1. What inspires you to write for young readers?
My first year after college, I taught a very spirited seventh-grade Language Arts class. As I read middle grade books with them, I fell in love with the genre. My students also provided loads of inspiration through their shenanigans and conversations! The early tween years are such a fun time, full of figuring out where you fit in, what you enjoy, what kind of person you want to be and become. I love being able to explore these themes while keeping a sense of humor and lightheartedness.
2. Any advice for young creators?
Read a lot and write a lot! Notice what you enjoy about books you are reading plot wise and craftwise and try to incorporate it into your own work. Don't be discouraged if what you write doesn't sound great at first--no writing is great at first, even that by professional authors! Write for the joy of it. Let your characters come to life with real hopes and dreams and fears and misconceptions. Keep at it!
3. Please tell us about Confessions of a Class Clown and my other titles/projects you’d like to share about.
CONFESSIONS OF A CLASS CLOWN is at its core about the importance of creating authentic relationships and interactions with people. With the rise of social media, I feel like it's easy for us to replace in-person interaction with online validation. Sometimes it's easier and more comfortable to scroll online than put down the phone and being present in the moment. Many people close to me, myself included, have struggled with the anxiety/fomo/addiction/comparison that comes with social media, so I knew I needed to explore these themes in a book.
So we have Jack. He's always been a class clown, and he's pretty well-liked--has a large social media following, starts trends at his school, etc. However, deep down, he's struggling with the fact that all his friends seem to ditch him, and he can't figure out why. This is a problem because he needs a sidekick for an epic act he is planning for the upcoming talent show--especially if he wants to go viral. So he goes looking for someone who can fill that role at a school speed-friendshipping club and ends up discovering a lot about himself in the process!
The story also switches perspectives periodically with three other characters who all have secret challenges of their own that aren't readily visible. The character's lives intertwine in some crazy, silly, and touching ways.
4. Where can we find more information about your work?
My website is ariannecostner.com, and I am on twitter @ariannecoster and on IG @ authorariannecostner, although I don't post often.
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