Author Spotlight

Author Spotlight

"Emmy Laybourne-  is a novelist and recovering character actress. She appeared in the movies Superstar and The In-Laws, the NBC series DAG and Comedy Central's Premium Blend, among other. Emmy lives in upstate New York with her husband, their two children, and a feisty, slightly judgmental, bearded dragon named Goldie. Monument 14 is her fiction debut." Copyrighted by Square Fish, an imprint of Macmillian New York 2012.

 

Monument 14- Written by Emmy Laybourne, published by Square Fish an imprint of Macmillan New York 2012. I had the honor of interviewing Emma for my blog Children Books and other cool stuff. You will find the questions and answers below. Thank You Emma for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer my six questions.

 

I'm so delighted to be here on Children Books and Other Cool Stuff! Thank you David, for having me on your blog!

1) What kind of children books, did you read as a child? Which ones influenced you the most?

As a child, I was fascinated with the “Little House” series. Even now, as a grown up, Laura Ingalls Wilder is one of the authors I admire the most. She was able to write gripping, compelling stories with no cursing, no sex and no "writer's tricks." How did she write such wholesome stories that continue to captivate readers so many years later? It's a mystery and every time I read ON THE BANKS OF PLUM CREEK, I ponder it.

 

2) In your book, you talk about the world ending, do you think that our own world is also heading in that direction? 

I sure hope not! While I’m extremely concerned about climate change and  environmental pollution, I also have faith in man’s ability to innovate. I hope we can invent a way to preserve the ozone layer before it’s too late.

 

3) In your own opinion, what and who can save our world? 

Science and scientists! Bring us efficient solar panels and fuel cell automobiles and cancer-fighting nano-bots and trash-eating microbes! Please, scientists, hurry!

4) Why did you choose "Greenway" as a setting for your book? 

The Greenway store is modeled on a Target. I studied Wal-Marts a bit, but found they had too much of everything! The kids would have never needed to leave the store. I suppose you might be asking a bigger question - why did I choose to set my book in a superstore. The truth is that I really love superstores. I like to wander the aisles and think about how I could make the store into a home, if I had to. That kind of musing is where the germ of the idea came from -- what if a bunch of kids had to live in a superstore because of an environmental catastrophe? I find my best ideas all come in the form of "What if" questions.

  

5) What advise can you give to new writers, that are seeking to get their books published?

If you're going to be an artist of any kind, you will need to learn how to turn off your internal critic when you are working. You cannot create and judge your work simultaneously. It just doesn't work that way. 

For this reason, I'd recommend taking an improv class! When you are doing improv, you learn very quickly how to shut that internal critic off - or he shuts you down. You can also learn a lot about story structure and character development on your feet in front of an audience.

6) Are you currently working on any new projects? Please tell us about them.  
     

I'm so excited about my newest project. Every day, when I sit down to write, it's a big adventure. The characters keep doing this crazy stuff that I'm not entirely prepared for (like kissing each other!). It's called SWEET and it's a YA thriller set about a celebrity-studded cruise to promote a new diet sweetener that goes terribly wrong.

Thanks again for having me here! I'd love to stay connected with your readers at @EmmyLaybourne and Facebook.com/EmmyLaybourne.