Judy Blume

BIO

As the author of such young adult classics as ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT'S ME, MARGARET, TALES OF A FOURTH GRADE NOTHING, THEN AGAIN, MAYBE I WON'T, and BLUBBER, Judy Blume is beloved by millions for her insightful and realistic fiction --- covering topics for young readers and adults.

Blume has written over twenty-one books. More than 65 million copies of her books have been sold, and her work has been translated into twenty languages. She has won more than ninety awards, including the "Children's Choice" in thirty states, as well as in Australia, England, and Germany. She is the 1996 recipient of the American Library Association's Margaret A. Edwards award for lifetime achievement.

Judy Blume is a contributor to the Index on Censorship. She is the editor of PLACES I NEVER MEANT TO BE: Original Stories by Censored Writers. She is also a founder and trustee of the Kids Fund, a charitable and educational foundation. She serves on the Council of the Authors Guild and is an active spokesperson for the National Coalition against Censorship.

Censorship is an issue close to Blume's heart. When she first began writing more than twenty years ago, she says, she "had to write the most honest books I could. It never occurred to me, at the time, that what I was writing was controversial." In 1980, "the censors crawled out of the woodwork. Not only would they decide what their children could read, but what all children could read." Many of Blume's books were challenged by school and library censors.

INTERVIEW

Beloved author Judy Blume, the author of twenty-two books including the children's classic ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT'S ME, MARGARET visited THE BOOK REPORT on May 26 at 8 PM ET to discuss her new book for adults, SUMMER SISTERS. Aimed at the 20- and 30-somethings who loved her young adult books in junior high, SUMMER SISTERS is the story of two best friends from their childhood friendship through their adult years. Our interviewers were Carol Fitzgerald (BookpgCF) and Karen Reinhart. BookpgXena was our host.

BookpgXena: Hello, Carol and Ms. Blume. Good evening!

Judy Blume: Hi everybody.  

Bookpg CF:  Who was the inspiration for your characters for Caitlin and Vix in SUMMER SISTERS?

Judy Blume: That's not an easy question to answer. Caitlin and Vix are my good girl/bad girl sides.  We all have them.

Bookpg CF:  In the book's dedication, you make mention of your own summer sister. What did she think of the book?

Judy Blume: My own summer sister was my best friend from 7th grade. We never summered together, and this book is not autobiographical. It is not the story of our relationship though since the book has come out, people have been approaching my friend asking her about specific incidents in the book asking things like, "Did you and Judy really take baths together?" You can read more about this story at www.summersisters.com.

Question: Do you have children?  If so, what kind of impact did your books have on them?

Judy Blume: Yes, I have grown children and you would have to ask them that question, not me.

Bookpg CF:  Let's talk about the intensity of the friendship between Caitlin and Vix.  Is this the real love affair in the book?

Judy Blume: I think it's a friendship more intense and long lasting than many love affairs.

Bookpg CF:  How long did it take you to write this book?

Judy Blume: I don't remember.  Two and a half, maybe three years.  And 22 drafts.

Question: Who are some of YOUR favorite authors?

Judy Blume: I have many favorite writers and I am planning on reading all summer to catch up on all of them.

Question: When is your next Young Adult book coming out?

Judy Blume: You mean, when am I going to write my next book?  Actually, there is a book of banned authors that I am introducing and editing.  It will be out next spring.

Bookpg CF:  You've had an audience that grew up with you.  What are they going to find in SUMMER SISTERS?

Judy Blume: I hope they're going to find a good story and characters that they come away thinking about.  That's all I ever hope for.

Bookpg CF:  I read SUMMER SISTERS this weekend and could not put it down. I found myself looking at each of the characters and thinking about relationships with girlfriends in my own life.  When you meet your readers what do they say to you about how your writing affects them?

Judy Blume: They come to me not only in person, but also in great numbers on my website. When we meet in a store, we often cry.  It's the joy of writing something that really touches people.

Bookpg CF:  What is your favorite book that you have written?

Judy Blume: I have the standard answer to that --- like a mother about her children --- I have no favorites.  I have to say I usually am closest to the characters in the book I just finished which right now would be Caitlin and Vix.  But I consistently relate to Margaret and Sally Freedman. Sally is my most autobiographical character as she is closest to the child I was. Margaret brought me my first readers.

Bookpg CF:  Is SUMMER SISTERS in any way biographical?

Judy Blume: I would say "No," but every writer of fiction uses his or her own life --- our feelings and our emotions.  What's biographical is the setting -- Martha's Vineyard.  That's where I spent my summers.  It's where the idea first came from.

Bookpg CF: Do you think SUMMER SISTERS is inappropriate for younger people or teenagers?

Judy Blume: I think it's fine for older teenagers who are already reading adult fiction.

Question: How did it make you feel to know that school libraries were banning your books from the shelves because of their content?

Judy Blume: I always feel badly for the message that sends to the kids.

Question: I cannot wait to read this book!  Is this a book only sisters would understand?

Judy Blume: Absolutely not.  It has nothing to do with sisters -- it's about best friends.

Bookpg CF: Did you have a sister growing up?

Judy Blume: No, I have a brother.  And there are a LOT of brothers in SUMMER SISTERS.

Bookpg CF: How much longer are you going to be touring?

Judy Blume: Until June 15th.  The calendar of events and schedule is on my website www.judyblume.com.

Question: Where do you get your inspiration for your books?

Judy Blume: I wish I knew.  I’m just grateful when I get it.

Bookpg CF: Have you ever hit a writer's block?

Judy Blume: I don't believe in writer's block.

Question: Was childhood happy for Judy?

Judy Blume: Happy on the outside.  I had a lot of anxiety on the inside.

Bookpg CF:  Is that the reason you write so well about your character's
anxieties?

Judy Blume: I think you have boring characters if they don't have anxiety.  Maybe the word is angst.

Question: Your books brightened my childhood, and FUDGE is spectacular.  As you write for a new generation is there anything you keep in mind as you begin to write new novels?

Judy Blume: Again, it's to tell the best, most honest story I can.  I think the only thing to remember is that we don't change inside.  The world may change around us, but we don't change inside.

Question: Were you ever concerned that the content of your books (menstruation, masturbation, etc.) might not be received well by the more prudish members of literary society?

Judy Blume: No, I think it's best when you are writing not to think about how your work will be received.

Question: How did you come up with the idea to write ARE YOU THERE, GOD, IT'S ME MARGARET?

Judy Blume: Margaret was based on my own experiences in 6th grade.

Bookpg CF:  How long did you think about SUMMER SISTERS before you started writing it?

Judy Blume: The vague idea came to me in 1983 and I put it on the back burner, which is what I always do.  I didn't start it for 12 years, but it's always there simmering.

Bookpg CF:  Did you think about Caitlin and Vix in situations and how they
would be reacting?

Judy Blume: I can't really explain how it works.  You're sitting there and writing and then you read it and say, "How did I do that?"  When the writing is going well, you are totally unaware of it.  You are in some other place.

Question: What made you to decide to start writing books for adults?

Judy Blume: Well, I wrote my first book for adults 20 years ago.  I think it is because I was and am an adult.  The book was WIFEY.  I think it was --- and is ---because I am a grown woman and I wanted to deal with the experiences of a grown woman.  

Question: How long have you been writing books?

Judy Blume: Thirty years probably, but it feels like yesterday.

Question: I found SUMMER SISTERS to be very interesting -- a small departure from your other books.  For one thing, you didn't use New Jersey as a backdrop as before (Northern NJ in particular).  Why was that?

Judy Blume: I haven't lived in New Jersey for a long time and I've got a lot of other locations to explore.

Question: Any advice for a new writer?

Judy Blume: Don't let anybody discourage you!

Question: When are you appearing on the Rosie O'Donnell Show?

Judy Blume: I was bumped, unfortunately.

Question: I love your books, especially about the Hatchers.  Are they
autobiographical?

Judy Blume: Fudge is based on my son when he was a toddler.

Question: Who are some of the other authors you know or admire?

Judy Blume: Well, I've run into John Irving twice on this tour and I'm certainly a big fan of his, but I have many many writer friends.  I cherish those friendships.

Question: Are your proud of your books that were turned into sitcoms, like RAMONA and FUDGE?

Judy Blume: Well, I didn't write RAMONA --- I am a big fan of Beverly Clearly and she wrote RAMONA.  I am proud of the FUDGE books.

Bookpg CF: Do you have plans for another book in the future and if so, what will be the theme of this one?

Judy Blume: I wish I could write as fast as you can read.  I do have a couple of ideas --- they're my security blanket.

Bookpg CF: Are they children's books or adult books?

Judy Blume: I have a notebook full of notes for an adult book, a possible picture book, another book about Fudge and a book about Alison of JUST AS LONG AS WE'RE TOGETHER.  I hope I get to write all of them.

Question: What interests do you have besides writing?  Any hobbies?

Judy Blume: I love to kayak.  I get my best ideas when I'm out there on the pond.  I love reading.  I love movies.  I love theater.  I'm crazy about tap dancing.

Bookpg CF:  Can you see SUMMER SISTERS as a movie?

Judy Blume: Absolutely!  Yes, yes, yes!

Bookpg CF: Who plays Vix and who plays Caitlin?

Judy Blume: I haven't cast this movie yet...

Question: What do you think you would be doing with your life if you hadn't become a writer?

Judy Blume: Oh, I think I could've been satisfied with any creative work.

Question: Was there one person who was the inspiration for Sandy in WIFEY?  I love that book!  I love how you had her thinking the craziest stuff --- like staining the carpet with blood if she killed herself!

Judy Blume: Yes.  ME!

Bookpg CF: Judy, it was our pleasure to have you as our guest tonight. May you see many people reading SUMMER SISTERS on Martha's Vineyard this summer!

Judy Blume: I'd like that a lot!  Thank everybody for coming out tonight.

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