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Twitterview: Kirsten Hubbard

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Written by: Kelly on March 2, 2012.

This month’s Twitterview victim — err, participant — is Kirsten Hubbard, author of Like Mandarin and Wanderlove, which comes out March 13. She’s also one of the forces behind YA Highway and she maintains a great blog herself that is worth reading not only if writing interests you, but if you love traveling. To celebrate the release of Wanderlove, she’s created a fun travelogue-esque Tumblr that’s worth checking out (you’ll get your wanderlust satisfaction for the day with those images, I promise). She’s here to talk about the inspirations behind Wanderlove, incorporating her own art into the story, and how she tackles relationships in her writing. There’s also a giveaway of Wanderlove.

Pitch Wanderlove in 140 characters.

Brokenhearted girl discovers self, art & jungle beasties on backpacking trip through Central America – with help from hot dive instructor.
What inspired Wanderlove?
My triplicate obsessions with writing, travel and art.
What should readers walk away with from Wanderlove?
An affliction with Wanderlove. 
Wanderlove makes setting — Central America — an integral part of the story. Like Mandarin made Wyoming sing. Why is setting so important?
Setting makes scenes cinematic. It can step out of the backdrop & interact with characters in surprising ways – & become its own character.
What was your favorite place to write about in Wanderlove?
In particular, I loved bringing Laughingbird Caye to life. It’s where Bria finally finds herself, and she & Rowan find each other.
Wanderlove incorporates some of your own sketches. What was it like adding your art to your text?
Exhilarating, intimidating & time-consuming (I watched the whole Buffy series as I drew). But truly, a childhood dream come true.
Both of your stories avoid “traditional” romance plots, despite the emotions being there for romance to emerge. Care to talk about that?
In romances, I’m all about restraint and slow build. When characters finally kiss, I want readers to cheer.

Who or what do you write for?
I definitely write books I’d love to read, with characters & places I adore, & bits I find funny myself. But also, always, the general You.

What was your most influential read as a teenager?
Watership Down. Still determining how it figured into my books.

You’re a traveler. Where was your favorite destination? Why?
I love so many places, but my heart belongs to Black Rock City, Nevada. A shame it only exists one week per year. 

Who are your top three writing influences?

Vladimir Nabokov. Louis Sachar. Melina Marchetta. Not that I’ll ever write like them. But I strive not to embarrass them.
Who do you believe is breaking ground in YA right now?
John Green, who proves brilliant books can be bestsellers. M.T. Anderson, who is a genius. Melina Marchetta, for obvious reasons.
What’s the best writing advice you ever received?
Give them what they want – not what they expect.
What’s your best writing advice to give?
Write another book. 
What is your writing routine?
Sit, stare, click away, Twitter, Facebook, stare, Gmail, Goodreads, stare, put on pants, walk to coffee shop, maybe get actual work done.
What gets you jazzed to write?
My writing soundtrack.

Do you have a writing soundtrack? Care to share a bit?

Yep! Top songs for WL: “Let Go” ~ Frou Frou, “The Con” ~ Tegan & Sara, “World Sick” ~ Broken Social Scene”, & “Moth’s Wings” ~ Passion Pit.
Favorite ice cream?
Maurecia. It’s very rare.

Comments

  3. I LOVED this book–and will definitely read it again and again. It's beautifully written with great character development. LOVE! Plus, Kirsten herself is an intriguing person, having traveled so much. Her tweets about her current travels in Nicaragua are really cool!

  4. I'm looking forward to reading Wanderlove and Like Mandarin. And ohh man. Restraint + slow build = my favorite type of romance.