Authors Interviewing Characters: Alison Schaffir

March 7, 2023 | By Women Writers Women Books | Reply More

Authors Interviewing Characters: Alison Schaffir

Your Dream for Me:

Seventeen-year-old Scarlett, unlike her theatrically-gifted parents, is not one to spend time near a spotlight. Scarlett dreams of becoming a renowned fashion designer, where she can flex her creative talents away from a crowd. So it’s no surprise when she sneaks into her school’s costume shop to explore the racks. Unexpected, however, is coming face-to-face with Nathaniel Wilder, a talented theater student who piques a new interest.

With fashion still as her main priority, Scarlett vows to learn how to make a 50s-inspired dress for her best friend, Macie. After all, she needs a strong portfolio of work to help her get into her dream school, Fashion Institute of Technology. The one problem? She has no idea how to operate a sewing machine. Thanks to Nathaniel’s encouragement, Scarlett decides to shadow the school’s drama teacher to practice her skills, hoping to fuse her passion for fashion with theater…and be closer to him for the spring play.

Scarlett’s designs are unfolding, but a distressing event involving Macie shakes everyone in Scarlett’s world—causing their friendship to falter and Nathaniel to unexpectedly pull away. With building stressors threatening the rest of the year, including a rival who wants to tarnish Scarlett’s reputation, Scarlett must rely on her determined spirit and newfound sewing skills to keep her fashion dreams—and her most important relationships—from unraveling.

Alison Schaffir, author of Your Dream for Me, interviews main character, Scarlett Clarke, in a high school hallway during the first semester of her junior year.

Alison Schaffir: Hey Scarlett! Thanks for taking the time to meet with me. I’m excited to get the opportunity to interview you.

Scarlett Clarke: Wow, this is so cool that a real author wants to interview me. I kind of feel like a celebrity.

Alison: You should. It’s your moment to shine.

Scarlett: I’m not going to lie. I’m a little nervous though.

Alison: There’s nothing to be nervous about. You can act like it’s a completely normal conversation.

Scarlett: Okay, I’m not really used to having a lot of attention on me. But I’m ready. Go ahead.

Alison: So tell me all about high school. Sounds like your junior year is already flying by. How has that been going so far?

Scarlett: Well, I’m really happy to be an upperclassman. I’ve been studying hard for classes and working at Fashion Frwd, my favorite clothing store. And I’ve been doing more clothing design on the side–well, at least sketches and drawings. I just wish I had more time to focus on that, you know?

Alison: I understand. You sound like quite the busy bee! You said you’ve been getting into clothing design. Is that the career you want to go into after college? Fashion design?

Scarlett: Yeah, that’s my dream. First, I want to go to Fashion Institute of Technology to get my bachelor’s degree, and then I want to move to New York City so I can become a fashion designer in the Big Apple. I can’t imagine being anywhere else.

Alison: That’s very ambitious of you. What made you choose New York City?

Scarlett: My parents love it there. When I was younger, we used to take trips into the city to go out to dinner and see Broadway shows. Plus, there’s no better place than NYC for a career in fashion. They say if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere.

Alison: Valid point. I can already see you being a fashion designer just by how enthusiastically you talk about it.

Scarlett: Really, you think so? Okay, I take back what I said before. I like being interviewed by you.

Alison: I’m glad to hear you’re warming up. So it sounds like you’re crushing it this year between classes and extracurriculars. Now tell me more about your best friend, Macie. You both seem pretty close from what I’ve heard.

Scarlett: We are. We’re practically inseparable–

Macie Young (approaches from behind Scarlett): Did I just hear my name? Scar, what are you up to right now?

Scarlett: Hey Macie! Oh you know, trash-talking about you. Just the usual.

Macie: Get out of here. You know you love me.

Scarlett: Of course I do. I’m just messing with you. By the way, I’m being interviewed right now about our friendship. Do you have anything to add?

Macie (looks at me): Oh yeah, Scar and I go way back. We’ve been friends since third grade Little League. We do almost everything together. Go to the mall, watch movies together, hang out at Dotty’s.

Alison: Sounds like you two are the definition of friendship goals. Oh, and what’s Dotty’s?

Macie: It’s this diner on the edge of campus. Everyone from school goes there on Fridays after practices and rehearsals. It’s the place to be.

Alison: Wow, that sounds pretty hip. Maybe I need to check it out. By the way, Macie, you look like you’re in a rush. Where are you heading right now?”

Macie (turns on her heel): Gotta run off for Mr. Walsh’s theater class exam. I thought it was going to be an easy elective, but now I have to recite a three-minute monologue, all from memory. Wish me luck!

Scarlett (waves): You got this. Break a leg!

Alison: Ah, the joys of high school exams. Glad to be done with those. Anyways, Scarlett, back to you with the next question. I have to know. Any crushes right now? I’m sure there are some cuties at this school.

Scarlett (defensively): Um…well…no…

(Scarlett looks into the distance at a guy with a gray shirt and dark hair walking past. Her eyes quickly flick back to me with nervous energy.)

Alison: Are you sure about that?

Scarlett: Okay, well there’s this one guy I met in the costume shop just before this. We bumped into each other, but it was barely anything. I don’t even know his name. I just know he’s a theater student.

Alison: Well, it sounds like we might have to find out. Want me to flag him over for an interview?

Scarlett (pleadingly): Oh gosh, please no! I’ll do anything.

Alison: Alright, alright. I won’t make a scene. Have you ever thought about joining the theater department before? Now you might have a good excuse…

Scarlett: Actually, I have thought about doing costume design for the theater department. I want to work behind the scenes, I’m just not a big fan of the spotlight.

Alison: I understand. You prefer to make the magic happen behind the curtain. Either way, it sounds like it could be a great way to combine your interests together.

Scarlett: Now that you mention it, it would be a good opportunity. Maybe I’ll talk to Mr. Walsh…

Alison: There you go. Two birds with one stone. Well, Scarlett, I’m running low on time, but I wish we could keep talking. While I’m thinking about it, any last questions for me?

Scarlett: I do have one question. You said you’re an author. What are you writing your book about anyway?

Alison (shoots sideways glance): Oh, nothing in particular. Just a couple of characters I have in mind…Anyways, so great to interview you, Scarlett. Good luck with the rest of your junior year.

—

Alison Schaffir is a social media strategist and young adult author living in New York City. A lover of contemporary fiction, Alison developed her debut novel, Your Dream for Me, fusing two of her favorite interests, fashion and theater, together. She graduated from University of Richmond with a major in business marketing and a minor in psychology. When she’s not making up stories in her head, she loves indulging in Trader Joe’s lava cakes, belting early 2000s pop hits, and spending time with her friends and family.