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People You Should Know

Jacqueline Seewald

We invited Jacqueline Seewald to share information about her new release, Claire's Curse, which is particularly relevant for young people.  In addition, Jacqueline provides terrific advice and insights of interest to writers.

We know you will enjoy reading about her most recent release.  Also, stop by and read her contemporary romance, The Man Who Didn't Like Children, in our Romantic Tales category.

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CLAIRE'S CURSE is a young adult novel told from the viewpoint of Lyn Phillips, a teenage girl with a sense of humor who is struggling to form an individual identity. It has never occurred to her that Claire, her older sister, might have similar problems. To Lyn, Claire is the epitome of perfection. Beautiful, intelligent and popular with both boys and girls at school, Claire has always been loved more by their parents.

Lyn can't figure out why Claire suddenly dumps the perfect boyfriend and starts seeing a drop-out biker. In fact, Claire's entire personality has suddenly undergone a disturbing change. Lyn finds herself very concerned about her big sister and determined to find out what is wrong so she can help Claire.

Lyn comes to understand that the problems she, Claire and her friend Toni have are connected and are also the concerns of many American girls, living in the nuclear family of today’s complex society.

There are actually three romances in the novel, but it's not a book that can be easily categorized. Some might call it chick lit for YA readers, others a coming-of-age novel. I think it could actually be enjoyed and appreciated as much by adult readers as teenagers. I believe either age group can relate.

Not an easy question to answer. I taught at the high school level for many years both as an English teacher and later as a school librarian and got to know quite a few students. I was familiar with the problems that teenage girls face in the real world. I wanted to create a story that could be read and enjoyed, provide a satisfying yet meaningful reading experience.

I like the fact that Lyn has a sense of humor and can laugh at herself and the absurdity of life in general. I like the fact that she wants to be a better person, that she cares about her sister and her friend Toni and does everything she can to help them. I like her father's basic decency. I like the fact that the characters talk and behave like real people and are individuals much like people we might meet or know.

There are several themes in the plot line. The main one is Lyn's search for identity and self-worth. On a larger scale, the book is about teens coping with life in dysfunctional families. Lyn's mother is emotionally abusive toward her, while her friend Toni contends with a physically violent, alcoholic father. Then there is the theme of sibling rivalry and jealousy. Lyn's sister Claire is Princess Perfect. Jimmy and Ray fight for her favors. Even the boy that Lyn wants to date prefers Claire.

What can a reader learn about handling issues facing young people today by reading Claire’s Curse?

Teenagers face complex problems from many sides. Life isn't all proms, parties and football games. Teens have to contend with many pressures such as peer pressure to conform, school work demands vs. extracurricular activities, and parental pressure to succeed. It's a very confusing age.

Provide two recommendations to a writer who wishes to address issues in their fiction.

Read widely, both fiction and nonfiction. Secondly, spend time at the reference desk in your local library to find out what kind of information is available in the subject area you're interested in researching. As a former librarian myself, I can truthfully say that most librarians are well-educated people, eager to be helpful.

For those writing romances novels, and I have written several myself, it is becoming increasingly difficult to succeed without a reputable literary agent. My next effort will be involved in researching agents. The one thing that I do particularly appreciate is internet sites such as Romance Ever After that offer good reading for free. I am delighted to know that many people have access to my short stories. Thank you.

To learn more about CLAIRE'S CURSE, check out the American Book Publishing site: