October 14, 2008

I’m hugely excited to tour fellow Flux author Stacy DeKeyser and her fabulous book JUMP THE CRACKS.

When fifteen-year-old Victoria witnesses what she believes to be child neglect on a train to New York, she makes a split-second decision and takes the young boy with her on the next train out in order to protect him. But, in her effort to make sure the child doesn’t slip through the cracks and end up back with the neglectful parents, she’s unwittingly branded a kidnapper and is forced to stay on the run until she can clear her name.

JUMP THE CRACKS is a fast-paced, suspense-driven thriller set in motion when a young girl is forced to confront the fine line between doing the legal thing and doing the right thing. Debut novelist Stacy DeKeyser offers a memorable and honest portrayal of a teen whose efforts to take on a child’s demons leads her to take on her own in the process.

1. What inspired the plot for your book?

I was taking the train from Connecticut to New York City, just like Victoria does to open the book. I witnessed an upsetting situation, just like Victoria does. But there was nothing I could do about it. I decided to write a story where someone DOES do something about it. Of course, it gets Victoria into lots of trouble, but it was very therapeutic for me.

2. Why did you decide to write in this genre?

I’ve tried writing for adults, and I’ve tried writing picture books, but I found my niche writing for young teens. It just “fits” me.

3. What is your writing process like?

1. Coffee

2. Read email and blogs

3. Background music (instrumental only)

4. When I have no more excuses, I start writing.

4. What are you working on now?

I’ve just finished an upper midgrade novel about a girl who hears voices. Which makes her worry that she might be going crazy, but the thing is, she likes the voices.

5. What do you do when you’re not writing?

Mom stuff. (I have two boys and a husband and a dog.) I love to travel, and to go hiking, and I’m learning to play golf. I like doing yard work!

6. Who do you like to read?

I didn’t read much fantasy as a kid, which might be why I love it now. I love Terry Pratchett and Jonathan Stroud. I like humorists, especially Bill Bryson (and Mark Twain). For contemporary YA/MG, I’ll read anything by Barbara O’Connor, Hilary McKay, or any of my many writer friends.

Bio

Despite being “the girl who was always good in math and science” and getting a BA in Psychology, Stacy DeKeyser (Connecticut) has always harbored a passion for reading and writing. Her subsequent Master’s degree in Health Services Administration led her to a career in hospitals and clinics but even then, she found her favorite part of the job was writing reports. Segueing into life as a full-time mom, she found she had scads of time but no creative outlet. An editor at a writer’s conference

suggested she try her hand at a novel and when she witnessed an upsetting incident involving a small child on a train, Stacy knew what she wanted to write about. Originally from Milwaukee, Stacy now lives in Connecticut where she’s at work on her next novel.

website: http://stacydekeyser.com
blog: http://stacy-dekeyser.livejournal.com/
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/stacydekeyser

1. On October 15th, 2008 at 5:47 am
   Kimberley Griffiths Little Says:
   

   Love Stacy – and great interview, Sara!

2. On October 15th, 2008 at 11:30 am
   Sara Hantz Says:
   

   Thanks, Kimberley.

3. On October 15th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
   Vanessa Says:
   

   Terrific interview, Sara. Stacy’s book sounds really intriguing. Love a good suspense novel. I’ll look out for it.

4. On October 15th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
   Sara Hantz Says:
   

   Thanks Vanessa. I LOVE the sound of Stacy’s book.

5. On October 15th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
   Stacy DeKeyser Says:
   

   Thanks for the beautiful profile, Sara!
   Stacy

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