We chat with author Angeline Boulley about Warrior Girl Unearthed, which is a thrilling YA mystery about a Native teen who must find a way to bring an ancestor home to her tribe.
Hi, Angeline! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
I am living my best life as a full-time author and public speaker. I had a satisfying career in education at the tribal, state, and federal level before my debut novel sold at auction. My book deal was significant enough that I could quit my “day job” – which I did exactly one month before the pandemic. I moved back home to a small town in Michigan, a block away from my parents who are in their 80’s. My three grown children visit often. And I have two cats, Patchy and Pietro.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I always loved reading. My parents are both huge readers. We always received books as birthday presents. In school, I was always good at writing and did well on assignments that involved essays.
Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!
I remember Winnie the Pooh. Also, Pippi Longstocking. The book that made me want to be a writer was The Last Time They Met, by Anita Shreve. The story was told backwards: Act III, Act II, Act I. It was a devastating story that would not have been the same if told in a linear fashion. It made me realize it’s not just the story but, rather, the artistic and craft choices an author makes in telling the story that shapes the reader’s experience.
Your latest novel, Warrior Girl Unearthed, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Indigenous Lara Croft museum heist.
What can readers expect?
It’s a teen heist story where none of the heists go according to plan. Perry is a funny, impulsive teen who loves her community and wants to right the wrongs being done by the local museum which is intentionally delaying the return of ancestral remains.
Where did the inspiration for Warrior Girl Unearthed come from?
I read a tweet on Twitter: Movie idea – Lara Croft but she’s Indigenous and returning stolen artifacts. A year later, I was taking a long walk one Sunday and a teen girl’s voice popped into my head with, “I stole everything they think I did, and even stuff they don’t know about yet.” I ran into the nearest business and asked for a piece of paper, a pen, and a Chardonnay! I wrote for a few hours – about this teen girl who was sitting in a police station waiting for her parents to pick her up, and she’s wondering how she got herself into this situation.
As a companion novel to Firekeeper’s Daughter, was there a certain point that the story for Warrior Girl Unearthed came about?
The idea for Warrior Girl Unearthed came to me when I was finishing a revision on Firekeeper’s Daughter based on feedback from my agent (prior to going out on submission). I figured out that one of the 6-year-old twins from FKD was the 16-year-old sitting in the police station in WGU. I was able to add “Easter eggs” in my debut for the companion novel that I knew would be coming.
Were there any favourite moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I loved writing Perry! I love her impulsivity, outspokenness, and sense of right and wrong. The sibling relationship between Perry and Pauline was fun to write. And any opportunity to write Granny June and Minnie Mustang squabbling with each other is pure gold.
This is your second novel! Were there any key lessons learnt between writing the two?
I had one year to write my second novel; whereas it took 10 years to write my debut. So, I had to plot the story more intensely. I ended up creating a huge Excel spreadsheet that served as a roadmap for the story, prior to writing my first draft of WGU.
What’s next for you?
I have a great idea for my next novel. Stay tuned…
Lastly, are there any 2023 releases our readers should look out for?
Promise Boys by Nick Brooks, The Shadow Sister by Lily Meade, and We Deserve Monuments by Jas Hammonds.
