How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr is a young adult novel about two main characters; Jill McSweeney, a solitary teenager, and Mandy Kalinowski, a pregnant high school dropout. Jill’s mother, saddened by her husband’s passing, decides to adopt Mandy’s baby. Born in Cleveland and currently living with her husband in Utah, Sara Zarr is the author of seven, soon to be eight, novels for young adults. She has won multiple awards and her books have been named on “Best Book” lists many times.
Jigmey Partsang:
“Today, I am sitting with the wonderful young adult author of the the novel How to Save a Life, Sara Zarr. Mrs. Zarr, this was your fourth book, and I noticed that your genre so far is realistic young adult fiction. Why do you write for young adults? When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?”
Sara Zarr:
“First of all, thank you for your question, Ms. Partsang. I am so glad I had the chance to do this interview with you. In the past, I would always read, but make up some stories at the side.I didn’t realise that I wanted to become a writer until I graduated from college. I don’t really know why I write for young adults. Whenever I create a story in my mind, it would often create characters in a high school-like setting. But I also think that reading a lot of realistic young adult novels as a teenager influenced my writing.”
Jigmey Partsang:
“Wow, that’s interesting how you decided your profession after college. Most people would think that you have to decide your path early on, but I think it’s good to know you can find a successful career even after graduating. In How to Save a Life, I realized you wrote in the perspectives of both Mandy and Jill, the main characters. While reading, I could really feel the different personas come through. Have you written in multiple perspectives before? Are there any challenges in writing in two different heads at the same time?”
Sara Zarr:
“How to Save a Life is actually my first book with multiple perspectives. Actually, it was surprisingly easy to write from both Mandy and Jill’s perspectives. I personally did not feel like writing in two perspectives was very challenging. In fact, it felt more natural than the other ‘one first-person point of view’ books I have written in the past. There were also many benefits when writing in two minds at once. Because there were two people telling the story, the burden for both characters to narrate the entire story lessened and made it easier to write.”
Jigmey Partsang:
“That’s great to know! Speaking of which, do you have any other suggestions for new writers? Is there anything you struggle with when writing?”
Sara Zarr:
“These days, it is incredibly easy to find information about anything, like other authors and the publishing industry. Authors these days mainly focus on getting their books published and make lots of money. But when you are just beginning and figuring things out, I suggest that you relax more. Try new things, read, and most of all, be patient. You must stay connected to the writing, and not on the fame. When I am writing, especially for How to Save a Life, I have trouble writing the plot. I always have characters, situation, and settings, but never a full story. That was definitely the most challenging part of the writing.”
Jigmey Partsang:
“Yes, I agree with you. Many authors these days focus more on the fame and online popularity when they should be focusing on the real writing. In your writing, I can feel as though you are trying to send an important message to the readers. Was there an inspiration or true story for the setting of How to Save a Life? What about the plot?”
Sara Zarr:
“The idea for How to Save a Life actually sparked from a writing prompt that I read one say which said to ‘write a scene involving an adult talking to his or her aging parent out of adopting an infant.” Since I write young adult novels, I felt as though this prompt really suited my writing. So I started brainstorming the plot.”
Jigmey Partsang:
“Wow, who knew that this incredible story came from a simple writing prompt! As I was reading, I also noticed that How to Save a Life is focused on the struggle of teen pregnancy or unexpected pregnancy. What did you do to prepare yourself before writing this book? Did you do any research?”
Sara Zarr:
“Personally, I do as little research as possible when writing, so I did not really go very deep into the topic of teen pregnancy. I feel like too much research can really distract me from the characters that I am creating. When I first drafted this book, I wrote the story exactly as it was made in my head. I then, later, researched a little to make it more realistic and accurate to real world scenarios.”
Jigmey Partsang:
“That is a very interesting and clever way to write! In your writing, I can feel as though you are trying to send an important message to the readers. Was there an inspiration or true story for the setting of How to Save a Life?”
Sara Zarr:
“Actually, there may have been a true story that definitely influenced this novel. When I was in college, I had a roommate who placed her baby in an open adoption. Even though there was definitely a lot of pain that she was going through, it was clear there was a lot of love too.”
Jigmey Partsang:
“Do you feel like you have a writing theme that goes along with your stories? Is there a goal you hope to achieve by exposing these themes?”
Sara Zarr:
“I think one of the many major recurring themes in all my books is the theme of, like I said earlier, love and pain. When you risk love, you also risk possible pain and loss. But if the grief and pain is not risked, then you do not get the chance to have the love. And I think this is a primary theme in all of our lives.”
Jigmey Partsang:
“You have received lots of positive feedback from your previous books. What do you hope your readers will get out of How to Save a Life?”
Sara Zarr:
“My main goal is to get people a great reading experience. I really want them to feel entertained after reading the book. There is still much of the story yet to be discovered, but I want let the reader decide the future.”
Jigmey Partsang:
“Thank you for joining me today Mrs. Zarr. I had a great time learning about your book and I hope you did too.”
Sara Zarr:
“I enjoyed it very much. Thank you for having me.”
Works Cited
“How to Save a Life: Interview with Sara Zarr.” The Pirate Tree,
www.thepiratetree.com/2012/11/12/how-to-save-a-life-interview-with-sara-zarr/.
“How to Save a Life: Interview with Sara Zarr.” The Pirate Tree,
www.thepiratetree.com/2012/11/12/how-to-save-a-life-interview-with-sara-zarr/.
Clarke, Cat. “Teen Book Club: Cat Clarke Interviews Sara Zarr.” The Guardian,
Guardian News and Media, 19 Oct. 2012, www.theguardian.com/books/2012/oct/19/teen-book-club-cat-clarke-interview-sara-zarr.
“News & Updates.” Sara Zarr, www.sarazarr.com/blog/.