What do you like most about writing for young adults?What I love most about this awesome audience seems to change every day. But today I appreciate my readers' enthusiasm the most. I've been getting such amazing feedback from teens who enjoy PERFECT SHOT. Knowing how much they laughed out loud or loved a certain character in the story makes it all worthwhile for me.
If you could be a character from your books for one day, who would it be and why?
It would be fun stepping into Pam's eclectic shoes for a day. Pam is London's best friend in PERFECT SHOT. She does what it takes to keep her teen style blog fabulous, even if it means going dumpster diving for salvageable T-shirts or performing on-the-spot interviews with the strangers she scouts. It would be an interesting day, to say the least.
Where did you get the inspiration for your just released book, Perfect Shot?
I was inspired by ambitious teens. So many young people are doing amazing things, pursuing their goals and making bold strides in the pursuit of their passions. I totally admire their drive and wanted to create characters like them. London, the main character, has Olympic aspirations and Brent, her love interest, is on his way to a career in photography.
Since you are a YA writer can you tell us what you were like as a teen? Does that influence your characters? How?
As a teen, I loved to laugh. Laughter was like a favorite dessert. So, even if I'm writing something dramatic, I think I'll always have some humor tastefully sprinkled throughout the story. It's just my nature. I come from a Haitian family whose interactions are shaped by humor. From the youngest relative to the most senior, everyone in my family has jokes.
What where your favorite books as a young adult?
I enjoyed romantic comedies and got into some retro (even before my time) YA, like Over The Hill at Fourteen by Jamie Callan. In my teens, I also discovered The Color Purple by Alice Walker, which shook me to my core.
What's your favorite and least favorite part of being a writer?
Connecting with people is my favorite. My least favorite has to be committing myself to a disciplined writing schedule. I think I may have adult ADHD.
Do you have a dream for the future of your writing, something you love to accomplish?
I do. But at the moment, I'm staying open to today's possibilities and taking things one day at a time. :-)
Many Thanks, Debbie! For more about Debbie and her books, you can visit her site by clicking here
