1. Where did the idea come from for the book?
Actually, Emlyn Chand originally contacted me about doing a collaboration. She had a loose idea for a book which we since scrapped where we would write alternating chapters. I sat down and wrote out Chelle and Mr. Harris’ first time together as an exercise, but when we decided not to do that project I couldn’t let her go and so White Chalk was born.
2. What genre does your book fall under?
Literary Fiction through and through. Some people seem to want to label it as YA but it isn’t. It certainly centers around a 13/14 year old girl going through coming of age experiences, but YA implies a PG-13 rating to me and White Chalk is decidedly NOT that.
3. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Chelle Whitney: Hailee Steinfeld
Troy Christiansen: Nico Mirallegro
Xiu Pierce: Crystal Liu Yi Fei
Mr. Harris: Eric Stonestreet
Cat: Carey Mulligan
4. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? Chelle Whitney is desperate for someone to save her.
5. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
White Chalk was published by Evolved Publishing
6. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
It took six months to write White Chalk and another five to edit.
7. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? -
She’s Come Undone by Wally Lamb - Lolita by Vladamir Nabokov - Gemma by Meg Tilly - White Orleander by Janet Fitch - Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
8. Who or What inspired you to write this book?
White Chalk is the story of all the girls and children whose stories aren’t told. Who aren’t abused “enough” to garnish national attention, for all the lives lost or ruined because the adults responsible for their care either weren’t paying attention or abused the power they were entrusted with. White Chalk is not my story. But it could have been. It could have been yours. It might be the person sitting next to you on the bus tomorrow.
9. What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
This story was in the news this week. For anyone who thinks Chelle’s story doesn’t happen or isn’t believeable, read this and tell me you aren’t outraged: Montana Judge apologize
Evolved Publishing presents an intimate glance inside teenage angst and confusion, and one talented but troubled girl's attempt to make sense of life, in the coming-of-age tale, "White Chalk," by award-winning author Pavarti K. Tyler. [Literary, New Adult, Women's Fiction]
Chelle isn’t a typical 13-year-old girl—she doesn’t laugh with friends, play sports, or hang out at the mall after school. Instead, she navigates a world well beyond her years.
Life in Dawson, ND spins on as she grasps at people, pleading for someone to save her—to return her to the simple childhood of unicorns on her bedroom wall and stories on her father’s knee.
When Troy Christiansen walks into her life, Chelle is desperate to believe his arrival will be her salvation. So much so, she forgets to save herself. After experiencing a tragedy at school, her world begins to crack, causing a deeper scar in her already fragile psyche.
Follow Chelle’s twisted tale of modern adolescence, as she travels down the rabbit hole into a reality none of us wants to admit actually exists.
Chelle isn’t a typical 13-year-old girl—she doesn’t laugh with friends, play sports, or hang out at the mall after school. Instead, she navigates a world well beyond her years.
Life in Dawson, ND spins on as she grasps at people, pleading for someone to save her—to return her to the simple childhood of unicorns on her bedroom wall and stories on her father’s knee.
When Troy Christiansen walks into her life, Chelle is desperate to believe his arrival will be her salvation. So much so, she forgets to save herself. After experiencing a tragedy at school, her world begins to crack, causing a deeper scar in her already fragile psyche.
Follow Chelle’s twisted tale of modern adolescence, as she travels down the rabbit hole into a reality none of us wants to admit actually exists.
EDITORIAL REVIEW:
"There is nothing improbable about 'White Chalk,' a story of a teenager whose family was down on its luck before the recession hit and whose ability to pay attention to their daughter is as meager as their finances. Chelle, smarter, prettier, quicker witted, and more engaging than she has a clue, is alone in a world stacked against her. Her solution is to change herself to find love, or at least diminish her loneliness, as she says, “I reflected back the light shining on me, empty but for the image of another.” We root for Chelle in spite of her bad choices, and bad luck rapidly turning pages so eager for her to solve her problems.
"Pavarti K. Tyler has taken a brave position; this gripping novel breaks every rule and escapes customary boundaries. It is genre-less and difficult to pigeonhole. Is it a coming of age story? Young adult? New spin on crazy teenage romance? Psychological horror? Cautionary tale? No label, other than literary fiction, exactly fits. Yet Tyler’s eye for what happens to many of our teenagers, and the psychological burdens of growing up too fast, too ignored, too alone, too poor are spot on and insightful." ~ Ann Pearlman, Pulitzer Prize Nominee and Author of "The Christmas Cookie Club."
EDITORIAL REVIEW:
"Tyler combines shades of 'Lolita' and 'Catcher in the Rye' in a completely new way, drawing you in with poignant characterizations. 'White Chalk' goes deep into teenage angst with understanding and clarity. Savor, share, and use this poignant book as a primer on the brutal effects of abuse, neglect, and self-esteem." ~ Rachel Thompson, Award-Winning Author of "Broken Pieces"
"There is nothing improbable about 'White Chalk,' a story of a teenager whose family was down on its luck before the recession hit and whose ability to pay attention to their daughter is as meager as their finances. Chelle, smarter, prettier, quicker witted, and more engaging than she has a clue, is alone in a world stacked against her. Her solution is to change herself to find love, or at least diminish her loneliness, as she says, “I reflected back the light shining on me, empty but for the image of another.” We root for Chelle in spite of her bad choices, and bad luck rapidly turning pages so eager for her to solve her problems.
"Pavarti K. Tyler has taken a brave position; this gripping novel breaks every rule and escapes customary boundaries. It is genre-less and difficult to pigeonhole. Is it a coming of age story? Young adult? New spin on crazy teenage romance? Psychological horror? Cautionary tale? No label, other than literary fiction, exactly fits. Yet Tyler’s eye for what happens to many of our teenagers, and the psychological burdens of growing up too fast, too ignored, too alone, too poor are spot on and insightful." ~ Ann Pearlman, Pulitzer Prize Nominee and Author of "The Christmas Cookie Club."
EDITORIAL REVIEW:
"Tyler combines shades of 'Lolita' and 'Catcher in the Rye' in a completely new way, drawing you in with poignant characterizations. 'White Chalk' goes deep into teenage angst with understanding and clarity. Savor, share, and use this poignant book as a primer on the brutal effects of abuse, neglect, and self-esteem." ~ Rachel Thompson, Award-Winning Author of "Broken Pieces"
About this author
To add on your TBR list: Goodreads
Buy link: Amazon
I am a huge fan of Pavarti K Tyler's Two Moons Over Sera Series and now I am most curious about White Chalk !
ReplyDeleteMe too, would love to read the book as well. Thanks for stopping by.
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