Visit with G. Neri

www.gregneri.com

Today we're visiting with G. (Greg) Neri, author of CHESS RUMBLE, SURF MULES, and the upcoming YUMMY: THE LAST DAYS OF A SOUTHSIDE SHORTY.



Three moves
is all it takes
to change the outcome
of the game.

In Marcus's world, battles are fought everyday -- on the street, at home, and in school. Angered by his sister's death and his father's absence, and pushed to the brink by a bullying classmate, Marcus fights back with his fists.

One punch away from being kicked out of school and his home, Marcus encounters CM, an unlikely chess master who challenges him to fight his battles on the chess board. Now, he is in for the match of his life as he struggles to regain control.

Inspired by inner-city school chess enrichment programs, CHESS RUMBLE explores the ways this strategic game empowers young people with the skills they need to anticipate their moves through the game of life.




TWO CALIFORNIA SURFERS FIND THEMSELVES EMBROILED IN A WORLD OF DISORGANIZED CRIME.

When Logan Tom goes searching for the Perfect Monster Wave, he doesn’t expect his former best friend, Fin Hamilton, to be killed by it. With everything else going wrong in his life—including a deadbeat dad who bankrupted his family, a mom on the verge of a nervous breakdown, and the possibility of college going down the drain—Logan is suddenly in a tailspin. So when small-time drug dealer Broza offers Logan and his dropout pal, Z-boy, a summer job that could make them rich, it seems like all his problems are solved.

But between Z-boy’s constant screw-ups, a band of Nazi surfers out for blood, and a mysterious stranger on their tail, Logan is starting to have serious doubts about hauling contraband across country. What started off as a summer job adventure in disorganized crime, quickly turns into a dangerous quest, where the boys find their friendship and loyalty pushed to the limits. Now all these young surf mules have to do is survive.



In August of 1994, 11-year-old Robert “Yummy” Sandifer—nicknamed for his love of sweets—fired a gun at a group of rival gangmembers, accidentally killing a neighborhood girl, Shavon Dean. Police searched Chicago’s southside for three days before finding Yummy face-down in the dirt in a railway tunnel, executed by members of the drug gang he’d sought to impress. The story made such an impact that Yummy appeared on the cover of TIME magazine, drawing national attention to the problems of inner city youth in America

YUMMY: THE LAST DAYS OF A SOUTHSIDE SHORTY relives the confusion of these traumatic days from the point of view of Roger, a neighborhood boy who struggles to understand the senseless violence swirling through the streets around him. Awakened by the tragedy, Roger seeks out answers to difficult questions—Was Yummy a killer or a victim? Was he responsible for his actions or are others to blame?

What Roger learns proves just as confusing. Some say Yummy was a thug and deserved what he got. Others remember a sweet kid that liked candy and watching the Little Rascals. Neighbors blame his abusive parents for making Yummy into a monster. The media blames the state system that turned him back out onto the streets time and time again. Politicians blame the laws that allow gangs to use kids to commit felonies because they can’t be convicted as adults. Confronted with a blurry reality, Roger attempts to understand it all—including his own brother’s involvement in the gang that killed Yummy.

At Yummy’s funeral, Roger feels the senseless weight of Yummy and Shavon’s deaths. As the minister looks out on the crowd, he bluntly implores them to “Cry if you will, but make up your mind that you will never let your life end like this.” In the end, Roger, like the reader, is left to decide for himself what truth can be discovered in the life and death of Yummy Sandifer.

I had the chance to ask Greg a few questions, about his life, his books, and writing in general - I hope you enjoy his answers as much as I did!

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

Marcus from my book CHESS RUMBLE, just so I can shoot hoops with him and tell him his life will be okay in the end. But only if he tries.

2) Your own six-word memoir.

Writer observer seeker finder risk-taker

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

YUMMY is a graphic novel, the true story of an 11-yr-old gangbanger who became a fugitive from justice and made the cover of TIME magazine.

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

Arturo Bandini from ASK THE DUST because he’s a wild Italian who loves Los Angeles.

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

THE LORD OF THE RINGS

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

A cartoonist

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

Favorite: Art Least favorite: Math

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

THE JUGGLER OF OUR LADY by RO Blechman

9) The book you wish you had written.

ILLUSIONS by Richard Bach

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

THE GREAT WIDE SEA by MH Herlong, STITCHES by David Small, WE WERE HERE by Matt de la Pena, SURFACE TENSTION by Brent Runyon, OPEN by Andre Agassi

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

WILL GRAYSON, WILL GRAYSON

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

My son, the writer! Who knew?

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

Creative quiet adventurous watcher different surprising unexpected real proud zen

14) You have the chance to go back and change a scene from one of your previous releases. What book would you choose, what scene would you change, and how would you alter it?

I never look back, though at readings, I still edit passages that I read aloud. Mostly words here and there, but I am happy with all my scenes.

15) 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??)

Creative Day. Everyone gets off but only if they do some form of creative expression to be shared.

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

Jimmii Likes Wii

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

Virgo. Mostly accurate description.

18) What is your ultimate vacation destination?

Antarctica

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?

Hanging out at the beach, reading and bodysurfing.

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

I’d be a filmmaker or running an Internet company (my previous jobs). My fantasy job would be a cartoonist.

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.)

Any Scorsese movie, playing a tough guy.

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?

The importance of reading in shaping a young person’s future.

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

The Weasel Lemur, who could resist?

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

SURF MULES, starring Emile Hirsch and Sean Penn

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?

All teens feel like freaks at some point in their adolescence. What better way to portray that feeling?

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.)

Al Gore becomes President.

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?

Fav: LORD OF THE FLIES Reject: THE GREAT GATSBY (sorry! I liked all the readings)

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

Yes, but I’d probably start painting again.

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

As in a marathon, those that stick to it the longest get to the finish line. Perseverance is half the battle. The other half is finding stories that literally stop you in your tracks and keep invading your dream state.

**Thanks so much to Greg for visiting with us today! There are several places you can find him online, besides his website listed above: Blog, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, or email him directly at greg@gregneri.com.

Be sure to leave any comments or questions you have for Greg in the comments section. He'll be stopping by later today to see what we're discussing, and will also be sending one lucky poster an autographed copy of SURF MULES - so comment away!