The Ultimate YA Reading Group

1. How/where did you concoct the idea for Dolphin Girl?
The where question is much easier to answer than the how one. 
Okay, where. I was in the car six years ago driving my middle boy to hockey practice when Jane showed up in my head and started telling me what she did and didn’t like.  This is probably gonna sound certifiable, but she told me she liked Sam’s chipped tooth and that she was really picky about how teeth looked.  I know, that’s a little…unusual, right? At first, I thought maybe I was going crazy, but then I met other writers and, well, we all are. Ha!
As for how, I definitely attribute most of my ideas and writing to a muse whispering in my ear or landing in the zone or digging into my very, very deep sub-conscious. While there are times I create a frame for the plot, or consciously add small character details later, most of it develops on its own.  Sorry. I know that’s kinda lame and I wish I had a better answer for you! 

2. What is the main message or theme that you want your readers to take from the book?
Don’t let external forces or fear hold you back from what you want.  Use both your heart and head when making a decision, then take action. Because doing something is better than doing nothing!  
In Dolphin Girl, Jane lets so many outside things, like the cliques in high school, determine how she acts or who she hangs with. She wants freedom but what she thinks of as “free” is again based on something external.  It’s not until she changes on the inside—using her heart and head—that she can feel free. And that’s when mistakes, both hers and everybody else’s don’t matter so much. 

3. Give us a brief explanation of what it is like to be published for the first time.
It’s very rollercoaster-y. Is that a word?  I don’t think so, but it should be. 
What I mean about the ups and downs and all arounds is that it was exciting to see it for sale on Amazon (it’s for sale in other places, but that’s where it showed up first) and thrilling to hold the paperback for the first time.  But then, five minutes later, I still have to do a load of laundry or need to play chauffeur for a soccer practice.  Those types of important responsibilities are a humbling reminder that being published is not life changing.  It’s just being published. 
The privilege, I mean the real honor of being published, comes from the people who read my work, not only spending their money but also spending their precious time to read Dolphin Girl.  That is absolutely incredible!! And, I am so grateful for every single reader!

4. You and two other wonderful ladies manage Whatcha’ Reading Now?. How did that begin?
For years, and I do mean years, Kerry Cerra and I talked about doing something like WRN? but we always felt like, “Who are we to review or recommend books?” Finally, we decided that we didn’t need some special degree or accreditation to say what books we liked.  At that point, Jill MacKenzie was part of our critique group and she was interested in being involved, too. While the three of us do a lot of work on the site/community, we could never do it without all the other people who contribute articles and interviews and the like. The one and only Ultimate YA’er ChinLin has been one of our teen contributors since the very, very beginning!  So her opinions, along with other contributors have helped to give WRN? its flavor and ultimately they make it so much more interesting than if it was just the three of us spouting off. =D

5. I loved how you began the book with Jane getting a dolphin tattoo. It provided your readers Jane’s background story in a narrative form. If you don’t mind me asking, did you ever get a tattoo? Or did you know someone who got one? 
No, no no! I don’t have a tattoo and will never have one.  On this, I’m definitely more like Jane’s mom—worried about how they might turn colors or morph into a weird design as they stretch with age.  Plus, um, needle phobia. *Shudders* But, of course, many people have them these days, so it’s really not a huge deal.  The last word (or rather my last word) is that while I wouldn’t want my kids to ever get one – are you listening, boys? – it’s not the most important thing about any character or person.  And even Jane’s mom knows that!  

6. Would you consider yourself more like Jane or her mom (personality-wise)?
I know I have a little bit of both, but hmmm…who am I more like?  When I’m writing, I’m more like Jane.  That must be why I love it!  And, I have to say, after writing this book, I try to keep my perfectionist tendencies in check.  While order is better than chaos, Jane’s mom is so annoying!