1. Did your writing process change at all from How to Say Goodbye in Robot to Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters?
HOW TO SAY GOODBYE IN ROBOT took a lot longer to write than CONFESSIONS. It took about two years and went through many drafts, and the finished book is almost unrecognizably different from the first draft. Bea and Jonah's relationship was so complicated and deep it took me a few drafts just to figure out what was going on. I wrote CONFESSIONS OF THE SULLIVAN SISTERS much more quickly—partly because I had a deadline for it, and partly because, in some ways, it's a more straightforward story. Once I had each girl's confession in mind, the novel was pretty much set.
2. If Beatrice and Jonah spent a day with the Sullivan Sisters what would happen?
Interesting question! The prickly Bea and Jonah would probably get along best with Jane Sullivan, the rebel sister, though I think Bea would also understand Sassy's odd broodiness. Bea might like the Sullivan girls but Jonah would probably keep his distance, the way he does with most people. Sassy would like the Night Lights radio show—I can imagine her staying up at night and listening to it.
3. Which of your characters (Robot or Confessions) do you relate to the most?
I relate to all of them, but I'm probably closest to Bea from ROBOT. I understand her inner conflicts, the odd, morbid way she thinks, and the way she's pulled between wanting to be part of a group and wanting to be an individual.
4. The cover of Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters changed a few times before the final cover was released, did you have any input in it?
I didn't have much input into it. I didn't see the cover until it was basically settled.
5. What is one place in the world you would love to travel to?
There are so many wonderful places I haven't been to! I'll say
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Thanks so much, Natalie!
Click here to visit Natalie's website.
Thanks to The Teen {Book} Scene for sponsoring this tour!
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GIVEAWAY!
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I'm surprised that she didn't have any input on the cover. It turned out really nice though!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! I'll have to go pick up the book sometime this week.
ReplyDeleteGreat Interview! I loved the cover and I wish that authors did have more input on the covers.
ReplyDeleteIt's encouraging that she stuck with it and was successfully published. And it is strange that some authors get a say in the covers and other's don't. I'd have it in my contract, if I could. Covers are just so darn important. Natalie's came out beautiful anyway.
ReplyDeleteIf I were an author, I'd HAVE to have input for the cover! Covers mean everything to me, because... hehe, I judge books by their covers sometimes.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds interesting.
nice interview!! I really want to read this one. It sounds very interesting.
ReplyDelete-lauren
Looks great. I love the cover of Sullivan Sistes.
ReplyDeleteLooks great. I love the cover of Sullivan Sistes.
ReplyDeleteNice interview - the change in her writing process was most interesting to me.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read either book yet, but both are on my wishlist :)
I LOVED How to Say Goodbye in Robot. With Sullivan Sisters, I'm really interested in seeing such different characters in a different story. Standiford's writing is so distinct, her characters so palpable -- I'm hearing fabulous things about Sullivan Sisters and can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteI really need to get my hands on both those books.
ReplyDeleteIt's always interesting to hear about the cover process. Most of the time I hear that the author doesn't have much say in what goes on.
Oceania does sound cool. I've been to Australia and Hawaii but I'd definitely love to see those other places you listed.
Thanks for the great interview.
I've been interested in the Robot book for a while.
ReplyDeleteI heard authors had little to no influence on their covers. I guess you just proved that.
These two covers are so different but I love them both so much. Awesome. And I've heard GREAT things about How to Say Goodbye in Robot. :)
ReplyDeleteIt really is a shame authors don't have more say into what their covers will look like. They wrote the book and they should decide how it is presented to the audience.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great choice for a place to visit! I'd pick a locale from Swiss Family Robinson...
ReplyDeleteMary D
ReplyDeletezenrei57 (at) hotmail (dot) com
I'm also surprised that she hadn't any say so regarding the cover, although I think it looks pretty great!!!
I am SO eager to read the Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters :D
I haven't read How To Say Goodbye in Robot yet and Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters sounds awesome so I will look around to read one of those two. Thanks for the interview!
ReplyDeleteLoved the interview. I have Confessions on my TBR pile, but I might just have to add How To Say Goodbye in Robot as well!
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