Spotlight on Terra Elan McVoy

Terra Elan McVoy is the author of recent YA release Pure. In addition to being an author, Terra is also the manager of Little Shop of Stories, an ultra-hip children's bookstore in Decatur, GA!

Most of you know that Kelsey, Vania, and I were able to meet Terra last month at her book release party. The party was fabulous, and Terra was super sweet.

I am so excited that three of us are able to collaboratively present to you Terra Elan McVoy!

S: Purity rings seem to be making a comeback thanks to publicity by the Jonas Brothers and Jordan Sparks. Why do you think Pure is relevant to today's teenagers?

I think Pure is relevant to today’s teenagers because it’s all about being a teenager. This is a book about purity rings, sure (which, as you point out, are widely popular), but it’s also about friendship, faith, first love, and most especially that deliciously horrible time in life when, for the first time, you’re having to make choices that separate you from your friends, your parents, your teachers and mentors: when you begin defining yourself as an individual.

S: What kind of research did you do to ensure that the story would relate to the situations that teens currently face?

I work with teenagers at the bookstore I manage, Little Shop of Stories, and talking to those girls in book group every month, listening to their conversations—all this helped me with the book. I also did research on purity rings of course: reading several articles and seeing what different ring sites were like. I also had some really great advisers who were in high school at the time and who helped me navigate things like cell phone rules and how fast information spreads during the course of a school day. They were essential!

K: Personally, what are your thoughts on purity rings and the girls who wear them?

I think anything that opens up thoughtful dialogue about sexuality is ultimately a good thing. As for those who wear them, I really can’t generalize. Each of the girls in Pure have their own individual reasons for wearing their rings, which I’m sure is the case for those who wear them for real, too.

K: If you were in Tabitha's position how would you have reacted to Cara's confession?

Well, Tabitha and I are very similar in that we are both really concerned about our friends. I have had girlfriends tell me things I didn’t necessarily agree with or do things I didn’t want them to do in the past, but when it comes down to brass tacks my friend is my friend, and I have to stick by her through whatever it is she’s going through.

V: What have you learned in writing this book?

Well, I learned that I actually could write a novel—something I’d never done before and wasn’t sure I could do.

V: What has been the biggest challenge when it comes to writing "Pure"?

The biggest challenge in general was just writing it—getting the discipline down and just doing the actual work.

V: You bring a lot of Atlanta and its surroundings into your book. What are some of your favorite spots?

My favorite spots that appear in the book are Java Monkey, Fritti (their pizza really is amazing) and Midtown Art Cinema. My favorite places that aren’t in the book are Feast, Heliotrope, and Little Shop of Stories!

Terra, you are a doll! Thank you so much for participating!

I now leave you with a couple of pictures from Terra's release party! As you can see, Terra has a great sense of style and the most adorable haircut! She was absolutely glowing and the large crowd that gathered reflected the radiant personality that Terra possesses.