Thursday, April 24, 2014

Author Interview with Deb Caletti about her new YA novel The Last Forever


I am very pleased to welcome YA author Deb Caletti on Marjolein Reads for a Q&A about her newest novel The Last Forever, welcome Deb!


Deb, in writing The Last Forever where did you start? Where did you find inspiration for the characters and the story?
I was just about to start work on another YA novel entirely, when my husband showed me a picture of the Global Seed Vault in the Arctic. There it was, an otherworldly image – a wedge of steel with a glowing window, stuck into the side of an icy mountain, with a backdrop of eerie blue. One look, and I needed to know more. I dropped the idea of the other book entirely – this was what I needed to write about, this strange, otherworldly place where millions of seeds are stored so that civilization can start again in the event of a global catastrophe. That picture merged with the character of Tessa, who along with her father, a boy, and the people of a quirky San Juan Island town, go on a mission to save a rare plant that belonged to her mother. That picture and those characters then merged with the themes: imperfect love, loss, and resilience.
 
 
What were the challenges (literary, research, psychological and logistical) in bringing the book to life?

 
The book involved one of the most unusual locations I’d ever written about, which meant lots of research. As well, I decided to open each chapter with a humorous or interesting fact about a seed that related to the plot at that point of the story, which meant more research. Lots and lots of research went into this one! Writing a novel can be a good excuse to spend time learning about fascinating stuff.


What was the timeline from spark to publication, and what were the significant highlights along the way?

 
A book takes about a year for me to write, and then it takes another year for it to go through the publishing process. Each of my books began two years before its release date. There are always highlights in the writing of the book – the moments where it flies and feels just right. There’s the thrill of turning the book in, too, and hearing the first reactions to it, especially since I don’t show ANYONE any part of the book along the way. Seeing the cover for the first time is always exciting, as well. And then, for THE LAST FOREVER, there have been all those fantastic starred reviews. Definitely a highlight! 


 

What do you do when you’re not writing?

 
Most always, I have my nose in a book. I’m a reader before I’m a writer. I love to spend time with my beloved, and with my kids. If I can be near water, I am especially happy - swimming, boating, sunning, whatever.  

Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?

 
I truly believe that every single book I’ve ever read has its impact, from Madeline and Curious George on up. Books have been my greatest teachers, influencing not only my writing, but also my life in general.

What's your next project?

I’ve just turned in my next novel for adults (HE’S GONE came out last May), titled THE DIVORCE RANCH. It’s about a group of women at a Nevada divorce ranch in 1951, set alongside a pair of contemporary sisters, who visit the same ranch while questioning their marriages. I’m really excited about it. It will release in 2015, and after that, my next YA will appear in 2016. 


For more about Deb Caletti, visit www.debcaletti.com

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