by Pamela Ribon
6. How were you able to infuse a novel about coping with grief with such refreshing humor?
I’m worried that I didn’t, but I’m even more concerned people will think I wrote that question. So thank you, Stranger I’ve Never Met Who Wrote Question Number Six. That’s nice of you to ask. I assure you early drafts of this novel were quite devoid of humor.
The voice of John Goodman came out of this struggle. I was trying to find a new way to tell an old story—girl is sad over a boy—without making Charlotte sound either pathetic or bitter. Both Charlotte and Matthew deal with their emotions by detaching and distancing—which is why they’re ultimately doomed. And for both of them we learn that the greater the distance they put between themselves and their problems, the harder they fall when gravity inevitably brings them back to reality. Wait, was this a question about how I made sad things funny? I don’t know. Comedy equals tragedy plus time. I didn’t come up with that equation, but it works.
7. Does your life have a narrator?
Sometimes. When I was a little girl and couldn’t fall asleep, my mom would suggest I tell myself stories until I fell asleep. Somehow that voice continued into my waking life, and would keep me company when I was having some of my most boring moments. And if I’m being really honest, I suppose the narrator started approximately when I gave up my embarrassingly large clique of imaginary friends.
8. If you were in Francesca’s place, what advice would you give Charlotte?
Get over yourself.
9. Do you have any plans for another book? If so, what will it be about?
I just stared at that question for thirty minutes and then had a panic attack. Thanks.
ENHANCE YOUR BOOK CLUB
1. Visit Pamela Ribon’s popular blog at www.pamie.com. She started it in 1998, and was nominated for a Lifetime Achievement Bloggie Award in 2006.
2. Check out Roller Warriors, a seven-part documentary series covering the 2008 Kansas City Roller Warriors, as well as the recent Drew Barrymore film Whip It, based on the YA novel Derby Girl, written by fellow LA Derby Doll alum Shauna Cross.
3. Support your local roller derby league! Visit www.derbyroster.com to find out where the action is in your area.
4. Already a derby girl? Be sure to check out RollerCon (www.rollercon.net).
