Last summer I fell in love with a delightful young boy, Brendan Buckley.
In 2008, Sundee received the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award. A well-deserved honor.
This past April, at the WWA SCBWI Spring Conference, I had the privilege of spending a bit of time visiting with Brendan's lovely creator, Sundee Frazier. (photo by Emerald England) I attended an informative and practical workshop she lead about creating believable boys.
Last month, with eager anticipation, I picked up her latest novel, The Other Half of My Heart. The beauty of the writing in the first pages drew me right in and I found myself both giggling and gasping as the story of these two extraordinary twin girls unfolded.
Thank you, Sundee, for sharing your talent and for your willingness to open your heart for this interview.
On Writing:
Favorite thing about writing a first draft: Letting my right brain have its way.
Best thing about writing for kids and/or teens: I discovered I could be funny.
Favorite word? Persevere
One word that describes your path to publication: Guided
If I could have two dream careers, I’d be an author and an: International aid worker
On Life:
If I could snap my fingers and solve one of the problems here on earth, it would be: Hunger
One question I wish I had a definitive answer to: Is there life in other galaxies?
Best thing about being a child: Unselfconsciousness and the freedom to be zany, excited, and in awe of everything (that, and early bedtimes).
Worst thing about being a child: Having most things dictated to you (including your bed time).
Best thing about being a teenager: The sense of possibility of who you might become.
Worst thing about being a teenager: Being spurned by other teens and having no idea why.
Most memorable teen moment: Having the boy I’d crushed on for years finally ask me out.
A quote I live by: “You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” Eleanor Roosevelt
My dream vacation: The Umbrian Valley, a rented Italian villa, lots of Italian food, and—why not?—a small, sporty convertible to top it all off. I’d have to be there a month, at least.
In My Perfect World…
Everyone would get to see a gorgeous sunrise and receive a full-body massage at least once a week.
There would be an abundance of kind words and walking paths in beautiful, safe places.
No one would be deprived of love.
Every child would have at least one parent who loves and protects him or her, and is dedicated to his or her healthy development.
No one would ever die as a result of cruelty.
Air travel would be free for everyone.
To find out more about Sundee and her novels. Visit her website:
www.sundeefrazier.com
Very insightful answers! And I adore the cover for The Other Half of My Heart.
ReplyDeleteThe cover is gorgeous, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteOur family is multiracial so it was a pleasure to read The Other Half of My Heart. The topic is a difficult one, but Sundee does a great job, giving readers a realistic taste of how it feels to be different from those around you. I hope older kids will read this insightful story even though the characters are only eleven. Not many books for 6th -- 8th graders deal with the many sides of racial issues that this novel tackles. Thanks for the interview!
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