Author Speaks: A New Regular Feature

Author Speaks is a new regular feature here on the blog, where I ask various different authors one specific question.

For the very first post, the question is:

You are to be stranded on a deserted island with five companions. If you could choose five fictional characters to accompany you, who would they be and why?

I'm honored and excited to have authors Jay Asher, Lauren Oliver, Stephanie Kuehnert, and Jodi Picoult with their answers.

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Jay Asher
- author of Thirteen Reasons Why. Visit his website and blog.

Answer:
Wow! Most people ask what five books I'd bring along, but five characters? Well, I'd have to say Hannah and Clay from my own book, since I'm sure there's plenty I still don't know about them. And then, because it's only fair after all the crap I put them through, Hannah and Clay get to choose someone from their school to bring along. For my final fictional character, I'd have to bring Grover from The Monster at the End of this Book. Grover's so wacky, I'm sure he'd be able to keep us entertained on that desert island for a long time.


Lauren Oliver
- author of Before I Fall. Visit her website and blog.

Answer:
Well, if I’m going to be stranded on a deserted island, I’m going to pick Robinson Crusoe, since he seems handy. I’d like Elizabeth Bennett to be there, as she strikes me as a lively companion, and Matilda, because the power of telekinesis could come in handy. I would also pick Bruce Wayne/Batman, who isn’t a fictional character per se, but with whom I would actively like to be stranded on a deserted island. Seriously, swoon. Also Marmee, from the Little Women, as I would no doubt be freaking out and she is, like, the most comforting character ever written into fiction.


Stephanie Kuehnert
- author of Ballads of Suburbia. Visit her website and blog.

Answer:
Weetzie Bat from Francesca Lia Block's Weetzie Bat series because I always felt like she was the big sister I never had. She's good at taking care of people and making fabulous clothing, both skills I think might come in handy when stranded on an island.

Since you never know what is going to go down on an island, I think I would also like to take two fictional TV characters with me. Both Veronica Mars from Veronica Mars and Starbuck from Battlestar Galactica could figure things out, kick butt and get us out of any sticky situation. Plus I just think they are awesome chicks, who I really wish I could hang out with and what better time than on a deserted island?

I'd also have to take Ciara from Jeri Smith-Ready's WVMP series. She's another buttkicker (especially if any supernatural creatures attack), but she has amazing taste in music. I want to chat with her too and I'd insist she bring her iPod.

Lastly, is one I can't really explain... Persephone from Greek Myth. I've just been fascinated with her since I was very little. She's become like a muse to me in a way and it would be nice to have my muse with me. I'd get some good writing done and reading and writing are what beaches are best for :)

Jodi Picoult
- Bestselling author of several Fiction novels including My Sister's Keeper, The Pact, Nineteen Minutes, among many others. Visit her website.

Answer:
1. Mr. Darcy, Pride & Prejudice. Always had a bit of a crush on him.

2. Hermoine, Harry Potter series - who wouldn't want a best friend with a great mind?

3. Pi, from Life of Pi - he certainly seems to have great ingenuity when it comes to survival.

4. Scout, To Kill A Mockingbird . Because I've always wanted to know how she grew up.

5. Black Beauty. Well, I'm stranded. I need a horse, right?!

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It was quite a privilege to be able to ask some of my favorite authors to participate in this feature, so thank you for taking the time to answer my question; as random as it is!

If you would like to suggest a specific question -- or perhaps an author you'd love to see here -- just send me an e-mail over at randomramblings2010@gmail.com and I'll try to use yours!
And if you like Author Speaks, do watch out for the next one where new authors and new questions will be featured.