Thursday's Interview -- Peggy Tibbetts

Today's guest is Peggy Tibbetts, a fellow YA Author.


1. What's your genre or do you write in more than one?

Let’s see now, I have written fiction and nonfiction, adult suspense, young adult historical fiction, middle grade paranormal mysteries, middle grade historical fiction, and picture books.

2. Do you choose your genre or does it choose you?

The genre depends on the age of the main character and the story. My characters tend to choose me, so therefore my genre chooses me – I think.

3. Is there any genre you'd like to try? Or is there one you wouldn't?

Well yes, as a matter-of-fact I had wanted to write a nonfiction book and I’m working on one right now.

I don’t think I’ll tackle fantasy anytime soon. I enjoy reading fantasy novels but I don’t see myself writing one.

4. What fiction do you read for pleasure?

I read and review books for pleasure which gives me access to all sorts of fiction. I enjoy reviewing picture books the most.

5. Tell me a bit about yourself and how long you've been writing.

When I was in first grade our teacher, Miss Knight helped the class compose a "Today" story, which she wrote on the blackboard. Then we had to copy it down on paper. Through that daily exercise I grew to love writing and learned how to tell a story. I loved to read.

Throughout my adult life I have also worked as an editor for an academic journal, children’s publications, and websites, most notably Writing World.com.

6. Which of your characters is your favorite?

Shh … please don’t tell the others … but I’m kind of partial to Sarah Smith, the MC in my new middle grade novel, “Letters to Juniper”. She saves her own life without really even knowing it.

7. Are there villains in your books and how were they created?

Let me put it this way. Rather than “villains” there is “villainy” in my books. And there are complicated characters. Complicated characters do villainous deeds.



8. What are you working on now?

I usually don’t “talk” about my WIP but it’s on my blog, From the Styx so it’s already out there being talked about. It’s a nonfiction book titled, “Crazy Bitch: A Love Story”. I began it as a series on my blog about our dog Venus’s struggle with CCD (Canine Compulsive Disorder). I am making it into a book which will eventually be published.

9. What's your latest release and how did the idea arrive?

“Letters to Juniper” was just released in Kindle edition by Sisterhood Publications. The print version will be released in May.

The ideas for my novels always come to me in the voice of the main character. “Letters to Juniper” was no different. During the 90s, I was as horrified as everyone else at news stories about the Montana Freemen, Ruby Ridge, and the Waco Siege. In all three cases, children were living inside the compounds during the standoff. I asked the question: “What would it be like to be a child, yet old enough to be aware of what was happening?” Not long after, Sarah came to me and told me her story in the form of letters, like a diary.

10. Enclose the opening of the book around 400 words.

Friday, August 2nd

Dear Juniper,

You probably don't remember me. My name is Sarah Smith. I've been thinking about you a lot lately.

We were best friends around six years ago. We lived next door to each other. In Florida. I'll never forget the name of the street we lived on. Bird of Paradise Lane. It stayed with me after all this time. I'm not even sure if you still live there anymore.

At first I couldn't remember the name of the town. I knew it was Fort M-something. So I looked it up on the map of Florida. I found Fort Myers and I'm pretty sure that's the one.

Today is my birthday. I'm 12. Hannah and the Slocumbs came by for supper. Hannah is my best friend. You'd really like her. She's 12, too.

I picked my own bouquet of zinnias for the dinner table. We had venison meat loaf, new potatoes and peas from the garden, and the first pick of our sweet corn. Yummy!

There was carrot cake for dessert with 12 candles for my birthday. I blew out every candle except one. But I don't have a boyfriend. So it doesn't count.

The Slocumbs gave me a six-pack of spiral notebooks from Sam's Club. From my own family I got a plaid flannel shirt. Oversize. Unlined. Just the way I like them. Also two more Nancy Drew Books for my set. Plus some underwear, socks, and one pack each of Bic pens and pencils from Sam's Club.

As birthdays go, it was okay. I've had worse. Like when I was seven. I spent my birthday alone, babysitting my little brother, Abraham. Do you remember him? Daddy was working. He forgot all about it. And Abraham didn't know any better. He was four then.

My best birthday was when I was six. Do you remember the pony rides at my party? You should. You were there. We had so much fun. It was at our old house on Bird of Paradise Lane, with Mommy. I had one of those bakery cakes with the sweet, gooey frosting decorated like Mickey Mouse. There was a ton of kids there.

You must be 12 by now. When is your birthday? I can't remember. Please tell me whenever you write back.

******************
Peggy Tibbetts
www.peggytibbetts.net

Now available in Kindle ebook –
LETTERS TO JUNIPER
"This is a book you will want to share with your children, your parents, and your friends.”
– Natalie R. Collins, author of "The Fourth World", "Sister Wife", and more