Monday, January 26, 2009

The Monday Muse: Bev Katz Rosenbaum


Today's Muse: Bev Katz Rosenbaum
Author of: I Was a Teenage Popsicle and Beyond Cool
-------------------
Bookworm: What inspired you to write Floe's [pronounced "Flo"] story?
Bev: I really wanted to write about what it feels like to be an outsider. This is a common theme in young adult fiction, of course, but I think teens really need/like to see this theme explored in a variety of ways. It makes them feel like they're not alone! I certainly remember that horrible feeling of not fitting in from my own high school days. I thought, wouldn't it be interesting to take a girl who was one of the cool ones and to have something freaky happen to her to make her a complete outsider? My husband gave me the idea to have her frozen and awakened in the future. At the time, there was a lot of talk about Ted Williams, a famous baseball player, being cryonically preserved.

Bookworm: What would you miss most about modern times if you were frozen into the future like Floe?
Bev: Sweatpants. I'm not big into the unitard thing!

Bookworm: Who's your favorite character to write about?
Bev: I really enjoyed writing Floe--she's a bit sarcastic and prickly (like me!). She's much wittier, though; it was a real challenge coming up with those great one-liners. In my own life, it takes me hours to come up with them--how I wish I could just zing them on the spot like Floe does!

Bookworm: Have you read any good books lately, and what are they?
Bev: I just reread Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. It's a young adult novel that was written about ten years ago and I reread it every year because it's just that good. It's much more serious than my Popsicle books, but also explore that theme of outsider-ness. It's incredibly well written and though it's a serious book, it also has elements of humor.

Bookworm: Are you planning on writing any more YA books in the future?
Bev:  I have two new books in the works, neither of which are set in the future. Keep watching my website for news of new releases! 
-----------
Thanks, Bev! 
For a review of I Was A Teenage Popsicle, click here!

5 comments:

nadine said...

Sweatpants are GREAT

Ms. Yingling said...

This looks like such fun. Have you noticed that there aren't as many pictures of the future as there were 20 years ago? I'm continually surprised that I don't have to wear a unitard NOW. Of course, I don't have a hover car, either!

Anonymous said...

Totally agree about SPEAK. Love that book.

Kd said...

I really want to read speak! This is yet another one of the books I will be stealing from my friends. lol :D

Katie

Shooting Stars Mag said...

These books sound great. Awesome interview. I love sweatpants and Speak really IS a great novel.

-Lauren