Author Interview: Shari Maurer

Welcome Shari Maurer to Ramblings of a Teenage Bookworm! Her YA novel Change of Heart, is now available! I can't wait to read it!

About Shari

Shari Maurer's first YA novel, CHANGE OF HEART, will debut in Spring 2010. She is also the co-author of THE PARENT'S GUIDE TO CHILDREN'S CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS. Shari is a big advocate for organ donation registration. 

Website
Blog

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Your own six-word memoir?
Read lots, wrote lots, slept little


When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Everything from a cake decorator to a psychologist. I had very realistic goals like Supreme Court Justice and Academy Award Winning screenwriter.

You’ve invented a new national holiday. What is it called, and what does it celebrate? Bookmas. You celebrate by giving a book to someone you love. Then you get together and hang out and read.

What is your ultimate vacation destination?
I've been lucky enough to travel all over the world, both with my family and many years ago when I worked for Sesame Street on their international programming. So I just love exploring new places.

where do you usually draw your inspiration from?
It can be anything--a teen I've observed, a line overheard, a song, a place I love...

Do you remember the first word(s) you wrote from Change of Heart, are they still in the book today?
I started making a list of all the things Emmi loved: sweats, flip flops, playing soccer, soccer bodies... I can't remember what else. They got cut several drafts ago.


If the main characters were a color, what color would they be? Why?
Wow, this is a tough question. I think Duke blue. It's the color in my head of team spirit and my characters are all strong athletes. Well, except Abe, whose best sport is garbage can basketball.

You're book sounds really intense/touchy subjects in your writing.There's always that what if possibility in Emmi's situation.What propels you to take such jumps?
I think the "what if's" can be the most fun to think through. Writers are always wondering about the "what ifs". We're like 3 year olds in that way! 

What books have most influenced your life most?
When I was in 6th grade, I had read the book Cheaper by the Dozen about 12 times. I don't know what it was about that book that charmed me so much (maybe it was all those children). I wound up adapting it as the 6th grade play--my first official writing gig.

You can end the post with anything you would like to add

I'd love to add a plug for registering to be an organ donor. As I researched Change of Heart and through listening to my husband who is a cardiologist who cares for patients waiting for transplants, I realized that there is a great shortage of available organs. I hope you never need it, but if something terrible happens, it's great to know that you can help save up to 8 lives. For more info on how to register, go to www.donatelife.net. Thanks!

Thanks so much Shari for this awesome inspiring interview! Don't forget to check out Change of Heart!!  <3