Interview with Meredith Zeitlin, Author of "Sophomore Year is Greek to Me"

Sophomore Year is Greek to Me releases this month! 

What inspired Sophomore Year? I had a friend who mentioned that when she was a kid she used to live in Greece with her extended family for months at a time, during the school year. I thought that was such an interesting idea, to be IN school but not at YOUR school. Since the friend was Greek, I figured I’d make my my character Greek, too - especially because, with all the recent economic issues in that Greece in the last few years, there would be plenty for my character to discover and explore on her journey. I also wanted to continue writing the world I created for my first book (Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters) but through the eyes of a new main character. 

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

I think of a mentor as someone you actually know who gives you advice, and I don't know anyone like that. But there are many, many writers that I admire. If I had to choose one, it would have to be Audrey Niffenegger. I think that The TIme-Traveler's Wife is the most beautifully, perfectly crafted novel I've ever read.
Oh - and JK Rowling. Because who has an imagination like that!?!?

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Actually doing it! I am the world's worst procrastinator, and I have to force myself sit down to write... I'm not successful that often. Once I get into a groove I can get a lot done, but there are just so many distractions everywhere. Not a very good example for other writers, I know!

While you were writing, do you ever feel as if you were one of the characters?

Absolutely! To research the book I went to Greece and traveled for three weeks - meeting people, exploring, visiting all kinds of places, taking notes... so Zona's journey reflects the experiences I had while I was there. It was so fun recreating my adventures to fit in with her storyline and the characters in her world.

What are you currently reading?

I'm usually reading a few books at a time. Yesterday I finished "Beautiful Garbage" by Jill Di Donato, which is a dark story set in the NYC art world of the 80s. Now I'm reading "Girl on a Train" by Paula Hawkins. Everyone keeps mentioning how great it is, so I finally gave in and bought a copy. Only about 40 pages in, but totally intrigued. And I've been reading "Pigeon in a Crosswalk" by Jack Gray before bed - it's a hilarious series of essays about his experiences moving to New York and working for Anderson Cooper. I'd recommend all three!

"SOPHOMORE YEAR IS GREEK TO ME" by Meredith Zeitlin - Book Trailer!!! from Meredith Zeitlin on Vimeo.

Promo for "Sophomore Year is Greek to Me" by Meredith Zeitlin

*Stay tuned, review and interview to come closer to the release date*

Meet Zona Lowell. She’s fifteen. She lives in New York City.
And just like that... her life is being turned upside-down.

 What would YOU do?

High school sophomore Zona Lowell has lived in NYC her whole life, happily hanging out with her two best friends and planning to follow in the footsteps of her renowned-journalist father, David. But when he announces they’re moving to Athens for the remainder of the school year so he can work on an important new story, she’s devastated— he must have an ulterior motive. See, when Zona’s mother married an American, her huge Greek family cut off contact. But Zona never knew her mom, and now she’s supposed to uproot her entire life and meet possibly hostile relatives on their turf? Thanks... but no thanks.

Author Meredith Zeitlin is ecstatic to announce the upcoming release of her second young adult novel, SOPHOMORE YEAR IS GREEK TO ME, a follow-up to 2012’s Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters. Coming April 2015 and published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons, SOPHOMORE YEAR follows a girl on an adventure she doesn’t want to take... that ends up changing her life in ways she never imagined. You can watch the glorious book trailer for SOPHOMORE YEAR IS GREEK TO ME here: https://vimeo.com/118188167.

There’s also a shiny new website with oodles of info: www.mzwrites.com.

SOPHOMORE YEAR IS GREEK TO ME

Coming April 2014 from G.P. Putnam’s Sons

SOPHOMORE YEAR Links:

Book Website: http://www.mzwrites.com/

Book Trailer: https://vimeo.com/118188167

Amazon Listing: http://mzwrit.es/1789mlj

Barnes and Noble Listing: http://mzwrit.es/1BpHB0J

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MZeitlinAuthor

Twitter: @zeitlingeist

Interview with Meredith Zeitlin, author of "Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters"

I recently had the opportunity to interview Interview with Meredith Zeitlin, author of Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters.  I will be reviewing this book soon! 

What keeps you motivated to write? Well, since I'm the world's biggest procrastinator, that's a tough one. But ultimately, I love books, and I have my whole life - I'm so grateful to the incredible authors whose work I enjoy so much. The thought of giving a single kid a book that she can relate to, that makes her laugh, that makes her think, or makes her feel like she isn't the only one in the world with impossible parents and no idea what she's doing... that would be an incredible thing. And it's a heck of a motivation. 

Is there a place that inspires your writing? I never really thought about that, to be honest. I usually write on my couch, in my living room. It's got a ton of big windows, so it's nice and sunny during the day. I love to write outside when I can; while I was working on one of the many drafts of Freshman Year... I worked by the pool of the fabulous Roosevelt Hotel in LA. And this summer I plan to do lots of work outside at the beach house I'm sharing with friends. So I guess there isn't a specific place, but a feel of a place - bright, sunny, relaxing. 

Do you listen to certain music when writing?  What do you listen to? I often have the TV on - reruns of Law and Order are the best, because they keep my brain distracted a little bit, but not TOO much. But when I'm really buckling down and getting serious, I always have to listen to the Once On This Island cast album. It's a musical written by Ahrens and Flaherty loosely based on The Little Mermaid story - thought that isn't why I listen to it. There isn't any reason in particular; I started writing to it when I was in college and it's just my go-to. Not necessarily my favorite show - just my special writing music. The best part is realizing the last track is ending and getting to look back and see how much I've done during that pass of the album. It's a good way to break up writing sessions as well. 

What is your process for writing a book? My process... is no process. (i'm probably not supposed to admit that, right? Oops!) When I started Freshman Year..., I literally came home one afternoon, sat down in my living room and wrote the first sentence of the book – the same first sentence that you'll see in the finished version. I wrote a few pages and closed the computer. Then I watched a bunch of TV and ate some ice cream and thought: “I should really work on that some more.” Then the Procrastination Monster and I did everything BUT write for a while. And that was how the book got written, over about six months. When inspiration struck, I'd write something – for five minutes, or thirty – and then I'd do something else.  

I specifically remember when I realized I had an actual book; I was sort of shocked. This was the first major writing project I'd actually seen all the way through, and it was scary! Did I have to do something with it now? If so, what? I recently started a new book, and so far I'm doing it the same way. A few pages here, a paragraph there. I probably should be outlining or a setting a schedule for myself, but I guess if it ain't broke... 

What are you currently reading?

 Oooh, I'm always reading lots of different things. The Reader, by Bernhard Schlink is on my nightstand. Also The Jewel of Medina by Sherry Jones - that's my current subway book. I started The Maze Runner, but I accidentally skipped to the end (a terrible habit of mine - I hate waiting to find out what happens! - so I might jump to the sequel. And finally, I have an ongoing project where I've been rereading the entire original Nancy Drew series, in order. It's been fascinating to reread the books I adored as a kid from the perspective of an adult - not to mention 2012. I"m going to blog about that when I'm done. 

 Thanks again for having me!!