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Austinist Author Interview: Jennifer Ziegler
Austinist: If you were able to bottle expression through the written word, what do you think it might taste like to someone who was deaf and blind?
Jennifer Ziegler: It would have to be a whole Snapple variety pack. No one flavor would do. A syrupy romance (with or without carbonation) … a salty drama with subdued mossy tones … a nutty comedy with fruity aromas … a smooth mystery with a surprising aftertaste … a beechwood-aged western … a spicy tomato gothic thriller ….
My writing would probably taste like dark chocolate – with nibs. Because I like to think my stories are sweet in an earthy way. And because the word "nibs" makes me giggle.
Austinist: In what way do you think the color purple plays into the current political carnival surrounding the upcoming Presidential Election?
Ziegler: I've heard the word "purple" get tossed around quite a bit already – referring to states that aren't clearly "red" or "blue" but rather "purple." Since it has been such a carnival atmosphere, extra colors do seem appropriate. It's in "America the Beautiful" anyway—purple mountain majesty—although I've never quite understood that line. I've seen greenish mountains, and brownish mountains, and snow-capped mountains, but never purple. (Maybe I just need to get out more. I'll have to do a search on Expedia.)
Austinist: You're participating in Saturday's How Not to be Popular panel this Saturday (November 1st), how sweet is it that everyone's going to be attending a panel named after your book? Seriously. How sweet is that?
Ziegler: It is seriously sweet. Amazingly and monumentally wowee-cool. In fact, when I first found out, I was so flattered and excited that I did a happy Snoopy dance throughout my house. Paula Yoo, Lauren Myracle, and Melissa de la Cruz are incredible writers, and it's such an honor to be on a panel with them.
Austinist: There've been so many classics which blur the lines between defined and defined-by for their era. The Old Man and the Sea. King Lear. Watership Down. What kind of book do you think the world needs today?
Ziegler: Something funny! Something to remind us NOT to take life so seriously. I don't mean fluff — I mean a laugh-out-loud novel that reveals human folly. Comedy can make a point without being heavy-handed (which might explain the popularity of "fake" news shows on TV). If we want a new era of enlightenment, perhaps we should start by lightening up?
Austinist: If the offer were out there, how would you go about writing a book on Rod Stewart's life … but not his real life? Like, Rod as an astronaut, masseuse, or some sort of professional ballet dancer or something?
Ziegler: Ooh – I'd love to do a bio of Rod as a world-famous astrophysicist, a la Einstein or Hawking. I can picture him writing elaborate equations on a blackboard in his leopard-patterned hot pants, explaining his groundbreaking theories in that croaky voice, flirting with all the ladies at the Nobel Awards dinner. "Hullo, love. Want me to teach you a thing or two about the Big Bang?" It would be a riveting piece of narrative nonfiction, with many secrets revealed – such as how he maintains that signature gravity-defying hairdo.
Austinist: Generally speaking, writers can only use their own experiences to a point, and then they need to source from beyond. In the penning of Young Adult books, where do you search most for inspiration? John Hughes films? Call up Judd Apatow?
Ziegler: Most of it comes from me and my warped little mind (which, I must confess, was heavily influenced by John Hughes and other teen comedies while growing up). But I suppose that calls into question the very nature of imagination itself. Of course anything that comes out of my brain is going to be a subconscious tossed salad of various things I read, saw, heard, or experienced firsthand. I do tend to steal anecdotal material from friends and family. Be careful what you share with me or it might end up in a YA book.
If I need extra inspiration, all I have to do is go outside. Austin is the perfect place to people watch. As you can tell from your own readership, Austin is full of people who are very much engaged in life. It's an ideal community in which to nurture a craft – and to find interesting, original characters to put in books!
Austinist: Is there anything about this year's Texas Book Festival that you want to highlight, other than the gift of your participation?
Ziegler: This may sound schmaltzy, but I'd like to say how proud I am to live in a city that supports readers, writers, and educators. I'd also like to call attention to the wonderful array of YA and middle grade authors featured at this year's festival – many from this area. To echo Anita Bryant (wow, never thought I'd say that), these books aren't just for young people anymore! These are excellent stories. Period. You don't need to be of a certain age to appreciate them. Right now there is a sort of Renaissance of teen and children's literature going on, and it's so exciting to be a part of that. I hope many others come and experience it this weekend.
