December 11, 2008
I am so excited to be interviewing Lauren Baratz-Logsted, one of my fellow TFCers. I’ve been a fan since The Thin Pink Line was published a few years ago. I adore the concept for Lauren’s latest THE SISTERS EIGHT, and it’s so cool that it’s a family affair.
So…. the interview:
What inspired the plot for your books?
The plot of THE SISTERS EIGHT nine-book series for young readers, which launches on Dec 29 with the publication of Annie’s Adventures and Durinda’s Dangers, is as follows: On New Year’s Eve, Mommy goes out to the kitchen for eggnog, Daddy goes out to the shed for firewood…and neither returns. Now the Eights, as they are known, must solve the mystery of what happened to their parents while keeping the wider world from realizing that eight little girls are living home alone. Here’s how it all came about…
In December 2006 we were stranded by a blizzard in Colorado with friends who had neither children nor a TV. We were there for 10 days. By the end, looking for things to do, I figured we could brainstorm a book. So I asked my daughter who was six years old at the time what she’d like; being an only child, she said a book about sisters. Me: How many sisters? Her: eight. Me: What ages? Her: 1-8. Me: What if we made them octuplets, all seven years old, who will be eight on 8/8/08? And we were off and running with my YA novelist husband Greg Logsted providing yet more input, particularly about talking refrigerators and flyting watering cans.
Why did you decide to write in this genre?
Jackie’s always been proud of what I do for a living – she tapes my cover flats to her walls – but she’s never been able to read any of my books because the subject matter’s always too mature. I figured it was high time I rectified that (and we were stranded by that blizzard). It’s turned out to be the greatest joy of my writing career: creating a series with her and Greg.
What is your writing process like?
It differs from book to book so that each time it’s like I’m reinventing my own wheel. Sometimes I don’t plot at all, sometimes I do a bit, sometimes I have a loose outline. For me the best way to get the work done is to treat my writing career like a full-time job, which I do, a job that I love. If there’s any real “process” to my madness, it’s that my first drafts are always for me – writing the story I want to tell as I want to tell it – but then I’m done, it’s time to revise, and that’s when the audience comes into view and I realize someone other than me needs to be happy with it as well.
What are you working on now?
My next non-SISTERS EIGHT book is CRAZY BEAUTIFUL, due sometime around mid-2009 from Houghton Mifflin, who also publishes THE SISTERS EIGHT series. It’s a contemporary Beauty & the Beast YA story about a gorgeous girl and a boy with hooks for hands.
What do you do when you’re not writing?
Is there ever a time? I read, I read like a madwoman, I spend as much time with Jackie as I can, see family and friends, I watch “General Hospital” and my political shows, and every now and then I go out and shoot pool.
Who do you like to read?
Everyone. Seriously, I’m an eclectic reader and I love a little bit of it all. Is it too kissy-kissy to say Sara Hantz? So what, I’m saying Sara Hantz. In terms of YA, I think Sarah Dessen, David Levithan, Ellen Hopkins, Markus Zusak, and, of course, all my sisters at Teen Fiction Cafe are all amazing.
Bio
Before becoming a published author, Lauren was an independent bookseller, a Publishers Weekly reviewer, a freelance editor, a sort-of librarian and a window washer. By the end of 2008, Lauren will have had 12 books published in a wide variety of genres for a wide variety of ages from a wide variety of publishers. You can read more about her life and work at www.laurenbaratzlogsted.com.
Posted by Sara Hantz in Interviews @ 9:42 am
Alyson Noel Says:
These books are sooo adorable!
Lauren is one amazing author– my mom and I devoured VERTIGO!!
amanda ashby Says:
I’m hanging out to read the Sisters Eight with my own daughter. I know we’re both going to love them!!!!
Pat Posner Says:
Sisters Eight sounds great.
Sara, thgere’s an award for you over at mine.
Sara Hantz Says:
Thanks, Pat!
Lauren Baratz-Logsted Says:
Thanks, everyone!
Keri Mikulski Says:
Great interview.
Sara Hantz Says:
Thanks, Keri.