1. Why did you decide to write a young adult book dealing with eating disorders?
I actually decided first to write a story about a forgotten sister. I wanted to tell the story of a girl who felt invisible because the entire family revolved around her older, more perfect sister. I had seen a segment on television once about families where all the focus was on a problem child and the other kids were forgotten, and I wanted to tell their story. I decided to give Lizzie anorexia because it is afflicting girls at younger and younger ages, and I think it’s something we need to pay attention to as a society. As a child actress, I grew up seeing actresses diet to unhealthy levels because their jobs depended on it. I wanted to address the subject in a new way, through the eyes of a sibling.
2. What are you working on next?
I am currently finishing a YA paranormal romance (no sparkly vampires, though!) which is different for me, and I am really enjoying it. It’s a challenge to break out of your comfort zone as a writer and try something new.
3. Please describe your introduction to the publishing world.
My first introduction to the publishing world came through SCBWI and the annual conference in Los Angeles. As an unpublished writer, I went to the conference every single year and listened to publishers, agents and writers. I made a number of connections there–and the conference gave me the confidence to begin submitting manuscripts to agents and publishers. My introduction to Dutton Children’s Books came through my agent, Stacey Glick, who submitted the complete manuscript for Jane in Bloom. I was asked to do a revision before an offer was made, and I looked at this revision as an opportunity to improve the manuscript with advice from an editor. After the revision was complete, I received an offer from Dutton, which was really exciting!
4. Please describe your influences, inspiration, and typical day.
My daughters are a constant source of inspiration for me. I am a single mother of two little girls, and I write stories I would be proud to have them read. My influences change depending on the manuscript I am writing. For Jane in Bloom, I listened to Michelle Branch, The Spirit Room, because she sounded like Jane to me. I also went out and shot the photographs that Jane shoots in the book. Sharing her experience made it more real for me. Later, looking at my photos of roses in different stages of bloom influenced the work. For the manuscript I am currently working on, I am listening to Daughtry and Kelly Clarkson. I have also created a board with pictures of my main characters and the locations of the story, and I have it hanging near my desk. In my typical day, I work a day job as an attorney and I am busy as a mother. So I write when I can while driving or cooking dinner. There are so many scraps of paper next to my computer! I mostly write at night when my children are asleep. I am a morning person, but I have learned that when I write at night when I am more tired, I am less critical and the work flows more seamlessly.
5. What advice would you give to aspiring authors about learning the craft? And what books, mentors, or classes have helped you the most?
One of the things that has helped me the most is to write. By this, I mean that talking about being a writer or thinking about being a writer means nothing if you don’t write. So the best piece of advice I can give is to write. Even a few sentences a day forces you to work at your craft and exercise your writing muscles. The other thing that helps me is setting a deadline for myself, even if it is artificial. I find that writing without a goal in sight can be overwhelming. I have read so many books on writing that have helped me, but one of my favorites is Writing Down the Bones, by Natalie Goldberg. I would also highly recommend joining a writer’s group like SCBWI or Romance Writers of America because the mentorship and information you can gain is priceless.
Thank you so much for such wonderful questions! I look forward to people’s thoughts and comments. I can be reached at www.deborahlytton.com.
Thank you so much, Deborah!
Purchase: Jane in Bloom
