Libba’s Comments (group member since Jun 21, 2011)

Libba’s comments from the Ask Libba Bray - Special One-Day-Only Group group.

Brittany wrote: "Hi Libba Bray! I love your books and especially the series, A Great And Terribble Beauty. I'm fourteen now and I first read your books when I was thirteen. I read all of your three books in one wee..."

Wow, Brittany--can you teach me to read that fast? I am impressed! (I am the world's slowest reader, much to my dismay.) Great questions! Let's see if I can give you some answers.
1. I believe that every villain can be a hero and every hero could become a villain. That's why Miss Moore talks about chiaroscuro in AGATB, the idea of light and dark needing each other. We are both. In the end, I was more interested in the concepts of redemption and transcendence than vengeance. Vengeance didn't feel like growth to me. Also, I think Gemma came to reject the whole power structure that had existed before and decided to walk away from it. But that's my interpretation; your mileage may vary.
2. I think people are three-dimensional, not one, and so are friendships, especially during our formative years. It didn't feel realistic to me to have the girls NOT be interested in the magic for their own personal aims even if they cared about Gemma. They all sort of play off each other's vulnerabilities and, ultimately, play to each other's strengths. They all have a lot of figuring out to do in terms of who they are and who they want to be.
3. The best advice I can give is to concentrate on the writing and not the publishing. You want to write the best, most honest story you can. Then you can submit it to an agent (you NEED an agent) and get it out there. But really, really work on the writing and honesty first. (You can also see my answer to the previous question where I say you should read everything. Totally mean that.)
4. Make friends with your librarians and local booksellers! They are made of awesome and often have ARCs to share.

Thanks so much!

Nevey Berry wrote: "I love Gemma Doyle books and I wish if your write more Historical Fiction.

I wonder if you and Gamma has things in common?
and how you came up with your character in the Gemma Doyle Trilogy?"

Hi Nevey, you're in luck--I am writing a new historical series right now! it's called THE DIVINERS and it's set in 1920s New York City. Flappers and creepy things. Two of my favorites. I can see how Gemma and I have some things in common--we're both a bit sardonic in our humor and I think we are both outsiders or rather, feel like outsiders in some way--but there's a lot we don't have in common, too. I think that's one of the great things about writing characters: It's a bit like acting. You're taking on a persona, a false self, in order to discover truths about the world, about the human condition, and, ultimately, about yourself, too. Thanks for your question.

Carling wrote: "Hey Libba. I don't know how many people have told you this but you are awesome. What advice can you give to a wannabe writer on how to improve her awesomeness? Thanks.

PS I love Beauty Queens :)"

LOL. Um, is now the time to tell you that I put my shirt on inside-out this morning? Yeah, my awesomeness is very, very questionable...but thanks. But yay for writers and writing questions and on that end, my advice is to read. Read, read, read. It's like a master class in book form. I keep trying to learn from everything I read. I know this sounds really basic, but you'd be amazed at how many people don't actually read. So, yeah. Do that reading thing. It really IS the awesome. Rock on, my friend. (And thanks for the BQ love.)

Jaya wrote: "Hi, Libba. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the Gemma Doyle trilogy and Going Bovine (talk about a hilarious mindscrew).
My question involves working with other writers: you're good friends with Shann..."

Hi Jaya! I definitely count myself lucky to have great friendships with some truly wonderful writers (and wonderful people). Many of those writers actually live near me--some only blocks away. So proximity doesn't hurt. But I think for most of us, we write together because we enjoy each other's company tremendously.

But I'm hearing you say that some of these connections you're trying to make seem not to be taking hold, and there's a part of me that wonders if maybe it's just not meant to be for some reason, i.e., timing, school pressures, you like the air conditioning set to 72 degrees and the others like it tropical, etc. I'm a big fan of the direct approach myself, so there's always just saying to someone, "Hey, I really enjoy your work and think you're cool and was wondering if you might want to start a writing group together. If that's not something that works for you and you prefer to work alone, that's cool, you can let me know. But if it does, would you like to get together this Friday and write at X place? I'll bring Swedish Fish, the gelatinous-yet-edible treat." Or something like that. I mean, worth a shot, right? Plus, you are offering a treat. Writers tend to like food, I have noticed. Point is, you can always lay it out there. Then, if the other person isn't interested, well, move on and find some writers who ARE interested. And hopefully, they will have good snacks. :)

Abbey wrote: "Hi Libba! I'm so excited that you're doing this! I've been a huge fan ever since the first Gemma Doyle book and have been following you ever since!

You have some of the most fabulous ideas for..."

Hi Abbey! The garden gnomes welcome you. Oh wow. How do you keep up your momentum while writing? I was hoping you would tell me! LOL. I think that's a challenge that every writer faces. I tend to write out of sequence, so I'm constantly jumping around in the narrative. On the plus side, if I'm lagging, I can jump in and write a scene that is more exciting. On the down side, I end up throwing away a LOT of material because it ends up not fitting in to the novel after all. Sometimes, it's a real slog and I just have to grit my teeth and write until I have a breakthrough. Other times, I allow myself to write something else or read or go for a walk or have an ice cream (Ice cream is a time-tested remedy, Abbey...) if it's just not happening. Of course, being on deadline means that at some point, I just have to sit down and do it. I don't know if it helps to know that losing steam at points seems to be part of the process but there it is. Great question--thanks! (Oh, and good luck.)

Thisby wrote: "Wow...okay, just so you know-- though I'm sure you've heard this about twenty septillion times, you are AMAZING and my favorite writer :) I own all the Gemma Doyle books, Going Bovine, and Beauty Q..."

Hey Thisby, thanks so much. That makes my day. Right now, there are no plans to make the Gemma books into movies. There have been options but nothing definite yet. Part of the problem is that it's historical, which, I hear, is expensive to produce. Also, from what I hear, Hollywood seems to have a hard time believing that girls go to movies. Yeah, feel free to bash your head against the same wall I'm using. Maybe there should be a reader campaign: "Estrogen Carriers for A Great and Terrible Movie"? Well, it's a thought. ;-)

Nelvieee wrote: "Hi. I love Going Bovine and it's one of my favorite books ever. The narration was solid and entertainingly witty. I gotta ask though, will we ever know about Dulcie's past life? She's my favorite c..."

Thanks so much! I think part of what makes Dulcie Dulcie is the mystery of her. So I think the less said the better. However, there is always fan fiction... (*imagines Dulcie: The Middle School Years* or Dulcie, Reform School Girl: She's No Angel THIS Time!*) See, this is why I shouldn't be encouraged.

Katie wrote: "i love your Gemma doyle series! i have never read another sreies where the characters progressed, true, and belivable. I was wondering if you would ever consider writing another novel that incorpor..."

Hi Katie. Thanks so much. I am, in fact, working on another historical supernatural series right now. It's called THE DIVINERS, and it's set in 1920s New York City. The first book comes out Fall 2012. LOL'ing about the "girly" comment. Really? I'm trying to imagine all my books being packaged in feminine hygiene boxes. There's a crossover just waiting to happen! (I kid, I kid...) Thanks for your question.

Natalie wrote: "What inspires you? how do you come up with these amazing ideas for novels?"

Well, thanks! Truthfully, just about everything is inspiration. If you put the cereal box in front of me for too long I'll suddenly want to spin off a story about Riboflavin. (My vote for most superhero-sounding nutrient. But I digress, and it's only the first question...) I have many, many interests, especially when it comes to what I like to read, so I tend to say, "Hey, what would be fun to work on for the next X number of months/years? Gothic Victorian boarding school fantasy? Yeah! That sounds fun!" It's like deciding where to go on a road trip. Of course, once I get into the writing, I discover all new things and I realize that under the idea or inspiration is a story I desperately need to tell. But I don't know that until I'm too far in to chicken out. :)