Ballads of Suburbia
Page 32
Q: What type of research did you do to portray Kara’s sensation of cutting? Was it difficult for you to get inside her head during those moments?
A: I didn’t have to do research because I selfinjured as a teenager. All I had to do was remember, but those are some rough memories. So in some ways it wasn’t hard to get inside her head because I’ve been there, but in other ways, it was the hardest part about writing this book. It’s a painful place to go. I haven’t cut in eight years, but it’s a lifelong addiction.
Q: How much of the novel, like ballads, is supposed to be didactic? What do you want your readers to take away from the novel, from the perceptions of suburbia?
A: I never go about writing a novel intending to teach a lesson or moral. It’s always about the characters. I like to write about the kinds of characters that I wanted to read about as a teen, to tell stories that are underrepresented in literature. I wrote this book simply to give kids like my characters a voice. There is a perception of suburbia as perfect and safe, but there are broken homes and broken hearts everywhere. I think there is a tendency in our culture-maybe in suburbia especially-to ignore the elephant in the middle of the room. We don’t talk about our problems. We don’t always pay enough attention to what’s going on with our kids and then are shocked when they OD on drugs or a school shooting happens. I didn’t have a lesson in mind while writing this book. I just wrote it to break the silence.
Q: Writing is obviously important to you, but why do you make it central to the story? Does creating their own stories give the characters a sense of control? Is it supposed to be therapeutic?
A: I do believe it is therapeutic. It was for me and for many of my friends growing up. As a teenager, it is so hard to talk to anyone about your feelings, but if you don’t work through them in some way, you can lose control of your life. This book is ultimately about breaking silence. Writing is the tool that these characters use to do that.
Q: Why did you end with Lina?
A: Because she is the future. She is the next generation; she is hope. I don’t write stories with happily-ever-after endings-Maya and Quentin wouldn’t have died if I did-but I do like to end on a hopeful note. Kara has been resistant to writing her ballad for years, but looking at Lina, she finally realizes why it is important to be open about the painful things in life. She’s learned to break the silence. Hopefully, Lina will have a better life because of it.
Q: Do you have another book in the works?
A: Yes, I have a couple actually. One draws on my favorite Greek myth, the tale of Persephone, and continues to explore the dynamics of friendship between teenage girls. The other is my “bartender book.” I’ve been a bartender for a few years and have collected some great material so I need to write a bartender character!
ENHANCE YOUR BOOK CLUB
Listen to your favorite song and create your own ballad. Or, write that ballad you thought was missing or rewrite the ballad of your favorite character.
Whether you’re from the suburbs or the city, start your own collection of quirky newspaper clippings.
Visit the author’s website at www.stephaniekuehnert.com and listen to the playlist she’s made to go along with the novel. Try making your own mix CD out of the various songs and bands that are mentioned in Ballads of Suburbia to take with you to your next book club meeting. It’ll set the mood-and keep your ears tuned to the lyrics to pick up some of the author’s influences.