All About Middle Grade Interview with Kathleen Andrews Davis (Emerson's Attic)

I am excited to welcome Kathleen Andrews Davis, author of Emerson's Attic: The Blue Velvet, to the blog to discuss her book and to share her favorite time-travel books (here's a hint: I'm also a huge fan of one she mentions).

About the author:

It's never too late! That's my new motto! As a semi-retired grandmother I felt incomplete and wanted more. Amazing what becoming a grandparent does to you. I decided to leave our granddaughter a legacy of words and a simple idea turned into Emerson's Attic, The Blue Velvet.

I live with my husband in the mountains of central Pennsylvania where I have put all my other interests on hold so that I can write. It's taken a very long time, but I finally figured out what I want to be when I grow up...an author.

You can haunt Kathleen Andrew Davis at-
Website | Goodreads |

Interview

1. In seven words tell us about Emerson's Attic.

Emerson is a time-traveling Nancy Drew.

2. What do you think will be the hardest thing for Emerson to cope with in the time period she's been sent back in time to?

Naming only one thing is really hard because there are so many things.  Not only does she have to adjust to time, place and culture, but she has to figure out why she is there and who she can trust.

3. So, Kathleen, what is it about time-travel that made you want to write about it in Emerson's Attic?

Time-travel is limitless.  Emerson can travel to any destination in any time period…although she does not chose the destinations…I do…she needs to use her intelligence and common sense to navigate through the mystery that will return her home.

4. Can you share with us a two sentence teaser from your favorite chapter of Emerson's Attic?

Wow, that’s a hard one.  That’s like choosing your favorite child because every book means so much to me.  Let’s go with this from The Blue Velvet:  

Turning in the direction of the voices, they could see a faint glow near the spiral staircase at the far end of the passage.  The glow was getting fainter and Emerson realized it was slowly moving down the stairs.

5. Carrying on with the theme of time-travel and books, can you tell us about three of your favorite books that feature time-travelling?

For children a great classic is A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle.  This is where the quote, “It was a dark and stormy night,” came from.  This is the story of the Murry family and their friend Calvin O’Keefe who venture on an extraordinary and dangerous journey.

For adult and young adult readers, I absolutely loved The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley.  This is a beautiful love story that goes back to the early 1700’s in Scotland when the Jacobites struggled to return James Stewart to Scotland to reclaim his crown.  Kearsley writes beautifully and captures your heart in this and her other novels.

Also for adult and young readers is the Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon.  Again, back to Scotland but this time in the 1740’s.  If you like history and sequels, you’ll love this story.  The books were made into a TV series this past year which can be found on STARZ.  The series is well done but I always think the books are better than the TV series or movies.

I guess you can tell I love Scottish and English history.

6. The world has fallen to a robot invasion and only one heroine/hero can possibly save the day, who do you choose?

I would have to choose a heroine who has not yet been born.  She would be highly intelligent to deal with the technology of the future, compassionate to understands the needs of her people and those she faces as foes, brave and courageous to face the invaders, and above all honest and of high moral character to be a trustworthy leader.

7. Care to tell us about your writing cave (include picture if you want)?

Oh to have one!!!  My writing cave is anywhere I can get comfortable…which isn’t easy because I cannot type on anything but an ergonomic keyboard which is large (I so admire people who can type fast on a laptop); that plus my laptop and wireless mouse make for an interesting arrangement.  My dream is someday to have a secluded office or better yet treehouse, where I can shut out noise and interruptions… with a very large, comfy chair.

8. If you could have tea with any author, dead or living, who would you choose. What would be the first question you asked them?

Rosamund Pilcher is one of my favorite author.  If I ever had the opportunity to meet her I’m sure I would be struck dumb!  Once I got my brain and mouth working, I would ask her secret to writing such deep human emotions.

Kathleen, thank you so much for stopping by! I must say, that I am so pleased you mention A Wrinkle in Time as that is one of my all-time favorite books (also one of my most beloved authors). 

Emerson's Attic: Blue Velvet (Attic, 1) by Kathleen Andrews Davis, July 22, 2013. Published by Kathleen Andrews Davis.

Emerson McBride is a normal American teenager. She goes to school, plays soccer, and roams the mall with friends. Her life is just like that of any other 14 year old's until she is sent to clean the attic in the old Victorian as punishment for fighting with her younger brother. Suddenly she is thrown back in time to a totally foreign world. Frightened and armed only with dreams of her grandfather, Emerson ventures into the unknown. How did she get here? Who are these people? Who is she and why is she here? These questions and many more follow Emerson into a new life in a new land.

Don't forget, you can add Emerson's Attic: The Blue Velvet to your Goodreads shelves.