Micol Ostow, author of MEAN GIRLS: A NOVEL, on finding the exact right project at the right time

by Jocelyn Rish

Did you know today is Mean Girls Day? In the movie, when things really started to heat up between Aaron and Cady, he asked her what day it was, and she replied, “It’s October 3rd.” So now all things Mean Girls related are celebrated on the third of October. Which makes it extra awesome that we have Micol Ostow here today to tell us more about her latest novel, MEAN GIRLS.

Micol, what was your inspiration for writing MEAN GIRLS: A NOVEL?

The 10th anniversary of the movie was Scholastic’s inspiration for a novel, and the rest just fell into place! It was the exact right project at the right time.

What scene was really hard for you to write and why, and is that the one of which you are most proud? Or is there another scene you particularly love?

I wrote a rap for Kevin G. that was deeply beyond my wheelhouse. I also had to think long and hard about writing from Regina’s point of view to be sure to make her three-dimensional and not such pure evil, the way she’s depicted in the movie. As for the one I’m most proud of, I enjoyed writing a “bonus content” moment between Janice and Damien because I adore their chemistry.

How long did you work on MEAN GIRLS: A NOVEL?

From the first phone call to the release date was almost two years! Publishing *can* be quick… but it usually isn’t.

What did this book teach you about writing or about yourself?

I come from a media tie-in background originally, and it was a blast getting back to my roots. Writing within the world of a beloved movie sometimes felt like a game and not a job. But, there were days when it definitely felt like work – which was a reminder about the realities of the writing life.

What do you hope readers will take away from MEAN GIRLS: A NOVEL?

I hope the book does the movie justice, allowing readers to revisit an old favorite, and hopefully also take away a few new tidbits and Easter eggs in the process! In short, I hope it’s everything the movie was to them and more!

What’s your writing ritual like? Do you listen to music? Work at home or at a coffee shop or the library, etc?

It has to be a little flexible since I have small children, but overall it’s me, either in my home office or cafe, headphones in and white noise on, tapping away. I try to sit down around the same time every day, but I take what I can get. Word count goals are useful.

What advice would you most like to pass along to other writers?

Butt in chair. Words on page. Bird by bird. The only way out is through.

What are you working on now?

It’s still very new and personal, but hopefully you’ll have a chance to find out if and when it’s a real, live book!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Mean Girls: A Novel
by Micol Ostow
Hardcover
Scholastic Inc.
Released 9/12/2017

You know the story–or do you?

Cady Heron grew up homeschooled in Africa with scientist parents as her teachers, monkeys as her classmates and the African plains as her playground. But when her family moves to the suburbs of Illinois, she finds herself a stranger in a strange land: high school.

With no prior research to guide her, Cady’s forced to figure out North Shore High all on her own. Suddenly she finds herself sucked into Girl World as a new member of the social elite dubbed “The Plastics.” Cady discovers that unlike the wild, Girl World doesn’t have any rules–especially when you maybe, possibly, okay definitely, have a giant crush on their ruthless leader’s ex-boyfriend. Turns out, life in high school might be even more brutal than a showdown on the Savannah.

Based on the screenplay by Tina Fey, this retelling of the cult classic film includes tons of extra, never-before-seen bonus content.

Purchase Mean Girls: A Novel at Amazon
Purchase Mean Girls: A Novel at IndieBound
View Mean Girls: A Novel on Goodreads

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Micol Ostow has been writing professionally since 2004, and in that time has written and/or ghostwritten over 40 published works for young readers. She started her reign of terror with Egmont with her novel FAMILY, which Elizabeth Burns named a favorite of 2012 on her School Library Journal-syndicated blog, A Chair, a Fireplace, a Tea Cozy. Micol’s graphic novel, SO PUNK ROCK (and Other Ways to Disappoint Your Mother), was named a 2009 Booklist Top Ten Arts Books for Youth Selection, a Booklist Top Ten Religion Books for Youth Selection, and a Sydney Taylor Notable Book for Teens. She received her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts.

Her young adult horror novel, AMITY, will release from Egmont in August 2014, and her first chapter book series, LOUISE TRAPEZE, will debut in Spring 2015 from Random House.

She lives and works in Brooklyn, NY, alongside her Emmy Award-winning husband, their daughter, and a finicky French bulldog. Visit her at www.micolostow.com.

—

Have you had a chance to read MEAN GIRLS, yet?
Micol talks about adding more depth to Regina’s character. Do you like to “use” a movie or TV character as a prototype for your protagonist (or antagonist)?
If so, how do you add layers to flesh them out?

Share your thoughts about the interview in the comments!

Happy Reading,

Charlotte, Jocelyn, Anisaa, Erin, Martina, Erin, Susan, Shelly, Kelly, Laura, Emily, and Lori Ann

Jocelyn Rish

Jocelyn Rish is a writer and filmmaker who loves researching weird and wonderful animals and sharing what she learns. Her debut was BATTLE OF THE BUTTS, about ten animals that do weird things with their butts. Her latest book is BATTLE OF THE BRAINS, a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection about ten animals with mind-blowing brain abilities. When she’s not writing, she tutors kids to help them discover the magic of reading. Jocelyn has won numerous awards for her short stories, screenplays, films, and novels and lives in South Carolina with her adorable dog. Find out more at www.jocelynrish.com.

Post @ Jocelyn Rish and/or Adventures in YA Publishing. All rights reserved.

Posted: Oct 3, 2017

Category: Imported from AYAP

Tags: #MeanGirlDay | YA Author Interviews

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← Previous: New Releases this week 10/02-10/08 plus Giveaway of WILD BEAUTY Next: Anna-Marie McLemore, author of WILD BEAUTY, on the sometimes-frightening magic in fairy tales →

The first slide is an animation of a science/magic room in a castle. A cartoon character of a mad-scientist looking man in in the foreground says: “Hello! Dr. Frankenstein here to say, Well Done on kid lit zombie week! I’m an expert at reviving the dead, and let me assure you, with a little spark, you can bring dead projects to life. Especially if you dig up parts from other dead things. I’ll even let you have a sneak peek at my laboratory’s store room to consider potential parts for your dead project. If you see something with a yellow glow, that means you should click it. Have fun!”

He points to the right side of the screen and a new scene slides in of a castle science/magic storage room. There are various cartoon Frankenstein body parts scattered around. Some of them have a yellow glow. If you click on them, the images below appear (I’ve added alt text to them, so I hope it works).

The Heart of your story is the main character. The protagonist is the beating core that truly brings your story to life. If your MC doesn't make kids (and their grown-ups) care within the first few pages, your story will flatline. </p>
<p>Your main character needs to be:<br />
• Relatable enough for kids to see themselves<br />
• Unique enough to stand out in the slush pile<br />
• Active enough to drive the story<br />
• Memorable enough to survive multiple readings at bedtime</p>
<p>Where do you find this amazing donor heart? It might be the very thing you loved so much about the manuscript you want to revive. It might be the younger sister from your shelved YA novel. Or maybe it’s the hilarious kid you blogged about meeting at a school visit. Find a character beating with potential and place it in the center of your story.<br />

The Brain of your story is the theme or central message. The theme is the big idea that controls everything else. Picture books are more than stories - they're tiny life lessons disguised with humor and heart.</p>
<p>But your theme needs to be:<br />
• Subtle enough not to trigger the dreaded "didactic" rejection<br />
• Clear enough for a four-year-old to grasp<br />
• Universal enough to speak to both kids and adults<br />
• Fresh enough to prevent agents and editors from responding with "Not another sharing/bedtime/first-day story!"</p>
<p>Check your other dead manuscripts to see if there is a recurring theme, something that really seems to be speaking to you. Find the bit of poetry you scribbled on the back of a receipt to see what theme inspired it. Reread the pep talk you texted your critique partner at 1am. Pick the theme that will drive your story, giving it purpose, direction, and deeper meaning.<br />

The Legs of your story is the plot. Not to be confused with a grave plot.🤪 The plot is what keeps everything upright and moving, as well as providing support for all the other elements. You have very few words to use in a picture book, so you need to do a lot with each plot point.</p>
<p>In general, your plot should:<br />
• Hook readers fast<br />
• Build tension that a child can follow<br />
• Create page turns that feel natural<br />
• Wrap up in a way that satisfies</p>
<p>You can borrow a plot twist (a leg) from one manuscript and the opening (the other leg) from a different manuscript. Consider if the subplot of the middle grade novel you trunked would work better as a picture book. Or maybe your Facebook post about a disastrous camping trip could become a story for kids. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other until you have your storyline.

The Arms of your story are the side characters.

The Torso of your story is the setting. Setting helps a story breathe and connects all the elements of the story. It isn't just where your story lives, it's what makes your story ALIVE. It's the difference between "this happened in a park" and "this happened in that park, the one with the twisty slide that burns your legs and the creaky swing that sounds like a baby crying.”</p>
<p>Your setting should:<br />
• Make your character's world feel real<br />
• Contain your story in a way that makes sense to young readers<br />
• Connect different scenes and moments organically<br />
• Give your illustrator enough room to add visual subplots</p>
<p>Half-finished manuscripts are a great place to dig up settings, since you worked out the place details before the plot petered out. Or maybe you had to cut a second fantastic location from your chapter book. You can also revisit the detailed caption from your Instagram carousel documenting your tour of that delish candy shop. Disinter a robust setting that can house all of your story's vital organs.

After you press the Click When Done circle button, the lights flash with the sound of electricity buzzing. Then the screen goes black and lightning zaps across the screen with the sound of thunder.

The screen then lights up to show the storage room, and all the Frankenstein pieces have been assembled into the whole monster. An upbeat song plays in the background. Then a speech bubble pops up with the words, “I’m alive! I’M ALIVE!” Then the screen goes to black.

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