Entrevista en una servilleta: Jennifer Niven

Hola gentecilla!
Hoy os traigo una entrevista que me hace mucha ilusión hacer, no os hacéis ni la menor idea.
Jennifer Niven es la autora de All the bright places, aka Violet y Finch. Hace un tiempo, encontré su correo electrónico, y me decidí a escribirle un correo con unas preguntas, con la esperanza de que contestara. Y la verdad cuando vi su nombre en mi bandeja de entrada, alguna lagrimilla de felicidad cayó.

Tengo que decir que Jennifer es una genial persona, muy maja, y con los pies en la tierra. Ha sido un gustazo estar en contacto con ella, y creo que es la entrevista perfecta para abrir la sección en inglés, ya que no voy a traducir la entrevista a menos de que me lo pidan, no quiero que pierda su esencia.
Le agradezco mucho que haya sido tan buena conmigo y que haya aceptado ser entrevistada.
Disfrutad!!

1. When did you decide to be a writer? 
I knew I loved writing when I was a little girl, but I always thought I would be a rock star or an actress when I grew up. :) I didn't decide I wanted to be a writer professionally until I graduated college. At that point, I moved to Los Angeles and attended graduate school at the American Film Institute, where I earned my degree in screenwriting. I wrote my first book not long after that.

2. How did you feel when you knew there was going to be a movie for All the bright places?
I was so excited! It's like a dream come true, especially since Elle Fanning is who I pictured when I was writing Violet's character, and she's going to be playing her in the movie. And I'm writing the script!

3. From all the books you've written, which one would you take to a lost island?
 Probably All the Bright Places. I'm proud of all my books, but I'm proudest of this one because it was the most personal, and the one I almost didn't write.

4. How do you decide the name for your characters? 
Names come from different places. Sometimes I find them on a baby name website. Sometimes I meet people (often readers) and borrow their first or last name for a character. And sometimes the names just come to me. Theodore Finch was one of those. I was writing the first chapter, and I wrote his name without thinking about it. Also, I sometimes give cameos to my friends and family. In All the Bright Places, I wove some of the Germ Magazine staff into the book. (www.germmagazine.com -- it's real!)

5. Do you write at home, or wherever you feel inspired? 
I write in my office at home. I work every day, but the hours vary depending on my deadlines. Right now, I'm writing the new YA novel and the screenplay for the All the Bright Places movie. I'm also continuing to promote the All the Bright Places book. So I'm working a minimum of 14 hours a day, including weekends.

6. If you could write a book out of a song, which song would it be?
 "Girls Like You" by The Naked and Famous.

7. What would you say to your 8 year-old self? 
"Next year, you are going to move to Indiana and you will hate it at first and be unhappy with your parents for taking you there. But you are going to be grateful that you went there because you will meet your best friend and, many years later, you will write a book set in your home state."

8. Would you like to write a book with another author? If it's a yes, who would they be and why?
 I would love to write a book with David Levithan. He's my favorite YA author, and he's also one of my favorite people.

9. James Dean or Theodor Finch? 
Finch!

10. What advice would you give to all the people willing to chase their dreams but they are afraid to do so?
 Believe in yourself and believe in your dreams. It's ultimately harder not to chase your dreams than to chase them. You can be anything and do anything you put your mind to. Be extraordinary. Be amazing.

And here are some questions I do to all the people I interview:

- What's the last book you've read?
 Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews.
- What fictional character would you be?
 Alice from Wonderland.
- What did you want to be as an adult when you were a kid? 
An international rock star detective, which was the coolest job I could ever imagine.
- Which book do you think people should read before they die?
 The Little Prince.
- What's the best place to write o read? 
Someplace sunny and comfortable. I love writing in my office, but I love reading on my bed.
- Which character would you fall madly in love with?
 Jem Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird. I'd like to see him all grown up.

Espero que os haya gustado. Repito que Jennifer es una gran persona, y muy buena con sus lectores. Os recuerdo que encontrareis el libro reseñado en el blog, y os animo otra vez a leerlo. Conocer a la persona detras de uno de mis libros favoritos, aunque fuera por mail, fue una experiencia increible.