This story is written as participatory journalism, in first person. An effort to bring student media into journalism as a journalist involved in a feature story.
One of the first things that makes a student journalist is action. The ability to put yourself out there, and go outside of your comfort zone is hard. But it is a life skill that all student journalists learn.
When an opportunity presents itself, a student journalist must be ready to dive into it, and report for the better of the community. I was given the chance to interview an author, but with it, came personal obstacles. My task was to read the book within 4 days, meet with the second interviewer and professional journalist, Rachel Alexander, and finally, interview the author publicly, in front of West Salem High School Students.
Preparation
At first I hesitated, scared with everything that I would have to do in prep for the event. But, I did not allow my fear to cloud the chance for me to not only overcome my fears, but better myself as a journalist.
During News Production, I used that time to read the book ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’ by Shebly Van Pelt. The story’s perspective from a 70 year old woman was drastically different from something I have read in the past. It reflects her journey through grief, loneliness and new relationships, including her newfound friendship with a giant Pacific octopus named Marcellus. The story itself is relatable for all ages and shows a general journey through life.
I managed to finish the book in time for a meeting at the Salem Public Library. There, I met with Alexander and Sonja Somerville, a former journalist and current librarian. We conversed within a study room, talking about the book and formulating questions of Van Pelt. It was interesting to hear the perspectives of the book from others, along with questions that they had about it.
Question Brainstorming
Alexander was heavily interested in the perspective of Marcellus, and Van Pelt’s thought process behind the character. Behind the glass doors of the study room, we covered multiple different topics of the book, its contents and characters. All while making sure we did not spoil any parts of the book.
Speaking up about my perspective, we were able to curate the questions around topics that would dive into the book, but also help keep high schoolers engaged in the interview. We covered questions over character creation, setting inspiration, and a way for Van Pelt to give advice to fellow high schoolers that may be hoping to be an author, just as she is.
At West Salem High School, I met with bright lights on a center stage. I was immensely grateful for the support from Alexander as we walked up to the stage. I met with representatives from the library, teachers at West and Van Pelt. She met me with a warm smile and an easy handshake that lifted my nerves. From positioning our mics and sitting down, we started with a mic check with an easy question about our favorite musical.
“My favorite is Hamilton,” I said.
Van pelt laughed and said “I actually wrote Remarkably Bright Creatures with the Hamilton soundtrack playing in the background.”
Through the next few minutes, we talked about musicals, soundtracks and musicals made movies such as Wicked. Our mics were ready, and soon. Students started flooding in. I felt my nerves pick up, but was grateful for the stage lights. They were bright enough that I could not see anything but the front three rows of people.
Interview
As we started the questions, I slowly found myself getting more relaxed. Van Pelt provided funny, insightful sides of the writing process and how she constructed the book and its ideals. She drew location inspiration from her hometown in Tacoma, Washington along with her own grandmother inspiring her main character, Tova.
As we continued, she expressed challenges with getting information about Giant Pacific octopuses for her character Marcellus. Calling aquariums and asking bizarre questions about them, their abilities and likeness to do certain things. She connected her findings within her book, to make them as accurate as possible within her character.
Through the interview, she explained settings of her book and how they related back to her own experience of growing up within Tacoma, Washington. The aquarium was directly taken from her hometown’s old aquarium.
By the end of the interview, we’d covered everything from character creation, setting to research and the beginnings of book’s creation. Relief had flooded my system when we finished up. A few photos were taken, farewells were given and I left the school, happy with the accomplishment I made, and the fear I overcame.
The movie is being released of Friday, May 8, 2026 on Netflix. Starring Sally Field as Tova, and Lewis Pullman as Cameron.
