A Resort Chat with Faye & Aliza Kellerman...

I am extremely honored Faye & Aliza Kellerman decided to make The Book Resort their first stop for a little dish.

Here we go!!!


Me: Aliza, please describe PRISM in 15 words or less:

Aliza: Prism is a paranormal thriller with an underlying layer of ethos.

Me: Faye, please describe BLINDMAN'S BLUFF in 15 words or less:

Faye: It is a story of no good deed goes unpunished with intrigue.

Me: When did you first think about joining up as a team to write a novel?

Faye: We've been a team for many years. The novel was actually conceived because of Aliza's prodigious writing talents. I was writing my own novels. I told Aliza that she had to write it because I was too busy. But we worked on the outline together.

Aliza: I was thrilled at the opportunity to pen a novel with my mother. Writing Prism was an absolute pleasure, and honestly, who could ask for a better editor than Faye Kellerman?

Me: Faye, what kind of negotiations did you have to make along the way?

Faye: Negotiations with my daughter? There were a few but not too many. We communicated primarily through email which takes a lot of drama out of the equation. We had a few plot ideas that we had to hash throughout but mostly it was I in awe of Aliza's ability to plot, pace, characterize and add a few twists.

Me: Aliza, what was your actual process of working through the story? Did you work together in an office, the living room, den or kitchen?


Aliza: Writing is one of the most solitary activities in which one can engage. That being said, the process of writing Prism was a collaborative one. However, my mother and I didn't work together in the sense that we alternated typing keys. I'd return from school, write a page or two, and every fifty or so pages, e-mail my mother. She then edited what I sent her. I mostly worked in my room, while my mother edited in her office.

Me: How much time did you spend on storytelling daily?

Faye: We did the outline and a chapter outline before Aliza started writing. Then she's send about a quarter of the book to meat a time and I'd edit it.


Me: Aliza, how do you balance being 16 & being a published author?

Aliza: I know I'm supposed to view writing as a job, but to me, it's the equivalent of a hot bath. So in a sense, being a published author balanced the toils of being sixteen.


Me: Aliza, are you looking forward to touring & doing interviews for your summer vacation?

Aliza: I'm thrilled. I'm nervous, excited, and not even attempting to anticipate the coming events.

Me: Aliza, How does it feel to see your name on the cover of Prism?

Aliza: It hasn't quite hit me yet. If it ever does, it will feel wonderful.

Me: Aliza, what are you working on now? (If you can give us a hint!)

Aliza: For the time being, I'm working on publishing a few short stories here and there. I'm very into drawing comics, so there might be some of that ahead. And, of course, college applications.

Me: Spiderman or Superman:

Faye: Spiderman - he's all too human

Aliza: Spiderman. Everyone loves a superhero with a sensitive streak.

Me: Wonder Woman or Batgirl:

Faye: Probably Wonder Woman I dig those bracelets.

Aliza: Wonder Woman, only for the blue streaked hair.

Me: Chunky or Smooth:

Faye: I like both. It depends on my mood.

Aliza: Chunky, definitely.

Me: Favorite flavor ice cream:

Faye: Vanilla or mint chip. I'm very pedestrian.

Aliza: Strawberry. Nobody doesn't look cute eating strawberry ice cream.

Me: Favorite ice cream topping:

Aliza: Malted milk balls and raisinets

Me: Broadway Show or Movie Theater:

Aliza: I do love Broadway, but I'm more of a cinema girl.

Faye: Broadway show ABSOLUTELY. Just Saw GOD OF CARNAGE and I LOVED IT.

Me: Aliza, TiVo or DVR

Aliza: I like to live in the moment.

Me: Favorite vacation place:

Aliza: Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Faye: ANY PLACE I'M RELAXED!!!!!

Me: Next vacation destination:

Aliza & Faye: New York.

Me: Guilty Pleasure:

Aliza: Graphic novels and CPK pizza.

Faye: Crossword puzzles and Sudokus. I'm a puzzle nut.

Me: Good luck charm:

Aliza: Comfortable clothing.

Me: Aliza, last thing bought at the mall:

Aliza: I'm going to have to say fudge.

Me: French fries or Onion Rings:

Faye: Both.

Aliza: Onion rings, anyday.

Me: Pizza: New York or Chicago?

Aliza: Chicago-deep dish!

Faye: NEW YORK

Me: Midnight snack:

Aliza: Strawberry cheerios.

Faye: Fruit

Me: Bookmark or dog ear?

Aliza: Dog ear

Faye: Bookmark

Me: Ocean, Lake, Desert, Mountain:

Aliza: Ocean.

Faye: All of the above.

Me: Aliza, favorite book:

Aliza: Ernst, a picture book by Elisa Kleven. Favourite novel is much trickier-there are far too many. One book I love is a collection of short stories called The Nimrod Flipout, by Etgar Keret. As for graphic novels, The Bottomless Bellybutton, by Dash Shaw, is excellent.

Me: Aliza, item you can't live without:


Aliza: At this point in time, I'll go with coffee. Does that count?

Me: Who is your favorite writer that most people have never heard of?

Faye: I suppose that would have to be James M Cain - Postman Always Rings Twice and Double Indemnity.

Aliza: That's a tough one. Most of my favourite authors are pretty renowned. I'll say this, if you haven't read of Kelly Braffet, you should.

Me: Faye, what kid &/or teen books made a difference in your world growing up?

Faye: Laura Ingalls Wilder and all of the Bronte Sisters.

Me: Aliza, What kid &/or teen books made a difference in your world growing up & are making a difference in your world today?

Aliza: Prep, by Curtis Singfield, is an excellent insight into the mind of a teenager. I'm eternally grateful for graphic novelists who backdrop their stories in historical settings. In that regard, thank you Joann Sfar and Marjan Satrapi.

Me: Aliza, Harry Potter or Twilight?

Aliza: Both are great reads.

Me: Describe your ideal place to write:

Faye: I can write anywhere as long as I'm inspired. I've written in my beautiful office and also in closets.

Aliza: Anywhere, as long as I have some sort of writing implement. But preferably somewhere relatively quiet.

Me: Aliza, what are you reading @ the moment?

Aliza: A Long Way Down; Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs; and thanks to my Brit Lit teacher, Narcissus and Goldmund.


Me: Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?

Aliza: I think the above answers that question!

Me: Aliza, Have you thought about teaming up w/ your father, Jonathan, or brother, Jesse, on any upcoming books?

Aliza: If given the opportunity, I'd be happy to do so. Both are fabulous works of talent.

Me: Thank you, Faye, for taking the time to answer my questions. Thank you, Aliza, I wish you much success in your writing career.

Faye: YOU'RE A DOLL. GOOD LUCK!

Aliza: Thank you, it was a lot of fun.

Check Faye out @ http://www.fayekellerman.net/

As for Aliza, they are still working on setting up her website. As soon as it's up, I'll let you know.


Want to read an excerpt of Prism from this extremely talented mother-daughter team go here!!!












♥ & Respect Books ~ read often & help others to do the same =9.