Our first author royal of the new year is of course the drop dead gorgeous Libba Bray! On the eve of our Book Babes Tour 2008, I took a moment out of my glamorous day signing autographs and posing for photos with Johnny Depp (okay, I've been cleaning up vomit and cuddling sick kids) to interview my better half. Libba is the author of the hugely popular, award winning, best selling Gemma Doyle trilogy: A Great and Terrible Beauty, Rebel Angels, and the just released concluding volume, The Sweet Far Thing. Libba's writing is rich and evocative, her characters complex and fascinating, powerful dark fantasy set in Victorian England, where the mystical and the common mix in thrilling and frightening ways. These books are suggested for older teens. I love Libba's writing, I love falling into her world, and I love never knowing what will happen next. Her stories are anything but predictable (and please remember, no spoilers in your comments please!). And on to our illustrious guest.
Me: Can you describe, in ten words or less, how you felt after sending the final draft of The Sweet Far Thing to your editor?
Libba: Like I wanted to eat, cry, then sleep forever.
You create such a rich, evocative setting, one that I completely fall into and don't want to leave, even when things get creepy and dark. That is not easy to do! Basically, I'm just saying you're fantastic, so let me find a question...um, how do you create your setting?
I load up my cart at Settings R Us. Love it when they have a sale in the "Moody, Atmospheric" aisle. I keep meaning to take a trip down the "Happy-Go-Lucky-Life-Is-a-Shiny-Shiny-Pretty-Pretty" aisle, but my cart, she will not go.
Well, first of all, thanks for the compliment, Miz H. :-) I love setting. Maybe too much. I think it comes from having a theatre background--I want to be the set designer! Sometimes it's as simple as asking, "Hmmm, what would scare the pee-pee out of me?" and conjuring that image. And I use inspiration. For the realms, I thought about Maxfield Parrish and Hieronymous Bosch paintings and English Arcadian landscapes--gardens with hermitages--and elements of Indian folklore. For the Winterlands, I thought about Iceland, also the Black Forest. I'm a really visual person.
What were you like as a teenager?
A royal pain in the ass. Actually, there was no royalty attached.
I was goofy, a class clown who used humor as a shield and as a weapon. I was very into music and going to concerts and theatre and running and the arts in general. I liked to sit alone in my room and draw or sing into a hairbrush and jump around in my underwear and pretend I was Pete Townsend. I was convinced I wasn't pretty; I would examine my face in the mirror for signs of hope. I liked reading and writing but never considered being a writer. Sometimes I slacked off and came up with very charming excuses along the lines of "the dog ate my homework." I wanted to run away and join the circus and travel to exotic places and have far-flung adventures that involved Irish musicians writing songs about our love. I fought with my mom--a lot and with sarcasm and occasional cruelty, then I'd feel horribly guilty about it. I spent lots of time hanging out with my friends and we were somewhat feral. I was a big dreamer. Sometimes I was the good daughter; sometimes the rebellious wild child running for the cliff.
Some of those things haven't changed, though now I do put on pants when I pretend to be Pete Townsend.
What is different about being a published author than you might've imagined when you were younger?
I don't wear turtlenecks and stare off meaningfully into the distance.
You've often said, and I quote, "If I had to list the top five most important people in my life, Shannon Hale would be number three, right after Bono and right before my husband." I'm so flattered! Do you care to elaborate?
Oh, Shannon, does our love need elaboration? Or can it bedazzle all on its own? And actually, the list just came in--you've moved up to #2 since Bono got that restraining order. I'll bet you can best my husband just by loaning me your lip gloss on tour.
If your tour is half as fun as this interview . . . :)
Posted by: Little Willow | January 08, 2008 at 10:08 PM
This interview made me laugh. "Oh, Shannon, does our love need elaboration? Or can it bedazzle all on its own? And actually, the list just came in--you've moved up to #2 since Bono got that restraining order. I'll bet you can best my husband just by loaning me your lip gloss on tour." :D
Posted by: Summermoon | January 09, 2008 at 01:36 AM
My two favorite authors, all in one blog entry.
This basicially IS the tour for me , because, Unfortunately, I can't make it to any of the signings!!! *sobs*
Have a lot of fun on the tour, Shannon, and make sure you tell Libba that all of the Squeetusers/LittleRedders say HI!!!! :o) Good luck!
Posted by: Mads | January 09, 2008 at 06:57 AM
HA! That was awesome. I just started reading AGaTB again last night, because before now I only had a chance to listen to the abridged audio book, blech. I've been way jelous that you aren't doing any local(for Shannon) stuff together!
Posted by: Enna Isilee | January 09, 2008 at 07:16 AM
I'll echo those sentiments about no local signings, but you can't win 'em all. Have loads of fun on the tour!
Posted by: Gretchen | January 09, 2008 at 09:25 AM
I might actually get to go to the Kendall signing!! I am so excited!
I can't even put into words exactly how excited I am!!
Posted by: Amanda | January 09, 2008 at 01:41 PM
I really wish I could see you guys! Even though I have met you both -
it would be so much fun to see you
together!!!
I am keeping my fingers crossed that
I hear good news from ala on Monday!! :)
Posted by: Melissa | January 09, 2008 at 02:30 PM
Oh, how I love the fabulous Libba Bray!!! She's amazing . . . heck, both of ya are! :)
Posted by: Cara | January 09, 2008 at 03:14 PM
What fun! Thanks for sharing this!
Posted by: Caryn | January 09, 2008 at 03:42 PM
It sounds like you two are going to have fun on tour together!
Posted by: Q | January 09, 2008 at 04:30 PM
I love both of you! I am SOOO ecstatic to see you in Oregon, Shannon. I can't believe you're actually coming here. No one ever comes here. Man, I have had my calendar marked for ages. See you gals soon!
Posted by: Katie-Wa | January 09, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Yay! I can't wait to meet Libba; she seems awesome!
Posted by: Calliope1of9 | January 10, 2008 at 06:15 PM
Great interview! And I really really need to read the Gemma series...*sighs and "stares off meaningfully into the distance."*
Posted by: Bohae | January 11, 2008 at 05:46 AM
I sure hope the tour adds a few dates up in the Northeast . . .
Posted by: Kelly Fineman | January 11, 2008 at 09:17 AM
Great interview! And Libba, I love your books. I'll be finishing The Sweet Far Thing i about thirty minutes. Just one-hundred and sixteen pages till the end! I'm ecstatic but I fear I'll cry. Those books are just such a big part of me.
Posted by: Ellenboro | January 12, 2008 at 09:32 AM
Awesome interview and *squee* I'm flying out to Ohio for the Dayton signing. I still can barely believe that I get to meet two of the most awesome authors alive today.
Posted by: Anidori-Isilee | January 12, 2008 at 01:37 PM
You're flying? As in in an airplane or just speeding down the road, Anidori Isilee? Could you make a quick stop in Parkersburg,WV? I can't go because I have no one to take me and I've been angry all day because of it. Especially because of the mean way my dad put it in.
Posted by: Ellenboro | January 12, 2008 at 08:05 PM
And I finished the book. It is great! Anyone here who hasn't read the trilogy should really put that in their Urgent To-Do List.
Posted by: Ellenboro | January 12, 2008 at 08:06 PM
Okay, now that I've realized you two are coming to Powell's, I realize I don't have to drive all the way to Seattle to see you. Yay! I am eargerly looking forward to the 26th!
Posted by: Laini Taylor | January 13, 2008 at 01:11 PM
I'm still mad that I can't go see you gals. I'm four hours away from Cincinnati and Dayton. And then there's the matter of the day of the week the OH signings are. If they weren't on a Wednesday and a Thursday I would be able to go.
Posted by: Ellenboro | January 13, 2008 at 02:04 PM
Ellenboro: :( I'm sorry, but I mean flying by airplane. I still can barely believe that I'm going.
Posted by: Anidori-Isilee | January 13, 2008 at 06:47 PM
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
come to NC
Please?
Posted by: Shelby | January 19, 2008 at 03:08 PM
I just finished the last of the trilogy...and yet I am wanting more... what will Gemma do, who will she meet in NY and of cors will Kartik call for her after the tree of all souls takes over? Can she ever find more or will she always live knowing that her eternal love is attached to the winterlands? Its hard to know that this girl who gave it all to know than nothing would harm her world would too have to give up her love for Kartik... will he call for her and will she come.... I could say I coule see a 4th book if Libba is willing
Posted by: hfayrn | January 20, 2008 at 08:16 PM
Now I am officially jealous of all those lucky people who get to see you two on tour! The world is just not fair! Guess I'll have to get my kicks by reading hilarious interviews online. :-)
Posted by: Em | January 21, 2008 at 08:32 PM