Author Andrea Portes

What is the current project you are working on?

Well, there's a couple, actually. My second novel, BURY THIS, is coming out this winter. Soft Skull press is publishing it. That's literary fiction, like HICK.
Soft Skull is nice and dark. That's why we like each other.
Then, there are two comic book series I created and wrote, called SUPER RAD and UNTRUE GRIT, that are being published this fall by Dark Matter.

So, those are all done, actually.

The book I'm editing right now is actually a Young Adult novel, called STUPIDFACES, which my agent Katie Shea, at Donald Maass Literary Agency, will be in charge of getting up and running. She's great. I really like her.

Would you want your next book to be turned into a film?

Sure. However, that's all up to Josie Freedman, at ICM. She is my book-to-film agent and she's amazing.

Why did you allow your book to be made into a movie?

Ha! I think most novelists would "allow" their books to be made into movies.

How involved were you in the production of the film?

I was there, watching Derick work his magic.

It was exciting being on set, of course, and incredibly grateful.

What was it like working with Derick Martini?

He's great. Just really smart and witty.

He's absolutely obsessed with the performances and I think that shows.

What do you say to the critics that say that scenes in the film adaptation of your book "Hick" exploit the underage actress?

I'd say they don't know what it's like to be a 13-year-old girl.

What inspired you to become a  writer?

I can't remember any moment when I proclaimed, "I'm a writer!" I was always writing, as long as I remember. Most of my 5-year-old stuff was pretty bleak. All about how the Russians were going to kill us...

 What is the best thing about being a  writer?

Imagining little worlds. Making up characters and then watching them come to life, do their own thing, surprise you.

For instance, in HICK, I remember sitting in front of the computer writing Luli's line, "Glenda, do you go to church?"

And I had a line worked out, but then all of the sudden Glenda said, "Church is for brunettes."

And I just laughed, and wrote it down.

I love Blake as Glenda, by the way. She really knocked it out of the park.

 What is the worst thing about being one?

It's a solitary activity. You have to go in your little cave and come out.
I do a lot of procrastinating before I go in.

What advice would you give to an aspiring writer?

Write.
And live.
Get into trouble.

Are there things in the book that you wish made it into the movie version?

Absolutely. But, you know, the writer is just kind of a bastard step-child.
That's just the nature of the business.

What do you like to do besides writing?

My favorite thing to do is to make my baby boy, Wyatt, giggle. It's bliss.

 Who is your favorite author?

Joyce Carol Oates
Joyce Carol Oates
Joyce Carol Oates

 What are some of your favorite books?

BLONDE is my favorite book of all time. I keep it by my bedside.

THE BEAUTIFUL AND DAMNED, F. Scott Fitzgerald.

SULA, Toni Morrison.

THE PAINTED BIRD, Jerzy Kosinski

THE CUSTOM OF THE COUNTRY, Edith Wharton.

 How would you describe the writing "scene" where you live?

We keep in touch. Usually through social media.
Writer's are a funny breed, so when we are together, in human form, say at a reading or a conference, it's usually comforting to meet the other writers.
We tend to find each other and bond over whatever is happening.

 Did you ever run away from home like the character  Luli?

Not really. I think I ran away for a day once.

 How has social media changed the publishing industry?

I think I'm gonna plead the 5th on that one.

What is your thought process like when you're writing?

I just try to get quiet and listen.

 You could have any super power. What would it be?

Reading minds.

What is your first love?

My son, Wyatt. Then, my writing.

Everything else is kind of just noise...

What do you think about the cult following of HICK?

I absolutely love it. I do. And I, especially, love that people are getting to see the incredible performances of Chloe, Eddie and Blake.

I just love their acting in HICK. And I'm fond of them, too, as people. They're good eggs.
I can't tell you how happy it makes me to see things like Eddie on the cover of W, or Chloe, or Blake.  I'm just excited for them and giddy for the world to see the amazing talent there.

The cult following is just the best. I love interacting with the fans on twitter and tumblr.
The kids really get the movie. They just do.

For instance, that feeling, the feeling of being simultaneously attracted and repulsed by Eddie Redmayne as Eddie... that is what you are supposed to feel. Why? Because that's how Luli feels. And the film is from the POV of Luli. The kids get that. Especially the girls.
And that makes me very happy.

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It was a pleasure to interview you Andrea.  I will be on the look out for "BURY THIS", "STUPIDFACES",  "SUPER RAD" and "UNTRUE GRIT".

Readers can learn more about Andrea and her work from the links below:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2959701/ Andrea's IMDB

https://twitter.com/andrea_portes Andrea's Twitter