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THE EARTH, MY BUTT, AND OTHER BIG ROUND THINGS
by Carolyn Mackler
List Price: $15.99
Pages: 256
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 0763619582
Publisher: Candlewick Press
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"I'm a professional snoop," says Carolyn Mackler when asked about the circumstances that led to writing THE EARTH, MY BUTT, AND OTHER BIG ROUND THINGS. "As I ride in the subway or walk in Central Park or sit in a café, I eavesdrop on any and all teenagers." This research tactic, as well as photographic memories of her own adolescence, have enabled the author to hear the teen voice clearly. "I've always connected with that voice," Carolyn Mackler says. "It feels fresh and honest. And so much growing and experimenting happens during the teen years, which is why that age group lends itself so easily to novels."
Carolyn Mackler developed her passion for stories while growing up in western New York. Her mom read constantly to her, and there was much storytelling in the house. "My dad would tell me what he called his 'roots,' the stories of his life," she recalls. Family interactions play an important role in Carolyn Mackler's novels, as well. In the hilarious and insightful THE EARTH, MY BUTT, AND OTHER BIG ROUND THINGS, we meet Virginia Shreves--a teenager dealing with a troubled family, the stigmas attached to being heavier than average, and a major inferiority complex. And, of course, boys.
Armed with the "Fat Girl Code of Conduct," Virginia convinces herself on paper that she'll never have a real relationship with a guy, and that she must simply hope for action where she can get it. By the novel's end, after a tumultuous bout with her family, Virginia learns that not all families are perfect but maybe, just maybe, SHE is--just as she is. "So many of us feel like we don't fit in, that we're inferior to others," the author notes. "But things happen. Bad things happen. And many of us end up learning the difficult but important lesson that the people we idolize may not be all they're cracked up to be. And guess what? We're not so bad after all."
Carolyn Mackler's first novel for teens, the wonderfully funny and touching LOVE AND OTHER FOUR-LETTER WORDS, was wildly popular with teen readers and award committees alike. It was named an American Library Association Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers and was chosen by the International Reading Association as a Young Adults Choice. Carolyn Mackler has much experience writing for and about teens. She regularly contributes short stories to GIRLS' LIFE and has written articles for numerous publications including Teen People, Seventeen, Glamour, and Shape. "Even when I'm writing about strong or sad or serious issues, I try to never forget my sense of humor."
Carolyn Mackler is a full-time writer who devotes most of her time to fiction. When she is not writing, she likes to walk in Central Park, swim in lakes (not in Central Park!), and search for the best croissant in New York City.
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  Carolyn Mackler is the author of the acclaimed teen novel LOVE AND OTHER FOUR-LETTER WORDS and has been a contributing writer to Glamour, Teen People, Seventeen, and Shape magazines. In this interview Mackler discusses what inspired her to write her latest novel, THE EARTH, MY BUTT, AND OTHER BIG ROUND THINGS. She also reveals who some of her favorite authors for teens are and her future writing plans.
Q: Have you always wanted to be a writer?
CM: I've always loved telling stories. When I was four or five, I used to tell stories into a tape recorder. I still have some of the tapes! As I got older, I began writing in my journal all the time. I still have my journals from my teen years. Very interesting to re-read. I was usually obsessing about boys and making lists of all the guys I was lusting after and ranking my likelihood of ever going out with them. By the time I hit college, I began writing poetry and short stories. That's around the time I realized how much I NEEDED to get out the stories that were inside my head. Pretty soon after I graduated from college, I began writing an early draft of LOVE AND OTHER FOUR-LETTER WORDS.
Q: Do you write every day?
CM: When I'm working on a novel or short story, I write almost every day. Even if it's just for a few hours, it keeps the momentum going in my head. I do my best writing in the morning, right after consuming a cup of strong coffee. I don't allow myself to write at night or else I can't fall asleep. I'll lie in bed for hours, thinking, "Would my character say that? Why? What motivates her? WHO IS SHE????"
Q: Where do you live?
CM: I live in New York City. My apartment is on the 8th floor of an apartment building, so it looks out over lots of rooftops.
Q: How did you come up with the ideas for THE EARTH, MY BUTT, AND OTHER BIG ROUND THINGS?
CM: I'm a professional snoop. As I ride in the subway or walk in Central Park, I eavesdrop on any teenager who comes into my earshot. I was in the middle of brainstorming for a new novel when I became particularly interested in offbeat teens --- the ones with body pierces and multicolored hair. I wondered how they came to express themselves that way. And if I created a plain, blend-into-the-hallways character, what circumstances would lead her to the acquisition of an eyebrow ring and purple hair?
Also around this time, someone said a comment to me about how boys aren't interested in fooling around with heavy girls. And I thought to myself, "Not true!" I've had a lot of heavier-than-average friends who got plenty of action during adolescence. I wanted to portray a plus-size character who had hot make-out sessions with a guy. But since my character has suffered from society's stigmas, she doesn't think she's worthy of public affection, so she keeps it private.
Q: Are your novels based on your own life?
CM: None of the events in my novels have happened to me. But at the same time, when I'm writing a story, I often draw on my feelings (about my parents' divorce or my first relationship or a challenging friendship) and that helps me create more realistic characters.
Q: Are any of your characters real people?
CM: No! I'd never do that to anyone. Even though I've made a lot of my thoughts and feelings public, most people choose to keep their lives private, so I have to respect that. I have to admit, sometimes I conjure up a certain person in my head as I'm writing a scene. Or I think about how someone makes a funny facial gesture when they talk or how their hair frizzes out a certain way. So while I'm not basing an entire character on a real person, I'm borrowing bits here and there.
Q: What were you like as a teenager?
CM: I grew up in a small town in Western New York. I loved to ski. I read all the time, mostly young-adult novels. I loved to flirt with boys. I took violin lessons from a nun. I had an amazing best friend, Stephanie. I don't think I would have gotten through my teen years in one piece without Stephie. We could tell each other almost everything. We supported each other through ups and downs. I never felt completely alone because of her. And, most importantly, we laughed together all the time. We lived three houses apart, so sometimes on a weekend morning, one of us would carry our bowl of cereal through the adjoining backyards and join the other one at the breakfast table.
Q: You dedicated THE EARTH, MY BUTT, AND OTHER BIG ROUND THINGS to Jonas Rideout. Who's he?
CM: Jonas is my husband. He's such an important part of my writing. He reads the first draft of every story I write and he always cheers me on. That's so important to me because even if I'm frustrated or feel like I can't write another word, Jonas will encourage me to keep going.
Q: Who are your favorite authors for teens?
CM: I've loved reading Judy Blume novels since I was six or seven. Same goes for Paula Danziger, Lois Lowry, and M.E. Kerr. As far as newer authors, I love books by Megan McCafferty, Meg Cabot, Ellen Wittlinger, Sarah Dessen, M.T. Anderson, Rob Thomas, Rachel Cohn, Ann Brashares…and so many more!
Q: Are you writing a new novel? Will it be a sequel to either of your other books?
CM: Yes, I'm writing a new novel. No, it's not a sequel. It's about a girl named Mara Valentine who's a serious good girl and, in the spring of her senior year, seriously breaks out. You can get updates on this (and much more) on my website, www.carolynmackler.com.
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Courtesy of
Candlewick Press
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