Visit with Pat Lowery Collins

www.patlowerycollins.com

Today we're visiting with Pat Lowery Collins, author of numerous historical fiction titles for teens and young adults. Her newest, HIDDEN VOICES: THE ORPHAN MUSICIANS OF VENICE, was published by Candlewick in May 2009.



While studying under Vivaldi, three girls in a Venice orphanage forge their own notions of love in a sensuous, engrossing novel told in three narrative voices.

It is a longing and search for love that motivates three girls living in the Ospedale della Pietà, an orphanage renowned for its extraordinary musical program. But for Rosalba, Anetta, and Luisa, the love they seek is not where they expect to find it. Set in the early 1700s in the heart of Venice, this remarkable novel deftly weaves the history of Antonio Vivaldi’s early musical career into the lives of three young women who excel in voice and instrument. Under the composer’s tutelage and care, the orphans find expression, sustenance, and passion. But can the sheltered life of the orphanage prepare them for the unthinkable dangers outside its walls?

I had the chance to ask Ms. Collins a few questions about her life and writing, so enjoy her answers!

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

Catina in HIDDEN VOICES. Though she isn’t one of the protagonists, Catina is a strong and highly independent little girl in spite of very poor health. I’d like to get to know her better.

2) Your own six-word memoir.

I’ve pursued all of my dreams.

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

HIDDEN VOICES weaves the history and music of Antonio Vivaldi into the lives of three young orphans searching for love in early 18th Century Venice.

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

I internalize the main characters in any book, so feel as if I do spend the day with them while I’m reading the book. It would be a shock to discover that they exist separately from me. So I’ll pass on this one.

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

SONGS OF INNOCENCE and SONGS OF EXPERIENCE – two titles but same author, William Blake. Anything by Jane Austin.

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

A singer, a poet, and a portrait painter.

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

English was my favorite. I hated anything with a lab.

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

CRY THE BELOVED COUNTRY by Alan Paton.

9) The book you wish you had written.

WHO WILL RUN THE FROG HOSPITAL? by Lorrie Moore.

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

TRAIN GO SORRY by Leah Hager Cohen. THE KNOWN WORLD by Edward P. Jones, THE ART SPIRIT by Robert Henri, GIRL IN A BLUE DRESS by Gaynor Arnold, HALF OF A YELLOW SUN by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

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

LIT by Mary Karr. I know, it’s 2009, but I’m still waiting for it to arrive at my library.

12) If your mom wrote the author profile for the jacket of your next book, what would she write?

“Pat has been a writer since the age of three.”

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

Truthful Impatient Dedicated Too-Busy Good-Listener Unfunny Dependable Exasperating Mom

14) 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??)

The Great American Readathon, celebrating reading. Everyone would get the day off to read from morning till night.

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

Jade, Lichen, and Water

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

Libra. I think the description on this chart is very close to who I am. I sometimes drive myself crazy in an effort to see all sides of an issue. That’s the justice/scale thing.

17) 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.)

For breakfast I’d eat a spinach, artichoke and cheddar omelet at Two Sisters in Gloucester. Lunch might be a crab roll at Cruiseport. Dinner would be chile rellenos at Jalapenos or Acapulcos.

18) What is your ultimate vacation destination?

Tuscany

19) 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?

Tai Ji, writing poetry, walking.

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

In order to survive, probably full-time teacher. But I’d rather be a full-time visual artist.

21) 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.)

Sunset Strip. (the part of Nora Desmond)

22) 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?

I’d first thank him for taking on an unthinkable mess and achieving so much in a short space of time, and I’d make a case, in the interests of peace, for working towards a more matriarchal society.

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

The Alabama Redbellied Turtle. Lots of possibilities there.

24) A movie is being made of ONE of your books. Which book is it, and who will star as the main characters?

HIDDEN VOICES. I’d like the actresses in the parts of Anetta, Luisa, and Rosealba, to be unknowns who have been chosen for their unique talent and ability to truly become the character portrayed.

25) 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?

The world we live in is complex and scary. A fantasy world, while often frightening, is more distant and can be left behind.

26) 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.)

The US did not bomb Hiroshima.

27) Remember those “classics” that you were made to read in high school English class? What was your favorite, and which title should students never have to be subjected to reading?

AS YOU LIKE IT was definitely a favorite. I think JULIUS CAESAR is extremely boring to teenagers and should be left for college.

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

Definitely. It’s in the bones.

29) A group of teens ask you the best way to become a published writer. How do you answer the question?

Read widely. Do not rely completely on talent, but learn your craft and be open to suggestion. Become comfortable with the submission and rejection process. Know that the latter will occur time and time again, but you must believe in yourself and not give up.

**Thanks so much to Ms. Collins for visiting with us today! You can find her several places online, besides her website listed above: the Candlewick website, on Facebook, or on Twitter.

Be sure to leave any comments or questions you have for Pat in the comments section - she'll be sending one lucky poster a copy of HIDDEN VOICES, and another poster a copy of THE FATTENING HUT, just for joining us today!