Author Interview: Shelley Coriell

I'd like to welcome Shelley Coriell, author of Welcome, Caller, This Is Chloe, to the blog today for an interview.

About Shelley Coriell

Young adult author Shelley Coriell writes stories about teens on the edge of love, life-changing moments, and a little bit of crazy. Her debut novel, Welcome, Caller, This is Chloe, will be released May 1, 2012 by Amulet Books/Abrams. A six-time Romance Writers of America Golden Heart finalist, Shelley lives in Arizona with her family and the world’s neediest rescue Weimaraner. When she’s not writing, she bakes high-calorie, high-fat desserts and gives speeches about the joys and business of writing. You can find her online at www.shelleycoriell.com.

What is your favorite thing, character, or moment from Welcome, Caller, This Is Chloe?

I love the Garbage Game scenes where Chloe convinces Duncan to play trash ball and race paper airplanes. Basically, she gets him to loosen up and “have fun.” In the early drafts of CHLOE, I was having the hardest time getting into Duncan’s head. Because of his family issues, he has such a guarded heart, but through Garbage Games, I finally got to know him.


What are some of your pet peeves?

Like Chloe, it bothers me when people habitually chit-chat on their cell phones in public. Some people think it’s rude, but to me, it’s more than that. When you’re all wrapped up in a phone call or text conversation, you close yourself off to new people and experiences.


Favorite vintage shoe?

I adore these sexy 1940s ankle strap heels in grass green.



What do you feel are some imperative traits of literary heroines (and/or some of your favorite heroines that possess those traits)?

Personally, I love strong but broken heroines, characters in need of serious transformation who may not realize their brokenness, or better yet, fight it. In action-adventure, these are called kick-ass heroines. A classic example is Scarlett O’Hara from Gone with the Wind. Chloe’s not your typical YA heroine. She’s confident in herself and in her place in the world, but all that is rocked in her story journey.


Are there any upcoming books, or movies based on books, that you are really excited about?

I’ve been on a serious historical kick lately. I’m really looking forward to Jennifer McGowan’s Maids of Honor series set in Tudor England and Libba Bray’s jazz-age series, The Diviners. Yep, I’m all over the map on this one.


Thanks for having me on your blog, Jenny. May your world be filled with good books and great people!

To learn more about Chloe’s high school radio world and win a $50 electronic/radio store gift certificate or one of ten CHLOE swag packs, go to Shelley Coriell’s website, www.shelleycoriell.com/blog/. Good luck to all!

Thanks to Shelley for stopping by and answering some questions!

You can find Shelley on:
Website | Facebook | Goodreads

You can find Welcome, Caller, This Is Chloe on:
My Review | Amazon | Goodreads