Today I have the lovely Barbara Dee here to tell us about her new book Trauma Queen.
She's also offering up an amazing giveaway that includes a signed copy of the book, a pink t-shirt, and nail polish!
1. What gave you the inspiration to write your first book?
Actually, my town. Kids around here lead pretty high-pressured, structured lives, and one day I started wondering what would happen if everything changed. I wrote JUST ANOTHER DAY IN MY INSANELY REAL LIFE before the economy went bad—but since 2008, I’ve heard from readers who’ve experienced what it means to suddenly lose a home and a parent’s income. You have to figure out how to keep things normal, even when everything around you is insane.
2. What are some of the biggest lessons you have learned as your writing career has progressed?
I guess the major thing I’ve learned is that every writer needs to write the book she’s meant to write. That might sound obvious, but it’s not. Writing can be such an ego-bruising process that I think it’s common for authors to look over their shoulders at what other people are publishing and think, Oh, THAT’S what I should be doing! But if the story doesn’t come from your own heart, and if you’re writing in a voice that isn’t your own, then it’s not going to be your book, and you probably shouldn’t be writing it.
3. Can you tell us a little about Trauma Queen?
TRAUMA QUEEN is about a thirteen-year- old girl with the world’s most embarrassing mother. Marigold’s mom is a performance artist, which means she stages wild, attention-getting events like wrapping herself in Saran Wrap to make fun of plastic surgery. Marigold copes with these crazy performances—until one day her mom does one that’s so mortifying, it causes Marigold to lose her best friend, and forces the family to have to move. Now Marigold is starting over (again!), trying desperately to keep a low profile amid all the drama of seventh grade—until her mom announces she’s teaching theater improv at Marigold’s school.
4. Did you have an embarrassing mom growing up?
Hmm, that’s a tricky question! Let me just say that I think EVERY twelve or thirteen-year-old girl feels embarrassed by her mom sometimes! And I know for a fact that my own daughter has been embarrassed on several occasions—by ME!
5. Mother's Day just passed, what did Marigold get for her mother?
Becca wouldn’t be an easy person to buy for, because she’s so intensely creative—I think it would be intimidating to find something to meet her standards! Marigold would probably decide to make something for her mom instead. Maybe she used the leftover fabric from her Thing to make Becca a yoga mat? Or possibly she sewed a pouch for Becca’s yoga marbles? I think they’d both really appreciate a handmade gift that says, I know who you are and what you care about.
Trauma Queen by Barbara Dee
Publisher: Aladdin (April 19th, 2011)
Reading Level: Middle Grade
Paperback: 272 pages
Every tween girl knows what it's like to have a mom who can be a little embarrasing at times. But for Marigold, it goes way beyond embarrassing. Marigold's single mom is a performance artist, meaning she stages dramatic, wacky performances to express her personal beliefs. Things like wrapping herself in saran wrap for a piece on plastic surgery, or inviting people over in the middle of the night to videotape her sleeping. In fact, Marigold's mom's performances caused such a ruckus in their last town that the two of them, along with Marigold's little sister, have just had to move. Now Marigold's starting a new school, missing her best friend like crazy, and trying to fit in all over again in the shadow of a mom who's famous for all the wrong reasons. As if that's not bad enough, Marigold's mom takes on a new job--teaching drama at Marigold's school! Now all the kids know instantly just how weird her mom is, and Marigold's worried she'll never be able to have a friendship that can survive her mother.
Prize:
- 1 winner will receive a SIGNED copy of Trauma Queen.
- a Trauma Queen t-shirt (size medium- bright pink!)
- 3 bottles of"emotion nail polish"
- Green with Envy
- Bashful Blue
- Bright Red Blush
Rules:
- You must be at least 13 to enter.
- Name and email must be provided and counts as 1 entry.
- Extra entries are possible and links must be provided.
- Contest is US Only and ends June 14th.
- Once contacted, the winner will have 48 hours to respond.
- The form must be filled out to enter.
Find Barbara Dee
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Purchase Trauma Queen
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository