Jen Calonita is the author of the new middle grade novel The Taylors. Her many other books include Mirror, Mirror. She is based in New York.
Q: What inspired you to write The Taylors, and how did you create your character Teffy?
A: I've always been a Swiftie, and my heart is with middle school stories so I've been dying to write a new one.
Navigating fifth and sixth grade was hard for me. I switched friend groups, had a fight with my best friend, wound up switching lunch tables, had my first school dance and my first overnight school trip. These are all things I remember very vividly! Things that weighed on me heavily!
I was much like Teffy--afraid to use my voice and speak up--so I wanted to create a character who learns how to navigate middle school with the help of three new friends, all also named Taylor, who are also Swifties.
I wanted Teffy to learn to be braver than I was. To take chances and be fearless and my hope is that kids will read about her and want to take chances and be brave too. This story felt like the perfect mix of all the things I love.
Q: How would you describe the dynamics among the four Taylors?
A: I'm not sure about other people's friend groups, but mine have a mix of personalities. There is the loud, exuberant friend, the one who always speaks her mind, the one who is the athlete and always challenging me to tackle half marathons or new exercise classes, and the friend with heart who I call when I need someone who can truly listen.
I wanted the Taylors to all have a mix of personalities. I wanted Teffy to learn to grow and be brave because she has friends who help her along the way. These girls have a lot in common, but they're different too, and that's okay. Everyone is allowed to have different interests and likes, but at their core, they are loyal friends who would do anything for each other.
Q: Did you know how the story would end before you started writing it, or did you make many changes along the way?
A: Since my book is an introduction to The Taylors, I knew the story was taking place during the timeline of the Eras Tour and that my characters, who live in Indianapolis, were all trying to get tickets to one of the last shows on Taylor Swift's tour. It's a goal of theirs to go, but they also don't have the money to spend on last-minute tickets.
I wanted this story to feel like wish fulfillment for kids who got to go see Taylor on the tour, and those that had to watch the show at home on TV. I wanted them to feel like they were living through the highs and lows leading up to the concert along with the Taylors.
I'm tickled pink with how the end of this book works out for the girls, but I won't give it away.
Q: Do you have a favorite Taylor Swift song?
A: I've been getting asked this question by readers a lot, and I'll be honest: I have different favorites depending on my moods!
If I've had a stressful day, I'll put on "Style" and just sing and dance around the kitchen at the top of my lungs. "You're on your own, kid," is a favorite of mine when I need to work on my battling cry and give myself a pep talk.
I also love "The one," when I'm feeling sort of nostalgic and tapping into my teen self for a book. And I love "I could do it with a broken heart," because the idea of pushing forward in the face of everything going on in our world, is one I love. I could go on! LOL.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: A few things actually! Some I can talk about, and some I can't reveal yet, but I hope readers will be happy. I have a sequel to Isle of Ever coming this March called The Curse Breaker that I love.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: My chihuahua, Ben Kenobi, is sitting at my feet while I answer these questions. He is my right-hand man when I'm writing and my sidekick. If I take too long to get in my writing chair in the morning, he will stand on it and whine as if to say, "Let's go! You've got a deadline to meet!" And I love that about him.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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