Danielle Joseph Interview

The fabulous Danielle Joseph, author of the recently released Shrinking Violet, allowed me to interview her. Thank you Danielle!

Danielle is such a great name. Don't you agree? Great people are named Danielle. It's a fact.

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1) In case there is someone out there who doesn't know what you're book is about, can you please describe it? But, you have to describe in a way that would appeal to your teenage self.

Shrinking Violet is non-toxic and consists of the following ingredients: music, radio, bands, extreme shyness, cute, sensitive guy, shooting for dreams and finding your voice.

2) Just for fun: Since your book has a lot to deal with music, can you describe what your dream band would be? Who would be in it, what your part would be, what the name is, what your hit single is, what type of music you play etc.

Well, since I made up all the bands in Shrinking Violet I would join one of them. I won’t say the name of the band due to spoiling the book for people—so read and find out. If I could sing and play the guitar, (which I can’t do either without sending people running for cover) that’s what my role in the band would be. We’d be a pretty eclectic band drawing from hip hop, alternative and 80’s funk. Our sound would be like The Black-Eyed Peas! The name of our hit song would be Lost and Found.

3) Why did you decide to make Tere as shy as she is?

Tere is shy because I wanted a real contrast between the way she is and the way she dreams of being. I wanted her to know what’s holding her back and be able to see past that. If she wasn’t shy, there wouldn’t have been much of a story to tell.

4) Why did you choose music to help Tere overcome her shyness? Why not something else?

Music is the best medicine out there. It can help so many people in so many different ways. As Tere mentions in the story, there is music for every occasion. It is her passion for music that ultimately helps her out of her shell. Certainly I could’ve picked something else but being a music lover, I know the power that music holds.

5) Does listening to music while you write help you at all? What kind of music, if any, did you listen to while writing Shrinking Violet?

I like listening to music when I’m writing new scenes. Depending on what kind of scene I am writing that will dictate what I listen to. I had so much fun coming up with a play list for Shrinking Violet, see my web site for all the tunes.

6) What are you most looking forward to about having your book finally being released?

I am really looking forward to connecting with the readers. I love hearing from people that can relate to Tere, to the book.

7) Your next book is Indigo Blues, tell us about it.

Indigo Blues is told in two points of view, in which a songwriter's hit tune tells the world about his break-up with his girlfriend, but the two have no concept how much their lives are going to change. It is scheduled to be released Fall 2010 from Flux!

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Thanks again, Danielle! I can't wait to get to your book. (:

Links: Danielle's site, twitter, and blog. She's also a member of the Debs and the Class of 2k9. (YAY debut authors! Love them.)

Shrinking Violet is now available from MTV books (it's a paperback! YAY paperbacks!) and can be ordered on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Indiebound.