We are so thrilled to welcome author Jenny Torres Sanchez to the Ball today!
When I, Deb Erika, began blogging a few years ago, Jenny was one of the first writers I connected with, so you can imagine how high the Squee-factor is today that she is visiting to take the Deb Ball Interview in the midst of the launch of her debut, THE DOWNSIDE OF BEING CHARLIE!
First, about the book:
THE DOWNSIDE OF BEING CHARLIE is a contemporary YA novel about a teen boy who is handed a crappy senior year. Despite losing thirty pounds over the summer, he still gets called “Chunks” Grisner. And what’s worse, he has to share a locker with the biggest Lord of the Rings freak his school has ever seen. He also can’t figure out whether Charlotte VanderKleaton, the beautiful strawberry lip-glossed new girl, likes him the way he likes her. Oh, and then there’s his mom. She’s disappeared—again—and his dad won’t talk about it.
There are a lot of issues going on in this novel, but at the heart of it is a young boy trying to make sense of his life and himself.
Not only is Jenny going to take the Deb Ball interview, BUT she is also going to give away a signed copy (including international entries!) of her book to one lucky commenter!
Now, without further ado…
Jenny Torres Sanchez Takes The Debutante Ball Interview!
Who is one of your favorite (fictional or non-fictional) characters?
Non-fictional. I’m totally, one hundred percent obsessed with the Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. She’s just so cool and before her time and seems real but not in the way most fictional characters seem. I think her art is raw and gritty but I’m also really taken by who she was and the life she led. I wish I could sit down and have a conversation with her.
Which talent do you wish you had?
I wish I could yodel. I don’t know why, but it just seems like it would be so much fun! I don’t think my family would appreciate it much though, seeing as they can’t even stand my singing. I’m a terrible singer.
Share one quirk you have that most people don’t know about.
I recite the alphabet when I’m scared (and I’m a big scaredy cat, so this happens often). Also, I tend to count my steps when I walk alone. I used to think everyone did this until I mentioned it to somebody and, well, it turns out not too many people do.
Do you have any phobias?
Oh, the list goes on and on! I’m scared of the dark, of flying, small spaces, clowns, and balloons (just because they might pop at any second). I can kind of get through each individually, but I can’t make any promises if we’re ever on a dark flight full of clowns and balloons together. Hmmmm, these answers are probably making me sound quite strange. I’m not, though, I’m perfectly normal. Really, I am. 😉
What’s your next big thing?
My next YA novel is Death, Dickinson, and the Demented Life of Frenchie Garcia. It’s a story about a girl dealing with the death of her high school crush and as she does so, contemplates life and death, talks to Emily Dickinson’s corpse, hangs out in cemeteries, and take readers on an adventure through the crazy night that changed everything. It’s scheduled to come out in spring of 2013 and I can’t wait!
* * * *
Jenny Torres Sanchez is a YA author and former high school English teacher. The Downside of Being Charlie is her debut novel. Her second YA novel, Death, Dickinson and the Demented Life of Frenchie Garcia is due out in 2013. She writes full time and lives in Florida with her husband and two children.
* * * *
Yay, Jenny! Thanks so much for coming by the Ball! And remember to leave a comment to be entered to win a signed copy of THE DOWNSIDE OF CHARLIE! For more information on Jenny and her work, visit her website and her blog, or follow her on Twitter or Facebook!
Hi Jenny! As I said, it’s such a special thing to be have you here, my blogging sister! I’m so thrilled for your success and for CHARLIE’s!
Yodeling! I love it! How does one go about learning, I wonder…And I’m with you on the balloons. Our kiddos are always asking for one when we go to the supermarket but I am always terrified it’ll pop in the car.
Wishing you and your family a wonderful summer celebrating THE DOWNSIDE OF BEING CHARLIE and each other, my friend!
Welcome to the Ball, Jenny! It’s wonderful to take a spin on the dance floor with you. 🙂
I’m still giggling over your yodeling wish. I used to try to yodel when I was a little kid–I thought I was great at it, but apparently my family thought otherwise. Turns out I can’t sing, either. Hmmm. Connection?
THE DOWNSIDE OF BEING CHARLIE sounds like a fantastic book! I smell a success.
Best of luck with all your future writing endeavors. 🙂
Hi Debs,
Erika, you were one of the first people I “met” in the blogging and writing world so it’s a thrill to be here! Thanks so much for having me. 🙂 And my kids always ask for a balloon at the market as well. Once in a while I’ll give in, but a few hours later when they’ve forgotten about it, I secretly let the air out slowly and quietly and shove the deflated thing deep into the garbage where they won’t find it. I know, Mom of the Year, right?
Linda–We should take lessons! It’s never too late, right, although don’t know if my family would stick around to hear me practice.
Jenny, I just laughed out loud at that garage story–we used to do the SAME THING! I know people mean well but the WORST would be those birthday balloons from the store–the big ones–there were several times we “retired” them to the garage and always forgot and then, lo! The kids would find them months later–doh!!
Thanks for being with us today, Jenny! I kind of wish I could yodel, too. When I was a kid, my favorite game on The Price is Right was the one where the guy climbs up the mountain and yodels on his way and I always got so excited when that one came on so I could listen to the yodeling. Sign me up for those classes, if you and Deb Linda decide to go for it.
And all best with THE DOWNSIDE OF BEING CHARLIE and I love the title for your upcoming book, too. 😀
I LOVED that game on TPIR too, Joanne. That and Plinko–oh, memories! Light the corners of my mind…;)
Your books sound amazing, Jenny!! And maybe *everyone* doesn’t count steps when they walk alone, but I do! Especially at night. Not sure if you remember but I used to do #1KDay (or something like that) with you and Amanda Hoving, just around the time you were deciding on the title for this book. It’s so great to see that now you have not only one book published but soon will have two! Congratulations!
Hi Julia! Yes!, another fellow 1kDay-er!! I had the pleasure of being a part of that group for a while too. It’s so great to think about the ways we all support and cheer each other on as we write, isn’t it? We really are all in this together. Hope you and your sweeties are still savoring this month!
Thanks so much, Julia, and I absolutely remember doing 1K in 1 hour with you and Amanda! It was fun and totally motivating! We should do it again soon. 🙂
I completely share your clown phobia. That seems very rational to me. So excited for another great YA contempt. It’s on my list for sure.
Eileen, now that I have kiddos, I am genuinely bewildered by the phenomenon of clowns. Stephen King nailed it with IT. And Tim Curry’s version in the TV miniseries did too.
♥♥ these questions!
Like you, Jenny, I’m scared of balloons (hello! They will pop…IN YOUR FACE) and also clowns. IT anyone?! I don’t count my steps but I do airtype…usually while watching TV. And if I misspell a word, I have to go (air) delete it and type it over again. (I realized I had this tick after watching Mark Philippoussis play Wimbledon years ago. No nineteen year old girl should know how to spell that last name).
I’m about 4 chapters into CHARLIE and am simply loving it. I’m so honored to be in your company at Running Press. Seriously–you’re just a talented girl.
Thanks for the great interview, and no need to include me in the drawing. I already have the book (◕‿-)
Nice to see some books written from the point of view of the teenage male. This books sounds like an interesting read.