ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Born in Grimsby, England, on October 13th 1987, Abby is a compulsive creative. Growing up, she wrote a ton of songs (some good, some meh), produced homemade zines, paintings and books. The last one she made with a stapler and A4 was the first draft of novel Flick. Abby began writing for screen for production company Living Spirit, and also started reviewing books for the Huffington Post. Since 2010 Abby has written for, and worked as Books Editor for Phoenix Magazine.
I have read "Golden Boy" and it is one of my favorite reads for 2013. So, today at Coffee&Crackers is so honored to have the author, Abigail Tarttelin, for an exclusive interview.
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C&C: How did you become a writer and when was the first time you write a novel/ story? Can you share with me what was the story all about?
Abigail Tarttelin:
I have always written compulsively but I was really inspired by my English teacher, who taught me that I had a license and a freedom to write about anything I wanted. The first novel I ever wrote was Flick. I started it when I was 19 and finished when I was 21, and I was inspired to write it because I felt that teenage boys from my region of England were missing out on a literary voice due to poor education and access to the publishing industry. With Golden Boy, I felt that a presentation of an intersex character in a mainstream, accessible novel was a worthwhile endeavour. I like to have a reason to write and to talk to people about a certain theme or issue.
C&C: Describe about yourself in one sentence.
Abigail Tarttelin:
Still growing up!
C&C: In your novel, "Golden Boy", you bring forward an issue of
Intersexuality. In your opinion, how does it differs from LGBT? Did you
do any special research on intersexuality? Have you meet anyone who are
intersex?
Abigail Tarttelin:
Like all LGBTQIA issues, intersexuality is something one is born with
and one has little to no control over. I have found that talking about
intersex is different from talking about other LGBT issues because it is
fairly under-represented in literature and culture and therefore
readers have few preconceptions about intersex conditions. It makes it
easier to have an open, accepting conversation with people when they
have no pre-existing bias or beliefs about the condition. I did research
intersexuality because I wanted to be as accurate as possible, although
in writing Max I approached the character from the point of view that
gender wasn't going to play a role in his development; it only has an
impact on his life and voice following the incident at the opening of
the book. I have met intersex people since Golden Boy was published and
I'm happy to say everyone I've spoken to has appreciated the book.
C&C: I am so against abortion religiously and morally. What is your personal opinion about this issue?
Abigail Tarttelin:
Like most Europeans, I believe it is unethical and immoral to force a
woman to carry an embryo against her will, particularly since the
maternal death rate worldwide is unacceptably high, with 800 women dying
every day from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth.
C&C: Just wondering, Max's brother, Daniel, does he suffered from any disorder? He sure throw a tantrum a lot.
Abigail Tarttelin:
No he doesn't - but as a ten year old, his emotions are certainly a lot to handle!
C&C: What's your future project? Do you mind sharing?
Abigail Tarttelin:
I'm currently working on a few short stories and my third novel. It's too early to tell what will happen though!
Thank you very much Abigail for the fun interview. I wish you all success for your future projects and your career.
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ABOUT THE BOOK
The Walkers are hiding something, you see. Max is special. Max is different. Max is intersex. When an enigmatic childhood friend named Hunter steps out of his past and abuses his trust in the worst possible way, Max is forced to consider the nature of his well-kept secret. Why won't his parents talk about it? What else are they hiding from Max about his condition and from each other? The deeper Max goes, the more questions emerge about where it all leaves him and what his future holds, especially now that he's starting to fall head over heels for someone for the first time in his life. Will his friends accept him if he is no longer the Golden Boy? Will anyone ever want him — desire him — once they know? And the biggest one of all, the question he has to look inside himself to answer: Who is Max Walker, really? - Goodreads
