Random Buzz

We are so excited for Author Robin Brande's visit to Random Buzzers starting this Monday, November 16th. She'll be here to chat with you about her new book Fat Cat and so much more! Make sure to stop by here to welcome Robin back to Random Buzzers and leave all of your messages and questions for her to respond to.

Here is a letter she wrote to you:

Hi, Random Buzzers!  Robin here.  I’ve written a new novel, and this time it’s personal.  I mean, EVOLUTION, ME & OTHER FREAKS OF NATURE was personal, too, because I had some of the same experiences Mena had in the book, but FAT CAT—that’s personal on a whole other level.

Because I used to be the fat girl.  I had some plump years here and there from about fifth grade on, but then at the end of high school—HUGE.  And all through college.  Plus I had horrible, hideous acne—the kind that looks like big red welts on your face.  Yeah, pretty.  And all the while I just kept eating and eating, shoveling it in, and not understanding why I felt so tired and slow and human- puffball all time.  Well, actually, I did understand, but my way of dealing with it was by going on one weird diet after another (the beets and broccoli one was the worst), and I’d lose a little weight, then go right back to eating all the sugar and junk and everything else I thought felt good to put in my mouth at the time.  Ugh.  It was gross.

So anyway, when Cat talks in the book about some of her experiences being a fat girl—those were my experiences.  The big difference is Cat is WAY smarter than I ever was (or am—I mean, she’s a science genius, for heaven’s sake), and so when she comes up with a plan to change her life and win the science fair at the same time—well, I just knew her method was going to work.  And as you’ll see in the book, it does.  But that’s not the end of Cat’s story.  Because usually when you change your life—even when it’s for the better--there are all sorts of consequences . . .

Oh, and there’s this matter of her chief rival and former friend Matt McKinney.  He’s in the same science class, competing for the same award, and Cat is determined to beat him this time.  Talk about personal—Cat’s never forgiven him for betraying her in the worst possible way.  She won’t be satisfied until she takes him down.

And last, there’s the experiment itself.  When I write novels, I like to get really involved in the research—and this time I got REALLY involved.  I tried every single one of the food experiments Cat talks about in the book.   I ate and lived like she did as much as possible so I could write about what she went through.  It was tough at first—really tough!—but I’m so glad I did it.  Cat’s science experiment ended up changing not only her life, but mine as well.  When you read the book, you’ll understand!

I’ll be here all week, taking your questions, so feel free to chat with me about whatever you want.  I really love all the characters in FAT CAT (well, except one), and I can’t wait to hear what you all think of them!  Plus I’d love to know who feels like trying Cat’s experiment.  It really is pretty cool. 

So now it’s your turn—what would you like to know?