Five questions for Charlotte Teeple-Salas
Hello, I’m Charlotte! My first love of stories came from ballet. In addition to completing the MA in Writing for Young People, I have a BA in History of Art from UC Berkeley, and an MA in Museum Studies from University College London. I’m a former fundraiser, once helping museums tell the stories of the objects they protect.
What is your writing routine?
I sit my tail down in my chair! Seriously, showing up is half the battle. I’ve spent a lot of time making my garden writing room a haven, surrounding myself with my children’s art and books I love. On my writing days, I love the ritual of making a cup of tea, unlocking the door, opening the computer, and ticking off tasks. I’m fortunate to have a lot of wonderful support from my MAWFYP colleagues, as well as an external crit group (go Hairy Godmothers!) with whom I check in regularly. Without my writing community, writing can be lonely. Sure, my cat, the neighbourhood cats, the squirrel thumping across the roof, the bees, the blue tits, and the squawking magpies are a great company, but they can’t keep me accountable when I’m doing writing sprints or helping me solve a plot problem.
What was the inspiration for your manuscript?
I grew up sailing the California Channel Islands on my father’s boat, Chimaera. We spent each summer at Two Harbours on Santa Catalina, where Natalie Wood drowned. The mystery of her tragic death haunted me as a child, particularly since I knew the power of the sea and how that, churning within its grasp, we’re helpless and utterly alone. I was drawn to write a romantic YA story tackling questions of destiny through soulmates, and to explore toxic perfectionism in teenage girls. I read about a rare, blood red, blue moon, and the idea for Chimaera Moon was born.
Who is your favourite character in your book?
Calliope, my trapped and voiceless protagonist, who throws off the shackles of perfectionism, comes to accept and love herself, and more importantly, know her self-worth. I’m pouring much of myself into her, and this book is a letter of love, acceptance, and forgiveness to my younger self. It’s been wicked fun writing Griffin, the antagonist, too. For the MA, I wrote a scene from his first-person point of view, digging deep inside his rotten core, which helped me understand him. And of course, who couldn’t love Nicholas?
Describe your book in four words.
Mystery. Love. Truth. Voice.
‘Get to know me’: Describe your perfect day.
I’m a creature of habit, and since I’ve long grappled with debilitating issues of perfectionism, let’s just call this a good day. I love my morning tea, hugging my son and daughter (if they’ll tolerate it), chatting with my husband about upcoming holiday plans or the plots of favourite TV shows, and scratching my cat, @harrythecatformerlyknownasjeff on the chin. I always feel better after a long morning walk in Hampstead Heath, then getting to my desk to write. If it's a weekend, I love going to movies with my family. Since we’re in London, we go to the theatre a lot, too. I love dinner parties with our friends, finishing with rounds of poker or boardgames, or making s’mores in our garden fire pit, getting the marshmallows melted just right. And of course, no day would be complete without time to read!
