J.E. Thomas’s hilarious and creative story about a middle school for competitive students, Control Freaks, made me laugh out loud, so I’m excited to welcome her to our blog today. Thank you for being here, J.E. We have so many questions for you. I’d like to start with when you were young.
Did you have any childhood dreams? If so, did they come true?
I did—though they came true later in life.
I wanted to be a storyteller from the time I was about four. My parents had a photo of me hunched over a table, scribbling a story with the intensity of a professional author when I was about that age.
Being an author was sidelined for a “practical” career, however. Although it took a few decades to come to fruition, I’m now fulfilling that dream quite happily.
Did you love to read as a child? If so, can you tell us some favorite books?
Reading was my favorite pastime as a child. I enjoyed it even more than television or movies, which is saying a lot!
I was that kid who would crawl under the covers, flashlight in hand, to continue reading long after bedtime.
I read and reread many of Walter Farley’s books (The Black Stallion, The Black Stallion Returns, The Black Stallion and Satan, The Island Stallion, etc.) as well as Marguerite Henry’s Misty of Chincoteague and Anna Sewell’s Black Beauty. (There was definitely a horse theme! Unfortunately, it didn’t result in my getting a horse of my own.)
I also read most, if not all, of the Beverly Cleary novels. I read Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury and Octavia Butler. And I read all of the novelizations of Star Trek, The Original Series.
What was an early experience where you learned that written language had power?
I was generally shy in class, so I loved opportunities to express myself in writing. I remember feeling such joy when one of my elementary school teachers praised something I’d written—and then asked several “what happened next” questions.
What was your biggest fear when you were young? Did you get over it?
I was terrified of vampires when I was young. Absolutely petrified. Nonetheless, I read about them and watched them on reruns of the horror soap opera, Dark Shadows.
I have not gotten over that fear! A baby bat once flew into my room while I was in England and I locked myself in the bathroom for the rest of the night!
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Ah—so many things. But perhaps the most important would be to reassure my younger self that she is enough just as she is. That no matter how many atoms are combined in myriad ways, she is the only version of her that has existed before or will exist again. And that’s incredibly special. So, cherish being unique.
That’s such a great way to look at our uniqueness! Thank you for that encouraging insight.
Is your past woven into the story? If so, how?
Yes—absolutely! Like Doug, I knew exactly what I wanted to be from a young age and, like Doug, my parents had different dreams for me. Like Huey, I was shy and awkward, and I avoided center stage at all costs.
Like Doug and Huey—and Dr. Yee and The DOM— I formed a friendship at a young age that lasted a lifetime.
Like Travis, I was usually the youngest person in my grade. Like Padgett, I was often surrounded by people whose families were much better off financially than mine, and I would wrap myself in a different persona to deflect attention from that. Padgett presented herself as a tough kid. I was the bookworm who was always in the school library.
And, like all of the students at Benjamin Banneker College Prep, I’ve been lucky enough to have been inspired by amazing teachers, many of whom don’t realize the huge impact they have on young lives.
Can you tell everyone about meeting Nichelle Nichols, Star Trek’s original Uhura?
Of course! I’m a Star Trek fan from way back. (In fact, my first published creative work was a Star Trek story.)
I worked for the school newspaper in college and had an opportunity to cover a Star Trek convention held in downtown Denver. All of the original cast, save William Shatner, were there.
There was a media briefing in a hotel ballroom. Although I had a press pass, I couldn’t bring myself to go into the room. I was too shy, too self-conscious. I lurked by the back door.
Ms. Nichols spotted me. I can only imagine what my face looked like! Bathed in absolute terror, no doubt. She walked over and encouraged me to come in. She took my arm and drew me not just inside, but to the very front of the room.
I don’t think I managed to sputter out a single question, but it didn’t matter! The experience of being seen and being reassured that I deserved to be present, is one I will remember always.
When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
Based on a photo my parents had of me writing what I think was my first story, I’m pretty sure I was around four.
What drew you to writing?
I’ve made up stories for as long as I can remember. But holding those stories in my head—all of the characters, all of the locations, all of the dialogue, not to mention the plot—was exhausting. It was also incredibly distracting when I was in class. I was often daydreaming about some story or another.
Being able to write my stories down was such a relief. Also, I realized that, although it’s sometimes scary to put myself out there, writing and sharing my work with others is actually a lot of fun!
Learning what others think—how they visualize characters, what makes them laugh, what they think would happen next—is an amazing experience!
What is your favorite and/or most challenging part of being a writer?
My favorite is the moment in writing when the real world falls away and I’m fully, truly, completely in the world of my imagination. I see what my characters see. I hear what they hear. I touch, feel and smell what they experience. I’m not just writing…I’m part of their lives.
Some people call that “being in the flow.” I think that’s a good description.
The most challenging part of writing is getting to that point.
I have a very active, very loud, very critical internal editor who questions everything. (“Is that the right word? I don’t think so!” “Is this good enough? I doubt it!” “Why, exactly, do you think you’re a writer?”)
I have to try all sorts of things to get into the flow. What seems to work best for me now is to write very early in the morning. Apparently, my internal editor is a late sleeper!
Have you had any careers besides writing?
I have. I worked in public relations for many, many years prior to starting a full-time writing career.
And now that we know more about J.E. Thomas, let’s find out about more about her book, Control Freaks.
Since you worked as an administrator at a school, how much of that school went into creating the school in your book, Benjamin Banneker College Prep, Colorado’s #1 school for unusually competitive students?
Lol—I’m asked that question a lot!
I now write full-time. However, when I worked as a school administrator, it was for the same school I attended from grades 9-12. That gave me an amazing opportunity to observe teachers as both a student and a colleague.
The elements of that school that are in Benjamin Banneker College Prep are an amazing campus, incredible lunches, a huge library and phenomenal, caring teachers who work incredibly hard and transform lives for the better every day.
You do a great job with the various teen voices. Did you base them on any students you know?
Thank you! And good news for students—I did not base the characters on anyone real other than me!
What inspired you to write about such an unusual competition?
I wanted to create a multi-challenge competition that gave everyone a chance to shine and that inspired the kids to learn to work together.
I also wanted to give participants an opportunity to demonstrate the difference between knowing the right answer and discovering how to put the knowledge they’ve accumulated to actual use.
Can you tell everyone what makes the competition in your book different?
Yes! Unlike competitions centered around one specific skill, like singing or athletics, the STEAMS competition involves challenges in science, technology, engineering, arts, math and sports. There are plenty of opportunities to win.
Also, not only can readers play along with the characters during various stages of the competition, but teachers and schools can replicate the challenges to have a STEAMS competition of their own. (Families can do the same as well!)
The novel has so many funny moments, do you have any tips for writing humor?
Thank you so much! I think everyone has a different technique for writing humor or telling a funny story. One thing I learned is that the step-up, or the foundation for a funny moment, may happen long before the funny moment itself occurs.
For instance, something may happen in one chapter that leads a reader to think, “This isn’t going to turn out well!” But the funny resolution may happen pages or chapters later.
Also, and this is big for me, I’ll poke fun at situations. I’ll have characters get themselves into messes that are funny to get out of. I’ll have characters say funny things without realizing that they’re funny. But I absolutely won’t make mean or cruel jokes. I don’t think they’re funny.
Did you leave anything out of this book that you wish you could have included? If so, what?
Gosh, I don’t think so. The wonderful thing about working with an editor is you go through the process of etching away words or scenes (or, gulp, even characters!) who don’t serve the story well.
That said, I did cut one character—a girl who came from a reality TV show family—who may show up in a different book one day.
Do you have any message or advice for the teachers and parents who will be sharing your book with their students and families?
I hope Control Freaks is a book that families enjoy reading together. Because there are nine points of view, family members can experiment with different voices, should they choose to read the book aloud.
Also, I’ll have links to discussion guides and other resources on my website in August!
What are you working on now?
My second book, The AI Incident, is slated for publication in June 2025. It follows the story of the unluckiest kid in Colorado foster care during his quest to be adopted before he turns 13. Unfortunately, his life is turned upside down when an autonomous AI system is deployed in his school.
Just for fun, here are a few random questions:
(1) What snacks do you prefer while writing?
I used to enjoy popcorn, but it leaves a horrible mess on the keyboard. Now, I steer clear of eating while I write.
(2) Do you have a favorite author from childhood?
Octavia Butler, Isaac Asimov and Ray Bradbury were among my favorites. I’m still a huge sci-fi fan, so I often reread these authors’ works.
(3) If you could have any pet in the world, what would you choose?
If I’m bound by the laws of nature, I’m content with dogs. If, however, I can choose among mythological pets (!), I would have a descendant of Pegasus, the winged horse. And my version would also have the ability to become invisible—and share that ability with its rider.
When do you like to write?
My favorite time to write is around 5:30 a.m. That works for me because my inner critic, who is a surly editor, sleeps late, which means I can write joyfully and quickly during that time.
That’s a great solution to the inner critic problem. I admire your dedication.
Thanks ever so much for agreeing to the interview, J.E.! I know our young readers, as well as teachers and librarians will enjoy learning more about you and Control Freaks! And we look forward to seeing your next book.
About Control Freaks
One week. One prize. Seven really weird challenges.
The kids at Benjamin Banneker College Prep are a little… competitive. Okay. They’re a LOT competitive.
The minute Principal Yee announces an epic competition for the golden B-B trophy, seventh-grader Frederick Douglass Zezzmer knows he has to win. But it won’t be easy. The competition doesn’t just include science, technology, engineering, and math. It also has arts and sports. Not Doug’s best subjects.
Even worse, it’s a TEAM competition. Instead of being in a superstar group, Doug gets paired with four middle school misfits no one else wants.
Worst of all, Doug’s dad has a horrible backup plan. If Doug doesn’t win, he has to forget about becoming the World’s Greatest Inventor and spend the summer in sports camp, with his scary stepbrother.
With only a week to go, Doug launches a quest to turn his team of outcasts into winners… and maybe even friends.
About the Author
J.E. Thomas grew up near Colorado’s Front Range mountains. She spent her summers devouring books at the local library, and her love of reading continues to inspire her writing.
J.E. is an award-winning writer with bachelor degrees in Mass Communications and Political Science, and a master’s degree in Public Communications. She began writing full-time in 2021. Prior to that, she had a long career in corporate, health care and education communications. She was also an award-winning freelance journalist, earning a Clarion Award for Article Writing from Women in Communications; a Gold Award for Feature Writing from the International Academy of Communications Arts & Sciences; a Silver Award for Writing from the Society of National Association Publications; and a Public Relations Professional of the Year Honor from the Colorado Association of Black Journalists, among others.
Control Freaks is her first book. She’s working on middle grade book #2 and her debut YA novel. Fun fact: She includes the name of at least one of her dogs in every story.
Learn more about J.E. Thomas at her website.
