The beginning of the interview:
Professor Plum: Congratulations on your first novel, The Girl She Used to Be. It seems to be a journey of self-discovery wholly unique in the canon. How did you dream up the idea for a person who was never allowed to become their own self in a society that celebrates individualism and freedom?Read an excerpt from The Girl She Used to Be, and learn more about the book and author at David Cristofano's website.David Cristofano: Thank you! Well, I’ve always loved stories that deal with the concept of identity, so I tried to think of what might be the most difficult scenario for someone to figure out who he or she is. Even abandoned children (or those created in part by sperm donors) might possibly find the answer one day. After running through an array of possibilities, I came to the conclusion that the torment of not knowing who you are is significantly compounded when paired with never knowing who you could’ve become. For some folks buried in witness protection, that is the hand they’ve been dealt.
Plum: You tell Melody’s story with a convincing female voice. Is it just as easy for you to get in the mind of any character you create, despite any age, gender, or ethical differences you might have with them?
Cristofano: I think one of the joys of writing and reading fiction is being able to get lost in another character. But even with that, I...[read on]
The Page 69 Test: The Girl She Used to Be.
--Marshal Zeringue