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A Brief Bio
Angie lives in New Hampshire with her husband and two daughters, their big black lab, and a pair of highly destructive cats. Her debut young adult novel, EVERLASTING, is the result of an overactive imagination, an addiction to historical research, and dozens of vintage travel posters plastered to the ceilings of a cottage she rented one long, snowbound winter._____________________
The Interview
Give a short statement describing EVERLASTING.
The setting of EVERLASTING is integral to Camille’s story. How does the time period in which Camille lives shape her actions and personality? In what ways would Camille be different if her story was set in modern day?
I love this question! Yes, the time period is important. In that period young ladies were expected to marry and have babies and please others. If women went against the norm, they were ostracized and set apart. And though Camille has always had a separate kind of freedom sailing aboard her father’s ships, she doesn’t want to bring shame down onto her father or his business, and truthfully, herself. She knows what she wants, but she’s afraid to go after it and lose everything she’s ever known. If the story was more modern day, then the different social classes and the conflict between Camille and Oscar wouldn’t be the same or hold the same weight.
The forbidden romance between Camille and Oscar is definitely one of my favorite aspects of the novel. Camille’s father sees the connection between the two and does not approve. When he is claimed by the sea, Camille and Oscar grow even closer, but Oscar still pulls away out of respect for Camille’s father and for Camille herself, despite his deep love for her. What does this say about Oscar? Do you think that Camille’s father would have eventually come to terms with their relationship?
I don’t think Oscar is only tiptoeing around his feelings for Camille out of respect for her and her father, but also for himself. He knows as well as Camille does that he has nothing to offer her—and 1855 was a day and age when money and position and dowries were all still very relevant and a big factor in marriages. If Oscar was to admit his feelings, if Camille confessed hers to him, and if anything happened between the two of them, then how could Oscar go back from there? He’s protecting himself with his stoic, protector-like persona. And I think Camille’s father would have eventually accepted their relationship, but it would have come at a high cost, and hurting her father or disappointing him would have been torture for Camille.
Character names often contribute to my perception of a character. The main characters, Camille and Oscar, have particularly unique names. Was it difficult to decide names for your characters and is there a particular reason, other than the time period, that contributed to your decision?
If I remember correctly I came up with their names pretty quickly. I wanted something burly and rough for the lead guy, and Oscar fit perfectly. For my main female character, I wanted something sweet yet sexy. I’m actually not sure if Camille or Oscar were popular names during that time period, but I really liked them!
Can you tell us anything about your next YA novel?
Well, my next YA is going to be the second Everlasting book coming out next summer. I couldn’t end Camille’s story just yet. I don’t think I can say anything more about it just yet, but there should be at least a title soon to share.
My blog is dedicated to my personal hiding spot, books. Who, what, or where can be credited as your personal escape from reality?
My escape consists of reading in bed on a Sunday morning with a cup of coffee or tea while my girls eat breakfast and watch PBS cartoons. Just give me an hour and I’m ready to go for the whole day!
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Thanks, Angie!
