She is the author of Send, a book about bullying and today we are
together to share some awesome Q&A swap! Ready!? :D
The Author:
Chocolate-addict Patty Blount writes facts by day (software instruction guides) and fiction at night. She wrote her first novel on a dare from her oldest son. She got the idea for her debut novel SEND when her son endured bullying in sixth grade. She lives on Long Island.
The Interview:
1.You probably get this a lot but...what influenced you to write about bullying? My oldest son, Rob, was the victim of bullies when he was in sixth grade and it got pretty bad. But it wasn't until seventh grade, when someone accused him of being the bully that I got the idea to write SEND from the bully's point of view.
2. This book had a great influence on me and most likely lots of other readers. What influence did it have on you, being the writer behind the pages. Writing any book is a lesson in patience, planning, and determination. It's easy to get discouraged and give up. But this particular book was tough; it began as a way for me to get revenge on a bully. I was the writer; I could punish that bully every which way there is. But I also knew I would have to forgive the bully in this story and I had a difficult time finding any reason to do that. I had to keep revising Dan's character to make him sympathetic.
3. Do you think today's technology has made it easier/worse for bullying? Why? Oh, yes, worse, definitely! There are two reasons. First, kids who are bullied get no relief. It used to be limited to a class or a school so when a kid got home, he was able to settled down, regroup. But today, bullying is 24/7 and follows you into your room, or your back pocket. Worse, it's no longer one class or one school. It's strangers chiming in via the internet. Technology and instant access make it far too easy for everyone to be the bully with no fear of getting caught, and no consequences even if they are. There's way too much anonymity online.
4. What is one piece of advice you would give to a bully? To the bullied? I'd like to remind bullies to stop and think about the impact their words and actions can have and that this impact could be permanent. To the victims of bullying, it's critical that you NOT suffer in silence. Tell your parents, your teachers, your friends, your priest -- get the help that's out there. Do NOT allow the bully to get away it. I'd also like to give this advice to bystanders: DO SOMETHING. Anything. Call a parent. Call 911. But don't just sit there and let somebody be bullied because you're happy it's not you.
5. Kenny is that little voice in the back of Dan's mind...literally. What's the story behind the idea of Kenny and his big role in Send? Remember when I said I really struggled to make Dan sympathetic? I wrote in the Brandon story line as a way to show Dan is now making the right choices, even when they're unpopular. But something was missing. So I started giving Dan opportunities to talk to himself so readers could see the struggle he lives with every minute of the day. At first, Kenny was nothing more than "the annoying voice in my head." I didn't actually name him until a later revision. It just made sense that he'd have Dan's real name.
6. Julie and Dan remind me of Romeo and Juliet. Dan's secret is what keeps them as "star-crossed lovers", the thing that hinders them from trully being together. Was that the kind of role you had in mind? What makes their love more true? As teenagers, yes -- it's just too big for them to handle. Plus, I wasn't ready to give Dan a truly happy ending.
7. Will there be a little novella set after the happenings in Send? :D I have a sequel all planned out and partially written but it hasn't been sold yet. I may post a few scenes on my website eventually.
The Book(s):
Send
Release Date: August 1, 2012
by, Sourcebooks Fire
Pages: 304
It’s been five years since I clicked Send.
Four years since I got out of juvie.Three months since I changed my name.Two minutes since I met Julie.A second to change my life.
All Dan wants for his senior year is to be invisible. This is his last chance at a semi-normal life. Nobody here knows who he is. Or what he’s done. But on his first day at school, instead of turning away like everyone else, Dan breaks up a fight. Because Dan knows what it’s like to be terrorized by a bully—he used to be one.Now the whole school thinks he’s some kind of hero—except Julie. She looks at him like she knows he has a secret. Like she knows his name isn’t really Daniel...{Goodreads}
The Giveaway:Another awesome giveaway for you all!
I loved this book! And now, thanks to Patty, you have the chance to too!
The Prize:
1 ebook copy (Nook or Kindle)of Send is up for grabs!
The Rules:
You must be 13 years or older.
Please refrain from leaving any personal information in the comments section
There will be 1 winner(chosen by Rafflecopter).
Each winner will have 72 hours to reply to the email/tweet. If not, a new winner will be chosen
This is an International giveaway!
Giveaway ends November 24.
Have fun!!! <3
Good luck you guys!
Thanks for stopping by!! :D
Have a great day/week!
~Jaiden
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