Catherine Ryan Hyde - Interview #14

Catherine Ryan Hyde is the author of Becoming Chloe, Pay It Forward, Chasing Windmills and many more books!

You can find her on her website, twitter & myspace.

Be sure to read my Becoming Chloe review!


Where did the idea of the book come from?

It might be weird to say that it came from Jordy. But that's how it felt. It felt as though Jordy came into my head, and I knew he had a story to tell. And I just kept taking it down until we got to the good stuff. There's really no autobiography in there at all, except that I lived in New York when I was very young (Jordy's age, 17) and I feel like that city really kicked my ass. So I guess that comes up sometimes in fiction.

How long did it take you to complete the book?

It probably only took about five months to write a first draft. I really liked it, but some of my trusted readers thought it had problems (it was very different from the final, published version). I set it aside for a long time, then did a big revision (threw out about the last 2/3 and went a different way). Later I revised it again, to tailor it for a YA audience (really just cut the length and tightened the focus, didn't try to make it any less "adult," whatever adult is). So altogether it probably took about 2 1/2 years, but I was doing other things in between versions.

How long did it take from the start of the book and getting it published?

Believe it or not, it took another 2 years to go to press after Knopf bought it. So we're looking at close to 5 years.

Did you listen to music when writing this book?

No, I really only listen to music when I drive.

Do you have any writing advice for aspiring writers?

Yes. Don't be discouraged by rejections. I got tons of them, but I still got where I was going. Just think of them as your membership card in the Real Writer's Club, and don't give up.

What is your next project and when will it be in our hands?

Depends on what I call my next project. I have one coming out in August, Diary of a Witness. A YA book about boys for a change. Then I have another new YA on the subject of transgender due in Fall of 2010 (more info on my blog at www.catherineryanhyde.com, "What's really new.") And then I have another on my editor's desk waiting to be read. I'm not ready to spill the beans about that yet, but there will be information on my site as soon as I have some I can release.

CONTEST ON CATHERINE'S WEBSITE!

Drop by Catherine's Podcast Page, listen to a short story and leave a comment. This will enter you in a contest to win an autographed copy of any of her books!

And be sure to drop into Faerie Drink Review this Saturday for a chance to win a copy of Becoming Chloe!

Becoming Chloe - Catherine Ryan Hyde

BECOMING CHLOE

CATHERINE RYAN HYDE
RATING: 4.5/5

This is a powerful book.

Becoming Chloe opens with Jordy a gay homeless teen prostitute, witnessing a rape taking place. Jordy rescues the young girl--the book focuses on the building friendship of the two. Jordy sets out to show Chloe that not everything in the world is bad--the two go on a road trip to see the beautiful things of the world. Of course not everything is as easy as it sounds, the two find themselves in some crazy (sometimes terrifying) situations.

By reading the book you can tell that Hyde knows her characters well--giving hints of their pasts. Just enough to keep the reader satisfied but not to give everything away. I hardly spend one day reading a review book--but I could not put this book down once I got past the first three chapters.

The book is raw and true and you can easily connect with the characters and their mission regardless who you are. If you are looking for an amazing quick read this book is for you!

I would add this book to my "Books To Read Before You Die List"--If I had one*.

I give this book a 4.5 out of 5 rating!