McBlah.com - Geeks who love Books

Last Updated Wednesday, July 14, 2004

McBlah Exclusive: EK interviews Lisa Yee

By EK McBlah

McBlah Co-Host

Note: On June 14th of this year, EK reviewed Millicent Min, Girl Genius by Lisa Yee.

A few days later she received an email from the author, who had seen the review on the site. A short correspondence followed where Ms Yee agreed to a short email interview.

The McBlah family thanks Lisa Yee for her time and wishes her success in her next novel.

We also congratulate EK on the first Exclusive Author Interview in the 3-year history of McBlah.com. (Maybe Stephen King next?) - DJ

EK McBlah: Thank you for agreeing to some questions! I'm sorry it has taken me a week to get this to you. It wasn't hard to write, but I have 2 kids & I am interrupted often when I'm trying to type.

Lisa Yee: Hello! By the way, I just happened to be on the computer when your email came through . . . I'm not always this quick!

EK: So tell me, I saw in an article that you were encouraged by author Arthur Levine. Would you please tell me more about the people who inspire & encourage you?

LY: Throughout my school years I had wonderful teachers who encouraged my writing. Recently, I met up with my 7th grade teacher, Mr. Glick. He graciously agreed to let me feature a character inspired by him in my
next novel. Arthur Levine, my editor and the editor of the Harry Potter series, is someone who I consider a mentor. He stayed with me and encouraged me to write and challenged me to write better than I thought I ever could.

Other people who inspire me are those I have never met, but have admired from afar. Mainly, other authors who's books I have read and who's characters I have come to know. Harper Lee, Flannery O'Connor, James Wilcox, Anne Tyler, and recently Monique Troung's Book of Salt left me in awe.

I read lots of children's books, too. Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech is one of my favorite books of any genre and I was certain that Richard Peck's The River Between Us was going to win the Newbery this past
year.

EK: You are (like myself), the mother of two kids, correct? How old are your children? Would you tell me about some of the challenges of being a writer while also being a mom?

LY: Eeeekkkk! Yes, I am the mother of two children: A seven year-old boy and a tween (age 12) girl. When I first started writing, I was also working full time. So I tried to write between 11 pm and 2 am, after the kids were in bed and the laundry was done and the lunches were made and . . . well, you get the picture.

Needless to say, I was usually comatose by the time I made it to my computer, and my writing reflected that. My kids come first, they are only young for a short time, so it was out of the question to take time away from them to write. What gave was my career. I finally quit my job (which was hard since I co-owned the company with my husband!) and decided to devote time to writing. Luckily, it has worked out. And I think I'm a better mom (and wife) because I am so much happier these days!

My kids are a constant inspiration to me and recently I wrote a short story for STORYWORKS magazine for my daughter, and I am also writing a picture book for my son.

EK: What sparked the plot of Girl Genius? Where did you get the idea?

LY: The idea came from two words: child psychologist. I thought this was hysterical. A book about a child who was a psychologist. Sadly, no one else felt the same way. However, Arthur Levine loved the character I created, Mille. So he encouraged me to write about her, but in a setting that was less comic and more realistic. MILLICENT MIN, GIRL GENIUS came out of that.

EK: What, if anything, do you & your character Millicent have in common? Did you have a similar upbringing?

LY: I am in no way as smart as Millicent. However, I was one of those annoying kids who loved school and getting good grades. The thought of getting a B would freak me out. My parents didn't put any pressure on
me, I did it to myself. I was an overachiever, but have since been cured of that. You should see how messy my house is.

EK: How is your second book coming? (I look forward to it.) Can you tell me what it's about?

LY: Lots of people were asking for a sequel to Millicent Min, but I really didn't want to write one. I was going to write a historical novel, but then got cold feet because I couldn't verify all the facts. Then one day when I was driving my kids to tae kwon do, I turned to my daughter and asked, "Would you like to read a book about Stanford?" And she said, "YES!"

Stanford Wong is Millie's arch enemy. I wanted to write about him because my daughter believes that all boys smell, are stupid, and have no redeeming qualities. So this book is to show her, and others, that boys are more emotional, more complex, and more confused than they will ever know. The novel covers the same summer as Millicent's books, but it is all from Stanford's point of view. Currently, it's scheduled to come out in fall 2005.

I hope to hear from you soon & thanks again!

with regards,

Lisa Yee

Lisa Yee is the author of Millicent Min, Girl Genius.

EK is a beautiful, talented mother of 2 (Pumpkinhead and Precious) who married DJ nearly 10 years ago.

A voracious reader and user of ampersands, this former commercial fisherman makes the greatest lasagna in the Western Hemisphere.

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