Natale Ghent Q&A with a Gravity Giveaway

At Toronto's Word on the Street festival this year  I (Christie) had the pleasure of meeting Natale Ghent who was there reading from her book, Gravity Brings Me Down. I picked up a copy of the book at the festival and I absolutely loved it. Soon after this I asked Natale if she would be interested in doing a Q&A as a way of promoting a giveaway of the book. Her response? "Absolutely!"


Below you will find the seven burning questions that I had for Natale and the accompanying giveaway of Gravity Brings Me Down. I would just like to thank Natale for taking the time to think up wonderful answers to these questions! We truly appreciate it. Also, I would like you all to note that Gravity Brings Me Down was just nominated for a White Pine Award! Congratulations Natale and thank you again!
 

Sioux Smith is sharp, funny, and wry, and is pretty certain that she sees the world of high school differently from everyone else - a belief that is cemented when she makes an uneasy discovery about one of her school's "popular" teachers. And while she feels alone at her high school and in her unique slant on small-town life, Sioux finds a kindred spirit in the most unlikely of people: an elderly stranger, who has more insight despite her progressing dementia than anyone else in Sioux's life. What Sioux and "Miss Marple" learn about each other over tea, illicitly secreted wine, and Coronation Street, makes for a novel with heart and grit in equal measure.




1. What inspired you to use Dementia/Alzheimer’s Disease as part of Gravity Brings Me Down?

This book was inspired by my Mum and the experience we shared as she gradually faded away from us due to stroke-related dementia. It was the most heartbreaking experience I’ve ever had - to watch my beautiful, eloquent mother lose all that she held dear. Writing Gravity was my way of honouring her and her journey. She was so brave and strong in so many ways. It was astounding to me! She also loved talking to young people and was incredibly progressive about rebellion and forms of personal expression. When I was a teenager, my mother never once told me to wash my face or comb my hair or take the baby diaper pin out of my ear as I moshed out my frustration with the world in knee-high combat boots. She never tried to make me be anything that I wasn’t at the moment and I’m eternally grateful for that.

 

2. Were you as dark as Sioux when you were in High School? Be honest. ;)

I think I was darker. When I first wrote Gravity, some of the people who read it thought Sioux’s perspective was untenably harsh. I was so surprised! So I softened it up a bit. As a teenager, I would not have flinched at Sioux’s perspective. I was very down and completely disappointed with the world. My mind often wandered to the shadowy corners of life. But I’m much lighter now, though I still don’t mind the dark.

3. Who was the hardest character to write in this book? Why?

To be honest, I had no difficulty writing any of the characters in this book. In fact, the entire book just flowed and flowed. I felt truly inspired when I wrote it.

4. If you were to give Sioux one piece of advice, what would it be?

My advice to Sioux would be to hold onto something - anything - that gives you hope, no matter how small. I would tell her to fan that little fire in her heart and to keep at it, tend it carefully. I would assure her that she is not alone and that there is someone out there who understands her, despite how she may feel.

5. How do you really feel about gravity?

I think gravity is fascinating but I’ve always wanted to fly or at least float around on my own steam and gravity makes that rather difficult for me. But it’s a convenient scapegoat for the things that burst our emotional/spiritual/creative bubbles and send us crashing back to earth. I’m pleased that gravity defies explanation even still - despite how far we’ve come - which makes it a perfectly acceptable excuse for the perplexing emotions and actions that plague us at various stages in life, I think.

6. What do you do when you’re not writing fabulous books?

What a nice question! I love the word “fabulous.” :)

I like to spend time in the woods and I love to swing a hammer. I’m a power tool junkie! I also do a lot of baking (I put myself through university with my own little baking business – I post new recipes on my facebook page). I’m a knitting addict and I love to draw (I’m participating in the Sketchbook Project – wish me luck!) I love spending time with my beautiful daughter and new granddaughter. I love singing (I used to sing with my brother and still sing with my sister, Rita, sometimes) and dancing and concocting schemes and ridiculous adventures. Zombies are also awesome. And I love movies. I’d like to make my own small movies some day, or at least, have some of my books adapted to film. That would be so exciting.

7. What’s next?!

That is a very good question… :)

…I’m poking at a few ideas for my next teen novel. This is all part of the process for me, and sooner or later a character or storyline will step forward and demand my attention. But I can say that I’m leaning toward something spooky.I’m also currently editing the sequel to The Odds Get Even, so that will occupy my attention over the next month or so.

Thank you so much for this lovely interview and I’m thrilled that you enjoyed Gravity!

p.s. I just learned that Gravity has been nominated for the White Pine Award. Yay!

Now, my question for you and your followers: What brings you down?? ;)

If you would like to learn more about Natale and her books you can visit her personal website, like her on Facebook or follow her on Twitter! As well, if you would like to know how I (Christie) felt about Gravity Brings Me Down you can check out the review here.

GRAVITY GIVEAWAY!

We will be giving away 2 copies of Gravity Brings Me Down to 2 lucky winners! This contest is open to Canadian and US residents. (Sorry International friends! Next time!) This contest will be open until November 30, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST. To enter the giveaway please complete this FORM. Winners will be chosen on December 1st, 2010 using Random.org. Since Natale wants to know what brings you down, we thought that it would be fitting for you to let us know those answers while signing up for the giveaway!