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Twitterview: Stasia Ward Kehoe

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Written by: Kelly on January 9, 2012.
To kick off 2012’s monthly Twitterview series is Stasia Ward Kehoe, author of Audition. I asked Stasia to drop by to not only talk about her book, but also to talk about performance art books, as she’s the founder of Stages on Pages and is an advocate for these types of books. 

As usual, you can enter to win a copy of Audition at the end of the Twitterview. But more importantly, librarians and teachers should check out the very end — Stasia’s running a fantastic giveaway, where you have a chance to win a day-long in-person visit from her to talk to your library or classroom. I’ve included the link to all the details.

And now, on to Stasia!

Pitch Audition in 140 characters
Maybe Center Stage meets A Tree Grows in Brooklyn???

What inspired Audition?
I write from character and “what-if.” Audition began as a monologue I wrote in a playwriting class about young dancer starting her day.

Audition is written in verse. Why that format?
I tried to capture the cadence and flow of dance and emotional creativity through a lyrical literary form.

What of your own experience in dance did you bring to the story?
I grew up dancing and acting and struggled with issues of talent, independence, choices. No hot dude crisis, though.

You are one of the minds behind Stages on Pages. Tell us about the project.
I founded Stages on Pages to connect performer-writers with each other & readers. It’s a live tour plus website. More stuff soon! www.stagesonpages.com

How was touring with other writers portraying the arts?
Amazing and sometimes super-silly. The similarities between our teen arts experiences are incredible.

This is your debut novel — talk a bit about that experience.
Scary, sobering, and still a bit surreal. Once the book is on shelves, it’s really out of your hands. Boy, that sounds morbid.

Who or what do you write for?
I write for my characters and, let’s face it, all writing is a grasp at immortality. Here’s my favorite page from Audition.


What was your most influential read as a teenager?
W. Somerset Maugham. Yeah. I was a weird teen. He wrote great books though, including Theater and Of Human Bondage.


What are your top three writing influences?
Growing up: Agatha Christie, Noel Streatfield, and Maugham. Now, E. Annie Proulx, Emily Dickinson, George Bernard Shaw…I only get 3?

Who do you believe is breaking ground in YA right now?
Justine Larbalestier, Markus Zusak, David Levithan, and Lauren Oliver are all brave, honest, and play with form, which I love.


What’s the best writing advice you ever received?
There’s no substitute for time at the keyboard.

What’s your best writing advice to give?
Write what’s in your heart. Revise, revise, revise. Oh, and the keyboard thing.

What is your writing routine?
Weekdays. 1 hr of business stuff then 4 hrs of writing with a lunch break. Of course, I have 4 kids so few days are that perfect.

What gets you jazzed to write?
It’s not a matter of jazzed. It’s more something I have to do. Chocolate & coffee don’t hurt, though.

Do you have a writing soundtrack? Care to share a bit?
I need silence to write. Otherwise, love show tunes: Stephen Schwartz, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Sondheim. Some brilliant poetry from Company.

What’s next for you?
I’m working on another YA in verse, then on to something scary (but with kissing). I love writing kissing scenes! 

Comments

  1. Center Stage in verse? Must read. And Stacia just sounds like a fun person to hang out with! I loved that she cited Noel Streatfield and Markus Zusak. Both authors deserve so much love and attention. And thank you for the chance to win!!