Girls in the Stacks.com - Read. Review. Laugh.

 1. It seems that you have traveled all over the world.  What three places are still on your “to be visited” list? Any tips that you can give us moms about traveling cross country with a child? 

I want to go backpacking in the Grand Tetons and Glacier National Parks with my daughter when she’s bigger; I also want to go to Tibet and India. Ahhh heck, so many places. The more you see, the more you realize you have left to see. (traveling with children) 1. Look pathetic and disheveled even if it’s your first flight because the airlines will do their damndest to get you in an empty row. 2. Roll with the punches. It’s actually WAY harder on you than your child. As long as you’re just zen with the world, even when 300 people are giving you a stink-eye because your child won’t stop crying, it’ll make the day easier. 3. Remember you won’t have a chance to pee anytime soon … think twice before you ask for that soda.

2. What was your inspiration to write Compromised?  Was it from your travels?

Actually it all began with the first scene. A friend told us about the time he got home and all of his things had been repossessed, and how hard his year was after that. In such a materialistic society in which we define ourselves by what we own, I thought it would be interesting to create a character that loses everything – even her family – and see how she would build herself up again. Then from there, Maya led the way. Initially I didn’t imagine it being so dark.  

3. What message do you want the reader to take away from Compromised?  It definitely touched my heart!

I definitely don’t have “a message.” Honestly, I think what a reader takes from COMPROMISED is personal, as it is with any other novel.  For me, though, COMPROMISED changed a lot of how I view homelessness. I live in a place where there’s a lot of homelessness. And they become this invisible population. It’s almost like watching people swat at flies when they’re approached by a homeless people. We forget they’re human beings. I sometimes wonder if they’re afraid they’ll disappear because nobody sees them.  I don’t give money on the streets – just food – but I look them in the eyes. I say “hello” just as I would anybody else because maybe that’s what they need – validation that, yes, they are there.

4. I see you love the Big Bang Theory (great choice!).  Compromised is based on science as well.  It brings comfort to Maya because she can trust (finally, something she can rely on!) that there is a way to work out her life problems.  Do you love science?  What gave you the idea to use science to influence a character?

I’m definitely not a big science person … at all! I just love Sheldon J. Actually, this is one of my writing secrets: all of my characters are good at something (even if they don’t know it). This really helps me develop a character because it gives me something to work with. It gives me a lens in which I can view the story. If I know my MC is a science nut, they’re probably not going to cloud gaze, looking for animals, but instead classify the clouds. In FREEZE FRAME, I had a film director, photographer, comic book creator and really uber-smart kid. So I wanted to go a different direction. I asked my husband what I should do, and he said “science.” Voila!  Then the suffering began … because I’m not a big science whiz, Big Bang Theory aside. 

5. I admire all the different personalities you created with Maya, Nicole, and Klon.  What gave you the idea to have Klon suffering with Tourette’s?

Would it be okay to say, “I’m not sure.” Okay … Keep in mind I began COMPROMISED two years ago.  I was sleep deprived, as I was contracted to write it when my daughter was just three months old.  Who KNOWS what was going on in that foggy brain of mine? But, that said, I love Klon, his hopefulness, generosity of spirit … just love that kid.

6. What are you working on right now?

I’m doing copy edits for COMPULSION my novel about a teen who suffers from OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) and how everything falls apart for him over the course of a weekend. I LOVED writing this novel. I’m excited for its release!

And I’m beginning WANTED … my fourth novel … which I can’t really talk about because, well, I’m foggy on the details. BUT I’M REALLY REALLY EXCITED because it’s going to be a huge challenge and a whole different world for me! First draft is due February 15. So I have time to clear my brain.

7. What is in your STACK?

Finishing THE LACUNA …Next up: WE WERE THE MULVANEYS, WINTERGIRLS, FAT VAMPIRE, LIGHT HOUSEKEEPING, SOPHIE’S CHOICE (I usually don’t read YA when I’m writing, so I might have to switch a couple around …)

Heidi, Thank you so much for writing such a wonderful, heartfelt story!!   It really should be required reading.  The message is life changing.

STACKGirl interesting author tidbits
*salty or sweet –   Sweet or combo (like chocolate covered pretzels)
*cook at home, take-out or dinner out – take-out (horrible cook)
*do you say pop, soda or coke - soda
*thesaurus or dictionary -   thesaurus
*country, hip-hop, rock or classical -  jazz and blues (sorry, not on your list)  
*Star Wars, Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings –  Books: Harry Potter Movies: Lord of the Rings. Best line “Luke, I am your father.”*heavy breathing* Well, not BEST line, just memorable.
*fiction or non-fiction – fiction 
*texting, emailing or talking on the phone – e-mailing 
*truth or dare –   Oh dear … Truth??
*werewolf or vampire – Neither … Give me contemporary or historical any day over the deluge of fangs.

 Want to win a signed copy of COMPROMISED and FREEZE FRAME?

CONTEST NOW CLOSED!

Just fill out the form below. Contest is open in the US only (sorry!) and ends September 15, 2010.
 
  

Tags: compromised, contest, heidi ayarbe, interview, YA
Posted in Interviews, YA author interview | 6 Comments »