Teen Interview: Bonnie J. Doerr (Part I)

Anna Sattler

Welcome back, Anna!
Anna has interviewed author Bonnie J. Doerr, who is the award-winning author of eco-mysteries, including Island Sting and Stakeout. Because Bonnie's responses are so much fun and comprehensive, we're dividing the interview into two parts. Here's PART 1:

·                     What inspired your books?

There are many young people with huge hearts who actively care about each other and the world in which they live. A growing number of teens are involved in environmental stewardship. We never hear enough about these kids. They are my real inspiration. 

For years I lived in the fragile Florida Keys where environmental issues are impossible to ignore. Throughout this chain of islands, there are countless reports of mysterious assaults on wildlife and habitat. For example, recently a loggerhead sea turtle was found floating with a pneumatic spear-gun arrow protruding from its head. Fortunately, it was rescued and survived. My own stories are shaped from such sad tales.

I create heroic teens who investigate and solve ecological crimes and write these sleuths into fun, fast-paced, contemporary novels.How these kids manage to secretly investigate crime, nab treacherous criminals, deal with personal family problems, and engage in a bit of romance all at the same time is beyond me. They experience some scary, serious danger, but they always pull it off.

·                    What sparked your interest in wildlife preservation?

My father lit my passion for all things wild—animal or vegetable.  He was a Boy Scout leader who took our family on adventures across theUnited States. When we weren’t on the road, we spent weekends and summers lakeside in the Pennsylvania mountains. I had no siblings near my age, so I roamed alone imagining friendships with other living things—natural beings that were rooted, winged, finned, two-legged, four-legged, or had no legs at all. (I wasn’t on the best of terms with every six or eight-legged critter.)

These trips to the mountains usually ended with little Bonnie being frisked for live contraband before the drive home to suburbia. More than once, Mom realized she’d forgotten the inspection. So she’d pull off the road in the countryside, little Bonnie would be busted, and tadpoles, newts, or an occasional baby snake would be returned to the wild. 

Nature is the supreme creation. If we destroy it, we destroy ourselves. How can we not champion its preservation?

·                     When did you begin writing?

There’s a great deal of preparation before words are committed to the page. I spent most of my life in preparation.

As a child, I created plots in my mind and acted them out. Didn’t we all? Most every playdate started with the words, “Pretend that you...” Proceeded with, “Pretend that I...” And then the fun began. There was a mystery to be solved. A bad guy to run from. A thief to catch. An animal to save.

When I was alone I manipulated miniature figures and assorted props to act out stories. After I went to bed at night, I often imagined I was engaged in some exciting drama. I often woke lying sideways at the wrong end of the mattress. This after sliding off blankets folded saddle style over the foot of the bed frame. Sometimes I still had my reins in hand. (Okay, they were belts I’d attached to the bedpost for a bridle.) Dang, it was hard to stay on that horse. It seems like I’ve been creating stories forever. 

But it wasn’t until I reached high school that I began writing. I reported feature stories for the school newspaper and wrote poetry—the perfect outlet for teenage angst. As for novel writing, that came much later. After I was long established in my career, about fourteen years ago, I finally reached a point where I could carve out time to seriously study the craft.

And study it, she did. Bonnie has received several awards for her work. Visit her at her blog, Bonnie Blogs Green, and her website for more information about her books and awards, and for lots of information about endangered species.

 Here's Bonnie holding one of her awards:

 

Anna's Corner: A Teen Interviews Leap Books' Teen Author

Anna Sattler

Welcome to Anna's Corner, which will be run by our teen blogger! Stop back next Friday for more teen input on reading, writing, and life in general...

Here's info on Anna:

An avid fan of Victor Hugo, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Calvin and Hobbes, Anna Sattler is continually expanding her reading repertoire. She is up for reading almost any book and loves to swap book recommendations with her friends. While not reading she enjoys playing field hockey, practicing her French horn, and excusing herself from social obligations by hiding behind a camera.

Anna interviewed Sydney Scrogham, age 18, who is the author of Chase, which will come out from Leap Books in 2012.

·         When did you begin your book and how long did it take to finish?

I don't remember exactly when I started, but it was a while ago. I'm pretty sure I was 13, but I know for sure it took me 18 full days to write. I counted.

·         When you began writing it, did you plan to get it published?

Not at the time, no. I had an idea that was going to torture me until I wrote it down, so I did. When I had the chance to send one of my books in to a publisher, I chose Chase because it was one of the few pieces I had that was completed.

·         How long did it take to get your book accepted by Leap Books?

My manuscript traveled through the Wild Rose Press and through their YA area when it was breaking off into Leap. That slowed down the process, but about a year later they contacted me to tell me Chase had been accepted. (First try, I was SO shocked!!!)

·         How long did editing take? Are you done yet?

Longer than I'd hoped, simply because I was juggling high school classes for my senior year at the time. It's challenging to balance it all. I'm still editing, but verrrry close to being done!

·         What has your favorite part of the writing process been?

I've gotten that question a lot from my writing peers, and honestly I love all of it. I love getting to know my characters, writing late into the night, feeling the thrills and chills of a twisted plot. It's like living life--every day has something differently enjoyable.

·         What inspired your book, Chase?

All of the smaller elements came from my imaginary twist on the world around me, but the big picture behind the story is rooted in God's relationship with humanity, and how the church is viewed as His bride. I wanted to put that in a story with the hope that someone else might experience the love behind this relationship. I didn't get to finish all of what I wanted to say in one book. Chase's sequel is in the works.

·         Why did you choose the title Chase? Does it potentially have a double meaning?

I chose it simply because it is the hero's name, but now that I've thought about it, yes, it does have a double meaning.

·         Are you thinking about continuing your writing career during college?

Definitely, yes. I can't imagine not writing. I don't know how I'll manage it all yet, but I will find a way.

·         What will your major be?

Psychology. The human mind fascinates me, and I really want to get into counseling one day, especially if I can involve horses in my patients' therapy.

·         How would you advise teens who want to become published authors?

Don't quit, and write what you love. I see so many of my peers stop because they try to write what someone else wants to read, but if they're writing to satisfy someone else, it drains their passion. We all have a story to tell, and no one can tell us how to write it. If publishers don't like what you write, tough. Find someone else. It's whether you like it, whether it says what you wanted it to say that matters.

Sydney Scrogham