Book: Dream Factory
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
website:www.bradheather.com
Author: Heather Hepler and Brad Barkley
1. What inspired you to write Dream Factory?
Heather:
Dream Factory grew out of my sister's trip to Disney World with her three children. My sister is the ultimate planner. She had tickets for her daughter to go to the Princess Breakfast and for her son for the Chip and Dale Campfire. She had tickets for her husband and herself to see Circe de Soleil and to eat at some five star restaurant and get a seaweed facial. ( not at the same time). She had it all planned out then on the first day, all three kids got sick. She ended up spending more time in the Disney World hospital than in the park. The idea that the greatest place on Earth could suddenly and without warning turn into the most vomiting place on Earth made me consider the idea of happily ever after a bit more seriously.
Brad:
I wanted to write about the difference in what you mean your life to be and how it turns out, at the point that it starts taking shape. What makes it take shape? How do you resist that? And the idea made me laugh that you might have to play one of the lesser characters at Disney...while everyone is running around trying to snap photos with Cinderella and Buzz Lightyear, you're stuck being someone no one ever heard of, somebody from a cartoon from 1940 or something. I just pictured all these Disney characters sitting around, maybe drinking coffee, playing Solitaire, waiting for something to happen.
2. Do you have a personal connection to the story?
Heather:
The first answer is the answer above, but the second answer is much more personal. The only time I've ever been to Disney World was when I was five and my sister was three (in the first chapter the two crying girls are us...). It was a great trip, but ultimately is memorable because just a short time after we returned our parents announced that they were getting a divorce. These two events are forever linked in my mind.
Brad:
I think I was one of those people who didn't exactly follow the path I was expected to take. It's a weird thing to decide at 20-something that you're going to be a writer. There aren't a lot of ads in the paper looking for fiction writers, so you have to pretty much make your own path.
3. We'd love to know the meaning behind the book's dedication.
Heather:
I dedicated the book first to my sister, Terry. She continues to inspire me every day and she is probably my best friend in the world. I also dedicated it to my parents. They never stop amazing me with their patience with their crazy daughter (me, not my sister!).
Brad:
I dedicated the book to my two kids, Lucas and Alex. If you think about the paths you life takes, well, they are the best thing I ever did. They probably roll their eyes a little bit at the dedication, but if you can't embarass your kids on occasion, what's the fun in being a parent?
4. Who is your favorite author and why?
Heather:
Well, I'll say Brad because he is not only a great author but has the patience of Job. He hasn't killed me yet and I know I've been excruciating at times to work with.
Brad:
Usually whoever I'm reading at the moment. I also like writers who do stuff that I feel like I could never do, and I just sit back and admire them. And yes, Heather has taught me a lot about writing too, even though I've been at this for awhile.
5. Have the four books you've written also had a connection to your own life?
Heather:
Yes all of them have a bit of me in them and much to their chagrin -- a bit of everyone I know in them.
Brad:
I've written eight books, four for YA's and four for adults (OA's?). Lots of short stories. And I'm not sure about events, but I do see pieces of myself in every character I've ever created, some more than others. Even the bad guys (Heather is probably saying "Mostly the bad guys.")
6. If you could pick out anyone to read and comment on your book, whom would you pick and why?
Heather:
Sonya Sones. She is an amazing author. How she manages to pack all that she does into such spare writing, I'll never know.
Brad:
Well, I guess I will pick the obvious answer and say Oprah, so that then I could make a bazillion dollars, quit some of the teaching I do, and just write fulltime. That would be heaven.
7. If you could give your reader's a single thought to take away from reading Dream Factory, what would it be?
Heather:
Just the inspiration to let go and really love someone without worrying about all the details.
Brad:
The idea that they don't have to spend their lives doing what they are "supposed" to do, that they can choose their own paths.; That's especially true when it comes to love....if you find the real thing, you should embrace it and keep it close, no matter how unlikely it seems.
8. What is your favorite part of the book?
Heather:
Definitely when Luke and Ella go into Cinderella's castle. What could be more romantic?
Brad:
I like when Luke and Ella are first out on the scavenger hunt, just getting to know each other, laughing together, and every moment feels like electricity.
9. Where can you buy Dream Factory?
Amazon, Barnes and Noble, a million independent bookstores. The independents are great, and I can't praise them enough.
10. Have you received any special comments back from any of your readers and can you share them with us?
Heather:
From a friend...
It's 10:00 on Tuesday night and I haven't made my kids' lunches for school tomorrow and the dinner dishes are still in the sink. My clothes aren't laid out for me to go walking at 5:30 tomorrow morning. Why, you ask?
Because I just spent a delightful 2 hours reading Dream Factory! You and Brad have done it again -- given us another story with wonderful characters trying to figure out what comes next. Ella and Luke's relationship was so tender, so lovely. What a treat!
Brad:
"Why are your characters so....random?" It made me laugh, and it's true, I hope. Our characters are just as random and weird and quirky and maddening and odd as all the real people you know in life.
11. Would you mind telling our readers a little bit more about yourself?
Heather:
Hmmm. I love chocolate chip cookies and yoga and rain. I love playing pirates and princesses with my son and niece and nephews and making glow in the dark slime and volcanoes. I love Halloween and autumn and the beach. I decided to become a vegetarian and give up television all in the same month about a year ago. I decided to go vegan last month, but I'm not sure if it will stick. I miss yogurt and soy yogurt is pretty nasty. Wait this is starting to sound like a personal ad. I guess I am just interested in a lot of different things.
Brad:
I grew up in North Carolina and was obsessed with soccer for many years. I love old cool cars (I have owned a few) and the beach. I like to cook and take walks. I have been studying Brazilian jiu jitsu for a year now. I like rainstorms and cheesecake and long meandering drives in the car. In fact, I like to get lost in the car, and just see what turns up in my path. I like TV (reality shows are good), spending time with my kids, and just hanging out, drinking coffee and talking. She's right, this does sound like a personal ad. Should I mention pina coladas here? Too cliche?
12. Your book is listed as Young Adult novel, but it has a theme that seems appropriate for adults as well. Is that true?
Heather:
It's not just for teenagers. All the time I hear from people that they'd like to buy my books, but they don't know any teenagers. Young Adult books are so wonderful for any age. They make you remember you own teen age years. They take away the cynicism that can creep into our lives. They still believe in love at first sight and fun and exploring life. I tell my friends that I can't write adult novels until I become an adult. :)
Brad:
Think about reading it out loud with someone. It's a great book for that, since it has the two voices, and people forget what they know instinctively as kids....it's fun to read out loud to each other, leaning over the book together on the couch, pressed together. And it's a funny book...enjoy it.
13. Our readers love to hear success stories. Would you share your road from inception to publication?
Heather:
It's hard to talk about my success because I have been so blessed. First with a great co-author, then with a great agent, and then with a wonderful editor. Our first novel, Scrambled Eggs at Midnight, was purchased so quickly after we sent it out... from concept to writing to sale, it only took three months. (I KNOW!)
Brad:
Yes, things have happened quickly for us since we started writing together. The books happen blindingly fast, the writing of them. Our agent was my agent for my adult work, and he had to teach himself the YA market, which he did quickly, and then it sold quickly. I don't know what everyone's hurry is, but it's cool watching things happen so fast. Heather and I have been writing together for two years, and already completed four books.
14. Do you have a daily writing schedule or goal? Thank you for discussing a little about your own writing routine.
Heather:
I don't. I'm just not that disciplined. I'm more of a surge writer. Brad is always teasing me about "busting out another chapter..." I tend to write fast and furiously for a few hours and then not at all for a few days. I wish I had the discipline that Brad does. He writes every day.
Brad:
I don't really write every day. I just tell Heather that to guilt her out and also impress her with my fierce dedication. I write a lot, because the process of it makes me happy. There aren't many other things I prefer. I write at my desk, at the computer, with coffee and music on. It's a good way to spend the afternoon.
