Phasers and Broomsticks with Emma Trevayne

One thing we authors love to do — besides stalk agents — is stalk our fellow writers, particularly if we want to emulate their success. Today, I got to talk to an amazing author who’s done quite well for herself and is most definitely worthy of stalking and emulating. (NOTE! Just like with agents, this is NOT an invitation to do any real stalking. If I hear any word of stalkage, there will be dire consequences. Like a Dominion invasion or a Jedi Purge. Dire stuff.)

Emma Trevayne

@EMentior 

blog site 

 

Emma Trevayne is a YA sci-fi/cyberpunk writer. Fan of words and music and chocolate. Represented by Brooks Sherman of FinePrint Literary Management. Her first novel, CODA, is now available from Running Press Kids, and its sequel, CHORUS, will be released Spring, 2014.

Her middle grade novel, FLIGHTS AND CHIMES AND MYSTERIOUS TIMES will release in May, 2014 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. Check out the beautiful cover and add it to your goodreads shelf.

 

 

Rae: First off, who would you pick to write your bio? What would it be titled? And if it were optioned to a movie, who would play you?

Emma: To write it, David Sedaris. It would be called Let Her Eat Cake. (To be clear, I am in no way interesting enough for this, but I like his style.) And as for a movie…I think I picked Jennifer Lawrence for this once because she is as awkward as I am, but I’ve decided she’s a lot more funny/charming about it than I ever could be. (Not to mention prettier.) I’m really not sure who would play me.

 

Rae: Cake . . . cake is good. Except when it’s a lie. What fictional academy/university/school would your “biographer” have you attending? (ie Starfleet Academy, Hogwarts, Jedi Academy, Camp Half-Breed, Battle School in Space, Beauxbatons, etc)

Emma: No question. HOGWARTS.

 

Rae: And while you were going on your wizarding way, what fictional character would be your confidante? Enemy? Idol? Kick-butt ally?

Emma: Confidante – Cath from Fangirl. Enemy – I’m sorry, I’m picking my own. Lorcan, who is the main villain in Flights and Chimes and Mysterious Times. He’s such a jerk and I had so much fun writing him. Idol – Can I cheat and name a TV character here? CJ from The West Wing. Ally- Alina from the Grisha trilogy.

 

Rae: What fictional food/beverage would you most want to try with your compatriots at Hogwarts?

Emma: What I think butterbeer should taste like. What is actually sold as butterbeer in the places you can get it is disgusting.

 

Rae: SURPRISE! While you are sipping butterbeer, your nemesis pops out! The horror! You instantly grab your trusty __________. (lightsaber, phaser, wand, mace, girly scream, katana, broadsword, etc)

Emma: Pineapple. That is a fruit that could legitimately be weaponized. Um, seriously, I think I’d go for a phaser. Nice and reliable. Always worked for anyone who wasn’t in a red shirt.

 

Rae: Redshirts are cannon fodder, all right. During this epic movie featuring phaser fights at Hogwarts, what song(s) would play in the soundtrack?

Emma: Too many to list. There would have to be some Cure and some Smiths in there. Wow, that makes my life sound really sad, doesn’t it? It really isn’t. I just listen to a lot of “sad” music.

 

Rae: Nothing wrong with “sad” music, really. What’s your best rainy day book? Beach book?

Emma: I’m not sure I make the distinction. 😉 I’ve read some heavy stuff on vacation and lighter stuff curled up under blankets when I’ve had a cold. But we’ll go with The Song of Achilles (a book I have now re-read at least six times) and Fangirl, which is possibly my favorite contemporary YA these days.

 

Rae: And when you are writing instead of reading? What is your work fuel of choice? (food-wise)

Emma: I should say it’s something healthy, but…cake. It’s cake. Let’s be real.

 

Rae: Lie cake? Or real cake–? BOOM! Something awesome just happened. How do you celebrate?

Emma: I dance around to Animal Collective’s Summertime Clothes. I still remember doing this the day I finished writing my first published novel.

 

Rae: AW SNAP! Something sucky just happened. What gets you through one of these harder days?

Emma: Very close friends and lots of iMessages, if I can’t be with them in person. Music. Good books.

 

Rae: I’m sensing a common theme here. Whose work inspired you to start writing?

Emma: I’m not sure it was anyone specifically, though of course there are many writers I admire. For Flights and Chimes and Mysterious Times (which isn’t where I started writing, but is maybe most relevant to this question) I thought a lot about the classic fairy tales and adventure stories I read when I was a kid. Alice in Wonderland, Bridge to Terabithia, Arthurian legends, etc. That kind of classic structure was something I was really aiming for, and so those stories and their writers were definite inspirations.

 

Rae: Classics are the way to go! Lastly, what brilliant back-in-the-day book idea do you wish you’d have written or come up with?

Emma: The Witches. (Roald Dahl.) Thanks for having me, and for the fun questions!

Anytime! And for all of you readers, show Emma some love by checking out her book!