Julia Karr‘s debut novel, XVI, caught my eye while I was purusing the teen lit shelves on a bookstore date with my husband last month. The book, about a futuristic society in which 16 isn’t so sweet anymore – it’s a fast-paced dystopian thriller that takes on gender politics, sexuality and government agenda in a world that could become all too real. Karr’s journey into publishing was a long one, and we caught up with the Indiana-native to talk about birthing a book, whether she’s working a feminist vibe, and why dystopia is so hot right now.
Tell us a bit about yourself and how you became a writer?
I’m a Hoosier, born and raised – but I turned sixteen in Chicago, my favorite city! I’ve been writing all my life – letters, poetry, essays, even a musical! – but it’s only been the past ten years or so that I really started wanting to write a novel. I’ve always been a voracious reader – loving imagination – eventually those ideas kicking around in my brain had to have some kind of outlet. Writing was it! I do not write full-time (I wish!) I have a nine to five job in human resources.
Can you give us a quick synopsis of XVI? How did you come up with the concept for the book?
A synopsis of XVI, from my website: “In the year 2150, being a girl isn’t necessarily a good thing, especially when your sixteenth (read sex-teenth) birthday is fast approaching. That in itself would be enough to make anyone more than a little nuts, what with the tattoo and all – but Nina Oberon’s life has taken a definite turn for the worse. Her mother is brutally stabbed and left for dead. Before dying, she entrusts a secret book to Nina, telling her to deliver it to Nina’s father. But, first Nina has to find him; since for fifteen years he’s been officially dead. Complications arise when she rescues Sal, a mysterious, and ultra hot guy. He seems to like Nina, but also seems to know more about her father than he’s letting on. Then there’s that murderous ex-government agent who’s stalking her, and just happens to be her little sister’s dad.”
The concept unfolded organically from the original mental image of Nina walking down a city street. XVI was conceived in the backseat of NaNoWriMo in the year 2005. National Novel Writing Month is in November, for the uninitiated. Notice the year – 2005. XVI went through several rewrites (although the basic story stayed the same.) There was the initial rewrite I did myself, then one with my critique partners. Then an agent (who eventually became my agent) asked for some rewrites. Then an editor (who eventually became my editor) asked for some rewrites. After signing the contract, there was the highly anticipated rewrite based on my editorial letter (only 6 pages or so of “I like this, but… can you add to/take away from/ tweak/give me more emotion – inner thoughts – action…”) And, then copy edits. Finally: a book!
Can you talk a bit about the feminist angle of the book, especially in dealing with sex? Did this raise controversy at all? Was this a deliberate theme for you, given that you have daughters?
I didn’t write XVI as a feminist book. Some reviewers think it is – and there are a couple who think it isn’t – feminist, that is. It wasn’t a deliberate theme, either. I wrote it first as a story that was in my head. I’m sure that the kernel of the story that ended up being the main thrust of the book – that came about because of the disturbing trend I see in society that places more value on the way a girl looks rather than what she thinks and feels. And, how popular media is all-too-successfully forming our children into their consumeristic ideal – dress this way, own these items, eat these foods, go to these movies. Me thinks a wake-up call is in order, particularly for the women who – perhaps unwittingly – are behind the promotion of the early sexualization of girls. One only has to look as far as the recent French Vogue issue to see how “accepted” it is to make our sisters, daughters and granddaughters into little adults – with all the trappings and the poses. Uh… Epic Fail!
What do you think is causing the dystopia trend? Is it escapism? The bleak future reality?
I’m sure there are many factors playing into the rise of YA dystopia. The huge success of Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games trilogy can’t be diminished as a big boost to the trend. But we already had Scott Westerfeld’s Uglies series, Mary E. Pearson’s The Adoration of Jenna Fox, and, of course, high school is where kids are introduced to 1984, Animal Farm, Fahrenheit 451 The Handmaid’s Tale. So, if they’re doing their assigned reading, the pump of love for dystopia is already being primed. Plus, youth wants to change the world in which they live. They are always looking for a different (hopefully) better way than their parents’ way of living. This means looking at cautionary tales and attempting to change the trajectory so those tales don’t come to pass. (Let’s not discuss 1984 and the fact that Chicago has one of the highest levels of population surveillance in the world.)
What’s your process? What does a typical writing day look like?
I get up around 5 a.m. Quick feed the cats and dog while I make a cup of tea. Then I stand at the kitchen counter and write three long-hand pages in my journal (Morning Pages for those of you who are familiar with The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron). That done, I settle in for about an hour of novel-writing at my desk. Inspiration comes from writing. With limited writing time, I don’t have the luxury of waiting for a muse to appear – I just have to write and then the inspiration comes.
What has your path to publication been like? What’s been the most surprising part of the writing/publishing process for you?
Like most writers, I’d imagine, my path has been full of twists and turns and unexplained events that turned out to be just what was needed at the time. I think the most surprising part was just how much waiting goes on – mega-waiting, then monolithic waiting, waiting of gargantuan proportions!!! And then – BAM!!! – whatever you were waiting for needs to be turned around immediately! Yep, that’s it – rather much like most parts of life, except on a grander scale!
What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever gotten? What advice would you yourself give aspiring authors?
To keep on writing and reading. I think that’s what I’d tell apiring writers, too. Read everything – good, bad and indifferent. It’s how you know what to emulate and what to avoid. Oh… and, if you happen to be an aspiring author who is reviewing books on Goodreads, Amazon, your own blog or anywhere – remember that snark that seems oh-so-clever right now, but it will probably come back to bite you in the butt if you ever get published. I’m just sayin’…
What was your favorite book when you were a kid/teenager? What are you reading now?
As a kid I was completely blotts for The Black Stallion books and Nancy Drew. As a teen, I was reading classics and at-the-time contemporary novels. Right now, I’m re-reading Terry Pratchett’s Tiffany Aching books and also Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott.
What’s next for you writing-wise (and otherwise!)?
There’s the sequel to XVI… and many other books/ideas that need to be captured on paper.
Do you believe in being part of a “bloc” of writers? Are critique groups and writing communities helpful to you?
I have two close critique partners that I share my work with. That works well for me on the writing front. I am part of The Elevensies, The League of Extraordinary Writers and The Class of 2K11 writing communities. They are invaluable as peers, shoulders to cry on, people to vent with, and people to celebrate with! The children’s writers’ community is the absolute BEST!!! Thanks for having me on your blog! It’s been fun!
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