Talking to Tina Wells
Q: Writing is definitely in your genes; but also, you have “basic instincts” to have your own successful business. Who has influenced you the most in your family and in what ways? Would you like to tell us more about siblings, parents, goddaughter, and any other relatives?
A: First, let me just thank you for taking the time to interview me and highlight Mackenzie Blue. It means a lot to me! I would have to say that my mom has influenced me the most. I’m a multi-tasker, and I’ve learned those skills from her. She’s a wife, mother of six, entrepreneur, and the list goes on and on.
I have quite the big family. I’m the oldest of six children, and my parents celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary earlier this year. We’re all very close and have a lot of fun together. I’m also very close to my little cousins Zoey and Azairea, for whom I penned Mackenzie Blue. It was important to me to create a character that could speak to them in a positive way. I noticed that the negative influences were overflowing, but saw a void for a cool girl who may make mistakes, but always ends up doing the right thing.
My dad’s an only child, but my mom has 13 brothers and sisters, so my extended family is enormous! I’m used to tons of family and tons of fun all the time!
Q: Zee has a diverse group of terrific friends. How did you develop these characters? Are any from your own life or growing up years?
A: I went to a small private school, and I think those characters are a combination of people I knew and characters I knew the story would need.
Q: As you conduct your first Book Tour, what are some interesting reactions, conversations or questions you’ve had with readers and families?
A: Being on tour has been fantastic! I’m learning so much about the Mackenzie Blue readers! Most shocking to me is how many boys actually love the series. I’m going to be really cognizant of that as I write more adventures. It’s also fun to hear what readers think of the characters, and who they like the most.
Q: Tweens and teens sort out autonomy, individual preferences and their place in life. Emotions run high, and yet Zee seems to take things in stride. How can adults help youngsters to believe in themselves, that making better choices is what we all must do?
A: They can take a page out of my parents’ book! My mom and dad inspired all six of us to be big dreamers. I’m a writer and entrepreneur, but my siblings are very diverse in their pursuits as well. For example, we have a professor, teacher, marketing executive, artist, and musician in my family. We all love working together and we love what we do. So I think what’s important for parents to know is, you’re the biggest influence in the life of your child. If you allow them to dream big and foster those dreams, they can become reality.
Q: Since MacKenzie Blue addresses a variety of common issues (social, physical, emotional, and intellectual), do you envision spirituality as part of the growth and development of the characters? If so, in what ways do you hope this will impact readers?
A: Absolutely. But they’re still at the age where their spirituality is still being defined and in many cases led by their parents. With a cast as diverse as ours, you can imagine that they celebrate many different religious traditions. What I hope to do is highlight moral traditions that I feel we can all embrace, no matter what our religious or spiritual backgrounds.
Q: Women of many races and stages in life applaud your success as an entrepreneur, author and devotee of young people. Where do you see your career in five or ten years? How would you like to expand your repertoire?
A: If I’m lucky, I’ll be semi-retired, married and raising children! I come from a very big family, and I absolutely love it. I can’t wait to add more members! Ha ha! Writing has definitely given me more options for slowing down the pace of my life when needed to accommodate a family. I feel like I’m in a very creative place in my life, and I want to really expand my businesses and develop many more consumer products.
Q: Would you tell us more about your work with Friends of the Orphans, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and continuing education at the Wharton School of Business?
A: I first got involved with FOTO when I went to Honduras for a month when I was 19. I stayed at an orphanage for 10 days and simply fell in love with the beautiful home and children. In the countries where we have homes, they are more like boarding schools or homes than what we think of as orphanages. Our children are so well taken care of and so loved. And unlike other orphanages, our children can’t be adopted. The goal is to raise the children as a family with as much stability as possible. They’re truly magical places. So I’m happy to serve on the board, educating people about this great organization and the children we serve.
The Philadelphia Orchestra is very close to my heart. I love classical music, and I think that our children are losing that appreciation. I hope that Mackenzie Blue makes classical instruments cool again. Chloe plays the cello and Kathi plays a mean violin, so I’m doing my job to make the music relevant. Going to the orchestra is an amazing experience, and I want to do what I can to bring that experience to young people.
My newest board commitment is to the Food Bank of South Jersey. In these times, it’s so important to do all we can to make sure people all over this country have enough to eat. I’m serving in my local community. It’s personally important to me that children and the elderly are taken care of. They’re a bit more vulnerable, and sometimes forgotten. The Food Bank has some innovative new programs serving both children and the elderly that I’m very excited about.
As you can see, my life is very busy right now! So I’m not in school right now. Every semester I look at the courses offered, praying there’s something I can fit in. I’m hoping to get back into the swing of things in the fall. I think if I just plan it and do it, it’ll fit. Wharton is an amazing place, and I love sitting in a group of peers discussing current issues and learning. When the timing is right, I’ll be back.
Contributor: Susan Treadway
More information about Tina Wells and her youth marketing agency, the Buzz Marketing Group, is available on her website.
Reviews
Mackenzie Blue
Tina Wells
Mackenzie Blue, nicknamed “Zee,” confides in her diary. She is lonely and unhappy when her best friend moves to France. When Zee loses her diary, she is devastated. She is sure it was stolen when direct quotes from her diary appear on the white board in her classroom. Zee makes several mistakes in assuming the guilt of her two best friends at school. She goes about trying to find out if they are guilty in the wrong way. In addition, Zee has a crush on a boy in her school and tries to think of ways to have him notice her. Also, Zee is flattered when a popular girl in school appears to want to be her friend, but she finds the girl is not the person she appears. The author describes Zee’s experience with her classmates. Zee tries out for a singing contest, hopeful of winning. Her music teacher and brother encourage her and help her prepare for the contest, but another girl wins first place. Zee is disappointed, however she is a good loser, and plans to try again next year. Girls who enjoy reading about girls their age will especially like this book. It captures the feelings and actions of girls between eight and twelve. Boys, too, may enjoy learning how girls think and react in certain situations. Parents will approve of the clean language, morals and ethics demonstrated throughout this book. 2009, HarperCollins Children’s Books/HarperCollins Publishers, $10.99. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Jennie DeGenaro (Children's Literature).
This refreshing book is written for girls to reinforce making good choices in the midst of difficulty. Engaging stories like this one bring practical ways to apply lessons learned through familiar events such as music, fun, school projects, family dynamics, and more. The physical setting is a boarding school called Brookdale Academy. Of course, tweens multi-task with ease, so Wells showcases their activities in high gear. Readers quickly become involved with a smart seventh-grader Mackenzie Blue, aka “Zee,” and her diverse friends through the latest technology. Thoughts are expressed by text messages, computer chats, e-mails and an actual written diary. Zee loses it (was it perhaps stolen?) while dealing with personals of daily life that are readily intertwined among various interests. Text features of the book highlight specific communications with clear formatting to provide consistency. Since the prestigious school is LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), the author grounds her characters in genuine loyalty and friendship while promoting eco-conscious responsibility among the larger community. Such fundamental characteristics encourage those who doubt middle schoolers can handle the rocky waters of life at this stage--particularly in view of less-than-stellar pop culture--to rethink their position. Wells’ purposeful story of desirable relationships is a model for young girls most of all. No doubt students have challenges, risks, surprises, and opportunities which tweens experience regardless of their ethnicity or social background. What can be more positive? For example, “Ten Reasons It’s Going to Be an Awesome Year” is worthy of any boy’s or girl’s efforts. Make the right choices. Enjoy class assignments. Pursue lofty dreams. Determine to stand by your principles. Therefore, also having appropriate friends who display admirable traits exemplifies a strong model for upcoming youth through the eyes of characters like “Zee.” 2009, HarperCollins Publishers, $10.99. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Susan Treadway, M.Ed (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-06-158308-7
Updated 07/25/09
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