In the ever-evolving landscape of young adult literature, Rho Weber emerges as a significant voice addressing the complexities of growing up in today’s world. With her latest work, The Thin Door, Weber invites readers to engage with the nuances of adolescence—highlighting both the challenges and triumphs that define this formative stage. In this interview, we delve into the inspirations behind her unique storytelling approach, her innovative use of interactive elements in her writing, and her thoughts on success and creative authenticity. Join us as we explore Rho Weber’s insights into the world of literature, creativity, and the vital conversations sparked by her work.
But first, who is Rho Weber?
Rhoda Weber Mack’s short stories and creative nonfiction have been anthologized in Ploughshares, Best of Carve, Epiphany, and others. She writes long-form fiction, creative nonfiction, shorts, and flash at a standup desk overlooking the tall pines of northern Idaho. where she is working on a series of linked story projects to The Thin Door, her book-as-toy for teen and the adults who love them. She hikes the backcountry and travels widely in cyberspace.
- What first sparked the idea for The Thin Door?
As a carpool mom, I watched first-hand how the world of growing up had become far trickier and more complicated than the predictable world of my own teen years. I wanted to name the ways that adults don’t see the situations and difficulties that teens have to navigate. I wanted to acknowledge the dangerous and dishonest social culture that teens confront.
- The Thin Door is presented as a “book-as-toy.” What made you want the reader to participate rather than just read?
I wanted to invite the reader into the story, and I wanted to hear the reader’s own story. I wanted to spark new ideas and ways of thinking about things, and the best way to do that is with art. I see all the media arts as invitations for readers to engage and respond in the way they are most comfortable, and I also wanted to come at this story of initiation from many directions.
- What’s one interactive element (prompt, track, page design choice) you’re most proud of—and why?
I like the times when the prompt works equally well for the visual and the verbal response. I like the subtle track of breadcrumbs on the path of initiation, because I am a big-picture kind of person. But what I am most proud of–the one I myself need to do now and then–is on page 32.
“My PRESENCE is my POWER.” Say this out loud three times, and listen to the tone of your voice. What do you hear? Dreams? Doubt? Affirmation? Confidence?
This prompt answers my biggest wish for readers–to find their own authentic power, and their own voice.
- What does your drafting style look like in practice — messy and fast, slow and precise, or something in between?
It depends on where my mind is. At the best of times, when I’m focused and driven, the words come in smooth chunks of text. When I’m not as clear about what I want to say, the words come in fitful spurts. Sometimes I have to step away till I know what needs to come next.
- How do you protect your creative voice from outside noise (trends, market pressure, social media, comparison)?
This is a wonderful question. My early life gave me great insulation from media influence, because all we had was radio, turned to one approved station! While I was writing The Thin Door, I chose not to read YA because I didn’t want to be influenced by others’ work. I wanted to hear my own voice. I wanted to imagine my own story, my own way.
- How do you define success for yourself as an author right now — and has that definition shifted from earlier in your career?
Right now success is having one reader somewhere see something in the story that helps them to understand themselves, gets them through a hard stretch, shows them new possibilities. Right now success is one kid tagging a page with their own sketch-or-journaling response. At one time having many readers was more important. Now I care about that one reader who is moved to think about something differently.Right now success is having one reader somewhere see something in the story that helps them to understand themselves.
- Which authors or books have shaped your approach to writing?
Gerard Manley Hopkins, Buckminster Fuller, Rumi, Theodore Roethke, Neil Gaiman, S.E. Hinton, A.S. King, Toni Morrison, Virginia Woolf…so many others!
- Which writers, artists, films, games, or musicians have shaped your storytelling sensibility the most?
The writers listed above.
In multimedia, art and design: Laurie Anderson, Stephen Jenkinson, David Carson, Linda Berry, Art Nouveau, Arts and Crafts, and the graphic design of the 20’s and 90’s, art galleries of every sort.
Music: Baroque and Renaissance music, the long meditative wanderings of the Grateful Dead, the plaintive Mississippi Delta blues, Leonard Cohen, and the raw drive of early 1970’s rock lyrics.
- What conversations do you hope The Thin Door starts—either in classrooms, book clubs, or at home?
What do we mean when we talk about NORML? How do we tell the difference between what is normal and what is true?
How do we become resilient in a complicated or confusing time?
How do we find “the aunties” and others who can be there to watch our journey and to spot us when we need them?
How is coming-of-age the Hero’s Journey, and what does it mean to find The Lost Treasure?
- What are you working on next, and will it connect to The Thin Door world or explore something new?
Oh, so glad you asked! In The Thin Door, Willa’s son Max has gone missing, and I’m 60K words into my next project, The Gap Riders, which documents the voices of a tight group of friends as they ride off the edge of childhood in search of the missing, unpredictable Max whose favorite phrase was “Think Free”. Five road trips, three continents, a cluster of significant adults, and a gap year with no safeties.
Sofi’s Cup will be the intimate Morning Pages shared between two women from The Thin Door as they watch their children leave home in a dangerous time.
The Secret Life of EGGis the hidden contents of Lain’s private notebook.
That should keep me busy for a while.
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