An interview with Melissa Wiley, author of The Nerviest Girl in the World
Questions:
About the Book:
1. How did you come up with the story of The Nerviest Girl in the World?
I lived in La Mesa, CA, a small town just outside San Diego, for eleven years. Early in my time there, I discovered to my delight that long before Hollywood became the heart of the American film industry, there was a silent-film studio in La Mesa. I began collecting research on it and when I learned that many of the actors in this studio’s early films were cowboys who got roped in, so to speak, to do movie stunts, I thought it would be fun to tell the story of a ranch girl who follows her older brothers into the moving-picture business.
2. Can you tell us about the character(s) in The Nerviest Girl in the World?
The main character, Pearl, is an 11-year-old girl with three older brothers. She was inspired by (but not based on the life of) the great silent film actress Pearl White, who starred in The Perils of Pauline and other films and serials. The balloon stunt in my book is modeled directly after Pearl’s amazing feat in Perils of Pauline!
3. What part was the hardest to write? The beginning, middle or the end?
Ooh, good question. I tend to write first drafts non-chronologically—I write lots of scenes from different points in the book, jumping to a new scene if I’m feeling stuck. Then I get to go back and weave everything together in the next draft. The beginning came easily—Pearl started talking to me right away! And I knew how I wanted the book to end. So the hard part was everything in between!
4. What was your favorite scene to write in The Nerviest Girl in the World, without spoiling?
During my research, I read about ostrich farming in the time period and was enchanted by the story possibilities there. I decided Pearl’s family would raise ostriches (in addition to cattle) and that Pearl would be the one responsible for feeding them. Jezebel the Ostrich was a blast to write. She’s cantankerous! I always enjoyed working on those scenes.
5. Where can readers purchase The Nerviest Girl in the World?
I’ve compiled a list of order links to a variety of booksellers (Amazon, B&N, and lots of indies) in this post: melissawiley.com/nerviestgirl
About You:
1. If you won a prize for something, what would it be and why?
Hmm...I think: ENTHUSIASM! When I get interested in something, I get *very* interested. I go on rabbit trails and deep dives of research, and then I’m eager to talk about whatever the topic is with anyone who’ll listen. My blog became an archive of all those research dives and resource lists.
2. If a director wanted to make The Nerviest Girl in the World into a movie and wanted you to act in it, who would you be and why?
What a fun thing to contemplate!! Well, I’m too old to play Pearl...I’m not quite old enough to be her grandmother, but I loved writing the Grandma character and would definitely enjoy getting to play her part. Pearl’s mom would be fun, too, especially when she’s slamming things around in the kitchen.
3. What are some of your favorite tv shows or movies?
My favorite movie of all time is Cousins (starring Ted Danson and Isabella Rossellini). I also love Lost in Translation and She’s Having a Baby—two films I can watch over and other. And of course I have to give a big shout-out to my silent-film heroes! Pearl White, Helen Holmes, and the incomparable Buster Keaton.
Favorite TV shows (it’s a long list!) include: Mad Men, LOST, The Americans, and Downton Abbey. I used to write Downton Abbey recaps for GeekMom! And I can’t leave out Little Bear, which is one of my favorite kids’ shows ever.
4. If you could have dinner with any 3 people (fictional, real or dead), who would it be?
I’m having the HARDEST time narrowing this list down to three! Okay—I’ll say: I would really love to talk shop with Maud Hart Lovelace (author of the Betsy-Tacy books). I’d enjoy a nice, juicy chat with Peggy Draper (later in her career, long after the Mad Men era). And I bet Maggie Smith has some amazing stories to tell.
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