Fiction of the Week for August 10: The Mitochondrial Curiosities of Marcels 1 to 19

Okay, here's a book you don't want to miss. The Mitochondrial Curiosities will not only knock your socks off, it'll teach you how to make a "forgiving sock creature" named Marcel in the process...

Dree has trouble with biology (and other subjects), her family, and Edmonton in general. She’s dying to move to Toronto, where she belongs, where the Renegade Craft Fair is taking place, and where, finally, her crafts will be appreciated. Escape is eminent: on her fifteenth birthday, she will get the special fund her father promised and she’ll take take off. But instead, her father has a fatal heart attack, and all she finds are clues leading to the ominous Alberta Psychiatric Hospital where her parents once worked. As Dree tries to unearth a mystery, and still pass science, she keeps searching for the money, and for a way to grieve her father.

Dree's voice will hook you from the start. She's creative, full of attitude, and laugh-out-loud funny. If you're not already sold on the sass, scandal and mystery of this book (and the inclusion of quirky craft projects throughout), my conversation with Jocelyn Brown, the book's author, should seal the deal...

Lisa (L): Crafts feature prominently in the Mitochondrial Curiosities. Did they come first or did they evolve from Dree's character? Do you consider yourself crafty? Can you recommend some good craft books?

Jocelyn (J): I imagined Dree as crafty from the start. She's a hopeful cynic--and crafts let her generate that hope along with interesting stuff. The specific crafts didn't emerge until the last draft, and including them in the book gave me a way of adding new character bits about Dree.

I do have my own craft leanings especially all things paper (except for origami as I'm not a terribly precise sort of person). I love making books and heartily recommend this to all new writers as a way to experiment with words and form. There's no need to buy expensive paper--check out CBBAG and links for a sense of what's possible.

Craft books make excellent bedtime reading, and my faves are: D.I.Y. Design it Yourself (edited by Ellen Lupton); ReadyMade by Berger/Hawthorne; and The Starving Artist's Way by Nava Lubelski. Also essential, although not exactly a craft book, is A Beginner's Guide to Constructing the Universe by Michael Schneider.

L: Dree's voice is original and refreshing. What or who was your inspiration? Can you share some of your reading interests and influences?

J: Dree's voice took a while to get. In fact, I first wrote the book in third person and was so fed up by the third draft that I almost ditched the whole thing. It was done, but it didn't feel right. I went to see a friend in the country, sat on top of her rusted-out truck to look over the canola fields (think endless yellow), and said, "Okay, Dree, I don't know what to do with you." And in my imagination, the response was, "FGS, let me talk for myself."

I was influenced by Kathleen Jeffrie Johnson--in particular by Parallel Universe of Liars. Johnson is a gutsy, go-for-broke kind of writer, and her book helped me get the tone for Mitochondrial. In terms of general reading interests, I always have a few things on the go. At the moment, they are My Last Sigh, the autobiography of Luis Buñuel, (Spanish film director), My Winnipeg by Guy Maddin, and a mystery set in Toronto which is fabulous but I can't remember the name and left it at work. The Bunuel book might sound boring, but even if you're not interested in the Spanish Civil War, Dali and Surrealism, or movies, and I'm not suggesting you should be, it's worth reading to learn about what makes a voice compelling. And the Maddin book is a beauty for all kinds of reasons including being actually beautiful.

L: Congratulations on (and thank you for) convincing Coach House Books to publish their first official YA novel! Other than by writing one damn fine book, how did you do this?

J: Why thank you. It was a right place, right time kind of thing--I was very lucky. Coach House had been thinking of trying YA, and I asked Alana to give me some feedback on Mitochondrial. She read it and offered to publish. It had big problems at that point, but she had great patience and faith.

L: What advice would you offer a teen who's interested in writing?

Well, I've written and erased several things here. When people truly love to write--truly delight in the magical properties of language--they write. Characters ask to come into being, stories demand to be written. The trick is to tap into a creative source that's bigger than yourself. Otherwise, you'll get all angst-ridden and neurotic and blocked. Watch the Ted.com piece by the Eat, Pray, Love writer. Her writing isn't my thing, but I like what she says about being a writer.

Oh, here's some practical advice. NEVER give writing to family members for review.

L: Thanks for these amazing answers to my questions, Joceyln! Dree a hopeful cynic--yes indeed. Your book recommendations rock (I've placed holds), and your advice is extremely thoughtful. Thanks for sharing your current reads (the Buñuel autobiography sounds interesting, and I'm a big fan of Guy Maddin's films, especially Careful). Please share the name of the fabulous mystery you're reading when it's in your hands again.:)

Jocelyn will be checking in with the blog, so feel free to post additional questions or comments for her.

Lisa coordinates the selection of materials for youth at TPL. She reads (and knits) as much as her 2-year-old will allow.

Comments

[Hamdi]

"The Mitochndrial Curiosities" sounds like a greta book to read based on the summary. Dree story sounds like a mixture of sadness (father's heart attack),confusion (in trouble with subjects,) and i guess Dree wants to get out of the mess, follow her dreams and come to toronto! The interview was very down-to-earth and great which helped me understand the book more and understand Dree's character.The author had a funny way of creating Dree's attiude but i love it (voice in her head).Thanks for the great advice, the book recomeddations were great coming from an author like you i think i might want to check out Parallel Universe of Liars! Great interview lisa and good luck on your next book Jocelyn!

[Tasfia]

WOW! this book sounds REALLY good!!!
i would looove to read it!! hey, i like crafts, too!
the conversation between Lisa and Jocelyn really inspired me to contionue writing my book!!! :D Thanx!!!!
just one question: why shouldn't i give my writing to my family members for review????

[princess]

I absolutely love crafts! I love to knit and crochet and make bead bracelets and all that other fun stuff!

[Ryan]

i recommend this book to everybody! it was so intriguing, i couldnt put it down!

[Julie]

Once in a while, you stumble upon the most intriguing, unique and quirky stories like this one. Can't wait to get my hands on it. Plus, it's really great that we can hear from amazing authors like Jocelyn who are willing to take the time to feed the curiosity of teenage readers like us!

[K]

Never give writing to family members to view...that's so true!
I'm going to try this book for sure...I really like the cover.

[Shell]

OOooOOoohhhh this looks really good. cant wait

[Anusan]

Cool book, I liked the description so I am interested in reading this book.

[Jenny Chau]

wow!! this book is really intresting to read
maybe i will try to read it someday

[Sara]

cool, sounds like a good book! i would like to win it! lol

[Sid]

Looks like a book you wouldnt wanna put down and interesting cover!

[kelly]

ohhh, i love this book! looks mysterious too!

[ib_girl]

cover = perfait
title = mystry
book = irresistible
me = wanna win it! ;)

[Ruby]

Looks cool to me!

[Ruby]

I really want to read it!

[Lizzy]

I'm going to put a hold on this book for sure!

[Dasiy]

I love the cover page and the title too!

[Cindy]

Why don't you guys try reading "Identical"? It's a great book!

[Ruby]

I really hope that I get this book soon!

[Jack]

Sounds like an interesting book..it's on my reading list..

[Tasfia]

umm, how do u win this book? is it a draw, too??
no complains! ;)

[Alan H.]

@Tasfia: I'll draw the winners next Monday from the commenters in this thread. It's less complicated than the other prizes because lisalibrarian told me a few days before her post that she had some extra copies we could give out. :)

[Jenny Chau]

ohhh.... that book is really intresting to read, i cant wait to read it

[Jenny Chau]

plus, the cover looks intresting as well

[krisha]

this book really looks goood. I am going read it for sure lol!!!