Friday, April 9, 2010

Nicole O'Dell: Writing for Tween Girls


Nicole, Teen of the '80s

Nicole O'Dell remembers vividly what it was like as a tween and teen. Because of this, she now writes for tweens and hopes that what she has shared in her fiction will help other tweens/early teens come through that turbulent time a bit easier. She credits a wonderful grandfather and her mission of wanting to help moms and tweens/early teens for her focus on writing these books (see below.)



Childhood Ambition:

When I was 18 months old, I told a stranger I wanted to be an oceanographer. I really did say it just as plain as day. She looked at my mom, stunned, and asked if I meant it. My mom told her that I'd been saying that for years. LOL I later decided that I wanted to be a pediatrician, but eventually realized that I much preferred English over Math and Science--so began my writing pursuits.

Fondest Memory (then):

I loved our family vacations--Disney World, ski trips, mountains of Virginia. I also really loved the time I spent with my grandparents at their farm in Missouri.

Proudest Moment (then):

I won a literary contest in 4th grade by writing and illustrating a book called The Girl on the Runaway Pogo-Stick. It was "published" and put in the school libraries in my district. I was very proud that it had one of those cards where people could write their names on it and check it out.

Biggest Challenge as a Child or Teen:

I contracted encephalitis when I was 11. It affected my hypothalamus and my thyroid. Over the short period of a summer, because of that illness, I put on a LOT of weight. I went to Junior High so much heavier than I had been that kids didn't recognize me. It was an excruciating experience for me. Then, the summer before high school started, my body changed. I hit puberty and it shocked my system back into working. All of the weight--about 60 pounds--came off that one summer. When school started, I got all kinds of good attention from the same people who shunned me when I was heavier. Through those experiences, I learned a lot about the nature of people, and also about how wrong it is to judge people by their appearance.


My First Job:

At fifteen, I got a job at Susie's Casuals, a dress shop in the mall. I was made A.M.I.T. (assistant manager in training) before I turned sixteen. Magna, book three, is set in a store very similar to Susie's. Much of the information I used to write Magna (releases 4/1/10, Barbour) was garnered from my experience at that job.


Favorite Outfit as a Child:

I was definitely an 80's girl. BIG permed hair, colored socks (sometimes layered), stirrup pants, big shirts, plastic beads, Vanderbilt and Jordache jeans, comb sticking out of the back pocket, Swatch watches, Guess overalls, Forenza. I don't have many digital pictures of that time period. But, here's one that I scanned a while back. I was a little older by then, though. This would have been 1993. I had a bit of trouble pulling out of the 80's. ;)


Favorite Childhood Movie and/or TV Show:

I loved reading books and then watching the movie. My two favorites that I read/watched over and over were The Hiding Place and Ice Castles.

I also liked to watch Kristy McNichol and I had a crush on Jack Wagner.



Favorite Childhood Book:

I have always loved to read. I read Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden, Little House on the Prairie, The Hiding Place, The Cross and the Switchblade, Hind's Feet on High Places, Ice Castles...oh, way too many to name them all.

Favorite Childhood Activity/Pastime:

Truly, it was reading. I read everywhere. I fashioned little stand-type things so I could read while I cooked or did dishes for my mom. I read in the bathtub...the water would get cold and I'd have to drain some and add hot. I often finished a whole book in one sitting. In fact--oh, this is embarrassing--when I had sleepover parties, I always wanted to read with my friends. I'd read a page, they'd read a page, etc. They hated it, but I made them do it.

Did you pass notes or have a pen pal as a child?

Oh sure... "Will you be my best friend? Circle Yes or No."


Childhood Hero:

Person who most influenced my worldview when I was a child or the person who most influenced my spiritual development/moral development (and how):

My childhood hero and the person who most influenced my worldview is the same person. My grandpa. Truly, if you told me that he was really an angel among us, I'd believe you without batting an eye. He was the kindest, most generous and hardworking man I've known. He would give you anything he could, if it was the right thing for you.

He loved to build with his hands and his patience allowed him to create the most beautiful things. He never had a sour word to say about anyone and he loved the Lord. In his later years, he taught himself to use a computer, and then sat for hours typing his thoughts about theology, family, life, etc. Those writings are treasures of mine. He passed away in his sleep after he had spent the whole day painting the church. He died a happy and healthy man, and left no enemies. The Lord just took him home.


Anything else you would like to share with readers about your childhood which affected the writer you have become?

My own early teen experiences and choices are why I focus my writing and ministry on girls of that age. It was such a difficult time for me--bad attitude, hormones, depression, body image issues, etc. My relationship with my mom took a huge hit through that time. Now, I pray that my girls won't go through the same difficulties I did at that age and that my books and other ministry efforts will help many moms, girls and families weather those difficult years.



Finding Nicole O’Dell ONLINE

http://www.nicoleodell.com/
http://www.scenariosforgirls.com
http://www.nicoleodell.blogspot.com/
www.twitter.com/Nicole_Odell
www.facebook.com/nicoleodell
www.tinyurl.com/fbfanpg



Nicole O'Dell's BOOKS:


Written specifically for tween girls faced with difficult decisions and lots of peer pressure, books three and four in the new Scenarios series, Magna and Making Waves by Nicole O’Dell, release in April 2010. Lessons of right and wrong are put to the test when readers use their own decision making abilities in an eye-opening but safe way. Each book follows a character up to the point where she has to make an important, life-changing decision—then it’s the reader’s turn to choose!

Truth or Dare Book 1
Scenarios Series Description
Decisions, decisions! How is a girl supposed to choose? Lessons of right and wrong are put to the test in the Scenarios series, where you can test your decision-making abilities in an eye-opening, but safe, way. Each book follows a character up to the point where she has to make an important, life-changing decision—then it’s your turn to choose. Will your choices lead to a happy ending?

Book Description

Lindsay Martin is faced with a tough choice: Does she give in to peer pressure and make her friends happy or does she do what she knows is right—even if it means losing her friends forever? Tween readers make the choice in this interactive story and see how the consequences change Lindsay’s life. Includes a contract and prayer to remind the reader of the importance of making godly decisions.


All that Glitters Book 2

Scenarios Series Description
Decisions, decisions! How is a girl supposed to choose? Lessons of right and wrong are put to the test in the Scenarios series, where you can test your decision-making abilities in an eye-opening, but safe, way. Each book follows a character up to the point where she has to make an important, life-changing decision—then it’s your turn to choose. Will your choices lead to a happy ending?

Book Description

Drew Daniels finally has what she thought she wanted—popularity and a cute boyfriend. But now she’s faced with choosing between pleasing her boyfriend and doing what’s right. Tween readers make the choice in this interactive story and see how the consequences change Drew’s life. Includes a contract and prayer to remind the reader of the importance of making godly decisions.







Magna

In Magna, Molly Jacobs isn’t sure what she should do: Should she follow through with stealing some clothes for her friends from Magna—the trendy girls’ clothing store where she works? Or should she do what she knows is right, even if it means losing her newfound popularly?



Making Waves
Making Waves finds Kate Walker on the swim team where she becomes obsessed with practice and the upcoming championship. What will Kate do when she’s faced with pressure from her teammates to take an illegal substance that will help her swim multiple events in their championship meet? Tween readers make the choices in these interactive stories and discover how the consequences change Molly’s and Kate’s lives. Both books include a contract and prayer at the end to remind the reader of the importance of making godly decisions.