Sarah Dessen
Sarah Dessen, who writes realistic fiction for young adults, had her first novel, That Summer, published in 1996, and this spring her tenth novel will be published. I went to an author appearance by Dessen at my local bookstore and after her reading, Dessen answered a variety of questions from the audience, including how she started writing and her writing process, as well as questions about her characters and connections among her many novels.
When Sarah Dessen was a student at UNC in her hometown of Chapel Hill, she was working on her first novel, which she set in that city. When that work was discussed in class, students would obsess over minor details in geography. Dessen explained how this criticism led her to create a fictional neighborhood called Lakeview, that was similar, but not identical, to Chapel Hill. This allowed Dessen to have more control over her fictional universe. As fans of Dessen will know, Lakeview has played an important part in Dessen's young adult novels. Many of her stories take place there and landmarks such as names of schools, eateries, and shops reappear. Because of this continuity readers feel as if they know Lakeview.
Dessen's longtime readers know to search for cameos by past characters in any of her new novels. She has no interest in sequels, but after repeatedly being asked how certain characters are doing, Dessen began to give popular characters brief cameos, understanding the need for fans to “check in” on their favorites. Dessen explained that spotting these appearances is never as hard as she thinks it will be -- no matter how stealthy she thinks she is being, fans spot them.
The way Dessen begins her writing process is by contemplating a career change. After finishing a book she says she is so exhausted that she feels as if she never wants to write again. Then slowly her writing energy comes trickling back. Ideas and notes start to flow in. This collection process usually moves forward once Dessen has her new heroine's name. This prompts her to ask questions such as: “what sort of person is she” and “what if....” Once Dessen can picture the heroine, she goes to work on the framework of her novel. This skeleton includes her first line, first scene, last scene, and climactic scene. It is essential for her to have an idea of where the story is going, even if the plot shifts, and it usually does.
In addition to writing about strong female characters Dessen is also known for her crush-worthy boys, though she is finding it harder to keep coming up with them. She bases the young men in her novels on qualities she admired in high school -- less jock and more offbeat and funny. She finds those types more appealing than someone who is considered “perfect.” She then takes into consideration what sort of hero will challenge her narrator. For instance, in Just Listen, her heroine Annabel was raised in an oppressive environment and struggles to express herself, while the hero, Owen, is someone who communicates in a brutally honest and direct manner. His ability to push Annabel's buttons opens her eyes and forces her to confront how she communicates.
Early in Sarah Dessen's career she found that no one cared much about her writing. Today, this is no longer the case, as Dessen discovered when she spent time Googling herself while writing Lock & Key. She recalled seeing complaints that all her books were the same. Dessen changed with Lock & Key, but when it came out she found that many people were complaining that it was too different and not what readers had come to expect of a Sarah Dessen novel. She learned not to Google herself while in the middle of writing a novel.
Dessen shared that of all her novels, her personal favorite is This Lullaby, partly because she has a soft spot for its heroine Remy. She said that her emotionally heavy novels were harder to write (Just Listen and The Truth about Forever) while the writing of novels like This Lullaby and Along for the Ride were more enjoyable. Sometimes, when asked what her favorite book is she answers: the book she hasn't written yet. While still in her head, that next novel can be perfect and full of potential.
Dessen's latest novel, What Happened to Goodbye, due out May 2011, follows Mclean as she moves to yet another town with her dad. After her parents' bitter divorce, Mclean and her dad move from one town to another as part of his new job. Each time Mclean completely reinvents herself, that is until they arrive in Lakeview and Mclean finds herself uncharacteristically putting down roots. On Dessen's website she shares how this new novel came to be and how the idea of change inspired her: http://www.sarahdessen.com/what-happened-to-goodbye.
Sarah Dessen lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina with her husband and young daughter. Visit her at http://www.sarahdessen.com and follow her on Twitter @sarahdessen.
Contributor: Emily Griffin
Reviews
Along For the Ride
Sarah Dessen
Growing up in a divorced family, Auden never learned how to ride a bike. She became super focused on academics in order to appease her parents and was never really allowed to have a childhood. Because she studies all the time, she has no social life and even plans to spend her summer in-between high school and college reading ahead for her fall classes. But after getting a present from her highly social and carefree brother, Auden makes a sudden change of plans. Instead of spending her summer on academics, she decides to spend it at the beach with her dad, his new wife, and their new baby. Despite intending to spend the summer entirely free of work, Auden ends up helping her stepmother out by working in her kitschy, boardwalk boutique. There she begins to get a glimpse of the world of a normal teen--friendships, fashion, and even boys. Auden's chronic insomnia results in her befriending one boy in particular, Eli, a local bike celebrity. Eli's tragic past has turned him into a recluse and has kept him from bike riding for almost a year. Late at night, the two go on mini-quests to recapture Auden's childhood and in the process they gain much more. Dessen's complex characters and rich plot make this both an engaging and realistic novel. Not only will this novel appeal to readers looking for a quick and easy read, but also to those who insist on quality writing. 2009, Viking/Penguin, $19.99. Ages 14 up. Reviewer: Melissa Joy Adams (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
Best Children's Books of the Year, 2010; Bank Street College of Eduation; United States
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, 2010; American Library Association; United States
YALSA Teens' Top Ten, 2010; American Library Association; United States
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Indigo Teen Read Award, 2010 Nominee Best Hottie Canada
Indigo Teen Read Award, 2010 Nominee Best Read Canada
ISBN: 9780670011940
Just Listen
Sarah Dessen
Annabel Green is the girl everyone wants to be. She and her two sisters, successful models in their hometown, and all live happily inside their 'glass house' with their parents. All is well until Annabel's mother struggles with the death of her own mother and the realization that her middle daughter, Whitney, is battling anorexia. In addition to dealing with these difficulties at home, Annabel also faces rumors that she slept with her best friend's boyfriend. Readers learn of Annabel's secret in bits and pieces as they follow her through her attempts to steer clear of her confrontation. In the middle of it all, Annabel finds herself befriending the most unlikely recluse in her school, Owen, who helps her find her path in a most unlikely way. Dessen examines the heart and soul of her characters and illustrates their blemishes, humanity, struggles, and accomplishments. She plunges into the intellect of multifaceted adolescents, bringing them off the page as she plays out their story in front of you. 2006, Viking/Penguin, $17.99. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Lauren Hembree (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
Book Sense Children's Picks, Summer 2006; American Booksellers Association; Top10; United States
Capitol Choices, 2007; The Capitol Choices Committee; United States
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, 2007; American Library Association; United States
YALSA Teens' Top Ten, 2007; American Library Association; United States
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
American Association of University Women Award for Juvenile Literature, 2006 Nominee United States
Heartland Award for Excellence in Children's Literature, 2007 Finalist United States
Iowa High School Book Award, 2009 Winner Iowa
South Dakota Teen Choice Award, 2009 Runner-up High School South Dakota
Thumbs Up! Award, 2007 Nominee Michigan
ISBN: 9780670061051
Lock and Key
Sarah Dessen
Abandoned by her mother, Ruby has been living alone in a filthy house without running water or heat for two months. Her only goal is keeping her mother's disappearance a secret until she turns eighteen, legally free to be on her own. But with only a few months left, her secret is discovered and she is placed in the care of her sister Cora, who left ten long years ago. Living with Cora and her successful husband, Ruby now has access to things she previously thought impossible--new clothes, private schooling, a beautiful home, and even the possibility of college. Despite now having a family, a home, and all these opportunities, Ruby cannot let her guard down, fearing that at any moment everything could change and Ruby will be alone once again. After her next door neighbor Nate repeatedly helps her out of trouble, Ruby reluctantly becomes friends with him. As their relationship develops, Ruby discovers that Nate has more in common with her than she initially thought--secrets he cannot face. In order to help both Nate and herself, Ruby must make peace with her past and learn to trust others. Dessen's novel is quick and fun literary candy. While the plot is at times unrealistic, readers will connect to Ruby and root for her success. 2008, Viking/Penguin, $18.99. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Melissa Joy Adams (Children's Literature).
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Children's Choice Book Award, 2009 Finalist Teen Choice Book Award United States
Cybil Award, 2008 Finalist Young Adult Novels United States
ISBN: 9780670010882
The Truth about Forever
Sarah Dessen
Macy begins her summer by telling her boyfriend, Jason, "goodbye" as he leaves to spend the next two months at Brain Camp. Jason is perfect in every way and makes Macy feel she has to be perfect too. She knows he challenges her, but she feels she needs this to avoid dealing with the death of her father. Her mother believes that the stress of her job keeps her from mourning his death. After receiving an e-mail from Macy ending in "I love you" Jason considers their relationship a distraction for him. He replies, explaining that they should take a break. When Macy decides to take a catering job, everything changes. She meets a fearless girl who informs her that it is impossible to be perfect. She also meets a guy who shows her how to remember her dad. Her mom observes these changes but does not see how much happier Macy is. If only Macy could get through to her mom, she would see that facing up to their loss is hard but necessary. I feel that Dessen does an incredible job of identifying the difficulties that come with losing someone. She points out how a person can react to a tragedy in many ways and how not reacting to the past can damage one's future. This book suggests that hope can follow loss. This novel captivates its readers by allowing them to get involved by placing themselves in the story. Although it will appeal most strongly to females, everyone can enjoy the entertaining elements throughout the narrative. 2004, Viking, $16.99. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Sarah Tuten (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
Best Children's Books of the Year, 2004; Bank Street College of Education; United States
Top 10 Youth Romances, 2004; American Library Association; United States
YALSA Teens' Top Ten, 2005; American Library Association; United States
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
South Carolina Young Adult Book Award, 2007 Winner South Carolina
ISBN: 9780670036394
Added 3/28/11
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