This week YA Author Katherine Higgs-Coulthard took over our Twitter as a part of our weekly Thursday Twitter Takeover. Katherine Higgs-Coulthard is the author of Junkyard Dogs (See YEM’s write up of Katherine Higgs-Coulthard here.) See highlights from the takeover below.
Hi everyone! It’s Kat Higgs-Coulthard @michianawriter1. I am thrilled to host #YAAuthorTakeover tonight. My YA Junkyard Dogs just hit bookstores Tuesday! Tonight I’ll share some of that journey with you and answer any questions you shoot my way. Let’s get this party started! pic.twitter.com/FkW6A99moC
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 23, 2023
Hi, I'm Kat, author Junkyard Dogs. Thank you for joining me for a Twitter Takeover! pic.twitter.com/H5w0BXJIxC
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 23, 2023
Speaking of firsts—When you read a book that really draws you in—what is it that you fall in love with 1st? #YAAuthorTakeover #2023debuts
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 23, 2023
The 1st thing that hooks me in a story is always character. If I can't connect with the character in some way, it's hard for me to care about their story. Ever read a book where the character just fell flat?#YAAuthorTakeover #2023debuts #junkyarddogsbook
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 23, 2023
My writing starts with a strong character even if I don’t know their story yet. Junkyard Dogs started with the character of Stan–the main character's uncle. He was inspired by a man whose mannerisms fascinated me. #YAAuthorTakeover #2023debuts #junkyarddogsbook
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 23, 2023
I had to know more about him and since it’s generally rude to interview complete strangers, I invented a character to explore….Meet Stan. Josh's pseudo-uncle in Junkyard Dogs. His motto: Take what you need (even if it's illegal)#YAAuthorTakeover #2023debuts #junkyarddogsbook pic.twitter.com/bAHUPDcYRd
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 23, 2023
Stan's not exactly a great influence in Josh's life, but it's the push and pull between their personalities that was most intriguing as I wrote Junkyard Dogs. #YAAuthorTakeover #2023debuts #junkyarddogsbook
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 23, 2023
And that's when we get to the second important thing in a book–PLOT!
Plot has to be driven by what a character's needs or THINKS they need…#YAAuthorTakeover #2023debuts #junkyarddogsbook pic.twitter.com/tHF4R5b8BH— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 23, 2023
And that takes us back to character… kind of a cycle!
Josh needs a family and so he'll follow Stan into some shady stuff. (Like what, Kat?)
Well, the PLOT of Junkyard Dogs is inspired by something that happened near my home.#YAAuthorTakeover #2023debuts #junkyarddogsbook— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 23, 2023
Ever heard of scrapping? That's when someone steals (or in Stan's view "liberates") scrap metal and turns it in for cash. Illegal and dangerous. Back in 2006 there was a big dispute among some men doing this in South Bend, IN.#YAAuthorTakeover #2023debuts #junkyarddogsbook pic.twitter.com/Fg2pdW8MKZ
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 23, 2023
The dispute ended in what the press dubbed The Manhole Murders (on account of that's where the victims were found). Crime Junkie even did a podcast on it! https://t.co/2maEQ7X46S#YAAuthorTakeover #2023debuts #junkyarddogsbook
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 23, 2023
So, while Junkyard Dogs is not the story of the Manhole Murders, the criminal element was inspired by that. #YAAuthorTakeover #2023debuts #junkyarddogsbook
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 23, 2023
The other way that plot and character come together is relationships.
I always knew I wanted Junkyard Dogs to be about family dynamics and the fact that sometimes the family you were born into just isn't the family that you need. #YAAuthorTakeover #2023debuts #junkyarddogsbook pic.twitter.com/iWicTCe5bn— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 23, 2023
Josh and his little bro, Twig, need their dad to step up, but he disappears, leaving them with Gran who says she's not anybody's orphanage.
(Nice lady, there, that Gran).
So now Josh has to watch over Twig.#YAAuthorTakeover #2023debuts #junkyarddogsbook— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 24, 2023
So back to what pulls you into a story…
Characters…plot…
How important is setting?#YAAuthorTakeover #2023debuts #junkyarddogsbook
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 24, 2023
For Junkyard Dogs, it was important to me that the setting feel real. So, I set it in South Bend, IN–a place I know well. Maybe you'll recognize some of the spots from the book. pic.twitter.com/jPMIGJiYu5
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 24, 2023
One of the things that I LOVED about writing Junkyard Dogs was the relationship between Josh and his little brother. They would do anything for each other. Which leads me to my playlist…
Song #1 Lean on Me https://t.co/Smp3yBrLA3#YAAuthorTakeover #2023debuts #junkyarddogsbook— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 24, 2023
Plus… Can we all agree that Harry Styles is just flipping amazing?
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 24, 2023
Two more songs from the Junkyard Dogs playlist that speak to relationships in the book:
Pancakes for Dinner by Lizzy McAlpine
and
In the Shadows by Amy Strouphttps://t.co/ZUrUZBxGWM #YAAuthorTakeover #2023debuts #junkyarddogsbook— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 24, 2023
So, back to FIRSTS…
The 1st story I remember writing was in 3rd grade. It was about a unicorn that wanted to be a pegasus. The picture of a unicorn on a cliff about to jump got me sent to the guidance counselor. 😂🤣#YAAuthorTakeover #2023debuts #junkyarddogsbook pic.twitter.com/IUm5OlF2W5— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 24, 2023
Junkyard Dogs is my FIRST published YA, but the 7th novel I wrote. Hanging with My Peeps is middle grade published in 2016. The other books were my "trunk novels" in the words of Stephen King–I learned to write by writing them.#YAAuthorTakeover #2023debuts #junkyarddogsbook
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 24, 2023
Don't forget to send me your questions 🙂#YAAuthorTakeover #2023debuts #junkyarddogsbook
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 24, 2023
I'm the one GLOWING (on the right)
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 24, 2023
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 24, 2023
My next book is my first ghost story! Writing it creeped me out so bad, I couldn't sleep in my own bedroom.
It's inspired by this tree–do you see why???
(Look close)#YAAuthorTakeover #2023debuts #junkyarddogsbook pic.twitter.com/3NexlF1WT7— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 24, 2023
Thanks for having me for the #YAAuthortakeover! It's been a blast.
Continue the conversation by following me @michianawriter1 or look me up on my website https://t.co/DnHN0piQKF
You can buy Junkyard Dogs anywhere, but here's a link to my favorite indy: https://t.co/vBmTFQniqZ pic.twitter.com/uZ7juRxo1b
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) February 24, 2023
