ReadWonder: An Inside Look #229 (Author INTERVIEW)

An Inside Look with Rob Buyea

(Author of The Daredevils)

*Season #ONE (June of 2016 to March of 2017)

*Season #TWO (Summer of 2017)

*Season #THREE (School Year 2017/2018)

*Season #FOUR (Summer/fall of 2018)

*Season #FIVE (School Year 2018/2019)

*Season #SIX (Summer 2019)

*Season #SEVEN (Fall 2019)

*Season #EIGHT (Winter/Spring 2020)

*Season #NINE (Fall 2020)

*Season #TEN (Winter/Spring 2021)

*Season #ELEVEN (Fall 2021)

*Season #TWELVE (Winter/Spring 2022)

*Season #THIRTEEN (Summer 2022)

*I'm excited to present season #FOURTEEN with brand new interviews/authors.

*It has been such an honor to connect with authors and "chat" about their novel, characters, and thoughts about the story.

*This is the THIRD interview in which I'm calling Season #FOURTEEN.

*Thank you to Rob for being the Two Hundred Twenty-Ninth author I've had the pleasure of interviewing. I truly appreciate it.

The Daredevils

by Rob Buyea

(August 9, 2022)

How did you come to know Loretta and Waylon?
Mostly through writing and rewriting. The same is true for all my characters. In Waylon’s case, I had a small boy with a long ponytail who loved the wilderness when I first started putting his story down. Initially, I wasn’t even sure if he was going to be one of my storytellers. But the more time I spent with him, the better I got to know him, and his story grew. For me, getting to know my characters isn’t much different from how getting to know people works in life.

What do you think is their most admirable qualities?
The bond Loretta and Waylon share comes to mind first. I love how close they are. Beyond that, I had fun with them being adventurous, daring, creative, and full of heart.

Is there anything you wish they would have changed or done differently in their story?
No. I spend a significant amount of time changing and scrapping and doing things over while rewriting, so once I’m done, I’m done.

What do you think they can offer to other children that are experiencing similar situations to what they went through?
This question isn’t just about Loretta and Waylon or Louie. Any character that a reader personally connects with can provide comfort, hope, inspiration, courage, and more. This speaks to the power of reading and why the freedom to choose books—all books—is so vital.

How did you research Loretta and Waylon and the circumstances they found themselves in?
For this novel, much of my research was lived experiences. In addition to that, I had important conversations with a trap expert as well as a medical professional. In the course of writing some of my other novels, my research has included field trips—which can be tons of fun.

Do you and the twins share any similarities?
Yes. There is a lot from my childhood that comes out in this story. I grew up surrounded by woods, and spent considerable time exploring in the forest and trying different things. I’ve built many forts, attempted to stay out overnight, stood atop the Millennium Falcon, and crept close to a haunted house. Even Loretta’s blankie and Waylon’s hatchet are familiar.

I should also mention that I have numerous connections with their father—such as his fondness for country music.

What was the hardest scene to write about them?
With some of my other novels I could answer this question, but there wasn’t a scene or chapter that was difficult for me to write in The Daredevils. That doesn’t mean I didn’t feel for my characters and experience many emotions throughout—because that is always the case.

Who do you think were their biggest supporters and why?
Their parents. They take time to sit and talk with their children. They check in with them. Give them freedom – with boundaries—as long as there is open and honest communication in return.

Where do you think some young people get their strength, courage, and resilience from?
An individual’s source of strength, courage, and resilience might come from a strong spiritual connection, a deep personal drive, or it might be the result of lived experience. No matter the case, having a strong support network is invaluable. For young people, this means choosing friends wisely and surrounding yourself with those that will encourage you, pick you up when you fall, and help you feel good about you. This is what Loretta and Waylon and Louie do for one another.

What do you think Loretta and Waylon are doing at the present time?
Hanging out with Louie, waiting to see if they will get to have more fun in a sequel.

Book Pages

Monday, October 3, 2022

An Inside Look #229 (Author INTERVIEW)

No comments:

Post a Comment