Interview with Sarah Ockler

SARAH OCKLER’S TWENTY BOY SUMMER arrived in 2009 and it’s still hot–a perfect book for summer reading.

So what’s this  delicious story about? Read on.

While on vacation in California, sixteen-year-old best girlfriends Anna and Frankie conspire to find a boy for Anna’s first summer romance, but Anna harbors a painful secret that threatens their lighthearted plan and their friendship.

TWENTY BOY SUMMER was Sarah’s a debut YA novel that explores what it truly means to love someone, what it means to grieve, and ultimately, how to make the most of every single moment this world has to offer.

Her 2010 release, Fixing Delilah. is a powerful story of family, love, and self-discovery.

Let’s find out about this author.

Sarah Ockler wrote and illustrated her first book at age six—an adaptation of Steven Spielberg’s E.T. Still recovering from her own adolescence, Sarah now writes for young adults. After several years of wandering between New York City and Denver, she and her husband Alex now live in Upstate New York with lots of books and an ever-expanding collection of sea glass. Twenty Boy Summer is Sarah’s first novel. Visit her online.

When she stopped by for a visit I had a chance to know more about Sarah. Here are some of the things we talked about.

I know we are influenced by the books we read, but how about those we read and then say, “Oh, I wish I’d written that one.” Of all your favorite books, which one do you wish you had written?

Jellicoe Road, by Malina Marchetta. It was so complex and multi-layered, and in reading it I think I felt the entire range of human emotion. The characters stayed with me long after I closed the book, and I still think of them even now, wondering what happened after their time in that particular story and what their lives are like now. I would love to write a book that affects and lingers the way Jellicoe Road has with me.

I can’t believe it! I just read that book last month and loved it. You’ve picked one lovely piece of writing, Sarah.

You say you still think about Marchetta’s characters and wonder what they’re doing now–after the story has ended. Fictional characters that have that kind of effect on a reader are testimony to truly talented writers. Is there another fictional character that resonates so strongly that you wish you could be them?

I think I’d like to be Sophie from Laura Resau’s Red Glass. She’s so shy and fearful of so many things — including close relationships. But over the course of her journey in the book, she comes to love and trust and depend on other people. She also faces extremely dangerous and intense circumstances that force her to find her own strength and fight. I really like that aspect of her character. Sometimes, that’s what it takes — a real shake-up, life-changing experience to get us to look within and figure things out.

And all that good stuff aside, Sophie gets to take a road trip through Central America with Angel, a really cute boy who is super intense and mysterious and sweet and yeah, totally in love with her. 🙂

Okay, now on to the really important insider information. After chocolate what do you eat to make the writer-block pain go away?

Home made guacamole and Smartfood white cheddar popcorn. And coffee, of course! I make it so strong that you almost have to chew it rather than drink it! 🙂

Every writer who has appeared on The Write Game is a food junkie! I love it. Thanks for the interview.

Thanks, Lee!

This has been my pleasure,Sarah. Continued good luck on your books.


Visit Sarah at her Author Web Site

Be sure to buy TWENTY BOY SUMMER and FIXING DELILAH at your local Independent Bookstore OR Barnes & Noble

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