Meet The Author: R. J. Palacio (Plus Giveaway!)
Written by Nikki-ann on Saturday, 3 March , 2012 at 3:11 pm
Having recently read R. J. Palacio’s debut novel, Wonder, I firmly believe it is one of the best children’s books of 2012. It’s not just a story for children either as I think readers of any age will take something away having read it. With that in mind, I was delighted to be given the opportunity to interview the author herself. So please welcome R. J. Palacio!
Congratulations on a fantastic debut novel. I think it is one that will stay with me for years. What prompted you to write ‘Wonder’?
A chance encounter with a little girl who looked very much the way Auggie looks like in Wonder. I was with my kids, and I wasn’t happy with the way we reacted. I kept replaying the scene in my head, and then Natalie Merchant’s song Wonder came on the radio, and the two things, the incident and the song, kind of mashed up inside my head, I guess. I started writing the book that very night.
I believe you used to be a book jacket designer, but you didn’t design the cover for ‘Wonder’. How did you feel leaving that in someone else’s hands?
It wasn’t easy! But from the very beginning, I wanted my experience as an author to be purely about writing. I didn’t draw on my business contacts or friendships inside publishing to get the book published, for instance. It was why I used a pseudonym, and why I chose an agent with whom I’d never worked. By the time it came time to design the book jacket, though, everyone was aware that I was a book jacket designer by trade, so my editor and the art director at Knopf were very inclusive. They liked my ideas for the overall direction of the cover, and took my suggestion to use Tad Carpenter as the illustrator. It was their design and art direction, though, and I’m so happy with it.
When you were busy designing book jackets did you ever think that some day someone would be designing one for you?
I’ve been secretly writing my whole adult life, so there was a part of me that hoped that someday it would happen. But hoping something might happen and thinking it will are two different things.
Many people dream of being published. Now you’ve accomplished that, what else would you love to do?
I would like to learn how to play Pachelbel’s Canon in D on the baritone ukelele.
Auggie had a difficult first day at school. Can you remember your first day at school?
I remember the butterflies in my stomach, the trepidation, the anticipation. I remember my first grade teacher calling me “cookie.”
Some kids love school, others hate it. How about you? What did you love/hate about school?
I loved school. I was an enthusiastic student, loved english and social studies, learning about ancient civilizations like Sumer and Troy. I loved reading and analyzing stories in class. I had some difficulty with algebra, I remember, but overall, I did okay.
What kind of books did you like to read as a child?
Anything having to do with Greek Mythology. I would have loved Rick Riordan as a kid.
Do you get time to read much now? If so, do you have any favourite books/authors?
I don’t have as much as time as I’d like to read, and while I’m writing I actively avoid reading. But I love Cormac McCarthy, Robert Olmstead, Kate O’Brien, Garcia-Marquez, Italo Calvino, Borges, Tolkein, Tolstoy, James Joyce. It’s a long list that goes on and on.
What do you like to do to relax when you’re not working?
I love going to the movies, playing my guitar, and hanging out with my family. The perfect night is the four of us watching Modern Family.
So, what’s next for you? Is there another book in the making?
There is, and I’m working on it right now!
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Many thanks to R. J. Palacio for participating in this post and to Random House Children’s Books for arranging it. Much appreciated!
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GIVEAWAY – Entries Closed!
To be in with a chance of winning a copy of Wonder by R. J. Palacio (read my review), please leave a comment on R. J. Palacio’s interview and answer the question below.
- What did you love/hate about school?
Entries are open until Wednesday, 7th March 2012 at 5pm (GMT). Due to postage costs, this giveaway is only open to UK residents.
Thanks go to Random House Children’s Books for providing the prize.
Comments (9)
Category: Books,Childrens,Giveaway,Guest Posts,Meet The Author
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Comment by Lady Fi
Made Sunday, 4 of March , 2012 at 10:08 am
Good review. I don’t live in the UK anymore so cannot be eligible for your give-away.
Comment by Yvonne
Made Sunday, 4 of March , 2012 at 3:03 pm
Hi Nikki,
Another great interview. You ask some really ‘off the wall’ questions, which gives a greater insight into the way an author thinks and what motivates them, more than any ‘formal’ interview seems to.
I always loved school and homework and my greatest fear was ever having to take time off sick. I was never really one of the ‘in crowd’, I was always alone on the outside looking in and because of my love of study and lessons, I was always a little bullied as a swat and teacher’s pet.
My favourite lessons were English, Geography and History and I was least interested in Maths, Sports, or anything ‘arty’.
I would love to have become a teacher, however family issues at the time prevented that happening and looking now at the attitude of some youngsters, I am probably quite glad that life took an entirely different course for me.
Have a good week
Comment by Ria @ The Beaucoup Review
Made Sunday, 4 of March , 2012 at 8:04 pm
I saw this in the bookshop today and thought it sounded like one of the most amazing storylines.
I guess I would say that I hate waking up early, but I love learning. If there’s a good teacher, I think most classes can be enjoyable.
P.S Modern Family is amazing! So is The Middle, you should definitely watch it.
Comment by Rich McEachran
Made Sunday, 4 of March , 2012 at 8:50 pm
As someone with a (some would say severe) disfigurement the news that an author was brave enough to write a first-person account of what it’s like growing up looking different, against a backlash of a growing superficial culture, is inspirational. Which brings me on to why I hated school; it was like a battlefield, where I had to dodge the bullying. And it was the library that provided the perfect haven. I would sit myself in a corner, and bury my head in books, reading as much as I could during break-times. It was a chance to escape, a chance to dream of a life that I didn’t know of; it gave me confidence and a sense of humour, which I tend to lean on today in my own writing.
Comment by Kulsuma
Made Sunday, 4 of March , 2012 at 10:15 pm
Wonder sounds so interesting! I can’t wait to read it.
So lucky to be gifted as both an artist and an author.
I liked primary school. I liked story time at the end of the school day and I liked school dinners.
Thank you for the fab giveaway!
Comment by LInda Lawlor
Made Monday, 5 of March , 2012 at 8:47 am
Excellent review – really wants me want to read the book.
What I loved most about school was having a school library. Imagine that – a whole library just for us, in the same building!Plus an amazing teacher who loved books and was already ready to share her enthusiasm.
What did I hate? Not being good at Maths!
Comment by Lucinda Fountain
Made Monday, 5 of March , 2012 at 9:28 am
I would love to be put forward for this amazing book giveaway! In response to your question;
*I loved being able to be creative at school and try out new things, such as new subjects at GCSE or work experiance in different environments and establishments – i really learnt a lot and was able to broaden my horizons in terms of future career paths.
* I hated about school being ‘singled out’ because i did not fit into the mould or copy everyone else, in terms of dress, ideas and thoughts. Being an indavidual is GOOD!
Many Thanks for a great giveaway! Lucinda x
Pingback by Rasco From RIF » COVER STORY: Wonder
Made Monday, 5 of March , 2012 at 12:04 pm
[...] novel!). Palacio discusses that cover design process in a column published March 3 at Notes of Life where we learn Tad Carpenter designed the cover…and oh, yes, Palacio likes the cover a lot [...]
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Made Wednesday, 7 of March , 2012 at 1:39 pm
[...] you’re interested in the novel please check out Nikki-Ann’s interview with R.J. Palacio over at Notes of Life Share this:TwitterTumblrLike this:LikeBe the first to like this post. Leave a Comment by Dog Ear [...]
