What kind of name is Marjetta?

Marjetta is a family name. I’m named after my grandmother’s sister, Audrey Marjetta, who was named after the first Marjetta. The first Marjetta’s mom made up the name. It is a combination of Marjorie and Etta.

What kind of name is Geerling?

Geerling is Dutch. My grandfather immigrated to the United States from the Netherlands.

What’s happening with your book?

The answer is I don’t always know. My part – the writing and more writing – is done. The rest of the process is in the publisher’s hands. The book is scheduled for release in May 2008.

Who is your publisher?

Viking Children’s Books. I’m very honored to have them as my publisher! I remember reading Viking books when I was growing up. I liked their little ship logo.

How long does it take to write a book?

It took me about six weeks to write the first draft of FANCY WHITE TRASH, but it was far from finished. During the editing process, it got about 90 pages longer! From writing the book until it was done with the editing process took about fourteen months.

Q: Isn't "white trash" racist and offensive?

A: As with any ethnic slur, it all depends on context. Jeff Foxworthy
opened the door to poke fun at low income, white culture with his popular
"You know you're a redneck when..." routine. MY NAME IS EARL is a very
popular t.v. show depicting and making fun of 'white trash.' There are a
number of country-western songs that celebrate white trash and redneck
roots. White trash cookbooks are out, teaching how to make everything from Frito pie to red velvet cake. I feel that in our current culture, 'white
trash' is not at all racist or offensive.

In my book FANCY WHITE TRASH, I'm actually trying to make the point that there is more to white trash culture than the stereotype. Abby's family occupies the no-man's land between white trash and middle class. The land I found myself in when applying to college at the age of seventeen - not rich enough to pay for it myself, not poor enough to qualify for aid.

As a white girl growing up in Southern California, I thought I had no
cultural heritage unless you count being a mall rat. I've learned since
then that thinking your own upbringing is the norm and everyone else is
'ethnic' is just another form of racism. In FANCY WHITE TRASH, I wanted to use humor to show that normal is whatever you grow up with, however abnormal it may appear to others.

I firmly believe that if you actually read FANCY WHITE TRASH, there's no way you can walk away from it thinking that the title is offensive.

Q: What's happening with your book?

A: The release date was May 15th. It's so great to go to a book store and
see my book on the shelves! Outside of that, there's not really any news.
I won't know how it's selling or anything like that until I get a royalty
statement and that will be months from now.

Q: Are you working on a new book?
A: Yes.

Q: Is it a sequel to FANCY WHITE TRASH?
A: No.

Q: Are you going to write a sequel to
FANCY WHITE TRASH?
A: My first instinct is to say no, because Abby's story is done for me.
But, I do keep thinking about Cody so there's a very, very, tiny, tiny
chance that I might do a book about Cody someday.

Q: What's your new book about?
A: Because I'm still revising, it's changing a lot so I'm not comfortable
talking about it yet.

Q: How do you balance writing and teaching?
A: I don't. I'm terrible at balancing teaching and writing. I get sick a
lot and don't write for long stretches of the school year. When I'm
teaching, my class has to come first. Most of my writing gets done in the
summer.