Chit Chatting with Author Gabriella Skory

Written by: Jill Sheets

Red Diamond by Gabriella Skory

Picture credit: Tylor Skory

Recently Relate had the honor of interview talented 15 year old writer, Gabriella Skory. Continue to read and learn more about Gabriella and about her new book “The Pages of Red Diamond”

R: Tell us a little bit about yourself?

G: Well, I’m 15 years old and I’ve been homeschooled my whole life. I have four siblings: a sister 10, and brothers 12 and 18, all who are also homeschooled with me. Whenever I’m not reading, which is rare, I’m usually at dance, playing the piano, hanging out with friends or babysitting. (laughs).

R: Who were your favorite authors and books growing up?

G: I loved the Katie Kazoo, Deltora Quest, Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Zenda, Madison Finn and the Lizzie McGuire series. I also loved anything by Judy Blume!

R: How long have you been writing? What was your first book about?

G: I was probably about 11ish when I started writing. My first story was about the Manners Fairy who visited little kids and taught them manners.

R: Was writing something that you have always wanted to do?

G: Definitely! I’ve always loved reading and knew that I wanted to have a book of my own one day.

R: What is your writing process? Do you out-line or do you just start to write?

G: Personally, I think out-lining a book makes it harder to write, especially because I can never think further then the page I’m writing! Whenever I write, I just take it one page at a time. That way I don’t feel overwhelmed with questions like, where am I going with this? What’s going to happen? How is this going to work?

R: Tell us about your ebook “The Pages of Red Diamond”

G: “The Pages of Red Diamond” is about sixteen year old Hazel who is having a hard time finding balance in her life while dealing with everything from divorced parents to peer pressure from girls at school. Hazel finds relief in a world call Red Diamond which she travels to through a forgotten journal. However, things take a turn for the worse when Hazel ends up getting stuck in Red Diamond. It’s a really fun book, and I think a lot of girls will be able to relate to it one way or another.

R: How did you come up with the idea for the book?

G: It had actually all started when I needed something to write while practicing hand writing! One of my favorite writing exercises is when you take two or three items in a room and make a short story out of it. So, I took my sister (girl) and a notebook that was on the table (forgotten journal). Then one thing lead to another: What if there was something different about this journal? What if it was magical? What if it took this girl to another world?!

R: How did you come up with the world of Red Diamond?

G: I knew Red Diamond would have to be unique given that it was a whole new world. And that’s probably the funniest thing about writing – being able to create something that doesn’t exist. I have always thought that it would be cool to have a world that was old-fashioned with kings, queens, castles, and a mix of modern day and future technologies, sports cars, spy gadgets and cell phones. So I just used all that, and more, to make Red Diamond.

R: Are any of the characters based on people that you know or based on you?

G: I guess I kind of based Hazel off of myself – not in the sense of my life, but that I put some of my characteristics into her. I did base a couple of characters in the book off of people I know, or at least added a trait they had. But I think it would be too weird to say who they were- (laughs) I like to look at it as my little secret.

R: If they were to make this book into a movie. Who would be your dream cast for each character?

A. Hazel – - Well, I guess I’ve always pictured myself playing Hazel, but if not maybe Seleana Gomez

B. J Girls — For Jane, the leader of the J girls, Jennette McCurdy and for Jessica and Jenna really anyone who’s can play them.

C. Aunt Clair – For Aunt Clair I think Sara Canning would be really great.

D. Calvin –I’ve always picture Calvin as Max Thieriot, but a little bit blonder.

E. Amber –For Amber Ashley Argota.

F. Scott – Maybe Alex Pettyfer with darker hair.

G. Hazel’s parents – - For Hazels Dad, Bradley Cooper and for her Mom, Jennifer Garner.

H. Alice – - For Alice I’d probably want Alyson Stoner.

R: Hazel drives a “pod.” Would you explain what a pod is and looks like?

G: I pictured the Pod as the perfect transportation for teens who didn’t have their license yet. The Pod is smaller then a motorcycle but bigger then an electric scooter. Kind of like a Moped, but a little more trendy and portable so they can zip around town.

R: Why did you decide to make “The Pages of Red Diamond” into an Ebook?

G: Well, actually “The Pages of Red Diamond” is available in paperback as well as an Ebook. It was my brother who had suggested the idea of selling the book online in both formats, and with items like the iPad and the Kindle, Ebook reading is becoming more and more popular. Also, with Ebooks you get instant download as well as better pricing.

R: How long did it take you to write the book from start to finish?

G: Well, with breaks here and there, it took about six month of consecutive writing.

R: Where can people get “The Pages of Red Diamond?”

G: The Pages of Red Diamond can be purchased in Ebook or paperback at www.ThePagesofRedDiamond.com

R: Some writers have to listen to music while they write? Do you listen to music or do you find it distracting? What singers and bands do you listen to? What are your favorite songs by each one?

G: I always listen to music when I write! I have a very broad music selection. I love anything by Regina Specktor, Taylor Swift, Michel Buble, Owl City, The Jonas Brothers, just to name a few. My favorite song from each artist is probably Dance Anthem of the 80′s, The Way I Loved You, Just Haven’t Met You Yet, Dental Care and Love Bug. And I’m actually listening to Final Eclipse of the Heart from Glee right now.

R: What are five thing people may not know about you?

G: I used to have a Bearded Dragon, no joke. I’m flexible, as in splits and back bends. I have an autograph from Bill Fagerbakke who is the voice of Patrick Star from Spongebob. I usually check out between 10-17 books when I go to the library. I spent a whole day dressed up in a mascot costume as the Nick Jr. character Wubbzy from Wow Wow Wubbzy for a middle school Earth Day celebration.

R: What is the best advice you have ever gotten and by who?

G: Growing up, my dad has always taught me to value other people’s opinions and advice, but to ultimately make decisions for yourself.

Gabriella Skory

Picture credit: Tylor Skory

R: What advice would you give teenage girls?

G: Really the only advice I can think of is to be yourself! I know it’s something girls are told all the time, “just be yourself and everything will be fine,” but I also know that sometimes “just being yourself” is hard! And sometimes, I think, girls don’t even realize that they act differently around one group of girls than others. Or they do, but they don’t feel secure enough to say anything or change their behavior. I’ve had friends in the past who would act one way when they were with me, then act another way when they were with certain people, and it wasn’t in a good way. So if you ever find yourself with a group of friends, and you realize that you’re not acting the way you want to, then you have to ask yourself, ‘should I really be hanging out with theses girls?’

R: What advice would you give someone who wanted to be a writer?

G: Once you have an idea for your story, stick with it and don’t over-think it! I know how frustrating it can be when you start writing and then you start doubting what you’re writing, wondering how you’re going to be able to end the book, where the book is going to be in five chapters. Whenever you feel like this, the best thing to do is take a deep breath and take it one page at a time. And if you’re really not sure about your story line, bounce some ideas off of a friend, write down some key items you would like to have happen in your story line, and work off of that. Sometimes when you’re writing, you start going in a different direction than you thought you would go in, but it ends up working for the best!

R: What do you do in your down time?

G: Read (laughs)

R: What book are you currently reading or what was the last book you read?

G: I just finished The Host by Stephine Meyer which was amazing! And I’m currently reading Ransom my Heart by Meg Cabot.

R: What are you currently working on?

G: Well, I’m definitely working on trying to get “The Pages of Red Diamond” out there, but I’m also currently working on a YouTube Book Club.

R: What are your future goals?

G: I would love to get a couple books on the New York Times Best Seller List. I would also love to get to meet some other great authors such as J.K. Rolling, Stephine Meyer and Meg Cabot. It would also be amazing to see The Pages of Red Diamond as a movie one day!

R: Do you have any hidden talents?

G: I can play the piano with my eyes closed and I’m a pretty good actress.

R: Are you on any social networking sites? If so, which ones and what are their addresses? Do you have a website? If so, what is the address?

G: Yes! I’m on Twitter as @RedDiamondNews, or my personal one @GabriellaSkory and I also have a Youtube account, GabriellaSkory, where I post updates about The Pages of Red Diamond, do book reviews and have Youtube Book Clubs!

R: Other than this one, what is the weirdest question you have ever been asked?

G: Someone once asked me if I could show them a wink I would use if I had to secretly let someone know I was on their side. She approved.

R: Is there anything else you would like to add or say to your readers.

G: Yes, I just want to thank them so much for reading, and that I really hope that they like “The Pages of Red Diamond!”

R: Gabriella, thank you for the interview. Have a great day.

G: Thank you! This has been a blast!

Tags: 15 year old, Gabriella Skory, Red Diamond, writer