Meet Yeardley Smith

Jennifer Vido interviews author Yeardley Smith, better known as the voice of Lisa Simpson of the hit television series, The Simpsons. Smith's debut novel is I, Lorelei.

Jen’s Jewels
February 20, 2009

Yeardley Smith

Journaling has always been a stress-buster for me. There’s just something soothing about putting down on paper all those extraneous thoughts swirling around in my head. Oprah knows what she’s talking about when it comes to the power of a piece of paper and a favorite pen. Together, they can create a sense of being that quiets even the tiniest of trepidations.
This month’s Jen’s Jewels, Yeardley Smith, jumps on the journaling bandwagon in her debut novel entitled I, LORELEI. With charming wit and laugh-out-loud humor, Yeardley chronicles the life of a delightful eleven-year-old girl named Lorelei Connelly facing the oh- so- turbulent struggle of her pre-adolescent years. Told through diary entries to her beloved deceased cat Mud, Lorelei learns what it takes to face her greatest fears.
As part of this interview, HarperCollins Publishers has donated five copies of I, LORELEI for you, my lucky readers, to win. So, don’t forget to look for the trivia question at the end of the column. And as always, thanks for making Jen’s Jewels a part of your reading adventure.


Jen: Most well-known as the voice of Lisa on the hit television show The Simpsons, your professional credits include theatre, television, and the movies. Recently, you have donned yet another hat as a children’s author. Please share with us the driving force behind your recent endeavor and how your professional experience helped pave the way.

Yeardley: Hi, Jen. First of all, I’m so happy you enjoyed I, Lorelei. I’m really pleased with the way it turned out. The characters make me laugh, and if I were 11, I’d want to be friends with Lorelei and the gang.

But back to your question. I’ve been described by friends as, “ferociously creative. “ And it’s true that I’m much happier when I’m busy than when I’m not. I love my job on The Simpsons but it’s only 2 days a week and I don’t get as many offers to do roles in front of the cameras as I used to. So I decided to take a writing class as an additional creative outlet. I’ve always written short stories for my own amusement, and for many years I kept a journal like Lorelei. My novel started as a series of vignettes that I would bring to my weekly writing class and read aloud for critique. It didn’t occur to me it could be a book until I was several months into it and had become totally attached to, and enchanted by Lorelei’s “voice.”

As far as how my past professional experience as an actor helped pave the way, um… I have no direct proof, but it’s certainly possible that my being the voice of ‘Lisa Simpson’ moved my book to the top of some publishers’ piles, simply out of curiosity, when my agent was shopping it around. But I also feel like publishers likely didn’t expect much from the book when they first got it. I wouldn’t be surprised if they thought I was just coasting on my own celebrity coattails. Yet, everyone seemed pleasantly surprised once they actually read the manuscript, and I’m proud of that. I have very high standards for myself and I never would have shopped the book around unless, and until I thought it was the absolute best I had to offer.

Jen: Much of an author’s success rests heavily on the selection of material chosen to pursue as well as the desired target audience within that particular genre. Quite simply…it’s best to write what you know. With that being said, in your debut novel, I, LORELEI, your voice, if you will, is an eleven-year-old girl with typical family and self-identity issues. First of all, how did you arrive at the premise?

Yeardley: I didn’t have a premise at first because I never thought I could write a book. I was just writing short pieces about this girl who was cooler than I’ve ever been! And I was writing to amuse myself (as I always do). The hope is that other people find it funny, too.

Jen: Secondly, how closely is the novel based upon your own life experiences?
Yeardley: There aren’t a lot of direct similarities between me and Lorelei, or our young lives. I did grow up in Washington, DC, so I know and like the city, which is why I set the book there. But unlike Lorelei’s, my parents stayed married until I was 20. I also did school plays like Lorelei, but she takes her experience more in stride than I did. Even at age 11, I wanted one thing, and one thing only: to be a famous actress. But that’s the joy of writing fiction, it’s not about me, so I get to make stuff up! It’s the best of everything.

Jen: As I read your book, I was surprised as to how much I personally could relate to your character, Lorelei. (Great name, by the way!) Obviously, one would think the age difference would be a disadvantage, yet it was not at all. Often times, a children’s book is just that…written to relate to a child. How challenging was it to write from her point of view? And, what steps did you take to ensure that it was relatable to all ages and genders?

Yeardley: Jen, this is the most wonderful compliment you could pay the book! OMG! Thank you. I agree 100% that, I, Lorelei works on so many more levels than just the target audience of 8-12. Not to be presumptuous, but I feel it’s not unlike The Simpsons in that way. In fact, when I started writing I, Lorelei, I never thought of it as a children’s book. I just thought of it as a book. No boundaries. And even though it’s narrated by a child, there’s a wisdom and directness about Lorelei’s observations that appeals to all ages, I believe.

The bottom line is my motto as an author has always been “write up.” Meaning, I assume my audience is smart, curious and intuitive, and if they’re young and don’t understand something, I assume they’ll ask. That said, I purposely laced each character with nuances that younger readers might not get, but adults will, because it made me laugh and I believe it makes the story richer. In no way do I think these details detract from the young reader’s experience of the book. If anything it honors their intelligence. I have complete faith in them.

Jen: The novel is written as a diary entry from Lorelei to her deceased cat, Mud. Why did you select this format? Technically speaking, was it easier or more difficult working with such short chapters and how so?

Yeardley: Originally the novel was not in diary form. It was a regular first-person narrative. But I hit a wall of writer’s block after 10 chapters that lasted for about 2 months. No kidding. I would just stare at the computer screen and nothing would happen. Or I’d fall asleep with my head on the keyboard as soon as I sat down at my desk. Yeah, it was ugly. As a last ditch effort to turn this around, I decided to have Lorelei write a letter to her best friend, Jenny, about her trip to Aunt Lee’s at Thanksgiving, even though I wasn’t up to that chapter yet. I chose a letter because I’ve always been a letter writer, so the format is very natural to me.

To my surprise and total delight, Lorelei’s “voice” in the letter was even more intimate than the first-person narrative form I had before. Because Lorelei knew her secrets would be safe with Jenny, she told her everything. I was over the moon! But if the book was going to be all letters, then the recipient had to be someone other than Jenny because she lives right across the street from Lorelei. That’s when I thought, “L. should write to her cat, and his name should be ‘Mud,’ and she’ll start on the day he dies to help her cope with missing him.” The letters quickly became Lorelei’s daily log, and from then on I was free of my writer’s block. YAY!

Jen: One of my favorite parts of the book is the relationship between Lorelei and the terrible, mean bully named Matt Newsome. For such a sweet, unassuming young lady, Lorelei is pretty self-confident when faced with Matt’s threatening leers. Despite their obvious social differences, what common thread links them together?

Yeardley: I’ve never thought of Matt as a bad guy. He’s an outcast (sort of like Saylor) and I believe that kind of isolation can make people mean. (Though it’s really just a defense mechanism.) Then we have Lorelei who, as you say, is sweet, unassuming, and savvy, but she also has her own struggles with self-esteem and feeling like she doesn’t matter. So even if she can’t articulate the similarity of feeling less-than between her and Matt, she recognizes something faintly familiar in him. Which is to say, she senses (rather than sees) the humanity in him.

In fact, your question reminds me of a funny story that may seem off-topic at first, but is actually quite relevant. I had a cat named, Betsy, who got into a fight with another cat once, and Betsy got bitten in the face. When I took her to the vet he told me that there are two kinds of animals in the world: “stickers” and “runners.” Stickers get bitten in the face because they stand their ground. Runners get bitten in the behind because they high-tail it out of there. Lorelei is a sticker. J

Jen: Without a doubt, the parade of nannies is by far the most hysterical part of the story. Which one is your favorite and why? Also, which one is Lorelei’s favorite and why?

Yeardley: I think I like Lynn best because he’s had every job in the world, he’s been good at all of them, and the word “impossible” isn’t part of his vocabulary. I can never believe Claire lets Happy stay around as long as she does considering how inept she is at childcare! But Ryan loves her. And, of course, Shannon is like Mary Poppins to me. However, what’s poignant to me about the parade of nannies is how attached Lorelei and Ryan get to each of them, hoping that this new person will be a port in the gathering storm that has become their life at home.

Jen: Lorelei’s parents are encountering what many households in America face…marital strife. In my opinion, throughout the story her father is painted in a much more favorable light. Do you agree? And if so, why did you choose for her mother to play the role of the bad guy?

Yeardley: It’s funny you pick out the father as being more likable. My editors at Harper Collins found both parents disturbingly unsympathetic –reckless, even-- and they asked me several times to soften them up. I agreed –to a point. But my resistance goes back to my motto: write up. I believe my readers can handle a story that has complicated, capricious, confusing grown-ups in it. With any luck, other kids will feel comforted knowing somebody else’s parents are also nuts and they won’t feel so alone.

Jen: Often times, a younger sibling relies on the eldest for guidance and perhaps even structure particularly when unsettling occurrences happen in the family. Why is Teddy, Lorelei’s older brother, so removed from the situation? Is that simply his coping mechanism? To whom does he assign blame?

Yeardley: That’s a keen observation, Jen. Teddy’s seeming indifference to his crumbling family life is, indeed, his coping mechanism. He’d pretty much rather be anywhere other than at home dealing with it all. But mere millimeters below the surface and his indifference, he’s totally upset, and perhaps even feels guilty that he can’t fix it. I think he blames both parents.

The other reason Teddy figures less prominently is, perhaps, more technical. Since it’s Lorelei’s diary, everything has to be from her point of view. So if Lorelei isn’t in the room, or another character doesn’t tell her what happened later, in dialogue, the reader has no way of knowing what went down.

Jen: We all know a “Jenny”, Lorelei’s best friend, who allows her own insecurities to get the best of her even risking their friendship in hopes for a boy’s affection. How does Jenny’s disloyalty lead Lorelei onto a path of maturity?

Yeardley: I think Lorelei’s acceptance of Jenny’s fickleness and disloyalty is more a by-product of Lorelei realizing that her parents, who should know better, are also unpredictable and confusing. So L. decides to become as self-reliant as possible. Of course, she’s only eleven and that’s a lot to take on/ So it inevitably leads to feelings of doubt, loneliness and a keen desire for things to go back to the way they used to be. That said, I feel I must emphasize that she handles a lot of this strife with great humor and candor, don’t you think? I mean I don’t want people to think this book is a total downer. To my mind it’s funny, poignant, and authentic.

Jen: Journaling is a positive outlet for children as well as adults to express their feelings in a safe and healthy way. How does Lorelei use this method of communication to help her come to terms with the unfortunate circumstances at hand?

Yeardley: She knows she can express anything to Mud and he won’t judge her, or leave her, or make her feel bad about it. She can just blurt it all out on the page without having to worry about protecting anyone else’s feelings. I believe everyone should have a safe place to vent like that.

Jen: What is in store for Lorelei’s future?

Yeardley: Once I, Lorelei became a book, I loved her so much I immediately got ideas for two other Lorelei books. So I’m working on book #2 now. But I’m a slow writer so don’t ask me when it’s coming out. All I can tell you is, it’ll be done when it’s done. And believe me, I wish it were done already!

Jen: What was the most valuable lesson you learned from your first writing experience? And, how have you grown in relation to your craft?

Yeardley: I learned that writing doesn’t just happen like some daily shower of divine inspiration. You have to clear space in your day for it! At least I do. I literally block off time on my daily calendar to write. Otherwise I end up giving my time away to errands, or coffee with friends, or pretty much anything else in the world. I guess because, as a new writer, I haven’t yet acquired that kind of automatic discipline. I mean I’m an actor first, then a writer.

I’ve also learned that whether or not I write anything worth keeping on a given day, is less important than the fact that I just write. It’s just like building a muscle. Luckily, I have a strong work ethic so I don’t mind buckling down. Still, I fear the blank computer screen at least half the time I sit down in front of it, worried that absolutely nothing will come.

Jen: What has surprised you most about the publishing business? And, how so?

Yeardley: They have a different sense of urgency than we do in show business. For example, I, Lorelei was complete (rather than just book proposal) when we shopped it around. So even though there was editing to be done, the book was all there and in pretty good shape I was told. The manuscript sold in May 2007 and yet, was always slated for release in early 2009. I couldn’t believe it was going to take that long. Even an episode of The Simpsons, which has an exceptionally long post-production period for a half-hour TV show because it’s animated, can turn an episode around in 7 or 8 months.

Jen: What’s next for you in terms of your career? Will becoming an accomplished writer be on your agenda for the foreseeable future?
Yeardley: This Spring we will begin recording season 21 of The Simpsons. This will makes us the longest running, scripted television show in US history --surpassing even Gunsmoke, which ran for 20 seasons. And while I truly love my character, Lisa Simpson, the job isn’t enough to satisfy my creative appetite. So yes, I will continue to write fiction, and Lorelei and Mud are at the top of my To Do list at the moment.

Jen: Do you have a website? Will you be on tour promoting your book? How may my readers contact you?

Yeardley: Oh dear, here’s where I’m a totally lame “celebrity”. My friends (and my publicist) complain all the time that I’m the worst celebrity ever because I don’t “work it.” As in, I’d rather stay home than go to an opening; I don’t have a website, or a Facebook page. Nothing like that. Oy. It’s because I just don’t think of myself as a celebrity. Anyway, I promise to figure something out soon, and get back to you.

As for a book tour… Yes, I am planning to do one in February or March. Details are still being ironed out. That’s another weird thing about the publishing world: you don’t do press for your book until after it’s released. Whereas in movies and TV, you do it before the thing is released. Go figure.

Jen: Thank you so much for stopping by to chat with my readers. I thoroughly enjoyed your novel and highly recommend it to my readers. I couldn’t put it down! Best of luck in your endeavors and please stop by again soon!

Yeardley: Thank you, Jen. I’m very grateful for your support and interest, as well as your intriguing questions. I enjoyed them thoroughly.

I hope you enjoyed my interview with the talented Yeardley Smith. Please stop by your favorite bookstore or local library today and pick up a copy of I, LORELEI. Then again, would you prefer to win one instead?

Be one of the first five people to e-mail me at jensjewels@gmail.com with the correct answer to the following trivia question and you’ll win. Good luck!
What is the name of Lorelei’s best friend?

In early March, I will be bringing to you my interview with the sensational debut novelist Stephen Lovely. You won’t want to miss it!

Until next time…Jen

Jen's Bio:When a twist of fate landed Jennifer Vido at the "Reading with Ripa" roundtable discussion with Kelly Ripa and Meg Cabot, she knew that her career as a French teacher would never be the same. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Jennifer is a member of Romance Writers of America and reviews books for the major publishing houses, such as Random House, Penguin, and Harper Collins. Currently, she is a columnist and reviewer for www.freshfiction.com, where her popular monthly column, Jen's Jewels, also appears. As a national trainer for The Arthritis Foundation's Aquatic and Land Exercise Programs, she is an advocate for those like herself who suffer from arthritis, the nation's #1 cause of disability. In addition, she serves as Vice-chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Harford County Public Library where she resides with her husband and two sons. She may be reached at jensjewel s@gmail.com and JenniferVido.com