We’re so excited to have Lygia Day Peñaflor stop by today to chat about her debut novel, Unscripted Joss Byrd. We’ll get right to what Lygia had to say!
***INTERVIEW***
This novel was inspired by my experiences teaching child actors on film locations. My students live incredible lives. They motivated me to write and to tell Joss’ story well.
I really loved writing the scenes with Joss and her costar Chris. Their relationship is unique and special because they’re onscreen siblings on a difficult film shoot. They share challenges and pressures that no one else understands.
I’m on set regularly for work, so the details of a film location came naturally to me. But I did ask the writers on “Law & Order: SVU” one specific question. Scripts are printed on different color paper with each revision, so I asked them the official order because Joss mentions the color of her scripts throughout the book.
Joss’ voice came to me very strongly from the start. Her mother, Viva, came right along with her. They played off of each other in my mind, so their dialog and interactions just seemed to flow.
Joss is a critically acclaimed child star. The trouble is that child stars grow up, and this makes Hollywood a tough place for Joss to navigate. She learns to look out for herself, especially when nobody else will.
I’d love Joss to meet Elektra from WAITING FOR CALLBACK by Honor and Perdita Cargill because Elektra is just starting out in the industry and Joss is an old pro for her young age. They’d have a lot to talk about.
Small and big.
I’ve met nine Oscar winners. (Yes, that includes Meryl.)
My own for Unscripted Joss Byrd. ! I’m so lucky to be co-writing the screenplay with director Joseph Greco. Our partnership is a creative match made in heaven.
“Don’t give up” doesn’t mean dig your heels in and refuse to change. It means learn and grow while you keep writing new books.
I’ve been thinking a lot about Zach from Laurie Elizabeth Flynn’s FIRSTS. The character Mercedes is a complicated girl, but Zach isn’t intimidated and is strong enough to stand by her through tough times.
I’d love for Norman Reedus from “The Walking Dead” to ask me, “How many walkers have you killed? How many people have you killed? Why?” (big fan)
***About Lygia Day Peñaflor***
Lygia Day Peñaflor attended the Sarah Lawrence College Writers Seminar and received a scholarship to Southampton Writers Conference based on this manuscript. A graduate of Boston University and Columbia Teachers College, she is a private academic teacher for young Hollywood stars. Her students have included the young casts of Gossip Girl and Boardwalk Empire as well as Jay-Z’s reboot of Annie. She lives on Long Island.
***About the Book***
Unscripted Joss Byrd by Lygia Day Peñaflor Published by Roaring Brook Press on August 23, 2016
Genres: Contemporary
Pages: 224
Goodreads Buy the Book
Joss Byrd is America's most celebrated young actress, but on the set of her latest project, a gritty indie film called The Locals, Joss's life is far from glamorous. While struggling with her mother's expectations, a crush on her movie brother, and a secret that could end her career, Joss must pull off a performance worthy of a star. When her renowned, charismatic director demands more than she is ready to deliver, Joss must go off-script to stay true to herself.
What do you think, Pretties? How excited are you to check out Unscripted Joss Byrd by Lygia Day Peñaflor?!?
