I’m so pleased to bring you 2019’s next installment of Deubt-to-Debut! Today’s interview is with Jennifer Dugan, author of the queer romantic comedy Hot Dog Girl.
If you’re joining us for the first time, here’s what this series is all about: as a debut young adult author myself, (See All the Stars released from S&S/McElderry in August 2018), I found myself eager to start a conversation with a variety of authors in the debut year before, during, and after my own about their books, YA and the writing life more generally, and the experience of putting a first novel out into the world. I wanted their wisdom, and I wanted to share it with other authors, emerging writers, and readers. So every month or two, I chat with a fellow young adult debut novelist, and then I share our conversation with you. You can find all the interviews in the series collected right here.
I recently corresponded with Jennifer Dugan about her debut young adult novel Hot Dog Girl (G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, April 30, 2019).
From the jacket:
Elouise (Lou) Parker is determined to have the absolute best, most impossibly epic summer of her life. There are just a few things standing in her way:
* She’s landed a job at Magic Castle Playland . . . as a giant dancing hot dog. * Her crush, the dreamy Diving Pirate Nick, already has a girlfriend, who is literally the Princess of the park. But Lou’s never liked anyone, guy or otherwise, this much before, and now she wants a chance at her own happily ever after. * Her best friend, Seeley, the carousel operator, who’s always been up for anything, suddenly isn’t when it comes to Lou’s quest to set her up with the perfect girl or Lou’s scheme to get close to Nick. * And it turns out that this will be their last summer at Magic Castle Playland—ever—unless she can find a way to stop it from closing.
KIT FRICK: Hi, Jenn! I’m so excited to chat with you about your debut novel, which also wins the award for my favorite book title of 2019: Hot Dog Girl. What sparked your interest in writing this hilariously awkward (queer!) romantic romp set during protagonist Lou’s last summer at her beloved local employer, Magic Castle Playland?
JENNIFER DUGAN: The idea for the plot itself was born when I was on a gondola ride at a local(ish) amusement park and witnessed a dance-off between a few costumed park characters and some guests. I thought an amusement park was a great setting for a book and started dreaming up possible plots before I even got off the ride.
While it was a prince and princess in the actual dance-off, I wasn’t particularly interested in telling their story. I started wondering what the opposite of a princess costume would be … and somehow landed on a hot dog. I have first-hand experience of how working in a suit like that can be terrible—I worked as an Easter Bunny for a while as a teen—and I thought it would be so fun to explore that in the context of a teen girl that’s trying to will her perfect summer into existence.
KIT: How many hot dogs did you consume during the writing and revision process, or are you also vegetarian like Lou?
Okay, I do actually want to know that very important factoid, but on a broader scale, can you tell us a bit about your character development process and what went into bringing Lou (or Elle, as she would prefer to be known!) to life on the page?
JENNIFER: I actually am a vegetarian like Lou! And while I’m not a huge fan of fake meat, I definitely did eat a few tofu pups along the way.
But getting down to it, my character development always starts with first figuring out a few songs that I think my character would love. That’s honestly one of the biggest parts of my character development process—once I have a favorite song, I can start to really clearly imagine what a person would be like who has that favorite song and just spin off from there. I spend a lot of time listening to music and watching shows and movies I think they would love. I try to experience it the way they would: Who would they be thinking of during certain songs? Whose hand would they want to reach for during a scary movie? What book would they force on all their friends? And from there, they become much more vivid in my head … but it always starts with a song.
KIT: I love that! Now tell us something about Hot Dog Girl that isn’t apparent from the book cover or flap copy. We want the inside scoop!
JENNIFER: So, fun fact: amusement park diving pirates really exist. My best friend and I once faked taking a selfie together in order to get pictures of them after the show in a not-so-obvious way. I’m 99% sure the giggling gave it away, but I’d like to at least pretend we were super stealth, so I don’t die from embarrassment. I definitely drew on that moment with my best friend when I was initially exploring the friendship between Lou and Seeley in the book.
KIT: That’s awesome! I’m sure you were very, very stealth.
What gives you the most joy about your life as a YA writer right now? What’s bringing you satisfaction at this moment in time?
JENNIFER: Honestly, right now what is undoubtedly bringing me the most joy are the connections I have made with other writers throughout this whole process, especially a few fellow debuts. We are there for each other for the highs and lows, provide shoulders to cry on and champagne to celebrate with. (Well, champagne gifs at least, since we are located all over the country.)
In terms of my writing specifically, this year I also became a lot more organized in my approach to revisions, utilizing tons of notecards and post-it notes. I get a MASSIVE amount of joy from crumpling up the post-it notes after I finish each tweak in my manuscript.
KIT: I love notecards and post-its for revision too! It helps me feel organized even when the revision road ahead is long and tricky.
The publishing journey is unique for every author, but it’s safe to say that the road to book publication is filled with surprises, twists, and turns for all of us. What has surprised you most about the process of putting a first book into the world?
JENNIFER: I think one thing that really surprised me was how much “book world” time is different from “real life” time, and how quickly you adjust to/normalize it. Everything happens VERY slowly and then ALL AT ONCE and then there’s another period of quiet before it’s full speed ahead again. Having a good relationship with your agent and editor can definitely help manage expectations, but it can be a little jarring at first. But before you know it, you’re talking about an announcement for a book that will be releasing in twenty months like it’s tomorrow, while your friends outside of publishing are looking at you like you’ve lost your marbles.
KIT: So true! Book time is definitely a dimension unto itself.
Drawing from your own unique experience, what advice would you to give to future young adult debut authors, or debut novelists in general?
JENNIFER: This ties into a previous answer, but my best advice is to find your people and foster genuine relationships with them. The debut year is emotional for everyone, and it’s important to have a trusted group of friends who get it. And while official debut groups can be amazing for making connections with other writers, they tend to get large and unwieldy and often die out as time goes on. It’s absolutely crucial to find a core group of trusted friends that not only celebrate with you, but also let you vent AND rein you in when you’re going too far!
KIT: Fantastic advice. Thanks so much for chatting with me, Jenn! And welcome to the world, Hot Dog Girl!
Jennifer Dugan is an avid YA and comic writer. She strives to create the stories that she wishes she had growing up. Her debut novel Hot Dog Girl is out now from Putnam. She is based out of upstate New York, where she lives with her family and a murderous cat that she adores.
Website | Twitter | Instagram
Kit Frick is a novelist, poet, and MacDowell Colony fellow. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, she studied creative writing at Sarah Lawrence College and received her MFA from Syracuse University. When she isn’t putting complicated characters in impossible situations, Kit edits poetry and literary fiction for a small press, edits for private clients, and mentors emerging writers through Pitch Wars. Her debut young adult novel is See All the Stars (out now from Simon & Schuster / Margaret K. McElderry Books). Up next: All Eyes on Us (June 4, 2019, also from S&S/McElderry).
Hot Dog Girl is out now! Allow me to recommend your local indie, in addition to Barnes & Noble and Amazon.
Stop back soon for future posts in the Debut-to-Debut Interview Series. I’ll be chatting with more fantastic authors throughout 2019!