Jasmine Warga: Take Risks
KidLit Craft is back with another Snack-Sized Author Interview. In this series, we ask authors five quick questions that give us insight into their craft and process. Today we’re talking with author Jasmine Warga.
I first encountered Jasmine Warga at VCFA when I helped with residency as an alum. I got to sit in on a lecture, and Jasmine was warm, engaging, and insightful. She challenged all of us to stretch as writers and gave us specific tools to do so. She approaches all of her characters with empathy–whether the character is a Mars rover, a person, or a turtle. That engagement and empathy works its way into everything she does. –Anne-Marie
Welcome, Jasmine!
Question 1: What's your writing superpower?
Sensitivity. I feel things deeply, and then I channel those feelings into language that hopefully will resonate and engage not only readers' minds, but also their hearts.
Question 2: What’s an element of craft you explored in your latest project and what tips can you share with other authors for growing in their use of that particular element?
Point-of-view! I played around with not only omniscient third-person point-of-view (think a very classic style of middle grade narration), but also with multiple points-of-view. My biggest tip would be to take risks in your art. Think about styles you haven't tried yet. Push yourself out of your comfort zone.
Question 3: If you could travel back in time, what advice would you give yourself as a new author?
Similar to what I wrote above, but not to be so afraid of failure. To embrace it. Failure is inevitable. Failure means you are growing in your writing practice.
Question 4: What inspires you as a writer?
Curiosity. I try to stay as curious about the world—its flora and fauna, my fellow humans and the art they make, our larger place in the galaxy—as possible. All my stories come from my wonderings. And love. I write about things that matter to me in the hopes that they may also matter to my readers. Lastly, all the books I read as a kid. I love language. I'm fascinated by it. The books I read as a kid inspired and nurtured that fascination.
Question 5: What’s one book you think every kidlit author should read?
Well, Ella Enchanted is my favorite book ever. I think every kidlit author should read it simply because it is my favorite and it brings me joy. And I think it's important to remember that we are in the business of creating joyful and meaningful reading experiences for young people.
Bonus Question: What can fans look forward to next?
The Unlikely Tale of Chase and Finnegan. I am so, so, over-the-moon excited to share this story with everyone.
Jasmine Warga is the #1 New York Times-bestselling author of middle grade novels Other Words For Home, The Shape of Thunder, A Rover’s Story, and A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall. Her books have won numerous awards, including a Newbery Honor, been named to many state award reading lists, and listed as best books of the year by publications such as NPR, The Washington Post, Publishers Weekly and others. Originally from Cincinnati, she now lives in the Chicago area with her family in a house filled with books.
You can find her online on her website and on Instagram @jasminewargabooks
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