Fresh New Voice of YA- Kimberly Derting interview

1) How did you get the idea for The Body Finder?

My husband and I were driving one day and he threw out this random idea about a boy who could find dead bodies. After hearing his middle-grade boy-adventure version, I immediately changed the main character to a teenage girl and started creating Violet and the rules for her creepy ability. In my husband’s mind, he will always consider himself my co-author. :)


2) What are you working on now? Can you tell us anything about it?

I’m finished with the sequel to The Body Finder, which is called Desires of the Dead and comes out in 2011 (so excited!). I have a few other things I’m working on but I’m SO crazy-secretive about new projects that I usually never tell anyone, sometimes not even my agent.


3) What book(s) are you reading now, or are about to start?

I just finished The Deathday Letter by Shaun Hutchinson, which was darkly humorous (a combo I happen to adore!). And up next…hmm…maybe Graceling by Kristin Cashore, I’ve been dying to read it!!!


4) What was The Call like? Tell us all about it!

I didn’t actually get “the call,” it was more like “the message.” And technically, I didn’t get the message, my husband did. It’s kind of a long story, which I blogged about here (for anyone interested in the details). I will say that it was one of the best moments in my life!


5) What is your favorite Jelly Belly jelly bean flavor?

Easy! Buttered Popcorn, by far. It’s not so much that I LOVE the flavor, it’s just that I’m completely fascinated by it! I’m always trying to pick those ones out first. Thanks a lot, James, now I’m totally craving jelly beans!