Featured Interview With Barbara J. Rebbeck
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was raised in Wyandotte, Michigan and this year I am returning there for the fiftieth reunion of my high school graduation. I am very young at heart, however! My dad was British and my mom, American so part of my heart has always been in London, England. I visit relatives there often.
I have a two-year-old cat, named Gracie. She is named for the main character in my novel, “NOLA Gals.” She had a litter of six kitties before I even knew her and is very loving.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
The Bobsey Twins and Nancy Drew captured my heart early on. In first grade we took a class trip to the local public library, and I received my first library card and checked out the book, “Biddy and the Ducks.” Unfortunately, I didn’t realize I had to return the book eventually. My mom was not happy when I found the book in a pile of other books, and she had to pay a hefty fine for me.
I started writing early on when I gathered the neighborhood kids, and we performed plays I authored. I taught my younger siblings to read and write. I was a teacher very early on. My fourth grade teacher, Miss Downes let me write and produce plays at school and I was thrilled.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I love reading fiction, poetry, memoir, historical fiction and history. I was a French major in college so I like to challenge myself by reading books in French, too.
My current favorite author is Hillary Mantel. Her “Wolf Hall” trilogy (still waiting for volume 3, Hillary!) about Henry VIII is brilliant, and I was lucky enough to be in London to see two plays based on these books. Hillary Mantel was at the theater for both performances and signing programs. I’ve read her memoir and other titles she’s written, too. When I find a new favorite writer, I tend to read everything by them, plus critical reviews and biographies. I guess that’s a logical progression from reading ALL the Nancy Drew series as a kid.
I’ve also loved reading the works of Daphne DuMaurier, especially “Rebecca.” I have the movie versions of that classic. I can feel the winds coming into the great windows of Manderley from the Cornish coast as I read. She sets such a mysterious, brooding mood that engulfs me as a reader.
The works of Thomas Hardy also grab me. When I first read or tried to read “The Return of the Native” in high school I crashed and burned, hating it. Around the age of thirty, it clicked for me and now “Jude The Obscure” is a favorite. The movie versions are terrific of all his works. I’ve read his poetry, too.
Sharon Olds is my favorite poet. Her words cut to the core of life. She is a bold writer, baring it all, making me want to take risks with my own writing.
YA writers I admire and learn from are John Green, Christopher Paul Curtis, and Gary Paulson. I’ve learned from them how to grab the attention of kids. One student told me that he’d never read a novel like my book, ‘NOLA Gals” that made him feel so deeply. That’s important to be able to tear kids away from their tech devices and get them into a good read. Books change lives. That’s why I pay tribute to the classic, “To Kill a Mockingbird” in my book. I reached back to former students of mine and had them write about first reading “Mockingbird” and its effect on them. These pieces appear in the Afterword to “NOLA Gals.”
Tell us a little about your latest book?
“NOLA Gals” is the story of two teens caught up in the aftermath of the deadliest storm ever to hit out shores, Hurricane Katrina. Essence LaFontaine of New Orleans and Grace Woodson of Houston don’t know each other. Grace, a rich entitled girl and Essence, having lost it all, have little in common but the desire to survive. They meet when Essence and her little sister, Char are evacuated to Houston. The NOLA girls attend the posh St. Catherine’s school and trouble follows as they are not welcomed by all, including Grace’s best friend, Lindsey. And whose side is Jack, Grace’s new boyfriend on? This is the story of two girls from completely different walks of life and their journey to bring about a healing that will change their lives forever.
I first had the idea for the book after watching all the TV coverage of the tragic storm in 2005. It took me about two years to write, part of that time being spent on intensive research. At the end of the book readers will find a comprehensive source list of reading, music and video suggestions. I have read or viewed or listened to everything on that long list. A writer owes it to readers to be up on all the details and history behind the story they offer. That’s the beauty and the work behind creating a piece of historical fiction. Readers have commented on how real my fictional teens sound. I chalk that up to years of teaching and interacting with teens in classrooms. I continue to work in classes with the book and find that so rewarding that I have now started on a sequel that will cover Essence’s story for the ten years following the storm, written as her memoir. I am in the research stage now which I love. Curiosity is the number one trait a writer can have in my view. You can see photos and student samples of writing from class visits on my website at nolagals.com I hope to visit New Orleans classes this year and have donated some royalties to schools there.
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