Today we are very excited to share an interview with author Susan J. Austin (Drawing Outside the Lines)!
Read on to learn more about her, her book, and a giveaway!
Meet the Author: Susan J. Austin
As an educator, Susan J. Austin knows the minds of young readers. Her first novel, The Bamboo Garden, is set in Berkeley, California, 1923, and describes an unlikely friendship between two girls that is tested by a fierce fire that threatens to destroy their town. Currently, she is writing about 12-year-old Goldie, a whiz kid in the kitchen who hopes that her culinary magic can help her family’s delicatessen out of a pickle in 1928 Hollywood. Her characters are always brave, strong-willed, risk-takers. Writing historical fiction offers her a way to educate and excite her readers about the past. She and her husband live in Northern California, surrounded by family, their splendid, but fussy rose bushes, and a lifetime collection of books. Learn more at www.susanjaustin.com
About the Book: Drawing Outside the Lines
Meet the brilliant, fearless, and ambitious Julia Morgan. In 1883, eleven-year-old Julia visits the amazing new Brooklyn Bridge—an experience that ignites within her a small but persistent flame. Someday, she decides, she too will build an astounding structure.
Growing up in horse-and-buggy Oakland, Julia enjoys daring fence walks, climbing the tallest trees, and constantly testing her mother’s patience with her lack of interest in domestic duties and social events. At a time when “brainy” girls are the object of ridicule, Julia excels in school and consistently outsmarts her ornery brothers—but she has an even greater battle ahead. When she enrolls at university to study engineering, the male students taunt her, and the professors belittle her. Through it all, however, Julia holds on to her dream of becoming an architect. She faces each challenge head-on, firmly standing up to those who believe a woman’s place is in the home. Fortunately, the world has yet to meet anyone like the indomitable Miss Morgan.
Drawing Outside the Lines is an imagined childhood of pioneering architect Julia Morgan, who left behind her an extraordinary legacy of creativity, beauty, and engineering marvels.
~Author Chat~
YABC: What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
I am curious by nature, so for me inspiration always begins with questions. In the case of Drawing Outside the Lines, the question that piqued my interest was the following: How did the young Julia Morgan, born in the Victorian era when everyone expected girls to marry and have a family, become the legendary architect we know today? How was she able to defy expectations for girls, choose her own path, and succeed so brilliantly?
YABC: Which came first, the title or the novel?
While I always start new book with a title, it rarely stays around for long. But here’s the funny thing. The title I begin with serves as a kind of road map for my writing. I pin the title to my bulletin board. I think about how it captures my feeling about the book. And then when the first draft is completed, I revisit the title, and more often than not realize that though fitting, does not fully encompass my vision.
The first title for this book was originally: Becoming Julia. That title captures an essential aspect of the book—that it is about Julia Morgan’s early years as she grows in awareness that she wants to become an architect. The final title, Drawing Outside the Lines describes the core of Julia Morgan’s personality, that she is willing to take risks, that she never conforms to the expectations of others, that she is brave and courageous.
YABC: Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you’ve learned as a writer from then to now?
That those first clumsy efforts at telling a story are supposed to be that way—awkward, not quite up to the task. Beginnings are always messy. You have to know that. But then, over time, as you shape and craft each word and sentence, something beautiful begins to emerge from your mess.
YABC: What do you like most about the cover of the book?
The cover of Drawing Outside the Lines holds secrets that readers will not understand until they read the book. Only then will they understand why oak leaves and teal green acorns are on the cover, and why the main character is drawing something.
I am especially fond of the silhouette of Julia Morgan, how her dress and her hair tell you right off that this is a historical novel.
YABC: What’s up next for you?
I’ve begun working on another historical novel, set in 1920 Hollywood, starring twelve-year-old Goldie whose talent in the kitchen just might help get her family’s delicatessen out of a pickle. And yes, I’ve already changed the title twice!
YABC: Which character gave you the most trouble when writing your latest book?
Believe it or not, Julia Morgan, the main character of my book, gave me the most trouble. In her adult life she was extremely private, rarely talked about herself, and tended to be an introvert. Because we know little about her childhood, I imagine that she was similar in childhood—quiet, brilliant, intense, and persistent. Not the most fun character to make the central part of the story. How could I bring her to life on the page? For me the solution was to give the reader access to her interior self, her interior dialogue, to make her the narrator, to see the world through her eyes, and to give her a lively best friend.
YABC: What is the main message or lesson you would like your reader to remember from this book?
Despite the many hurdles placed in Julia’s path on her way to becoming the architect of her dreams, she persevered, demonstrated enormous courage, kept her eye on her goal, and succeeded beyond her wildest expectations. There is a life lesson here which I sum up in the book’s dedication: For kids of all ages with big dreams.
YABC: What advice do you have for new writers?
Starting a book is the easy part. Finishing a book is tough. And the only way to make sure you finish is to love the subject you are writing about. That is what I keep telling myself with each new manuscript. Write about something you love, and your reader will love what you write.
Book’s Title: Drawing Outside the Lines: A Julia Morgan Novel
Author/Illustrator: Susan J. Austin
Release Date: October 18, 2022
Publisher: SparkPress
ISBN-10: 1684631599
ISBN-13: 978-1684631599
Genre: MG Historical Biography, Coming of Age
Age Range: 9-12 years
~ Giveaway Details ~
One (1) winner will receive a copy of Drawing Outside the Lines (Susan J. Austin) ~US ONLY
*Click the Rafflecopter link below to enter the giveaway*
This book sounds fantastic!! I can’t wait to check it out
Looks really good!
This is a pretty cover and sounds like such a great read – I’m getting my daughter A Tree Grows in Brooklyn for her birthday and this would be a great accompaniment!
I like the cover and this sounds like my favorite kind of book.