Today, Olivia from YA-Mag chatted with James Patterson, the authors of HOMEROOM DIARIES!
Margaret “Cuckoo” Clarke recently had a brief stay in a mental institution following an emotional breakdown, but she’s turning over a new leaf with her “Operation Happiness”. She’s determined to beat down the bad vibes of the Haters, the Terror Teachers, and all of the trials and tribulations of high school by writing and drawing in her diary. And when life gets really tough, she works through her own moments of uncertainty through imaginary conversations with her favorite literary characters.
Cuckoo’s also got a nearly impossible mission: she, along with her misfit band of self-deprecating friends (who call themselves “the Freakshow”) decide to bridge the gap between warring cliques and “bring the Nations together”. Not everyone is so willing to join hands and get along, but Cuckoo never stops smiling… until one of her closest friends, pushed to desperation by a Hater prank, decides that enough is enough.
Olivia with YA-Mag: James, welcome to the Young Adult Magazine! Thank you for taking the time to chat with me about your latest release, the illustrated HOMEROOM DIARIES!
YA: Let’s talk about Margaret “Cuckoo” Clarke. How did you two first meet? What makes Cuckoo the perfect character to tell this story vs. any other character?
James Patterson: You could say we met on the night shift at a mental hospital in Cambridge, Massachusetts. I was 18 and it was the summer before college. I got to know the patients there and really started to empathize with them. I didn’t know one day I would write a book about a girl who had been in a mental institution, but when I look back, that’s when the character started to form in my mind.
YA: What sets Cuckoo’s story apart from other contemporary YA stories out there? What will readers find that is unique to this tale?
JP: Well, the stay in the mental institution, obviously. But also her reaction to it. There’s a lot of sadness in Cuckoo’s life. Her mom left her, she’s in foster care, she’s having some trouble at school. She refuses to let any of that define her – she’s the ultimate optimist.
YA: What non-book influences (films, television shows, music, plays, etc) helped spark this story for each of you?
JP: Hmm, there might be a little JUNO and MEAN GIRLS in there. It’s hard to say, because so many of the best movies and TV shows about being a teenager are based on books. Who knows what would happen if Hollywood had to come up with all of their ideas on its own.
YA: When you were a teen, what was your favorite book (YA or otherwise)? Now that you’re writing for teens, what is your favorite contemporary YA?
JP: Believe it or not, I was not a big reader when I was a teenager. I did great in school – was even valedictorian, but I saw reading as something I had to do for school, not something to do for fun. And I think that still happens to a lot of kids, even though these days there are so many great YA books out there. One of my favorite contemporary YA books would have to be THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER. John Green is doing some terrific work as well.
YA: What is the story behind the title HOMEROOM DIARIES?
JP: In my head it’s always been HOMEROOM DIARIES. I’m a big fan of diary fiction, and I think that connects with a lot of teenagers, so I knew I wanted to have the word “diary” in the title. And homeroom is such a high school specific term. It just kind of sets the scene, at least in my mind.
YA: This is the first graphic novel in this series. What can you tease to our audience about where things might go for Cuckoo the next story?
JP: Cuckoo and her friends may have had some success with Operation Happiness this year, but high school is a tricky place, filled with stress, hormones, and conflict. Things might not stay happy for too long.
YA: What has it been like collaborating on this story? What has been the best part, and what has been the most challenging?
JP: I love collaborating with authors, and HOMEROOM DIARIES was no different. One thing that was unique about this book was working with the illustrators and seeing how they brought the story to life. Keino did a great job.
YA: If you could cast the Dream Film of HOMEROOM DIARIES, who would be in the lead roles?
JP: I’m a big fan of PITCH PERFECT, so I’d like to see Anna Kendrick as Cuckoo and Brittany Snow as Brainzilla. They make a good team.
YA: What’s up next for you in YA land? Any pet projects you can tease us about?
JP: The next book in my Confessions series comes out October 6th. The fifth book of my Witch & Wizard series, THE LOST, comes out December 15th. But I’m most excited to say that–despite what you may have assumed–Max is back! MAXIMUM RIDE: FOREVER comes out January 19th.
YA: All right, last one! If you could spend one day with Cuckoo, what would you do together? What would advice would you give to Cuckoo about her past or future?
JP: Since Cuckoo likes to write and draw so much, I’d probably spend the day with her coming up with a new bestselling series. We could talk about writing all day, and I’d remind her that it’s hard work and that she needs to outline her work and stick to a schedule. But most of all, I’d remind her to have fun.
YA: Thank you very much, James! And again, from YA Mag, congratulations on HOMEROOM DIARIES!
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Readers, be sure to check out James Patterson at his website www.JamesPatterson.com. Or follow him on Twitter @JP_Books.
HOMEROOM DIARIES, published by Little, Brown and Company, is now available at your favorite retailers and local independent bookstores!
Olivia Hennis is a transplanted New England girl dropped by a tornado into the magical Land of Jersey. For more info, follow her on Twitter.