I’m so happy to be able to bring to you an interview with McKenna Reubush, author of Enter a Glossy Web. She was a fantastic guest and has released her debut novel recently, a beautiful and interesting children’s book. You can find her on her website or on twitter (@McKennaRuebush).
Watch my review of Enter a Glossy Web:
So let’s start with the basics. Can you give a quick summary of Enter a Glossy Web?
Oh that’s actually a hard one, I’ve always had trouble with being brief as I’m somewhat relentlessly thorough.
Enter a Glossy Web is about three kids who come together when they most need each other, and then set out to save the worlds, as there‘s nobody else but them to do it.
The story follows George, a girl who’s moved in with her aunt and uncle. Is George based on anyone in particular?
Not at all. George developed independently of any external influences I think. I can’t say the same about other characters, like Nero, who is partially based on my cats.
No, that’s not correct exactly. She developed independently of any living external influences, but she was of course influenced strongly by other books I’ve read I’m sure. I’ve never personally known anyone like George, but she’s probably a conglomeration of different traits that I’ve admired in other characters.
What authors do you consider influential to your reading and writing life?
Piers Anthony was one of the first fantasy authors I read, and as a result I’ve developed a weakness for puns.
That’s a difficult question because whereas certain authors inspire me greatly, such as J. R. R. Tolkien, William Goldman, Patrick Rothfuss, and so on, I can’t say that I am anywhere near that level of creativity and writing.
Though I suppose they count, as they do influence and inspire me.
Do you mind telling me more about Nero and your cats?
Snoot wearing a mischievous smile.
When I first began truly developing Nero as a character and a person, rather than a catch-all villain, I remember writing a note down about the behavior of my cats and how it might apply to Nero.
“A character who does something just to see how it turns out, just to see if the same awful thing happens every time.”
Which is how my cat, Snoot, operates in general.
So Nero was inspired partially by my cats in that he has a truly scholarly and curious purpose behind some of his misdeeds. There’s actually a scene near the beginning of Enter a Glossy Web where Nero knocks some things over just to see them fall, which is a direct homage to Snoot.
Ha! That’s really funny
I think one of the really interesting things is that Nero should in theory be a good guy. He’s fundamentally a Judge. But you go into giving more complexity to that role. Were you doing this on purpose? How did you imagine that playing with kids?
Nero is a person who has been influenced by his past and the things that have happened to him, often due to his own decisions. Nero has been good in the past, and part of him is still good, I’m sure, as few people (I hope) are ever 100% truly evil. Having a character like that was important to me because any of us at any time could be a single decision away from being somebody else’s villain. I think kids know that. Being on the playground someone can be your best friend one day, and the next day they can be your worst bully. Sometimes you can be the best friend/worst bully combination. It all depends on how you decide to proceed.
I really loved George’s friends in the story, especially Caleb and Mikal. The three of them all work together to make one another stronger and do it very consciously. Did you mean to target this? and what kind of “weaknesses” did you want to draw on?
I wanted them to be a team, and I wanted each of them to be important and to bring something unique to the group. I think the main “weakness”, the one that all three experience, is fearfulness. George is afraid of messing up, of the consequences of messing up; Caleb is afraid of not being loved; Mikal is afraid of most things. Of course, fear isn’t a weakness, but it’s dangerous to let fear make your decisions for you.
How old were you when you started to write?
The answer I always give is eleven. I have a bad memory, but I think that’s about right as it was in between living with my father in Illinois and my mother in California.
My grandmother told me I was writing stories as young as four, but I have no memory of that.
So eleven is the safe and most honest answer in my opinion.
I told you I was ridiculously thorough!
This is your debut novel, though. But you’re contracted for more. How many books are planned? And are you using the same artist for the next book?
Only one more book is planned to follow Enter a Glossy Web. As far as I know we are using Jaime Zollars again. I absolutely love what she did with Enter a Glossy Web, and can’t wait to see what she does with the next book.
I’m so excite for the sequel. I’m glad that Zollars will be working with it again. It must have been so exciting.
It was incredible. I think I actually cried when I saw the first mock-ups. I don’t have kids, but seeing that first picture of George, in black and white, was like seeing my own children for the first time. I had been working with these characters for almost fifteen years, and had never seen them.
Oh, and the way Jaime imagined George was more perfect than I could have dreamed. She took everything that had been happening in my head and made it real and better. She’s amazing.
Where are you in the process of book 2?
I’m about 1/3rd of the way through the first draft. I should be finished with the first draft in about three months, and then we’ll move on to revisions.
Awesome! So, the last thing I always ask is what you’re reading at the moment.
I’m currently in the middle of The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch, and about to start The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett, though my inner perfectionist is insisting I start properly at the beginning of DiscWorld with The Colour of Magic.
lowteabooks.com 