Melissa Roske author

Melissa Roske - author of Kat Greene Comes Clean

  • Home
  • About
  • Books
  • Media
  • Contact
  • Teacher’s Guide

Ask the Author: Elly Swartz

February 11, 2018 By Melissa Roske 6 Comments

The Proust Questionnaire, popularized by the French essayist and novelist Marcel Proust, is said to reveal a person’s true nature through a series of probing (aka nosy) questions. It the hot seat today: Elly Swartz, author of the contemporary middle-grade novels, FINDING PERFECT (FSG, 2016) and SMART COOKIE (Scholastic, 2018).

What is your idea of perfect happiness? Being with my family.

What is your greatest fear? Losing someone I love.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Impatience. In everything!

What is the trait you most deplore in others? Intolerance. Disrespect.

Which living person do you most admire? My husband. He is my life’s anchor and my best friend.

What is your greatest extravagance? Boots from Frye, and books. Lots and lots of books.

What is your current state of mind? Happiness.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue? Not sure if this falls into the ‘virtue’ category, but financial success.

On what occasion do you lie? I don’t.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse? Amazing. Inspiring. Love. But can you really overuse those?

Besides writing, which talent would you most like to have? I so wish I could sing, but I am completely tone deaf. Think dying frog.

What do you consider your greatest achievement? Raising two kind, thoughtful, loving, respectful, smart young men.

If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be? My dog.

What is your most treasured possession? My family. Not a possession, but nothing I treasure more.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? The inability to help another in need.

What do you most value in your friends? Kindness, empathy, and unconditional love.

Who are your favorite writers? That is a boundless list! But the ones who inspired me to write are: Lois Lowry, Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary, Avi.

Who is your hero of fiction? Ramona the Brave.

Which historical figure do you most identify with? Eleanor Roosevelt.

What is your motto? Be kind, be strong, be true to yourself.

ELLY SWARTZ loves writing for kids, Twizzlers, and anything with her family. Her debut novel, FINDING PERFECT (FSG, 2016) is about a twelve-year-old girl named Molly, friendship, family, OCD, and a slam poetry competition that will determine everything. In her second book, SMART COOKIE (Scholastic, 2018), you meet the spunky and big-hearted Frankie. And in 2019, say hello to Maggie in GIVE AND TAKE (FSG). Find Elly at her website, Facebook, or Twitter.

Filed Under: Ask the Author

Comments

  1. Greg Pattridge says

    February 12, 2018 at 9:07 am

    Elly sounds like a wonderful person. Her books look great, too. Thanks for the enjoyable interview.

    Reply
    • Melissa Roske says

      February 12, 2018 at 3:17 pm

      Elly is wonderful, Greg. And her books are as wonderful as she is. Thanks for reading!

      Reply
  2. Patricia Tilton says

    February 12, 2018 at 6:01 pm

    I really enjoy your interview format because you get to know the author in an unusual way! Will look for her book! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Melissa Roske says

      February 13, 2018 at 2:09 pm

      I agree. The answers are so honest, and so personal. Thanks as always for reading!

      Reply
  3. Books4Learning says

    February 12, 2018 at 7:37 pm

    Nice interview. This author is new to me. I will put her books on my list.

    Reply
    • Melissa Roske says

      February 13, 2018 at 2:10 pm

      I’m glad you discovered Elly. She’s wonderful. Thanks for reading my blog!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Melissa Roske on Facebook Melissa Roske on Twitter Melissa Roske on Good Reads

Categories

  • Ask the Author
  • Uncategorized

Archives

  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • October 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015