Week 10 of the 16 Weeks to XVI: here on Officially Twisted!
I have the honor of being the latest blog host for fellow Elevensie, Julia Karr's countdown for her debut XVI. Have you heard about it? If not, go back to her blog and check out all the great tours, details, cool insider tidbits and *contests* that have gone before and now you get to have them here, too!
Author, Julia Karr, the mind behind the haunting XVI -- just LOOK at that stunning cover! *swoon*
To that end, I thought I'd join in with questions of my own because as a Chicagoan, a genre lover, a cultural anthropology nut, and an educator on body image and media messages, I had a TON of questions I wanted to ask, but give *no* spoilers! Hahahaha -- you'll just have to read the book for yourself! Therefore, I concocted:
X Questions that Inspired XVI!
I. The world of XVI is rich with detail, projecting our world forward into one where tattoos, GPS inserts, and government eavesdropping are considered to be "for your safety" (as opposed to parents, boyfriends, or private journals which are *also* supposed to keep you safe!) What I love is that Nina's sense of safety comes from those she trusts and who have earned her trust: family, good friends, and most of all, herself. What made you take on our notions of "safety"?
Increasingly, our world is seen as unsafe. The government has alert levels for terrorism threats, there are constant headlines in newspapers and online about dangers, perils, hazards bombarding us in every form. Sometimes I wonder how we manage to get out of bed in the morning (or why we bother!) Personally, I think paying attention to what is really going on around us (which is more often than not, a whole lot less threatening than "they" would want us to think) and using common sense are paramount in keeping us safe. And, I have a feeling that a lot of the current "threat of harm" is hyped-up so that we will be more eager to allow eroding of our Constitutional rights. (Oops! Does that sound a little paranoid? Mmmm....could be! :)
II. The onslaught of "verts" (advertising) makes it tough to think. Is there an advertising jingle or slogan that gets stuck in your head?
Ha! I still have ones memorized from when I was a kid! Everything from "Things go better with Coca Cola, things go better with Coke. Life is much for fun when you're refreshed. and Coke refreshes you best. It's the Refreshingest!" to "Don't leave home without it!"
III. Vegetarianism is a big part of your life and the lives of your characters; cows and horses are found in zoos, not farms. What inspired the zoo in XVI?
When I lived in Chicago I spent a lot of time at the Lincoln Park Zoo. They had a "farm" area with all the appropriate farm animals. It wasn't much of a stretch for me to take that into the future!
IV. I loved the detail of the tattoos -- using Roman numerals made the practice feel both archaic and futuristic--where did that visual come from?
The number 16 didn't seem menacing enough. Roman numerals felt more removed, less human.
V. Being "sex-teen" for girls is like entering a free-for-all zone, with the only caveat being the FeLS program, where candidates must be virgins. Did you have a real-world example of this kind of double-standard dichotomy that you kept in mind while writing?
In the '60s, when there was a whole lot of "free love" going around, guys were very into that (duh!) and so were a lot of girls... until they wanted to get married. Then, guys found themselves struggling with the standard with which they were raised (that their wife should be a virgin) and the reality that the girl they were in love with, having sex with, maybe even living with (although that was not common back then at all) was definitely not a virgin. That was a difficult time and the backlash is still happening in a lot of places.
VI. I could go on at length about the FeLS program, where young XVIs can earn a way to pull themselves out of their lower tier in society, but I have to ask: was there anything in particular that made you come up with FeLS?
I felt like Nina needed a larger struggle, besides all the personal issues that she's going through. So, I upped the ante on her troubles with the government - a bunch!
VII. We often think of caste and class as something found in foreign countries, not in our own. Have you visited a foreign country where this really stood out for you, or was it something you saw here in the US?
I'm not much of a world traveler (although I'd like to be!) Here in the U.S., it seems that the divide between classes is becoming much more pronounced.
VIII. While there is a romantic element (which I shall not divulge here for spoilers), one of the strongest bonds is between Nina and her sister, Dee. Did you have a sibling or friend in mind when writing these two?
I am super-close to my older sister. She was always very protective of me when we were growing up. I think that definitely comes out in the way I wrote Nina and Dee's relationship.
IX. I know a lot of authors have playlists. Is there a particular song or artist who captures the "feel" of XVI?
I write in silence, but... when I first "saw" Nina in my head, she was walking down the street, earbuds in place, blocking out the noise of verts. In my head, she was listening to the Ramones, probably Sheena is a Punk Rocker or Blitzkrieg Bop - or - Common People by Pulp.
X. I was inspired by the strength of Nina and her story and was thrilled to join you offering an ARC of XVI for Swati Avashti's Split fundraiser to fight domestic abuse. This book can inspire someone to stand up and get the help that they need to protect themselves and their families. Is there anyone you know who inspires you with their strength?
My daughters. They are both fiercely independent and so capable. I know they have their moments, we all do, but I am so proud of both of them and all they've accomplished so far & will continue to accomplish in the future.
Thanks so much for having me on your blog, Dawn! It's been so much fun to go back and think about these things. I believe the perfect giveaway for this week is a split-heart necklace. So, in order to be eligible to win, please comment below (or under the 10 Weeks to XVI post on my blog) and in a week, we'll draw a name and announce the winner! Reminder, too, whether you win or not, you will be entered in the GRAND PRIZE Drawing on January 6th. Who knows what will be in that? Hmmm... :)
*grin* Check out Julia Karr on her blog, Writing YA in the Midwest and look for XVI in 10 weeks! (Although you can always pre-order now!) Thanks, Julia, and let the countdown continue!
P.S. If you haven't read it, the first chapter of XVI is here.
Comment below for a chance to win!!!
Author, Julia Karr, the mind behind the haunting XVI -- just LOOK at that stunning cover! *swoon*
To that end, I thought I'd join in with questions of my own because as a Chicagoan, a genre lover, a cultural anthropology nut, and an educator on body image and media messages, I had a TON of questions I wanted to ask, but give *no* spoilers! Hahahaha -- you'll just have to read the book for yourself! Therefore, I concocted:
X Questions that Inspired XVI!
I. The world of XVI is rich with detail, projecting our world forward into one where tattoos, GPS inserts, and government eavesdropping are considered to be "for your safety" (as opposed to parents, boyfriends, or private journals which are *also* supposed to keep you safe!) What I love is that Nina's sense of safety comes from those she trusts and who have earned her trust: family, good friends, and most of all, herself. What made you take on our notions of "safety"?
Increasingly, our world is seen as unsafe. The government has alert levels for terrorism threats, there are constant headlines in newspapers and online about dangers, perils, hazards bombarding us in every form. Sometimes I wonder how we manage to get out of bed in the morning (or why we bother!) Personally, I think paying attention to what is really going on around us (which is more often than not, a whole lot less threatening than "they" would want us to think) and using common sense are paramount in keeping us safe. And, I have a feeling that a lot of the current "threat of harm" is hyped-up so that we will be more eager to allow eroding of our Constitutional rights. (Oops! Does that sound a little paranoid? Mmmm....could be! :)
II. The onslaught of "verts" (advertising) makes it tough to think. Is there an advertising jingle or slogan that gets stuck in your head?
Ha! I still have ones memorized from when I was a kid! Everything from "Things go better with Coca Cola, things go better with Coke. Life is much for fun when you're refreshed. and Coke refreshes you best. It's the Refreshingest!" to "Don't leave home without it!"
III. Vegetarianism is a big part of your life and the lives of your characters; cows and horses are found in zoos, not farms. What inspired the zoo in XVI?
When I lived in Chicago I spent a lot of time at the Lincoln Park Zoo. They had a "farm" area with all the appropriate farm animals. It wasn't much of a stretch for me to take that into the future!
IV. I loved the detail of the tattoos -- using Roman numerals made the practice feel both archaic and futuristic--where did that visual come from?
The number 16 didn't seem menacing enough. Roman numerals felt more removed, less human.
V. Being "sex-teen" for girls is like entering a free-for-all zone, with the only caveat being the FeLS program, where candidates must be virgins. Did you have a real-world example of this kind of double-standard dichotomy that you kept in mind while writing?
In the '60s, when there was a whole lot of "free love" going around, guys were very into that (duh!) and so were a lot of girls... until they wanted to get married. Then, guys found themselves struggling with the standard with which they were raised (that their wife should be a virgin) and the reality that the girl they were in love with, having sex with, maybe even living with (although that was not common back then at all) was definitely not a virgin. That was a difficult time and the backlash is still happening in a lot of places.
VI. I could go on at length about the FeLS program, where young XVIs can earn a way to pull themselves out of their lower tier in society, but I have to ask: was there anything in particular that made you come up with FeLS?
I felt like Nina needed a larger struggle, besides all the personal issues that she's going through. So, I upped the ante on her troubles with the government - a bunch!
VII. We often think of caste and class as something found in foreign countries, not in our own. Have you visited a foreign country where this really stood out for you, or was it something you saw here in the US?
I'm not much of a world traveler (although I'd like to be!) Here in the U.S., it seems that the divide between classes is becoming much more pronounced.
VIII. While there is a romantic element (which I shall not divulge here for spoilers), one of the strongest bonds is between Nina and her sister, Dee. Did you have a sibling or friend in mind when writing these two?
I am super-close to my older sister. She was always very protective of me when we were growing up. I think that definitely comes out in the way I wrote Nina and Dee's relationship.
IX. I know a lot of authors have playlists. Is there a particular song or artist who captures the "feel" of XVI?
I write in silence, but... when I first "saw" Nina in my head, she was walking down the street, earbuds in place, blocking out the noise of verts. In my head, she was listening to the Ramones, probably Sheena is a Punk Rocker or Blitzkrieg Bop - or - Common People by Pulp.
X. I was inspired by the strength of Nina and her story and was thrilled to join you offering an ARC of XVI for Swati Avashti's Split fundraiser to fight domestic abuse. This book can inspire someone to stand up and get the help that they need to protect themselves and their families. Is there anyone you know who inspires you with their strength?
My daughters. They are both fiercely independent and so capable. I know they have their moments, we all do, but I am so proud of both of them and all they've accomplished so far & will continue to accomplish in the future.
Thanks so much for having me on your blog, Dawn! It's been so much fun to go back and think about these things. I believe the perfect giveaway for this week is a split-heart necklace. So, in order to be eligible to win, please comment below (or under the 10 Weeks to XVI post on my blog) and in a week, we'll draw a name and announce the winner! Reminder, too, whether you win or not, you will be entered in the GRAND PRIZE Drawing on January 6th. Who knows what will be in that? Hmmm... :)
*grin* Check out Julia Karr on her blog, Writing YA in the Midwest and look for XVI in 10 weeks! (Although you can always pre-order now!) Thanks, Julia, and let the countdown continue!
P.S. If you haven't read it, the first chapter of XVI is here.
Comment below for a chance to win!!!
No comments have been added yet.
