The fabulous Janet Gurtler who’s book, I’m Not Her, just hit shelves May 1! She was kind enough to stop by and answer a few questions.
Describe I’m Not Her in five words or less.
Emotional journey of self-discovery.
What inspired you to write I’m Not Her?
I wanted to look at what would happen when someone who is perfect and has everything (on the outside) suddenly has it drastically taken away. And what happens when family roles are suddenly altered or reversed. I remember envying others when I was a teen and wanted to look beneath the illusion of “perfect”.
I’m Not Her is about two sisters finding their way through a tragic event. Did you draw from experience with Tracey (your sister) the dynamic between Tess and Kristina?
I was kind of shy around Tracey when we were teens. She was three years older than me and so much more sophisticated back then. THAT changes drastically ha ha just kidding. Tracey was taller and thinner (still is) and I envied her. I did use some of our dynamics in the book sister relationship, but Tess and Kristina are more forced into growing intimacy while Tracey and I developed ours more naturally. Tracey and I also bonded over the weirdness of our parents (but don’t tell them that. )
Everyone deals tragedy differently. At what point did you know you were going to pair humor with hardship and how did you learn to balance the two?
I think dry humor is my intrinsic way of dealing and I passed this trait on to Tess. I like humor in sad situations if it is used appropriately. Tess’s humor is much like my own. Kind of self depreciating and okay maybe a little inappropriate at times, but it’s a way of coping. As Tess becomes stronger and is able to express herself more, she’s able to get the things she thinks outside of her head and it helps lighten some really dark moments with her sister.
Tess learns to love riding her bike not only as transportation, but to clear her head with everything going on. Have you brought a fondness of riding on a bike into the book? If not, how do/ did you clear your head when writing such an emotionally weighty book?
I love exercise as a way of clearing my head. I’m not so much a bike rider, though I do enjoy bike riding for fun. I do however feel cleansed and refreshed by good love loud music. Actually exercise allows me to listen to loud music on my Ipod so double the pleasure. Real life has a way of taking the focus off deep issues from the book “stuff” too!
Now for some fun stuff: What’s a typical day of writing like for you?
Write write. Facebook. Write write. Twitter. Write Write. Goodreads. Write write. Google. This goes on from 9-3 and then I pick my son up and take him to swim club. I may write again in the evening if I’m deep in a book, but usually that’s when I waste more time reading celebrity gossip or reading other people’s YA!
You say you’re addicted to the Internet, where can fans find you most?
In my living room? On the couch. Oh. Where on the INTERENET?? Tee hee. I am always on Twitter and Facebook. Every single day. Many thousands of times a day! I`d love to hear from anyone who read I`m Not Her and liked it! If you didn`t like it, please take it up with my mother.
I’m Not Her just came out and you’re already working on a new book. Can you tell us a little about it?
Well. I have a book already done and coming out in October! It’s called IF I TELL! It was done before I’m Not Her though. Right now I’m working on a super cool paranormal story. Though it`s paranormal it still has the same kind of feel as my other books, I think. It`s about a girl who sees people`s futures when she touches them.
Finally because here at Tipsy Reader we love our concoctions, what is your favorite drink — alcoholic or otherwise — and why?
Ah man! Alcohol and I don’t get along very well so I quit drinking a million years ago. But I am addicted to coffee. Why? It is absolutely necessary for me to have coffee to function in the morning. I would not be fun to be around if deprived of my morning coffee!
Folks, isn’t she too cute? I’m Not Her is a heartwarming read that you should all get your hands on as soon as possible (review coming soon)! I want to thank Janet again for taking the time to answer my questions — I nearly fell off my chair laughing so hard.
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