Character Interview: Hudson from Bittersweet

As part of the promotional tour through Teen Book Scene, I'm extremely excited today to welcome former figure skater and cupcake baker extraordinaire Hudson to the blog to answer a few questions! Hudson is the adorable and absolutely hilarious protagonist of Sarah Ockler's newest young adult release Bittersweet, and if you have yet to pick it up (it just released this week), please add it to your lists immediately! I adored Hudson and the entire cast of characters, and will certainly be buying a copy of this one so I can re-read it in the near future.

Is there one particular memory from your days as a competitive figure skater that stands out most for you as one that embodies everything you loved about the sport?

I have lots of great memories from the actual competitions–trophies and medals earned, new moves perfected, challenges set and overcome. But the memory that embodies everything I love about skating is the one I always go back to–my first time on the ice. I was really little and my dad surprised me with a pair of skates after I’d become obsessed with the winter Olympics. He took me out to this old pond in the country and pulled me around and around… I fell in love with the ice then. And even though things with my dad are strained now, and I’ve screwed up my competitive skating chances, I hold on to that memory. In competition, it’s easy to forget what we truly love about a sport, focusing instead on winning, on beating the other person, on earning that next medal or title. Whenever I start to feel that way now, I close my eyes and go back to that day on the old pond, the icy wind on my cheeks, the feel of my father’s hands warm around mine… that’s what ice skating is for me. That’s what I love.

When you literally crashed into Josh that day on the ice, what was the first thing that went through your mind when you realized who was on the ice with you?

Oh god. I totally smell like bacon. I hope Josh likes bacon. Oh god.

If you, your mom, and Bug all had one day off from working at the diner, what would you most like to do as a family?

That’s a tough one. Mom never takes days off, so if she did, our plans would have to be close to the diner in case of an emergency. Honestly, we’d probably end up eating at the diner. Or building a snowman in the parking lot of the diner. Good times! Okay, I kind of love snowmen, so that part would be kind of cool.

What is the most interesting tidbit or piece of trivia you learned about hockey during all your web research to help the boys?

That the father of modern ice hockey, James Creighton, was also a figure skating judge. And also that you really can’t get tired of watching hockey boy training videos. ;-)

What’s the strangest combination of cupcake flavors you’ve come up with that has been a surprising success? A surprising failure?

Success: Thanksgiving Dinner Cupcake, featuring a vanilla cupcake with roast turkey and sweet potato filling and a brown sugar and marshmallow cream frosting. Everyone loved the hominess and the way the sweet and savory flavors combined.

Failure: Black Melon Cupcakes, which were about as appealing as they sound. I don’t know–I was experimenting! I guess I thought if I picked too awful flavors, they’d combine into something delish. That whole 2 wrongs make a right thing. Blech!

Can you give us the name of a cupcake that would summarize your feelings on life before you started skating again and working with the hockey team? The name of a cupcake that summarizes your thoughts on your future after all that’s happened?

Before: Bursting at the Seams: White cupcake stuffed with cherries, white and dark chocolate chunks, almonds, and coconut, topped with whipped cherry buttercream frosting and drizzled with fudge.

Future: Golden Possibilities: Golden vanilla cupcakes topped with banana cream cheese frosting, chopped pineapple, glittery brown sugar, and a cherry on top.

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by Hudson! More information on Hudson, Bittersweet, and Sarah can be found here:

Website
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Goodreads

BITTERSWEET (from Goodreads)

Once upon a time, Hudson knew exactly what her future looked like. Then a betrayal changed her life, and knocked her dreams to the ground. Now she’s a girl who doesn’t believe in second chances… a girl who stays under the radar by baking cupcakes at her mom’s diner and obsessing over what might have been.

So when things start looking up and she has another shot at her dreams, Hudson is equal parts hopeful and terrified. Of course, this is also the moment a cute, sweet guy walks into her life…and starts serving up some seriously mixed signals. She’s got a lot on her plate, and for a girl who’s been burned before, risking it all is easier said than done.

It’s time for Hudson to ask herself what she really wants, and how much she’s willing to sacrifice to get it. Because in a place where opportunities are fleeting, she knows this chance may very well be her last…