The Story is About   +  script

Deborah Lytton is the author for this Thursday's Author Tales. Deborah's debut novel Jane in Bloom will be released March 19, 2009. Which happens to be today! Happy Release Day!! I was lucky enough to read Jane in Bloom, myself! Stop by tomorrow for my review! You can visit Deborah at her website.

I first had the idea for a story about an invisible sister when I saw a piece on the news about forgotten siblings who were ignored because the family was focused on a problem child who needed their attention. The idea sort of grew from there. I wanted to focus the story on the discovery of self identity in the face of crisis.

Why did you feel it was important to tell Jane's story rather than Lizzie's?

I was so moved by the invisible sister idea—it just touched me emotionally. I felt compelled to write the story of the person who has to suffer along with the afflicted one. There are a few really good books out there about girls like Lizzie, but I thought Jane’s story had never been told before. That was the story I wanted to tell.

What are you hoping young readers will take from this novel and possibly apply to their own lives?

I am hoping young readers will feel comforted by this story—that they do not grieve alone. And that for any young reader who has ever felt invisible in their family, that they will be able to see themselves in Jane, and draw hope from her. I am really hoping they will reach out and tell me how the story makes them feel.

Who or what inspired you to become a writer?

My love of books inspired me to become a writer. I started writing my first novel at the end of high school (it was horrible, by the way!), and then I turned to writing screenplays (as a young actress, that was what I knew best). About eight years ago, I realized that my heart was in children’s literature. I wanted to write books like the ones I loved as a young girl—Island of the Blue Dolphins, Little Women, Nancy Drew. My father was a writer when I was a little girl—he had two novels published and wrote countless magazine articles and television shows. (Now he’s a practicing attorney). So I guess writing must have always been in my genes.

Why did you decide to write for young adults?

I think the books you read when you’re young stay with you—they become part of your character. As adults, we read books and then instantly forget all about them. But when we are tweens and teens, we absorb the stories. We are inspired by the characters. I wanted to write something that would stay with one girl forever.

I've read you have two daughters. How does your family handle the time that you write? Are they supportive?

I am a single mother so I do have to juggle my writing time with time I spend with my girls and working my day job to support my family. I mostly write at night and in the early morning before the girls wake up to go to school. But my daughters are extremely supportive—and both of them want to be writers when they grow up.

Who are some of your favorite YA authors?

I have so many, it’s hard to pick my favorites. But I love Sarah Dessen, Jane Yolen, Cynthia Leitich Smith, Lisa McMann, Stephenie Meyer. I am really excited to read my friend and co-member of the Class of 2k9, Ellen Jensen Abbott’s book, Watersmeet.

Are you working on any other novels?

I have completed a new YA manuscript about a 15 year old actress searching to find her talent—it’s a story about looking inside yourself. And I have just begun working on a new novel about a 17 year old with special powers…can’t say more just yet, but it’s going to be really exciting.

Thank you for interviewing me!