Ten Things I Don’t Know About Laney

My small-but-mighty creative writing class at Sunbury Christian Academy is using Nanowrimo’s Young Writers Program, and today we attempted to fill out questionnaires about our protagonists. 

Forty-six questions! I realized I couldn’t respond to all of them even after writing and publishing two books about Laney Odell. So here are the top ten things I’m wondering about my favorite Arkansian refugee:

10. What color are her eyes?  I looked at Laney on the Surviving Meemaw cover, but she’s looking down at her cell phone, so I can’t tell.

Laney, look up
so I can see your eyes.

9. What is her fondest memory? We all know her worst memory, but what’s her best?

8. Who is her favorite band? I decided she likes country music, because she’s from Arkansas, so she almost has to. But band? I have no idea.

7. What are her superstitions?

6. What three words would describe Laney? Only three?

5. What is the best thing that ever happened to her? We all know the worst thing that happened to her. I think she’s still waiting for the best. 

Laney, would you like to go skiing?
Or cuddle with Calvin in front of the fire?
Or cuddle with Josh? Or someone else?

4. Where is her dream vacation? She went to Jamaica, and we all know how that turned out. But where does she want to go?

3. What is her favorite television show? Not the ones she tolerates because Meemaw is watching them on the Fox News Channel, but what would Laney watch if she could wrest the control from Meem?

2. What are her political views? Do high school seniors have political views? I know I did back in 1971, but I’m not sure about Laney.

And the #1 question I can’t answer about Laney is…

1. If a song played every time Laney walked into the room, what would it be? Now I’m considering what song should play when I walk into the room.

If you’ve read Surviving Meemaw and Surviving Jamaica and you know the answers, tell me! If you haven’t read them, you owe it to yourself!! (Did I go too far?)

Many thanks to www.nanowrimo.org and the free curriculum at http://ywp.nanowrimo.org/. I encourage other teachers to check out these resources. There are free curricula for all ages of young writers, from kindergarten on. It’s not too late to get started.

Meet my character: Laney Odell

            Thank you, Carrie Anne Noble, for inviting me to blog hop. Carrie recently entered and won The Young Adult Fiction category of the ABNA contest with her novel the Mermaid’s Sister (originally titled Seashell, Stork and Apple Tree). I read the fantastic first three chapters during the contest, and I’m itching to grab the rest when it’s released on February 24, 2015. Go to Carrie’s blog to learn more about the Mermaid’s Sister and to see Carries answers to the Seven Questions. http://www.carrienoble.com/

            Now it’s my turn to answer the Seven Questions about my main character in Surviving Jamaica.

1) What is the name of your character? Is he/she fictional or a historic person?

Fictional character Laney Odell lives with her quirky puppeteering grandmother, Meemaw, and attends a small Christian school while Daddy serves in Afghanistan and Mama continues inpatient therapy following a suicide attempt—details learned in Surviving Meemaw, the first book in the series.

2) When and where is the story set?

Surviving Jamaica tells the story of the senior class mission trip to the northeastern part of Jamaica, where the students mix sweaty work projects, puppet performances in schools and churches, and touristy fun.

3) What should we know about him/her?

Laney is confused and skeptical about the Baptist style Christianity practiced by Meemaw and the other students. She was raised Roman Catholic and usually feels on the outside. Laney entered puppetry reluctantly, but is now one of the best. She has late night conversations with Puppet Baby.

4) What is the main conflict? What messes up his/her life?

Laney feels the zing any time she’s near her witty, immature, artistic boyfriend Calvin, but also cares deeply for her wise, solid, geeky friendboy Josh. Preventing public humiliation by virtue of being Meemaw’s granddaughter is an ongoing conflict.

5) What is the personal goal of the character?  

Laney wants Daddy to return safely from Afghanistan and Mama to return to mental health so her family can be reunited. She wants her classmates to accept her, and she wants Calvin to kiss her. 

6) Is there a working title for this novel, and can we read more about it?

Surviving Jamaica is hopefully the permanent title for the second book in Laney’s trilogy. Follow Roberta Brosius, Author on Facebook to read updates.

7) When can we expect the book to be published?

Surviving Jamaica should be ready for your Kindle or Nook in time for Christmas. In the meantime, get ready by reading Surviving Meemaw. To order an autographed print copy, contact me. Go to Amazon to order the electronic version and to read reviews. http://www.amazon.com/Surviving-Meemaw-Roberta-Brosius-ebook/dp/B00G5FXB64/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412097911&sr=8-1&keywords=surviving+meemaw

            Now it’s my turn to nominate two more West Branch Christian Writers and to ask you to hop over to their blogs next Tuesday to meet their main characters.

            Susan Rainey Lower has written in many fiction genres, including romance, children’s, and speculative fiction. She will answer the Seven Questions about her intriguing Work in Progress Troll Hunter. You can find Susan at https://susanlower.wordpress.com/.

            Kathie Mitchell has written biblical nonfiction for Barbour. I am enjoying the laugh out loud excerpts from her Work in Progress, which she classifies as “hen lit.” Read her blog posts at http://countrygrandmother.wordpress.com/.

Will there be a quiz?

            My brother bought my debut young adult novel, Surviving Meemaw, and asked if there would be a quiz. Of course. I’m a teacher. I’m famous for my quizzes.

Circle the correct answer(s).

1. Who is Laney’s romantic interest?

Josh-hoo-ah, the puppeteer

Calvin, the artist

Corey, the freshman

Dalton, the cheater

2. Where does Meemaw shop for her elastic-waist, polyester pants?

Bon Worth

Burlington

TJ Maxx

Macy’s

3. Which government surplus food item is served in Millburgh Christian Academy’s cafeteria?

Tater tots

Macaroni and cheese

Overcooked peas

Meatballs

4. Where is Laney’s daddy?

Iraq

Afghanistan

Arkansas

Jamaica

5. What does Laney call her two new friends?

Fat and Skinny

Tall and Short

Deep and Wide

Curly and Straight

6. What brand of ice cream does Laney serve to Josh-hoo-ah after puppet shows?

Turkey Hill

Breyers

Ben and Jerry’s

Blue Bunny

7. On a scale of 1 to 10, how technologically savvy is Meemaw?

10

5

0

-5

 

8. Where is Laney’s mama?

Iraq

Afghanistan

Classified

Read the book and find out.

9. How has Meemaw’s driving not yet caused her death?

Other drivers give her a wide berth.

She drives a tank.

Her yellow PT Cruiser has multiple air bags.

“Oh, honey, we’re perfectly safe. Jesus is looking out for us.”

10. What does Laney find scary about living in Meemaw’s house?

A room full of beady-eyed puppets

Fox News Channel is always on.

The Felix-the-Cat kitchen clock with moving tail and eyes

Meemaw

You can—and absolutely should—buy your very own copy of Surviving Meemaw at www.amazon.com for only $4.99! That’s less than a slice of pie and a cup of coffee at The Diner, and the service is much faster.