park. Does your family have a place that is similarly yours?A business, a vacation spot?
Growing up, I spent vacations at my grandparents’farm in Copake, New York. The house was filled with bookshelves and we weren’tallowed to watch TV. It was basically a book retreat! My grandmother had afriend in book publishing who would send her not only ARCs but handwrittennotes on manuscripts in progress, even as a kid I was fascinated at that littlepeek of how books were made. Now their property is a tree farm and a memorialplayground, so that’s my tiny slice of wonderland.
In the acknowledgments, you mention your own cancerbattle and how that influenced Coco's mother's storyline. What was it likeincluding such a deeply personal experience? I imagine it would have to beincredibly cathartic.
To be honest, I wasn’t sure if it would be catharticor traumatic! This was the first book I wrote since cancer, and having ahappily-ever-after romcom story was exactly the right book to write as I could“escape” as I recovered. Once I went into remission, I realized I wanted to putsomething hopeful after cancer in the book so I wrote Coco’s mom recovered andback to work as, just as I was. So you’re right, and now talking about it withyou is cathartic as well. (Thanks, SmackDab!)
Henry and Coco's "moose-cute" is such acharming and unique meet-cute. How did you come up with this concept, and wasthe Morty the Moose character inspired by any real-life mascots?
ME! I’m Chuck E. Cheese! (I also was Mr. Munch, alittle known sidekick.) So the descriptions of being in the smelly, heavycostume is truly authentic. Also, the meet-cute really happened to me–althoughI took dramatic license. I didn’t trip and knock over a table and literallyfall at a boy’s feet. But, uh, close.
I’m always so excited to come across books for thatsort of space between MG and fully YA. The romance in the book is sweet andculminates in a first kiss, which feels perfect for readers who might beexperiencing their first feelings of attraction. How do you strike the rightbalance when writing romance for this audience?
Thanks for appreciating that. Having a crush is sucha powerful universal feeling at any age, and I tried to capture the intensity.Plus I love witty banter. I actually had a focus group of teens this age whoread my manuscript and told me, brutally, if I misstepped, which helped mecapture it more authentically.
The summer setting plays an important role in thestory. What do you think makes summer such a powerful time for personal growthand transformation, especially for teenagers?
Freedom from the school routine and responsibilitiesand those pressures! Coco and Henry are both at their first job, meeting newpeople outside of their own bubbles and taking on new responsibilities, so it’sa great set up for personal growth and self-discovery. Add in sunshine and thebeach and summer vibes…
The book contains a lot of humor, particularlyaround the moose costume mishaps. Sometimes, it seems serious topics just land better when they come with humor.Do you find that to be true as well?
That was my goal! And how I try to live my life nowas well as how I actually lived my life for that brief but potent (literallyand figuratively) time as a mascot.
The story deals with themes of family legacy,change, and finding identity beyond what's expected. Kind of that first bigstep away from childhood toward being your own person. What message do you hopeyoung readers take away most fromCoco's journey?
It’s okay to step outside of the expectations otherpeople have of you and create your own path forward. Be true to yourself andfind people who support you and cheer you on along the way. Coco and Henryaren’t only crushes, but they developed a friendship that turns from rivals tosupport systems.
Where can we find you?
On Instagram and TikTok @juliadevillers, andhopefully visiting bookstores near you!
What’s next?
Ooh, still secret, but in progress!
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