An Interview with Children's Author Melissa Pettignano

Melissa Pettignano is the author of Suzanne Lantana a collection of short stories which are both fiction and non - fiction. As well as being a children's writer she is also pursuing work in music and modelling. Here I ask her some questions about her writing and her book Suzanne Lantana.

1. What made you want to write for children?

Answer: What made me want to write for children was a pretty simple answer for myself even when I was younger. I wanted to write for children because I did not want to see children hurt or in pain. I saw a lot of children dealing with a lot, heard a lot of stories, and even myself I dealt with a lot that has made me an even more stronger person today always and forever. Growing up during the time I wrote this book I would see a lot of my friends and other kids dealing with a lot and I saw how they felt, I too dealt with a lot. From what I saw and heard many felt like they had no one to turn to. I wanted to write for children because I wanted them to gain a sense to know that they can make it no matter what they may go through and there is always someone or something there to help them. Whether it be a mother, a father, a sister, a brother, an aunt an uncle, a grandparent, teacher, counselor, principal, friends, family member, but number one their faith. I wanted them to know that with any situation there is always positive. And even if they feel they are alone, they shall over come with the strength they never knew they had.

2. What children’s writer or book had the most influence on you?

Answer: The children’s writers who had the most influence on me are: Shakespeare, Nancy Drew, and Judy Blume to name a few. I have many. What children’s books had the most influence on me are: Nancy Drew Series, Judy Blume Series, Shakespeare’s works, Cinderella, Snow white, The Wizard of Oz, Sophie and Lou, and a lot of other major classics. I absolutely love reading. I don't just have one favorite it would be too hard to pick. I love all these for what each story represents and brings forth. I love them for their own uniqueness and for the writers for what they brought for each reader to capture in their own way from each story, just like they captured their own story in their mind for us to all be a part of.

3. You say in your introduction that your character Suzanne wants to instill good in the world. How would you do this?

Answer: To instill good in the world I feel it is not hard to do at all. There are many ways and things people can do to instill good in the world. For one talking to one another with respect, being courteous, not to be phony or fake, but to be polite to one another whether you like each other or not.  To not "put down" another person ever. In God’s word he wants all to love one another. Love thy neighbor as you love yourself. Very powerful!!! Just as powerful as all his other words.
I have many ways in which I would do this, and for Suzanne she wants to instill good in the world by simple helping and letting people know to stick up for yourself in the right manner, to not listen to those who try to put you down ever, to go for what you believe in and to handle situations in manners that people may have forgotten to do, due to a cycle they had been doing for so long. . I know everyone has their own obstacles to face, but with each problem there is a light on the other side of the tunnel who is helping and waiting it's a precious gift that is with us day to day 24/7 always and forever.

4. Some of the stories, I notice, have a moral side to them. Would you tackle gang culture and other problems in society focusing on the rights and wrongs?
Answer: Honestly, I really never gave thought to the idea of tackling the gang culture, but tackling a gang culture of high school of sorts I have given thought to. When I was little, I was taught the gang culture dealt with a lot of drugs, alcohol etc. Gang culture has been around for years and has dealt with those situations, but gang culture comes in many different age brackets and for some they don't even have to include drugs or alcohol. It may include physical or mental abuse for some. For ex; A group picking on a child in school thinking he’s a nerd and instead of peer pressure their weapon of choice is to try to tear down their self esteems. And this in my book is a heck no, not ever. (To be more polite) What people may not know or understand, especially those so young to it and just growing up, is people such as that are helplessly insecure and sometimes incurable, but for those they say are incurable, I say never say never, because they too can have the light of help. Too help change and guide their life if they want it. Not to mention those who are trying to help care for them.
I most definitely will tackle other problems in society focusing on the rights and wrongs. There is a lot that needs to be said.

5. Your aunt was missing for a couple of months after 9/11. How was she found? Had she been injured?

Answer: My aunt Arlene T. Babakitis was missing for a couple of months. It was Christmas time and it wasn't until after Christmas we were told that our aunt, was found a week before Christmas, but did not survive. She was injured, but I chose to know nothing in detail, because I want to have the thoughts of my aunt for who she was and is. I feel more comfortable knowing not everything. I know some detail and for me that’s enough.

6. 9/11 was an event that shocked everyone, but what were the emotional effects of it like for you and the people you knew?

Answer: The emotional effects of it for me to be honest there are really not enough words to define. It was more of a sick / shock feeling and all these other feelings that just intermingled. For the people around me for example: My mom, my aunt and my grandmother as well as my cousins, and the rest of us it was an emotional roller coaster. As I'm sure it was for a lot of other people who lost a loved one, a friend, a colleague, etc. Even those who did not loose someone, how it hit them like a ton of bricks and it was I‘m sure an emotional roller coaster in a different sense.
7. You seem a very positive optimistic person. How do you do it?

Answer: I am very much so a positive and optimist person thanks to God and myself. (Smiling), but for me I do it, by staying true to who I am, I say the way I feel, I don't take garbage from anyone and I follow my heart and my mind to the fullest extent, my faith is number one, surrounding myself with my family and my friends always and forever.
8. Is Suzanne Lantana based on your own character?

Answer: Suzanne Lantana is based to a majority degree from my own character, not in full.

9. Are you going to write more stories about Suzanne Lantana?

Answer: Yes, I most definitely am going to write more stories about Suzanne Lantana.

10. What are you working on now?

Answer: I am currently working on my second book that goes with the Suzanne Lantana Series and working as well on my music.

11. Art, music, writing, acting and other artistic occupations are tough to earn a living from. What advice can you give to someone who wants to earn a living from his or her artistic talents?

Answer: The advice I can give to someone who wants to earn a living from his or her artistic talents, is go for it. Do not let anyone ever tell you that you cannot do it. Do not ever think you can't. Do not ever think your work isn't good enough and always keep a  positive outlook on things.
              I know at times it may be hard and you may second guess your work or yourself in the type of profession you want and I speak from seeing people do this in this business, but just like I told them as advice, I'm telling you as advice don't ever second guess your work or yourself. Practice makes perfect, but remember no body is perfect.
             So practice enables you to be better, once practiced in ones art and knowledge of thy art.

© Children's Web Magazine 2008