Are you a chess player yourself? And what kind of research did you do? Let’s talk about CHESS! I learned so much about the game and the tournament process from reading Focused. Part of growing up is facing those challenges and learning to stand up for what we need and ask for help when we can’t handle things alone.
We each have our own unique problems and struggles. I wanted all readers to be able to find themselves in this book. That was my intention in writing Focused. One of the things I really loved is that even though your novel is about a particular girl coming to terms with her particular diagnosis of ADHD, how she and her family and friends handle that can be generalized to so many other situations. While that can be a problem at times and in certain situations, it can also be a huge asset, because I can solve puzzles and problems very quickly and come up with unusual solutions. Lastly, my brain works really fast, and because of how I process information, I often see things differently than other people. I’ve been able to share, listen, learn, help and be helped. While this wasn’t great in middle school, as an adult, it has given me the chance to connect with a lot of different people. Also, I have a difficult time regulating my emotions, I’m very open about my feelings and experiences. Hyperfocus enables me to dive into a character’s mind and live in their world. I get consumed, and that has been a huge asset to me in writing books. First, hyperfocus! When I find something I love to do, it’s all I can think about and talk about. I’ll share a few here, but there are definitely more. This is such a great question! There are so many positive aspects of having ADHD. In fact, you recently said on Twitter “ADHD is one of my favorite parts of myself.” What are the positives for you? One of the most powerful aspects of the novel is how Clea starts to recognize that what she considered a weakness can actually be a strength. You’ve mentioned that Clea’s story is somewhat based on your own experiences with ADHD. Thank you! It means a lot to hear that you’re excited about my new book! Focused features Clea, a gutsy, seventh grade chess player, who is caught between her love of chess and her ADHD. Focused hits shelves next week so make sure you plan a visit to your local bookstore or pre-order a copy here!Īlyson – I am incredibly excited to see your latest novel, Focused, out in the world! What is this story about? I’m thrilled that Alyson agreed to stop by the MG Book Village today to talk about her latest middle grade novel.
Alyson Gerber’s Focused is one of my favorite reads this year – and an important book that I hope finds its way into as many hands as possible.
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