Kieran Scott

BIO

A Jersey-girl through and through, Kieran grew up in Montvale, New Jersey, and attended Pascack Hills High School where she was a cheerleader, singer, actress and occasionally a student. She attended Rutgers University, graduated with a double-major in English and Journalism and now resides in Ridgewood, New Jersey in her very own bachelorette pad. (But not for long as she is soon to be wed to a—gasp!—New Yorker.) When not writing, Kieran spends her time at the movies, watching the WB, going to the gym and taking random classes at local schools to keep her brain functioning. Kieran has written more than thirty books for children and young adults under various pseudonyms, including editions of the popular series Charmed, Alias and coming soon, Everwood. (Plus some that are so secret she can’t even say!) JINGLE BOY is her first hardcover novel.

INTERVIEW

November 2003
Kieran Scott has written a number of books for teens. JINGLE BOY is her first hardcover novel. In this interview with Carol Fitzgerald, founder of Teenreads.com, Kieran talks about her inspiration for the book, her favorite Christmas song and tradition, and her own plans for the upcoming holiday.

TRC: Do you love Christmas as much as Paul does in JINGLE BOY?

KS: I can't say that I've ever walked around in a Santa hat, but I do love Christmas. I love everything about the season --- buying presents for my family, chowing down on Toll House cookies, decorating the tree and the house, watching all the TV specials. My family always did it up on Christmas, not to the extent that Paul does, but we did have a million and one traditions.

TRC: In your dedication you mention your brother Ian, "who would sooner perish than let a Christmas tradition die." Was he the inspiration for the book? Does he wear a red Santa hat? If not, what got you started writing JINGLE BOY?

KS: Paul was based a good deal on my brother, although again, he was never seen walking around in a Santa hat. But Ian was a soccer player in high school and he's sweet and fun-loving like Paul --- wears his heart on his sleeve like Paul. I was always thinking of Ian while writing. He had his own star for the tree, which we rotated with my grandmother's each year (in the book it's Mom and Dad's stars). He almost had a coronary the year we switched from old-fashioned, Charlie Brown-style, big-bulb lights to small white twinklers, and he always woke my parents up by blasting his stereo on Christmas morning. He was very into the holiday. And now that he has his own kids, he spoils them like nuts on Christmas.

TRC: Part of Paul's charm is that he is self-deprecating. He can see what is happening to himself, but he's one beat behind stopping it from happening. Do you write in this tone to encourage teens to take themselves less seriously?

KS: Absolutely. I think we all take ourselves too seriously. Plus, I think characters who are able to laugh at themselves and learn from their mistakes and move on are more fun to read about than people who sort of mope around and let things get to them too much. They make for better light comedy, too!

TRC: Why do you think Christmas is such a great topic to write comedy about?

KS: There are so many unique and cheesy things that come out of the woodwork around Christmas. Some of the decorations are outrageous, shoppers will buy pretty much anything, and there are those people who just become so grinchy and mean while others get overly peppy and wide-eyed. It's just this time where anything goes and people get so wrapped up. A lot of good comedy comes from situations that are over-the-top crazy, and Christmas can definitely be like that.

TRC: We were seeing JINGLE BOY as a movie the entire time we were reading this. So who do you want to see play Paul in the movie?

KS: Shia La Beouf, all the way. I've loved him ever since the first time I saw Even Stevens! My second choice would definitely be Adam Brody from The OC. His delivery is perfection.

TRC: Many of the chapter titles are taken from holiday songs. Do you have a favorite holiday song?

KS: "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." When I was little we got "John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together" on (ack!) record. On the album (which is also mentioned in the book), Ralph the dog sings the song with John Denver and I used to lie under the tree and look up at the lights and listen to it. It's still my favorite.

TRC: What is your favorite Christmas tradition?

KS: It seems basic, but I love going out and buying the tree with my family. We're all older now, but my sister, my mom and I try to get the tree for my mom's house together each year. And now I have my own place, so my fiancé and I pick out a tree for my apartment, too. I also love going to church on Christmas Eve. Toward the end of the service, everyone lights candles and we sing "Silent Night." It's so beautiful.

TRC: What are you doing for Christmas this year?

KS: I'll be at my mom's with my brother, his wife and their boys, Peyton and MacKinley. Hopefully my sister will also be in from Chicago. We all open presents in the morning and have a huge brunch, then play with the kids and watch old Christmas movies like White Christmas, It's a Wonderful Life and Home Alone (not so old). Then I'll do the second round of gift giving at my fiancé's house with his family!

TRC: Have you written other novels with the same comedic voice/tone as JINGLE BOY? If so, what are they? If not, would you like to write another?

KS: JINGLE BOY has a unique tone compared to other books I've written. That kind of dark, campy humor is fun to write, but I think it only works with certain projects and characters. I love to write it, though. Maybe Paul could go on another adventure. If I came up with the right idea, I'd be all over it.

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