Q&A with Lindsey Stoddard

 

 

Lindsey Stoddard is the author of the new middle grade novel Bea Is for Blended. Her other books include Just Like Jackie. She lives in Vermont.

 

Q: What inspired you to write Bea Is for Blended, and how did you create your character Bea?

 

A: My process has always been that I start by listening for a voice and really waiting to hear a character before I begin thinking about the plot or the setting or anything else.

 

For Bea Is for Blended I first came to know Bea by the phrase she returns to throughout the book: "I got this." I knew that I was dealing with a kid who is confident and determined, competitive and independent, a kid who might have some really big obstacles but is ready to take them on.

 

When I had her voice solidly in my head, that's when I began thinking about what big emotions she's feeling, what characters surround her, etc.

 

I knew that I wanted to write a book about girls coming together, but I also wanted to show how boys can learn, and grow, and use their power as leverage, and become solid allies. 

 

Q: The Kirkus Review of the book says, in part, "Peppered with spirited sarcasm and trenchant observations, Bea’s narration points out the unfairness in the ways boys and girls are socialized." What do you hope readers take away from the book in that respect?

 

A: I love that Kirkus highlighted this idea in their review because the book does give a real girl's-eye-view of the inequities between genders, even at this young age.

 

However, because Bea is so fierce and outspoken, we get to witness a real coming together and a standing up against it. We also get to see what it takes for boys to play a positive role in the change.

 

What I hope readers will see is that we all have room for growth and understanding, even Bea. 

 

Q: Soccer plays a big role in the book--why did you choose to include it as an important part of Bea's life?

 

A: Sports played a big role in my life growing up too. I was on at least one soccer team from the time I was 6 and one big memory I have from when I was about Bea's age was when the boys' soccer team thought it would be funny to dress up like the girls' team for team spirit one day at school.

 

They wore their hair in tiny little ponytails all over their head, stretched sports bras over their jerseys, smothered their face with horrible make up, and flitted about the school exclaiming that they'd broken a nail.

 

I was furious and offended and hurt. These boys were my classmates and friends and I remember the expectation to be a "cool" girl, one who was friends with boys, who could laugh along with their jokes.

 

My reaction then was a non-reaction. I didn't laugh along with them, but I didn't tell them that what they were doing was wrong either.

 

I still to this day remember all those conflicting feelings. The anger and hurt, the not wanting to ruffle feathers, or call attention to myself. This book, Bea and her team, Bryce and his friends, are my reaction to that day in my own childhood. 

 

Q: Did you know how the book would end before you started writing it, or did you make many changes along the way?

 

A: I didn't know exactly how it would end when I began writing. But I did know the feeling of the end of the book, if that makes sense. I knew I wanted it to end with a feeling of power and strength and comfort and togetherness.

 

I wanted there to be an understanding of growth and change from several of the characters without it being wrapped up perfectly. Hope and improvement and forward motion. 

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I have just finished the manuscript of a new middle grade novel that's scheduled to come out with HarperCollins in the fall of 2022. Right now it's called The Real Deal, but that's subject to change.

 

It's a story about two best friends, the graphic novel they're creating together, following your guts, and holding onto your friends. I'll be heading into revisions for that one shortly and in the meantime, keeping my ears and mind open for any new voices... 

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: If you're interested in scheduling a school visit, please reach out through my website, www.lindseystoddard.com. Here’s the link for the launch event for Bea is for Blended on May 4: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lindsey-stoddard-launch-party-tickets-151075217041

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb