7 Questions For: Author Marina Weber

Marina Weber has been a passionate activist since she was six. Marina plays herself in the story of her debut children’s book – The Global Warming Express. She believes in righting wrongs and in helping others to be heard, seen, and assisted. She is also fearless and single-minded when it comes to completing her quest, and was instrumental in establishing The Global Warming Express nonprofit organization.

Listen to a recent interview with Marina for Radio Café.

Find The Global Warming Express on: Goodreads, IndieBound, Amazon

Click here to read my review of The Global Warming Express.

And now Marina Weber faces the 7 Questions:


Question Seven: What are your top three favorite books?
 
1. Harry Potter series - I totally fell in love with it when I first read it and I now own all the movies and books and know most of the dialogue by heart. I still love the series and I read it over and over again.

2. Percy Jackson taught me everything I know about Roman and Greek mythology in a really great way and it is helping me so much now.

 
3. Little Women - this is such a classic book which I love because it is sort of old fashioned but it is a classic and it's something that always reminds me to be grateful for what I have.

Question Six: How much time do you spend each week writing? Reading?

I write every day either in a journal or typing on my phone just putting down my thoughts for the day like a diary. I find that this helps me so that my mind is less cluttered. Currently I am not reading anything as I have just started high school and haven’t had the time. However, I absolutely love reading. This past summer I went through two books a week and I would read a lot more if I had the time. For me, writing is a huge part of my life even when it isn't for a purpose. I just love writing in general.


Question Five: What was the path that led you to publication?

It all started when I was in third grade when my best friend, Joanna Whysner, and I decided to write a children's book from the animal's perspective on climate change. I did most of the writing and she did the illustrations. Through elementary school we worked on it, and then the summer before we both went into 7th grade we finished it. At that point we were so involved in school and extracurriculars that our parents took it upon themselves to find us a good editor, and then spent their time finding a publisher. It wasn't by any means easy, but over the course of almost six years we got it done. It was a life accomplishment.


Question Four: Do you believe writers are born, taught or both? Which was true for you?

I believe both. I believe that if you have the passion to write then you can become amazing at it. If you really want to do something, then you can do it with practice. I personally have always loved writing and even writing essays is fun for me. I feel like I was born to write even though through the years I have become interested in other things as well. I feel that I have a talent when it comes to writing and writing has helped me through some of the hardest times in my life and I’m so happy I found a writing path.


Question Three: What is your favorite thing about writing? What is your least favorite thing?

My favorite thing is being able to express my feeling without anyone judging me as well as just uncluttering my mind. For me writing is like dancing. Like all my problems can go away when I am writing. Writing also really helps me when I am going through a hard time and somehow putting down my thoughts makes me feel better.

But sometimes it's hard. Writing isn't easy all the time and sometimes finding the right words can be the hardest thing and it's not always terribly fun, but it's worth it to see the end result.

Question Two: What one bit of wisdom would you impart to an aspiring writer? (feel free to include as many other bits of wisdom as you like)

I would want to tell them that it's not going to be easy when you start but once you find your passion and what you want to write about it all just comes together. I think that writers, after a while, see the world differently than other people and (this is true for me) when a certain situation comes up or I am looking at a beautiful landscape I feel that I narrate it and make a story out of it while it's happening. Being a writer is so great and if you really want to be a writer then you can do it.

Question One: If you could have lunch with any writer, living or dead, who would it be? Why?

J. K Rowling. She is such an inspiration to me and she wrote seven of my favorite books. I think that she is such an incredible person and she stands up for what she believes in. She persevered writing her books even when it was hard and I admire her so much for that. Writing a bestselling book, let alone seven of the most well-known books in the world is huge. She is such an amazing writer and I adore her so much.

“A memorable book. A modern-day fable sounding the alarm about the very real challenge of climate change.”

—Tom Udall, U.S. Senator for New Mexico

“Marina is an incredibly talented author. I admire her and Joanna’s passion for combatting climate change. Great writing comes from great thinking, and these girls have a great future ahead. We must all get onboard the Global Warming Express!” —Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader, U.S. House of Representatives

The Global Warming Express

Story by Marina Weber // Pictures by Joanna Whysner

Foreword by U.S. Senator Tom Udall

Terra Nova Books (TerraNovaBooks.com)

Ages 8+ // $14.95-Paperback