Rebel in Blue Jeans – Author Interview – Beverly Stowe McClure

Paperback Writer would like to welcome Beverly Stowe McClure, author of the young adult novel, Rebel in Blue Jeans (Twilight Times Books, Oct ’08), as she virtually tours the blogosphere in January on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book Promotion!

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About the Book:

What’s a girl to do when her mother runs away with the drummer in a rock band, her friendly relationship with the boys on the neighboring ranch starts to change, and a handsome college guy takes an interest in her? Sixteen-year-old Rebel Ferguson faces these challenges with courage and humor and decides to do three things:
1. Bring her mother home where she belongs.
2. Show her neighbors, Will and Sully Garret, she’s not interested in a serious relationship with either of them.
3. Prove to the Garrets, and to herself, that Rick, the cute college guy, is a gentleman.
Nothing turns out the way Rebel plans, however, and she discovers that people are not always what they seem, and she’s a lousy judge of character. If only humans were as trustworthy and dependable as her puppies, cat, and horses. Can she forgive everyone who has disappointed her?

Hi Beverly,

Welcome to Paperback Writer

Thank you for inviting me. I’m happy to be here.

PBW: Will you share with us how you came up with the idea for this book?

BSM: You bet. In today’s world many children and teens live in single parent homes. We hear a lot about how children are affected. We tend to think that teens are older and can deal with grown-up situations. The teen years, though, are hard, and teens face many challenges in their lives, one of them being torn between a mother and a father they love, but sometimes have to choose between. Rebel faces such a dilemma.

PBW: Do you plan your stories first with an outline or does it come to you as write it?

BSM: I seldom outline, but like to let the story flow naturally. The way the characters act, the things they say and do sometimes surprise me. If I get stuck in a story, I might type possible scenes of what could happen in the next chapters, but no strict outline.

PBW: Do you know the end of the story at the beginning?

BSM: I generally have a rough idea of how I want the story to end, but my characters often take me in a different direction. I’m very flexible.

PBW: Do you have a process for developing your characters?

BSM: I usually fill out profile sheets for them, basic stuff at first: hair color, eyes, age, etc. Then as I write I get to know my characters better and add more detailed information, like things they like, things they hate, their family life, their goals, etc. For my latest work-in-progress, I’m letting the characters write in journals to tell me their thoughts and what’s going on in their lives. I found this idea on a message board and really like it.

PBW: It is said that authors write themselves into their characters. Is there any part of you in your characters and what they would be?

BSM: Consciously, I don’t pattern my characters after me, but in looking at some of them, I’d have to say they might be a little like me. If my main character is shy, that’s me, and I try to make her brave and outgoing the way I wish I had been. My latest heroine, Rebel, is me in that she loves animals, which I do.

PBW: What is your most favorite part about this book?

BSM: One of my favorite parts (I have many) is the scene where Rebel is visiting her mother and new boyfriend and what Rebel discovers while she’s there. I’m not telling what because you have to read the story to find out.

PBW: When in the process of writing your book did you begin to look for a publisher?

BSM: When the book was complete.

PBW: What struggles have you had on the road to being published?

BSM: It’s been a long and discouraging road, as it is for many writers. I started my career by writing magazine articles for children and a few of them were published. My book manuscripts were rejected, over and over and over. The big New York publishers were not interested. I was encouraged, however, when a couple of my stories received nice letters and the editors asked for revisions and then a second look. After months of rewriting and resubmitting, each of them was returned. I just was not querying the right publishers, I decided. It took awhile, but I finally found the perfect home for my first young-adult novel, Twilight Times Books. Lida has published two of my books, with two more under contract. Also, and this is cool, the chapter book I’ve revised for several different editors now has a home. It will be published in 2010.

PBW: What has been the best part about being published?

BSM: For me, I think having a reader tell me how much she liked the book and when is the next book coming out, and I should write a sequel made all the years of frustration and hard work worthwhile. (I haven’t written a sequel, but may someday.)

PBW: What do you want readers to remember and carry with them after reading your novel?

BSM: I think I’d like for readers to remember that for every situation in our life we have choices. Like Rebel says “What was that serenity prayer? Something about accepting the things you cannot change….”

PBW: Do you have plans to write another book?

BSM: Oh, yes. In fact I’ve just finished a young-adult contemporary that I’m shopping to agents. I’m also working on another young-adult contemporary and a middle-grade ghost story.

PBW: Would you care to share with us how the virtual book tour experience with Pump Up Your Book Promotion has been for you?

BSM: It has been fantastic. Cheryl has lined up some awesome blog visits. The interviews have been great. And I hope my guest posts have given readers a small glance into why and how I write. I don’t consider my books just for teens, but for everyone from 12 to 100 that likes to read.

PBW: Where can readers find a copy of your book?

BSM: Amazon.com and Twilight Times Books

PBW: Do you have a website for readers to go to?

BSM: Yes. Please visit me at http://beverlystowemcclure.wordpress.com
http://beverlystowemcclure.blogspot.com
And Rebel has a blog: http://rebelinbluejeans.wordpress.com

Thank you, Beverly for sharing your book and characters with us today. It has been a pleasure and I hope you have had a successful virtual book tour.

My pleasure. Rebel and I have enjoyed every moment of chatting with you, and we’re always glad to answer your questions.

The Rebel In Blue Jeans Virtual Book Tour ’09 officially began on January 5 and will end on January 30. You can visit Beverly’s blog stops at http://www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com in January to find out more about this talented author!