Ypulse Books Interview: Aimee Friedman, Author Of 'The Year My Sister Got Lucky'
Posted by alli on 02-29-2008
The Year My Sister Got Lucky
After I finished, The Year My Sister Got Lucky I called my sister and told her about it. I said. "I love it, It takes place in a town just like Cape Elizabeth (where we grew up) and it's told from the younger sister's point of view. (I'm the younger sister.) I can totally relate." After a pause she goes, "It's funny. I never gave being the younger sister one single thought. When you're the oldest you just don't. Younger sisters tend to think about their older sisters all the time: how they compare, what they think, how they're different." I thought that was interesting. I'm not sure if it's all together true, but I do think the relationships we have with our siblings can be hella powerful.
Update: The giveaway is now closed — we received our third comment via email. Ypulse readers, we want to hear about your relationship with your sibling(s). Tell us about the nicest (or meanest) thing your sister or brother ever did for/to you? And if you were in only child, did you long for a sibling? Why or why not? The first three commenters will receive a free copy of The Year My Sister Got Lucky.
We were able to talk to author Aimee Friedman about The Year My Sister Got Lucky and to hear some of her insight about sisterhood.
YPulse Books: When did you start writing, and specifically when did you decide you wanted to write for young adults?
Aimee Friedman: Probably around the age of six or so, I started out writing short stories about girls and their lives, their friendships, their struggles in school — stories that grew longer and longer and blossomed into novels as I grew older. Back at my parents' house, I have a whole drawer full of notebooks filled with these handwritten novels. Throughout elementary and middle school, I adored writing more than anything in the world. In high school and college, I began to take writing even more seriously, began to think of it as a career and a craft. But I didn't consider writing young adult fiction until I began working as a children's book editor. I was acquiring and editing a lot of teen fiction, and that genre began to excite me and speak to me. Perhaps because, in some ways, the very first novels I wrote were "young adult novels." There is something about that time in one's life when everything gets heightened, more important. I was very inspired, so I ran from there! I want to try to write for all kinds of ages and genres, though…I think the whole fun of the creative process is taking risks and trying out new things.
YPB: You write about dance and ballet so knowledgeably and lovingly. Do you have any experience as a dancer?
AF: I studied ballet intensely for 10 years — from age four to 14. It was my life! Though my ballet school was in Queens, not Manhattan, I modeled the dance school in The Year My Sister Got Lucky heavily on my old dance school, right down to the international teachers and the leotard-uniforms. Also, my older sister, much like Michaela, was the star of the school; everyone wanted her to become a professional dancer. I think I realized at a young age that while I was a fairly good ballerina, I wasn't as talented as my sister. This was difficult to come to terms with, and a lot of The Year My Sister Got Lucky deals with this struggle. But I will say that when I was put on pointe, that's when I realized ballet actually wasn't my passion. I found pointe so painful…I'm still in awe of dancers who can pull that off so flawlessly. I took mostly modern dance (which is amazing) throughout college, but now, seven years after college, I don't have much time to take dance classes, and I am totally out of shape as a result!
YPB: A clear theme in The Year My Sister Got Lucky is sisterhood. What do you think is the biggest challenge for sisters and what is the greatest reward?
AF: I am very close to my older sister, and like most sisters, I think, we have a complicated and interesting relationship — she is my best friend, but she is also the person who can drive me more crazy than anyone; and vice-versa. I think being a sister is hard in some ways because you have this person, this other girl, in your life who knows you better than anyone, who has seen you at your absolute worst, and knows all your flaws…and what pushes your buttons! I oftentimes find that there's no censor with my sister; if I'm a little annoyed at one of my friends, I'll tend to hold my tongue, but with my sister, I'll let loose. I think this happens because there's this constant trust, this closeness. And that's, in the end, what's most rewarding. That there IS another person in your life who knows all about you, knows where you come from, and loves you all the same. I don't have a brother, but I know from friends that the sister-brother dynamic is a little bit different. There's something special and very unique about a bond between women, I think.
YPB: Emmaline was interesting to me. She seemed like sort of a misfit in Fir Lake. How and why did she develop as a character?
AF: I knew early on in writing the book that I wanted to create a "supporting" character who was a bit of a mystery. I wanted to create a full sense of Fir Lake, to populate it with different and vivid people, and I especially liked the notion of Katie being drawn to an older figure, someone she could invent stories about. Emmaline is kind of an outsider, so of course Katie feels bonded to her. And she also brings out some of what gets Katie in trouble–her penchant to dramatize things and assume she knows what's best for everyone. Emmaline was a lot of fun to create. I wish she were my yoga teacher!
YPB: Katia's older sister, Michaela loses her virginity while a senior in Fir Lake, were you worried that that part of the story might be controversial? If so why?
AF: I think that, for better or worse, sex is a big part of teens' life right now — whether they are having it, not having it, have friends who are having it, or just discussing it, it's out there, and it shouldn't be ignored. I decided it was important, in the book, for Michaela to sleep with her boyfriend so as to mark a really huge and crucial separation between her and Katie. For Katie, sex is almost like something that happens on another planet…it's completely not in the realm of her world yet. And for her sister to go off to that realm feels, in some ways, like the ultimate betrayal. It means her sister has grown up. But I also didn't want the fact of Michaela's losing her virginity to feel gratuitous. I wanted to make sure it was handled in a subtle way, and I hope readers will feel that I managed to get that across.
YPB: A lot of young adult literature is about not-belonging. I really liked how as a reader there was the expectation that the girls would struggle to be accepted in their new community, but actually folks in Fir Lake were quite welcoming. It was Katia that was somewhat closed to the idea of new people. Why did you decide to surprise us in that way?
AF: I based Fir Lake on Lake Placid, a beautiful town in upstate New York where I would spend summers with my family when I was growing up. The citizens of Lake Placid were always extremely friendly, warm, and welcoming. In New York City, people tend to be a little bit closed off, a little bit suspicious — Katie definitely has some of these traits. But I often found that outside of New York, people seem more willing to chat, more willing to share an anecdote or advice with a stranger. It's a very refreshing trait, and I'm glad that that element spoke to you in the story!
YPB: Transformation is also a central theme in The Year My Sister Got Lucky. What advice would you give young people that want to change their lives?
AF: Change is scary — I think a lot of people fight change, even if they know that it might be a good thing in the end. I myself am very resistant to change, just like Katie. But change and transformation is a basic part of life, and a huge part of growing up. It takes a lot of courage to accept change, and to try and deliberately change things in your life. In order to make changes to your life, it's a good idea to start small. Every little step counts. For instance, if you want to change up or add to your group of friends, join a new after-school club or activity. And always remember to keep an open mind! It's all about attitude. Katie is a great example of this; she is so closed-off to someone like Autumn at first, but as soon as she begins to change her mindset, she discovers a wonderful new friend. Take chances! Be willing to accept people who may be different from you. It's all part of the adventure…
My next book, which should be out in the summer of 2009, is also about transformation, among many other things…it's a summer love story set on an island, and it has a touch of magic! Magic is all about change, and so, of course is love.
YPB: Cool. I'm looking forward to it. Thanks Aimee.
February 29th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
As the younger sibling, I too have thought about my older sister constantly growing up. And I think the nicest thing she's ever done for me she did and continues to do unintentionally. She's always leading the way, setting a great example. I benefited from this tremendously through school especially. It was like she made good of our family name…when I had her teachers in high school they already had good (albeit high) expectations of me. She's been more than a role model. Thanks sis!
February 29th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
I am the oldest of three girls… we are all now in our mid to late 30s and we still do a lot of mean and nice things to each other, mostly mean. Right now we all have facebook accounts and we're having fun writing rude comments on each other's "fun walls."
I think the meanest thing my sister Lisa ever did to me was put a bag of dog crap in my bed when I was in junior high. I’m sure it was retaliation for something I did to her, probably borrow her clothes without asking or something like that. I’ll never forget that “gesture” – so nasty!