Monday, December 6, 2010

Student of the Month: Kody Keplinger


Student of the Month is a monthly feature here at The Broke and the Bookish in which fellow college students will be in the spotlight with an interview or a guest post about being bookish college students. This month we are talking with Kody Keplinger--author of the YA novel, The DUFF, and full time college student! I know how stressful being a college student is and I just HAD to know how she does both. Welcome to the blog, Kody!


Student at Ithaca College
Major: Writing
Year: Sophomore

What inspired you to be a writer? Do you have any authors that have particularly inspired you? I have always loved to write, but I think it was JK Rowling and the Harry Potter books that really made me realize how powerful and amazing a good book could be.  That made me want to write, too.

What does a typical day look like for you as a college student?

Lets see . . . something like this:

1. Roll out of bed half an hour later than planned.
2. Go to class.
3. Do homework.
4. More class.
5. More homework
6. Eat at some point.
7. Write as much as I can before I fall asleep

It's not very glamorous, honestly. 

Knowing what the hectic schedule of a college student is like, what is your writing process like?  I write best late at night.  Which can be a pain when I start falling asleep over my computer - haha.

How has majoring in Writing been most helpful to you as an author? It's been a great way to learn how to write in other genres.  I'm learning how to write in more adult genres. It's good to have those options open.


As a full time student and writer, how do you balance schoolwork, writing and your free time? Truth? I don't.  I can't keep up with all of it all the time.  Sometimes my writing is put on the back burner. Sometimes it's my social life. Sometimes its my sleep.  I haven't mastered the juggling act yet.  Its tough.  But it's worth it.


Favorite class you've taken in college so far? Why? Girlhoods in Literature - we read children's and YA books from 1800s until today, all featuring female heroines.  It had the best reading list of any class I've ever taken.

The DUFF: (Designated Ugly Fat Friend)That sounds like an incredible class! How do your professors and fellow classmates respond to the fact that you are a published author?  Not all of them know. The ones that do are happy for me and cool.  But I don't necessarily walk around telling everyone I meet. I am treated like any other dopey sophomore! Haha.

What genres/authors do you like to read? I like to read mostly young adult books. Too many authors come to mind to name them all, but if it's in the Teen Section of the bookstore, chances are I'll read it.

Do you have any advice for other college students who are aspiring writers? Take chances.  Seriously, don't miss out on opportunities now.  You'll regret it later.

One piece of advice for college freshman? Take classes in all the subjects you MIGHT be interested in.  Pick a major a little later.  Trust me, it's so helpful to do it that way. You'll be happier for it.


Favorite college experience so far? My friend Rachel's birthday last year.  We threw a party in a tiny dorm room and danced and sang and had a great time.

Dance parties are my favorite! I'm sure you've had your share of late nights and all-nighters! Give us your survival kit for a successful all-nighter.  Loud music, Mountain Dew, and Starburst.  Best thing EVER at 2:00 am.

Thanks for stopping by the blog, Kody. Good luck with your studies and your writing! I don't know how you do it but I'm thinking back at myself as a dopey sophomore and I know I couldn't have handled it.  Make sure you check out Kody's website, blog and book!

What about you all? Are you an aspiring writer? How do you juggle everything? What does your survival kit for a successful all-nighter look like?

10 comments:

  1. Great Interview! You're days almost sound like mine :). Thanks, Kody! Thanks, Jamie!

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  2. This is an awesome meme and a fantastic review! Oh, it makes me miss college! Great job, Jamie! You should interview yourself one month :)

    -Linds, bibliophile brouhaha

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  3. Such a great interview. When I read The Duff, I was constantly thinking "How did Kody do this at such a young age!?" Very inspiring, and so fun to see how she fits writing in to her daily schedule.

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  4. Fabulous interview! I went to Ithaca College as well so it's especially cool to read an interview with someone who's currently attending and just happens to be the author of a book I loved! I always rolled out of bed a half hour later than planned as well, that's one benefit of a fairly small campus, you can get to class pretty easily when you're running late!

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  5. My all nighter consists of 1 loud music in intervals 2 sugar 3 breaks for twitter and 4 never tweet or email back after 2 am because you may regret it the next day

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  6. I totally agree with her advice to college freshman! I was so focused on my English major my freshman year and I didn't really need to be. Now I'm taking classes in several departments when it's really too late to pick a second major.

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  7. I love being able to tell my high school students (who are obsessed with The DUFF btw) that it was written by a teen in high school. They (pretty rightly) are incredulous. Love this book, love this author!

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  8. Kody, I'm an IC grad; I didn't take Girlhood in Lit, but I took a couple of classes with Katharine Kittredge. She still teaches that, right? I love her. What does she think of your published status, or is she one of the people who doesn't know? :)

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  9. Up until this fall, I was a non-traditional college student majoring in history and English. Sadly, my student loans capped out and I was unable to go back in the fall. Not sure if or when I will finish. Major bummer! I know how hard it is because I went back in 2003 at the age of 35 with an infant and a 20 month old at home!

    I also had to stop by and thank you for your nice comment and also for following both my book blog and my Christmas blog. I'm so glad you like them! I am now following you here and I look forward to sharing in the good news of books!

    Happy Holidays!

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  10. I always wrote my best papers late at night. I'd be on such a roll, think of amazing ideas and then I'd just crash and have to sleep.

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