Jessica K. Foster interviews Andy and Lucas from Andy and the Extroverts

Authors Interviewing Characters:

Jessica K. Foster interviews Andy and Lucas from Andy and the Extroverts

Andy and the Extroverts

Seventeen-year-old Andy Stevens has no friends. She’d rather chew rusty nails than talk to anyone ever since her bestie ditched her freshman year. Her oblivious mom has the audacity to pack her up and send her to a summer camp for aspiring leaders, hoping it will be the catalystthat instills confidence in her.

After an awkward public speech and a mortifying swim test, Andy is shocked when the most popular, hottest camper Lucas begins to pay attention to her. Though the girls in her cabin try to warn her about him, she’s swept into the first romance of her life.

But the girls are right, and Lucas is hiding something big. Now she’ll have to find her inner confidence to save her summer and become the leader she was always meant to be.

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Jessica K. Foster, author of Andy and the Extroverts, catches up with Lucas and Andy under a cottonwood tree on the edge of Camp Follow the Leader.

Jessica K. Foster: Thank you for taking time out of your fun in the sun to sit down with me and talk about your camp experience. So, how’s it going?

Andy: (picks up a blade of grass and twirls it between her fingers, avoiding eye contact)

Lucas: Andy’s not much of a talker. Camp is going great! (gives a megawatt smile). How long have you been an author?

Jessica: I’ve written a few books, but this is the first one I will publish. How long have you been a camper?

Lucas: (laughs) Ever since I can remember. Camp this year has been interesting. There are a lot of activities that we didn’t do last year.

Andy: (turns to Lucas) Really?

Lucas: Yeah, did you think I’d actually climbed that huge wall before?

Andy: (whispers) Yes.

Jessica: Did you climb the wall, Andy?

Andy stares nervously at Lucas.

Lucas: (clears throat) Heights aren’t for everyone, but that’s not what leadership is about, anyway.

Jessica: What is your definition of leadership, then, Lucas?

Lucas: I guess I haven’t ever really had to put it into words, but to me, it’s about anticipating the needs of other people.

Andy: (smiles softly) You’re good at that.

Lucas begins to reach for Andy’s hand but then with a look at Jessica, withdraws.

Andy tucks a stray piece of hair behind her ear.

Andy: I have a question.

Jessica: That’s not really how this—

Andy: If you’re an author, do you get to spend time in libraries and by yourself in coffee shops?

Jessica: Sometimes.

Andy nods, frowning.

Andy: I might like to be an author someday.

Jessica: Maybe you will.

(Andy ducks her head and smiles)

Lucas: She definitely reads a lot. And didn’t you say you worked at a library at home?

(Andy nods)

Lucas: That’s the cool thing about this camp. Everyone leads in a different way.

Jessica: What do you mean?

Lucas: A lot of us are loud. Like me. But that’s not always the best way to lead.

Andy: (mutters) Maybe not all of us want to lead.

Lucas: Maybe not all of us realize how much of a leader we already are.

Andy: (startles, stares at Lucas)

The air stills as they communicate without speaking. Finally, Andy’s mouth turns up in an approximation of a smile.

Andy, in a teasing tone to Lucas: You can always hope.

The camp intercom crackles. “Dinner time, campers! Time to eat all the things!” a cheery voice announces.

Andy rolls her eyes. 

Lucas hops to his feet, offering her a hand.

Andy blushes and allows him to help her stand. For a moment, neither lets go as they stare into each other’s eyes.

Jessica: (clears throat) Thank you for agreeing to this interview.

Andy: (grimaces) What are leaders for?

Lucas: (nudges Andy) That’s the spirit! 

As they walk to the cafeteria together, the distance between them closes. Before long, Lucas’s arm slides around Andy’s shoulders. As the sun shines down on them, it catches on her fleeting, brilliant smile.

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Buy Andy and the Extroverts on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Andy-Extroverts-Jessica-K-Foster-ebook/dp/B0C3T75PPJ?ref_=ast_author_mpb

Or find it at Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/andy-and-the-extroverts-jessica-k-foster/1143406351 

Add it to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/129337132 

Author Bio:

Jessica K. Foster (she/her) writes funny, heartfelt Young Adult Contemporary fiction with a dash of romance. She is a middle school Language Arts teacher with a penchant for hot tea and romantic beach reads. Jessica lives in West Michigan with her husband, two boys, and their ragtag crew of rescue animals. Visit her website at https://jessicakfoster.com for more information.

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: Interviews, On Writing