Please help me give a big Hoosblog welcome to Beth Rodgers!
I first met Beth through a YA facebook group, then we met in person at the Kerrytown Book Festival in Ann Arbor, MI. She’s a huge supporter of other authors, both through her own social media channels and her reviews on YA Book Central. (She’s said very nice things about my books, too, but I swear that’s not why I like her!)
Let’s get down to business.
Beth Rodgers is an author and editor. Her newest release is a children’s picture book, Welcome to Chanu-Con! She is also the author of two young adult novels, Freshman Fourteen and its sequel Sweet Fifteen, as well as the short story Hearts & Homes, found in the Mistletoe & Magic anthology from YA Books Central. Her world is made up of her three boys, her husband, and good family and friends. She loves spending her time watching TV and movies, volunteering at her kids’ schools, taking walks, and, of course, reading great books.
Tell us about your book.
Welcome to Chanu-Con! is a comic book style graphic children’s story based on a real event called Chanu-Con!, which is a community-wide Chanukah festival held in Metro Detroit each year. This year is our fourth annual event. The idea for the event, and eventually this book, came from my then three-year-old son who is now six. He couldn’t say “Happy Chanukah” and instead said “Happy Chanu-Con!” and that’s where the idea stemmed from. It’s kind of like Comic-Con, but based around Chanukah. That’s why Howard Fridson, the illustrator, and I decided that the book should look kind of like a comic book.
Our story follows a little boy named Max who is so excited to show his sister Lila around Chanu-Con! for the first time. They get to visit all of the vendors, do crafts, bounce in a bounce house, make candles and say the blessings, dance to klezmer music, enter to win raffle prizes, and visit with their friends, among so many other fun things to do that day. Max’s excitement is contagious, and his whole family is eager to get involved in every part of the event because of it.
Order Welcome to Chanu-Con!
Now for the fun stuff!
What’s your favorite genre? Do you read what you write?
My favorite genre is contemporary realistic fiction. I read tons of it, and it is also what I tend to write most. I also have two young adult novels published, Freshman Fourteen and Sweet Fifteen, both in this genre. I also like when the books I read and write have splashes of romance in them.
That’s what I read most of the time as well. I just can’t get enough of those first love stories!
What’s your favorite part about writing?
I love when inspiration hits. It’s like a faucet I can’t turn off, and I get as much of the story down as possible when that happens so I keep up the momentum as much as I possibly can.
That really is the best feeling, when the words are flowing and everything feels like magic.
What’s the hardest part of writing for you?
I really dislike when I feel I’m in a rut and can’t move past my writer’s block. I feel like I have ideas I really want to delve more into, and I just can’t seem to find the words to make them seem as vivid as I’d like.
I’m struggling a bit with that now, but I keep reminding myself how much I’ve been looking forward to writing this story.
What’s an activity unrelated to writing that you love?
This is a hard one! Everything I’m thinking of relates back to writing in some way. I love to read, of course, and I love to watch TV and movies, but I am always thinking about how great the writing is with each of them! I also really enjoy learning, but that is clearly related to writing as well. I guess if I had to pick something that is unrelated to writing that I love doing, I would have to say listening to music. Even though this is also something related to writing (I’m always thinking about lyrics and how well done they are), I like when I’m able to get into a groove of connecting to the music and just singing along for fun.
I have a hard time turning off my writer-brain when doing any of those things as well. One of the reasons I love Taylor Swift so much is she tells complete stories in her songs.
Who’s your biggest cheerleader?
I’d say my husband is my biggest cheerleader. He pushes me and gives me criticisms, but it’s all because he wants my writing to shine and be the best it can be. It’s hard sometimes to hear the truth, especially when it comes from people you love so much, but I always end up happy with the result, so I guess I can’t complain.
You’re so fortunate to have that relationship!
Now I’d like to play a fun little game called This or That. As a writer, I find that a lot of interviews ask the same questions, so I always appreciate sharing something new about myself. I’m super excited about these questions—and I hope you enjoy them!
Introvert or extrovert? I’m a little of both. I’m pretty outgoing, I think, but sometimes I just like to keep to myself and do my own thing.
Morning or night person? Again, a little of both, but probably more a night person. I like to get things done in the morning, but it’s not so easy to wake up. It’s harder for me to stop doing things and go to sleep at night.
Coffee or tea? I don’t drink either. I’m not a hot drink kind of person unless it’s hot chocolate or hot apple cider.
Sweet or salty? I definitely have more of a sweet tooth, but I am all for salty potato chips!
Eternal summer or four seasons? I am a four seasons kind of girl, but I did grow up in Michigan, so that’s always been what I’ve known. However, if we could have a bit of each season and stay consistently at 70-75 degrees all year, I’d be good with that, too!
Mountains or beach? I think the mountains are just so beautiful. So is the beach, of course, but I’m not as much of a water person, despite liking to see it and lay on the beach. Connecting with nature in the mountains sounds like such a wonderful way to spend time and disconnect a bit.
Dogs or cats? I’ve never really had either. The first dog my family had was after I was already in college, so I didn’t get to live with her too much, but I’d still have to choose dogs over cats for this reason.
Over 5’5” or under? I’m 5’1”, so under.
Left or right-handed? I am right-handed, but I admire lefties (my mom is one!).
Hoodie or yoga pants? I like both, but I’m partial to yoga pants. They’re comfortable! However, combining a hoodie with yoga pants is also something I would probably do.
I’m the same way with mornings vs evenings. I have such a hard time getting myself to go to bed at night! And as a lefty, I appreciate your admiration, haha.
Beth, thank you so much for spending this time with me and my readers. Readers, you can find Beth at these links—and be sure to check out Welcome to Chanu-Con!
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads
If you missed the previous interviews, you can read them here.
