Visit with Bonnie J. Doerr

www.bonniedoerrbooks.com

I'm excited to be visiting today with Bonnie J. Doerr, whose debut YA title, ISLAND STING, releases today from Leap Books!



Bonnie was nice enough to sit down and answer some questions about herself, her writing, ISLAND STING, and a bunch of other random topics!

1) If you could bring any character from one of your books to life, who would it be and why?

I would bring the wandering character known only as Fisher to life. He is an elderly gentleman whose simple lifestyle and theatrical mannerisms belie his wisdom and vigilance. Every community needs an unassuming guardian like Fisher. I’d love to move him to my neighborhood. That would be cruel though, as he has only known life on a tropical island. So I’d have to visit him in the Florida Keys. I’d be willing to make that sacrifice.

2) Your own six-word memoir.

Beauty and wonder surpassed all tragedy.

3) Twitter your newest or upcoming release in 140 characters or less.

Teen couple risk lives to protect endangered species from slaughter. As they work overtime on the case, more than the crime scene heats up. (139 characters)

4) You have the chance to spend the day with any character from one of your favorite books. Who would you choose and why?

A day with Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum, bounty hunter, would be more fun than all the rides at Disney put together. Especially if the larger-than-life Lula was with her. Hmm, but I’d only want to ride with the girls if the hunky, mysterious and no-one-can-possibly-damage-him Ranger was close behind. You know, just for insurance. After a day of seriously dangerous, yet hilarious screw-ups and bust-ups, we’d visit her NJ childhood home to share a huge meal with her wacky family, including trigger-happy, thrill-seeking Gramma Mazur. Afterward, we’d roll home to see which crime-fighting dude, Joe Morelli or Ranger, would show up with a bottle of wine to nurse Stephanie’s wounds. That would be a day to remember.

5) What was your favorite book growing up as a teen?

I don’t remember having favorite books as a teen. I had little free time during those years. I have to say though, that I actually enjoyed all the books I was assigned in English classes. Honest! But when I was a bit younger I was enamored with two series of books that my grandparents had in their attic. The books were old even then. One series, written by several authors, was about the adventures of a boy inventor named Tom Swift. The Twins series, the second series, was by Lucy Fitch Perkins, who died in 1937. Each book featured a set of twins living in a different country. I think together those books fostered my love of adventure and travel.

6) When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Well, around age six I figured out I couldn’t be a cowboy. Then around age eight I realized the chances of being a princess in—no, not a castle—but a warm, cozy home on acres and acres of land with a kind, brilliant, generous, handsome, strong, and wealthy prince—were pretty slim. After those two eye openers, it was clear I needed to take care of myself so I decided to be a teacher. I began doing my homework on a chalkboard in our basement, teaching what I studied to my stuffed animals and dolls. They were excellent students, except for one: Chatty Cathy.

7) Your favorite subject in high school – and your least favorite.

It would be a tie between art and English for favorite. Least favorite—pick any math class. I just never understood why there was only one correct answer… I know games are often won by applying mathematical rules. But I’m the kind of gal who moves my pieces in a backgammon game so they create an interesting pattern.

8) The one book everyone in the world should read.

Too much pressure. No way I’ll make that call. But if a book existed that promised to change each reader into a more tolerant and understanding human, that would be the one.

9) The book you wish you had written.

It’s really hard to choose a YA book. It seems every week I pick up a new one, read a line, follow the plot, or catch the unique concept, and cheer, “Brilliant! I wish I’d written that!” It’s easier to refer to adult books, since I haven’t attempted to write for adults. Not only do I wish I’d written any one of Randy Wayne White’s Doc Ford series, but I wish I were Randy Wayne White. He’s an amazing human being. Brilliant. Personable. Kind. A great boater and fisherman. I’m sure he has a blast traveling and researching. I’ve a feeling he’s an awesome friend to hang with. My husband gets a little edgy when I say these things, but all writers fantasize, right?

10) Your five favorite reads from 2009 (books you read during the year; they do not have to have been published during 2009).

Okay, this will be a mix of kid lit and adult lit, old and new. In no particular order and off the top of my head: SOUTH OF BROAD by Pat Conroy; SCAT by Carl Hiaasen, VERY VALENTINE by Adriana Trigiani, SKYWARD by Mary Alice Monroe, THIRTEEN REASONS WHY by Jay Asher. As you can see, I’m all over the map with what I read. In all honesty, if you were to ask this question tomorrow, I’d probably provide five different answers. When I’m immersed in a book, that title is my favorite at the time.

11) The 2010 release you’re most looking forward to reading.

Unquestionably Ann Lamott’s IMPERFECT BIRDS. She never lets me down.

12) Your family has the chance to describe you for an interview. What ten words would they say describe you best?

Okay, worst first-bossy. (I asked my husband to help with this.) Geesh, I’m a teacher. Isn’t that part of the job description?

Focused (With this caveat: for short periods of time), responsible, creative, loving, hard-working, worrier, sociable, well-traveled, and caring.

13) You’ve invented a new national holiday. What is it called, and what does it celebrate? (Plus, would we get the day off of school and work??)

Johnny Appleseed Day! What could be better than celebrating the life of a businessman (John Chapman owned several nurseries) who enriched the environment both aesthetically and practically wherever he traveled instead of wrecking it? As far as a day off goes, time off would be granted only to those who pledged their time to plant trees or clean up the environment in some way.

14) Using the letters J L W (my initials!), create the title of your next bestseller. (For example, Jumping Love Walrus.)

Just Like Wilbur — the story of a teen who, after being bullied and treated like a pig, uses wit and wisdom to plot revenge on his tormentors.

15) What is your astrological sign? How closely does it match your personality?

Oh wow. You are taking me back to the days when THE pick up line was, “So, what sign are you?” I poured over astrological tomes until I began to see myself in every single sign description. I’m a Leo and I have to admit I exhibit several of Leo’s characteristics—the admirable traits, that is.

I do consider myself a glass half-full kind of gal, and indeed it has helped me survive many stormy times. I do eventually find style and good humor in the aftermath. I also believe I’m an old soul. Whether it’s always been so or the forced result of having lost my mother as a child, I don’t know. And as a life-long teacher, I’d like to think some of my work was near “great.”

The description of Leo’s relationships seems contradictory to me. I do have problems forgiving and forgetting when my heart has been crushed. I learn to forgive, but I never forget, though the psychic says Leos can disappear without a backward glance. I wish I could do that. I’m continually haunted by past betrayals.

I love adventure, and I might have secretly wanted to be a star when I was young. I so wished to be an actress or a singer. But for the fact of having absolutely no talent, I might have made it.

And, hey, I’m a Leo. A lioness, right? Of course my pride is a big deal to me. What lion wouldn’t protect her family? With a vengeance. I think my pride’s a strength, not a weakness. (Couldn’t resist the opportunity for word play…)

16) You’re going off your diet for one day and only eating food from restaurants. What do you eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? (Include the restaurant each meal comes from.)

Diet? What diet? Okay, I’ll play. But please understand that this would be near suicide for me. But what a way to go!

Breakfast-Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnuts hot out of the oven. Maybe three or four.

Lunch-Panera Bread’s Fuji apple chicken salad with extra baguettes.

Dinner-Carrabba’s calamari appetizer, Tagliarini Picchi Pacchiu pasta main meal, chocolate martini or two for dessert.

17) What is your ultimate vacation destination?

Tuscany-a week or more on a working olive farm or at a winery, complete with cooking lessons and cultural side trips.

18) The world has suffered from a one-day only loss of power. You have no cell phone, computer, lights, or anything else that requires a computer, cell battery, or electricity. What do you spend the day doing?

Smiling, smiling, smiling while reading by candlelight and celebrating peace and quiet!

19) If you weren’t an author, what job would you be doing?

If I had the talent, I’d be a visual artist or artisan of some kind or an interior designer. Maybe both.

20) You get the chance to star in an upcoming film release. What movie would you star in for your acting debut? (If you can’t choose an upcoming film, you can choose a past release.)

Oh, oh, oh! Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia. What fun being cast in that movie would be. It’s kind of silly, but the dancing and music, and OMG—the setting. Yes, I know by picking Donna and not Sophie, I’m giving away my age here…

21) You’re invited to a White House function, and you have the chance to give a 10-minute speech to the President and everyone else attending. What do you speak about?

Education, the environment, bringing jobs back to the USA and how proud I am that America elected Barack Obama! No matter the politics, it’s a sign of positive sociological growth for us to have elected an African American president. Next step—a woman.

22) Your publisher has instructed you to write a new series based on an endangered species. What animal do you choose?

Smiling here. I’ve already written two such books. ISLAND STING features the endangered Florida Key Deer and STAKEOUT (Jan. 2011) involves sea turtles. But if I were to write a series about a different endangered species, I would consider the Key Largo Wood Rat because it’s so darn cute and few people know about it.

23) The paranormal genre is big in teen/YA literature right now. Most bestsellers feature vampires, werewolves, faeries, angels, or the like as a main character. In your opinion, why are teens currently fascinated with all things paranormal?

I’ll speak only to fascination with the TWILIGHT series, books that I also find enjoyable. I think there is great appeal in the safety of the sexual attraction between a young, desirable human female and a charismatic, reluctant, unselfish vampire—unselfish in that he does not wish to turn her. There is intense passion, but physical sex is taboo. Plus, the appeal of a super-human protector is an ageless theme, whether the reader identifies with the super-human character or the one in need of protection. I was a huge fan of INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE (book, not the movie).

I don’t, however, get the fascination with intensely dark tales that offer page after page with no relief from horror, violence, fear, and certain demise. Unless it’s simply to make the real world—at times frightening in and of itself—seem brighter by comparison.

24) You’re writing a book where you can change one major historical event. Which event do you change? (For example, Abraham Lincoln wasn’t assassinated, or Japan never bombed Pearl Harbor.)

No question. I would keep Alois Hitler away from Klara Huettler. They would never, ever meet and thus NEVER EVER produce the evil, horrific Adolf.

25) Someone tells you that you’ll never publish another book that you write. Do you still keep writing?

In all honesty, it might be more fun to write simply for pleasure. It’s been a rude awakening to learn how much work is involved after a contract is signed and marketing begins.

Thanks again to Bonnie for stopping by to share all of her insights with us! Besides her website, listed above, there are a number of places you can find her online: Blog, Facebook, Twitter, and at the Class of 2K10 website (which is a great resource of 2010 debut authors, by the way!) You can also email her directly at novelchick1@gmail.com.



Bonnie will also be giving away a copy of ISLAND STING to one lucky poster today (along with some swag from Leap Books), so be sure to leave any questions or comments you have for her in the comments section. She'll be stopping by throughout the day to see what we're talking about!