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We recently reviewed the 2012 Michael L. Printz award winner Where Things Come Back (click here for the review) and absolutely loved it. This acclaimed YA novel currently has a 4-star average rating on Amazon and over 2,000 ratings on Goodreads.
We are privileged to host an interview today with the novel’s author, John Corey Whaley. He grew up in Springhill, LA, and attended college in Ruston. He taught public middle and high school English before becoming a full-time author. Where Things Come Back is his debut novel.
And now a few words from Mr. Whaley!
Story Carnivores: OK let’s start with a fun one. If you could meet one literary character at the bar for a drink, who would it be?
John Corey Whaley: Well, I don’t drink and I hate bars, so first I’d awkwardly ask this literary character to meet me for coffee instead. And, I’d choose Kilgore Trout from several of Kurt Vonnegut’s novels. I think that would be very fun.
SC: How long have you wanted to be a novelist? Did you write a lot of fiction when you were younger?
JCW: I’d say I first knew I wanted to be a novelist when I was around eleven or twelve. I was always very obsessed with movies and the way stories were told in different ways. I started writing a lot of fiction in high school and never really stopped.
SC: Where Things Come Back is one of the most original novels I’ve read in years. A perfect blending of comedy and romance and tragedy, it’s a novel that’s difficult to put in any specific category. Was it difficult for you to find an agent and publisher for the book?
JCW: I didn’t really know anything about finding an agent or publisher when I first started the process, but I got plenty of rejections from agents for about three years before my manuscript fell into the right hands. I’m not sure I’d say it was because of any hard-to-define nature of the work or if it was just the way the cards fell. I know I found the perfect agent, editor, and publisher and we all worked together to make sure that despite the book’s somewhat un-definable plot, we would find the right audience for it.
JCW: I sat with the idea and one chapter of the first draft for about a year while I taught school right out of college. Then, I finished it in about 5 weeks over summer break—knowing I had to write the book before the new school year distracted me. Surprisingly, we didn’t change all that much from the first draft before sending it to print…I rearranged some chapters for clarity, added about 6,000 words here and there with my editor’s brilliant suggestions, and tweaked a few things before we copyedited for mistakes, and voila. It was all a crazy fast and fun process that I hope hope hope I get to experience again with future books.
SC: I see in your biography that you were a public school teacher for a few years. Were you able to write any of Where Things Come Back while teaching? Are you happier now that you can be a writer full-time?
JCW: HA. I skipped ahead with my last answer, I guess. It was tough that first year, so I had to write over the summer. Am I happier as a full-time writer? Yes. I miss getting to entertain and discuss books and poetry, etc. with kids sometimes, but I know I’m doing what I was meant to do.
SC: I liked how you balanced the two storylines, one with Cullen Witter, and one with both Benton Sage and Cabot Searcy. Was it difficult to find the right balance between the storylines? And did you have any opposition from people wanting you to focus more on the Cullen Witter story?
JCW: Thanks. It was strange how it worked out…I originally only set out to tell Cullen’s story and sort of added the second narrative on a whim about halfway through (hence the aforementioned chapter rearranging). And once I knew what I wanted my end goal to be, I went back in and tried my best to see how I could pull it off. I still can’t believe it worked. It was difficult at times, but also really really fun and I think it drove me to creative places that I hadn’t explored before, which helped the story. And opposition? Not really. I’ve read a few reviews here and there wanting more of Cullen’s story or more of Benton’s, but, for the most part, I think readers realize what I was trying to do in telling only limited amounts of each story.
SC: I was thrilled to see you end on a mysterious note, versus tidying the central mystery up in a neat little bow. Did you ever intend to write a more straightforward ending, or did you always want to keep the outcome of one of the main characters ambiguous?
JCW: Great question. I never really know the endings of my stories all that well until I’m about halfway or more into writing them. I’ll say that my original intent with WTCB was much different, mostly because I wasn’t planning on having any second narrative to explain Gabriel’s whereabouts. So, once I figured out what I could do with the second narrative–that I could use it to build suspense and add to Cullen’s story, etc., it hit me that I could sort of let the reader pick the ending they wanted…or the ending that their own feelings forces them to choose.
JCW: First off–those are awesome filmmakers. Brick is one of my favorite movies. I haven’t sold the film rights yet, but we are actively looking. Hollywood is a tough business to crack into, I’ve learned. But, I’m hopeful that someday something will happen. As far as who I’d want to play Cullen Witter, I have a few actors in mind who I think would fit the part well. One is Johnny Simmons (Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World, Jennifer’s Body, The Greatest, The Perks of Being a Wallflower). He’s a great actor and definitely looks like Cullen did in my head. Another is Joel Courtney, who was the lead in Super 8, which I loved. He may be a bit young to play Cullen, but I think he’d be great for him or even Gabriel. And I’m a huge fan of Ezra Miller, who is also in the upcoming Perks movie and who was so good in We Need to Talk About Kevin. I think he’d play the character in a very interesting way. I’m sure you can tell I haven’t thought about this at all….hahahaha.
SC: You’re only 28 and already living a debut author’s dream! How has your life changed since winning the William C. Morris and Michael L. Printz awards?
JCW: Well, my life had changed pretty drastically before the awards, as I’d quit teaching (which I’d done for five years) and was traveling all over to promote the book. The awards had given me the opportunity to keep doing that and to get to meet SO many amazing people all over the country. I’m having a blast, really. It’s the coolest thing ever to realize you’re actually getting to do exactly what you’ve always dreamed of. I pinch myself daily. The other big thing is that these awards, given to me by wonderful, dedicated, and uber well-read librarians, has given me the validation I think any author would want so early in his/her career…the stamp of approval I needed to confidently continue to write more books and try my best to write damn good ones.
SC: You have a second novel coming out soon! Any word on a release date yet, and can you spill any details about what the book’s about?
JCW: I actually don’t have a release date yet, but we are looking at something in late 2013 at the earliest, I think. Sadly, I’ll have to give you my vaguest description of the second novel by saying that it’s going to be very, very different than WTCB, with more humor and less missing siblings. That’s all I’ve got for you. ha.
JCW: I’d say to stay determined and really use the resources that the 21st century has given you (twitter, facebook, etc.) to make connections and ask advice of other writers, agents, etc., to explore all of your options and get things going. Have a few people in your life who aren’t afraid to tell you the truth about your writing….when it’s good and when it sucks, because that will be as valuable an asset as any to someone trying to get attention for their work. And, mostly, to be honest in your writing and in your quest for publication….don’t try to change who you are to be something you want to be…I’ve found that being myself has made this whole journey much easier than I expected.
SC: Let’s end with another fun one. You’re only allowed three books on a desert island. What do you bring, and why?
JCW: Easy: Slaughter-house Five, The Catcher in the Rye, and The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Why? Because they are all awesome and make me think about my life and about the world and the meaning behind everything. I think that would be great desert island fodder.
SC: Fantastic answers, Mr. Whaley! Thanks so much for taking the time to talk to Story Carnivores!
Where Things Come Back is available on Amazon and at bookstores everywhere. Pick up a copy of this great YA novel and support this talented author!