Q: Will there be more Julep O'Toole
books? Can I write in and ask for
more?
A: Currently, three Julep O'Toole
books are in print and, for now, the
trio is all that is planned. Julep is a
great character, and it would be
great fun to write more about her
mis-adventures in middle school. If
you'd like to see the series
continue, you may write to:
DUTTON CHILDREN'S BOOKS
345 HUDSON ST.
NEW YORK, NY 10014
books? Can I write in and ask for
more?
A: Currently, three Julep O'Toole
books are in print and, for now, the
trio is all that is planned. Julep is a
great character, and it would be
great fun to write more about her
mis-adventures in middle school. If
you'd like to see the series
continue, you may write to:
DUTTON CHILDREN'S BOOKS
345 HUDSON ST.
NEW YORK, NY 10014
Q: Where did you get the inspiration for Secrets of a Lab Rat?
A: Scab had been roaming around in my head for awhile and it
seemed like a good time to let him loose on the world. I also
wanted to write a boy character and explore the see-saw
brother-sister relationship. Although Scab tends to enjoy
ruffling his twin sister's feathers, I hope readers see he really
does need and love Isabelle (sometimes more than even he
realizes). I think girls will definitely be able to identify with
Isabelle! Scab is troublesome, for sure, but he has a
conscience. He's a good kid. Thanks also to the talented Jim
Paillot for his wonderful illustrations. He really brought Scab
to life on the page.
A: Scab had been roaming around in my head for awhile and it
seemed like a good time to let him loose on the world. I also
wanted to write a boy character and explore the see-saw
brother-sister relationship. Although Scab tends to enjoy
ruffling his twin sister's feathers, I hope readers see he really
does need and love Isabelle (sometimes more than even he
realizes). I think girls will definitely be able to identify with
Isabelle! Scab is troublesome, for sure, but he has a
conscience. He's a good kid. Thanks also to the talented Jim
Paillot for his wonderful illustrations. He really brought Scab
to life on the page.
Q: Where do you get your fiction ideas?
A: Everywhere! Things that I see, hear, and read often
provide the inspiration I need for a situation, a conversation
between characters, or a whole book. When I'm out and
about, I like to observe people and how they interact with
each other. The opening scene in Miss Independent came
from watching a girl and her mother disagree over clothes
at the mall.
A: Everywhere! Things that I see, hear, and read often
provide the inspiration I need for a situation, a conversation
between characters, or a whole book. When I'm out and
about, I like to observe people and how they interact with
each other. The opening scene in Miss Independent came
from watching a girl and her mother disagree over clothes
at the mall.
Q: Did you have to overcome any struggles
to become an author?
A: Besides getting tons of rejection letters
from publishers before, finally, getting my
first acceptance, I also have vision
problems. My computer screen is HUGE! A
handicap may mean you have to do some
things differently, but it doesn't have to stop
you from pursuing your dreams!
to become an author?
A: Besides getting tons of rejection letters
from publishers before, finally, getting my
first acceptance, I also have vision
problems. My computer screen is HUGE! A
handicap may mean you have to do some
things differently, but it doesn't have to stop
you from pursuing your dreams!
Q: I know Julep O'Toole is fiction but is any
of it taken from your real life?
A: Yep! I am a middle child like Julep, with
an older sister and a younger brother. Also,
my brother had severe allergies and asthma
and we did trade rooms so he could have a
hardwood floor. But that's where the
similarities end. Nobody ever read my
journal out loud over the PA system and I
didn't toss my cookies on the gym floor,
although once I really embarrassed myself
by ... on second thought I should probably
save that one for the next Julep book!
of it taken from your real life?
A: Yep! I am a middle child like Julep, with
an older sister and a younger brother. Also,
my brother had severe allergies and asthma
and we did trade rooms so he could have a
hardwood floor. But that's where the
similarities end. Nobody ever read my
journal out loud over the PA system and I
didn't toss my cookies on the gym floor,
although once I really embarrassed myself
by ... on second thought I should probably
save that one for the next Julep book!
Q: Where do you get the names for your
characters?
A: I often hear a name (or noun) that strikes me as
interesting and unforgettable. I like it when a name
reflects a character's personality - or not.
Sometimes, it's fun to give a character a name that
is the exact opposite of who they are, or claim to
be. I named Julep's sister Harmony because their
relationship is anything but smooth, yet it is
something they both secretly hope for. Scab came
about because I was looking for a name as rough
and tumble as the character. I always have a
running list of names in the back of my head,
waiting for the right story to match to each one.
Coming up with interesting names is one of my
favorite parts of developing a new story.
characters?
A: I often hear a name (or noun) that strikes me as
interesting and unforgettable. I like it when a name
reflects a character's personality - or not.
Sometimes, it's fun to give a character a name that
is the exact opposite of who they are, or claim to
be. I named Julep's sister Harmony because their
relationship is anything but smooth, yet it is
something they both secretly hope for. Scab came
about because I was looking for a name as rough
and tumble as the character. I always have a
running list of names in the back of my head,
waiting for the right story to match to each one.
Coming up with interesting names is one of my
favorite parts of developing a new story.
Q: I want to be a
published author
someday. Do you have
any advice for me?
A: READ! The more you
read, the more you will
learn what it takes to
craft a good story and
what genres of writing
you prefer. Also, write
as much as you can,
whether it is fiction,
non-fiction, or making
entries in your journal
(by the way, I wrote a
book called Keeping a
Journal that takes you
step by step through a
whole month of journal
writing). Finally, take
classes in school that
will strengthen your
skills, such as creative
writing, newspaper, or
yearbook. Good luck!
published author
someday. Do you have
any advice for me?
A: READ! The more you
read, the more you will
learn what it takes to
craft a good story and
what genres of writing
you prefer. Also, write
as much as you can,
whether it is fiction,
non-fiction, or making
entries in your journal
(by the way, I wrote a
book called Keeping a
Journal that takes you
step by step through a
whole month of journal
writing). Finally, take
classes in school that
will strengthen your
skills, such as creative
writing, newspaper, or
yearbook. Good luck!
Q: Do you like writing fiction or
non-fiction best?
A: It's impossible to choose!
Non-fiction gives me the chance to
do in-depth research on a topic, so
I'm constantly learning and
discovering. I love cool facts, fun
charts, and trivia (you'll find plenty
of those in my non-fiction books).
Fiction, on the other hand, feeds
my creative side. I get to let my
imagination soar and see where it
takes me! Just when I get a bit tired
of non-fiction it's time to switch
over to fiction, and vice- versa.
Doing both fits my personality, and
keeps life fun and unpredictable.
non-fiction best?
A: It's impossible to choose!
Non-fiction gives me the chance to
do in-depth research on a topic, so
I'm constantly learning and
discovering. I love cool facts, fun
charts, and trivia (you'll find plenty
of those in my non-fiction books).
Fiction, on the other hand, feeds
my creative side. I get to let my
imagination soar and see where it
takes me! Just when I get a bit tired
of non-fiction it's time to switch
over to fiction, and vice- versa.
Doing both fits my personality, and
keeps life fun and unpredictable.
Q: Do you visit schools?
A: Yes! Talking to
students about writing
is one of the best parts
of my job. However,
due to my heavy writing
schedule (I am usually
juggling several
projects at once) I do
have to limit my school
visits. Otherwise, I'd
never make my many
deadlines!
A: Yes! Talking to
students about writing
is one of the best parts
of my job. However,
due to my heavy writing
schedule (I am usually
juggling several
projects at once) I do
have to limit my school
visits. Otherwise, I'd
never make my many
deadlines!
Photo by Bill Trueit, copyright 2010
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Take a peek at Trudi's blog at
http://truditrueit.blogspot.com
http://truditrueit.blogspot.com
