Ask the Author: Wendy Brant
Answered Questions (5)
Wendy Brant
Great question! Well ... at the time I started writing Zenn Diagram, my daughter was a freshman in high school and I watched her struggle with allowing herself to be vulnerable. It was hard for her to let other people see her weaknesses and struggles. And I wondered... what if you couldn't hide your vulnerabilities? What if someone could see them right from the start? And I think that's where the idea for Eva's gift came from. I hope that answers your question!
Wendy Brant
No, it really wasn't intentional. Sometimes my stories start with more internal monologue, and especially with Eva, who is a fairly isolated character, that felt appropriate. But I didn't really do it intentionally. :-)
Wendy Brant
Cristiana, thank you for reading Zenn Diagram, and for the question! At this point I don't have plans for a Zenn Diagram sequel, but that would probably be up to my publisher! I would write one if they want to publish it! :-) So glad you enjoyed it!
Wendy Brant
Victoria,
Thanks so much for the question! The truth is ... I'm not 100% sure. With everything else I've ever written, I could tell you exactly where the idea came from. With Zenn Diagram, it's a little less clear, but here's the story: I had previously written YA novel (a dystopian story) and had tried for a year and a half to find an agent for it. I was told repeatedly that the dystopian market was saturated and I probably wouldn't be able to sell it. I was discouraged and frustrated but knew I had to keep writing so I went to the park one day in October of 2013 and brainstormed ideas for a new novel. I think I wrote down 7 or 8, and one of them was something like "Girl who can see the future meets boy who can't escape the past". That idea must have struck a chord with me because then I expanded on it and it morphed into Zenn Diagram.
As far as the inspiration behind the idea, I think it came from watching my daughter, who was a freshman in high school at the time, and her friends struggle with being vulnerable. It seems like teenagers are so afraid to let others see their perceived weaknesses/struggles and I thought ... what if they couldn't hide them? And what would it be like if you had to see everyone's baggage right from the start? Would that be a good or a bad thing? Also, I liked the whole idea that a relationship is like a Venn Diagram in that where our stories overlap is where relationship happens: shared history, sense of humor, attraction, etc. That overlapping part of the circles is the good stuff.
Anyway, I think that's where it all started. I hope I answered your question! Thanks again!
-Wendy
Thanks so much for the question! The truth is ... I'm not 100% sure. With everything else I've ever written, I could tell you exactly where the idea came from. With Zenn Diagram, it's a little less clear, but here's the story: I had previously written YA novel (a dystopian story) and had tried for a year and a half to find an agent for it. I was told repeatedly that the dystopian market was saturated and I probably wouldn't be able to sell it. I was discouraged and frustrated but knew I had to keep writing so I went to the park one day in October of 2013 and brainstormed ideas for a new novel. I think I wrote down 7 or 8, and one of them was something like "Girl who can see the future meets boy who can't escape the past". That idea must have struck a chord with me because then I expanded on it and it morphed into Zenn Diagram.
As far as the inspiration behind the idea, I think it came from watching my daughter, who was a freshman in high school at the time, and her friends struggle with being vulnerable. It seems like teenagers are so afraid to let others see their perceived weaknesses/struggles and I thought ... what if they couldn't hide them? And what would it be like if you had to see everyone's baggage right from the start? Would that be a good or a bad thing? Also, I liked the whole idea that a relationship is like a Venn Diagram in that where our stories overlap is where relationship happens: shared history, sense of humor, attraction, etc. That overlapping part of the circles is the good stuff.
Anyway, I think that's where it all started. I hope I answered your question! Thanks again!
-Wendy
Wendy Brant
Thanks for the question and sorry for my slow response! I'm still getting the hang of this "being an author" stuff. :-) I'm so glad you enjoyed Zenn Diagram! Yes, I would LOVE to publish more books, and the likelihood of that increases the better that Zenn Diagram does, so spread the word! As for what I'm working on -- I have a completed YA dystopian story that I'd love to see published someday, and I'm also working on a contemporary YA. Hopefully you'll be able to read both of them in the future!
Thanks again for the question!
Thanks again for the question!
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