Best of 2011: Interview with Jennifer Donnelly

As part of my end of the year round-up, I am posting interviews with a few of authors of my favorite books of 2011. Today I'm featuring Jennifer Donnelly, a fabulous author who has writes historical fiction for teens and adults. Her newest book for teens, Revolution is in my Top Ten for 2011. Jennifer has also written A Northern Light (for young adults), an adult trilogy: The Tea Rose, The Winter Rose, and The Wild Rose; and Humble Pie (for children).

More about Revolution:

BROOKLYN: Andi Alpers is on the edge. She’s angry at her father for leaving, angry at her mother for not being able to cope, and heartbroken by the loss of her younger brother, Truman. Rage and grief are destroying her. And she’s about to be expelled from Brooklyn Heights’ most prestigious private school when her father intervenes. Now Andi must accompany him to Paris for winter break.

PARIS: Alexandrine Paradis lived over two centuries ago. She dreamed of making her mark on the Paris stage, but a fateful encounter with a doomed prince of France cast her in a tragic role she didn’t want—and couldn’t escape.

Two girls, two centuries apart. One never knowing the other. But when Andi finds Alexandrine’s diary, she recognizes something in her words and is moved to the point of obsession. There’s comfort and distraction for Andi in the journal’s antique pages—until, on a midnight journey through the catacombs of Paris, Alexandrine’s words transcend paper and time, and the past becomes suddenly, terrifyingly present.

Jennifer Donnelly, author of the award-winning novel A Northern Light, artfully weaves two girls’ stories into one unforgettable account of life, loss, and enduring love. Revolution spans centuries and vividly depicts the eternal struggles of the human heart. (courtesy of Goodreads)

Please welcome Jennifer to Alison Can Read!

1. I loved how you mixed present day and history in Revolution. I haven't read all of your books yet, but my understanding is that none of your prior books have been set in present day. How was writing a contemporary story line different than writing a historical story line? I assume the amount of research is different, but I'm curious about any differences in plotting and character development.

Thank you! Yes, Revolution is the first novel of mine that incorporates a modern-day character. As far as differences in the writing of a contemporary vs. historical storyline go – there aren’t any. Research is required for both historical and contemporary settings, events, and characters. (Though the past requires more of it!) The problems of character development – which to me is getting the soul of the person you’re writing about down on paper – are the same. No matter what time period you’re writing about, the characters need to live and breathe. And plot is a difficult, torturous pain in the neck regardless of whether you’re in the past, present or future.

2. You've written about many different time periods and different countries. Do you have a particular time period or historical event that interests you more than others? For example, I've been fascinated with the Revolutionary war and very early American history for most of my life.

I’m interested in everything, all of it. Never met a historical site, stately home, castle, graveyard, city, village, or ruin that I didn’t love. History makes my heart beat faster.

3. Historical fiction is one of those divisive genres like sci fi and fantasy that a lot of people are reluctant to try. Do you have a theory on that or any ideas about making historical fiction more accessible to young people?

So I’m told, but I don’t believe it. A good story’s a good story. I’ll read anything with a strong, original, beguiling voice, and I think most readers – no matter their age – feel the same way.

4. What are a few historical fiction novels - preferably YA; recent or older - that you recommend?

Not all YA titles, but: Octavian Nothing The Passion, Sexing the Cherry, The Witch of Blackbird Pond, A Woman of Substance, all the Little House books, Wolf Hall, World’s End, The Book Thief, Possession (a mix of historical and contemporary).

5. Can you give some advice to aspiring writers aside from the ubiquitous "read a lot and
write a lot? Especially someone who may be interested in writing historcal fiction.

It’s ubiquitous because it works. I couldn’t afford the money for grad school or the time for a writers’ group when I was starting out, but I always had masterclasses at my fingertips. All I had to do was go to my bookshelves and take down novels by Joyce, Hemingway, Winterson, Boyle, Byatt, Amis, Orwell – the list goes on and on. Shakespeare’s plays. Beckett’s plays. Poetry by Dickinson, Frost, Heaney, Oliver. Who better to learn from? That’s the reading bit. The writing bit is pretty simple, too – write. If you’re like me, you’ll get it wrong for a time. (In my case, a long time!) And then hopefully you’ll start to improve. Writing is the thing that makes you a writer.