Writers Like Us - Mara Purnhagen

Whenever I read author interviews, I'm always looking for that one thing that tells me whatever it is I'm going through–rejection or acknowledgment or insecurity or excitement–is totally normal and just a part of the process. I want to know what makes that author like me.

I'm super excited to host Mara Purnhagen this week! Mara is the author of the young adult novels, Tagged (March 2010), Past Midnight (September 2010), One Hundred Candles (February 2011), and Beyond the Grave (August 2011) all published by Harlequin Teen and two novellas, Raising the Dead (January 2011), and Haunting the Night (August 2011).

Past Midnight has been nominated for Young Adult Library Association’s (YALSA) 2011 Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers, the 2010 Cybil Award for best Fantasy/Science Fiction novel for young adults and the 2010 YABC Readers Choice Award. One Hundred Candles has been nominated for YALSA’s 2012 Reader’s Choice Awards. She was featured in the March/April 2010 issue of Writer’s Digest. Make sure you like her Facebook Fan Page.

Her answers are below in bold. Let us know what makes Mara like you in the comments.

Mara on Writing

• I've written seven books, and four have seen the light of day.
• My favorite type of scene to write is the opening of each book.
• No matter how long I've been writing, I still have issues with weaving in flashbacks.
• A typical comment from my critique partner is “lose the exposition.”
• The book I wished I wrote changes every time I read something that I can’t stop thinking about! That said, I wish I had written any of Laura Lippman’s books. And I admire anyone who can write historical fiction or really good suspense.

Mara on Getting Published

• If my agent really knew how crazy I was, she would find out that I am obsessive about font. My manuscripts are always typed in Microsoft Sans Serif, and Times New Roman gives me a headache. 
• When I was querying, I felt anxious. I checked my email every few minutes and hated to be away from my desk.
• The biggest mistake I ever made querying was forgetting to include my manuscript’s word count. It’s a simple error, but it matters. 
• The craziest thought I've ever had while writing is, this will never be good enough. It’s more common than crazy, but I think it occurs to all of us who sit in front of a computer screen and punch away at the keys.
• When I got "The Call," my first thought was, is this how it begins? Am I ready for this?
• When I saw my book sale in Publishers Marketplace, I resisted the urge to shove the magazine in the face of everyone at the bookstore and shout, “That’s me!” It wasn’t easy.

Mara on Life Outside Writing

• If I weren't a writer, I'd probably be an editor. I love the process of revision. Also, I think I’d make a very good zombie hunter, but it’s just a hunch.
• Secretly, I'm terrified of snakes. Seriously—snakes. They’re everywhere, people!
• My secret boyfriend is John Cusack—with a Scottish accent.
• Sometimes, when no one is around, I listen to bad pop music. 

Mara Purnhagen has lived in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and South Carolina. She now lives outside of Cleveland with her husband, two cats, three children and too many LEGO sets to count. Visit her at www.marapurnhagen.com

It's Friday - Let's Channing

Guys, I don't know about you but this week has been pretty awesome. Twitter's been fantastic–contests are going on, everyone's reading great books, people are signing with agents and announcing book deals and just generally being their fabulous selves. I mean, let's face it, it's been an awesome week, and I think we need to celebrate that.

So I'm declaring it...

CHANNING FRIDAY

Has something awesome happened to you this week? Maybe you didn't end up on the New York Times List, but maybe just really awesome stuff happened to you?

Like you got that agent request in PitchWars!

Or you finished your manuscript and sent out your first query letter!

Or you wrote a really awesome scene!

Or maybe you discovered a new author this week and now have a new favorite book (hey, Katie McGarry! I love Pushing The Limits)!

And your husband brought home ice cream (mine did)!

Wait, what? It wasn't a good week, you say? 

That's okay–Channing Friday is for BAD WEEKS too!

Because Channing understands...that you got that rejection letter.

Maybe someone was a jerk to you and it bothered you all week.

Or that agent passed on your manuscript.

Or revisions were really rough this week.

Or your kids were acting up.

Or maybe it was just a disaster of a week and nothing went right at all.

Don't worry, Channing's got your back today. And no matter what, no matter what happened this week...

Oh, and also–

Writers Like Us - Robert Lettrick

Whenever I read author interviews, I'm always looking for that one thing that tells me whatever it is I'm going through–rejection or acknowledgment or insecurity or excitement–is totally normal and just a part of the process. I want to know what makes that author like me.

I'm so thrilled to have Robert Lettrick on the blog today! Not only is my agency brother an awesome middle grade writer with a two-book deal with Disney Hyperion, but he's an amazing artist too. Today he shares his publishing secrets in this week's Writers Like Us. His first book, Frenzy, is scheduled for 2014. It has rabid squirrels in it, and it's going to be awesome!

His answers are below in bold. Let us know what makes Robert like you in the comments.

Robert on Writing

• I've written 3 books, and 0 have seen the light of day. This will change when Frenzy is released by Disney-Hyperion in the summer of 2014. My second book, codenamed Codename, will be released in 2015.
• My favorite type of scene/character/setting to write is a massive action piece or the polar opposite, an intimate moment between two characters. My favorite type of character to write is the comic relief, because they crack me up. 
• No matter how long I've been writing, I still have issues with my family.
• The book I wished I wrote is the autobiography of Hugh Jackman. Because, you know, then I’d be Hugh Jackman. I’d also like to see my name on Cannery Row, which is why I signed every copy in my local bookstore. I’m not allowed back.

Robert on Getting Published

• If my agent really knew how crazy I was, she would find out if there’s an escape clause in our contract. 
• When I was querying, I felt probably like every other author who sends their baby out into the world: nervous, excited, hopeful and proud of myself for following my dream, regardless of the outcome. And I felt like having a drink. One long, four-month drink.
• The biggest mistake I ever made querying was sending out a manuscript before it was ready.
• The craziest thought I've ever had while writing/querying/subbing/being published is "This shouldn’t take long."
• When I got "The Call," my first thought was "How am I going to come up with a million dollars in unmarked bills, and once I give it to them will they kill her anyway? Huh? Wrong call? Oh."
• When I saw my book sale in Publishers Marketplace, I sang Barry Manilow’s Looks Like We Made It at the top of my lungs. Actually, it was just nice to be able to talk publicly with friends and family about the deal after sitting on it for so long.

Robert on Life Outside Writing

• If I weren't a writer, I'd probably be an animator. Or a comic book artist. I have a BA in Fine Art and I went to the Savannah College of Art and Design to get my MA in sequential art. I can draw a little.
• Secretly, I'm terrified of heights, which is strange because I spent several years as a roofer. I’ve only fallen off one roof–a church. I landed in a bush about a foot away from a spiked iron fence. I went right back to work and the cost of the bush came out of my paycheck. It’s a hard knock life.
• My deepest, darkest secret is revealed in my book Frenzy (In bookstores summer 2014!).
• Sometimes, when no one is around, I look for people.

Robert Lettrick was born and raised in Troy, NY. He earned his BFA at a small liberal arts college outside of Boston then went on to become one of the first students to enroll in the Savannah College of Art and Design’s MA Sequential Art program. Robert enjoyed a short stint in the bullpen at Marvel Comics which led to freelance penciling assignments for Marvel Comics, Marvel Films and Harris Publications. Robert then took the next logical step and managed a roofing company for ten years. After waking from this long stupor, Robert decided to get out of the construction business and return to his true passion of story telling. He is represented by Lauren MacLeod of the Strothman Agency and recently signed a two-book deal with Disney-Hyperion. His first book, Frenzy, will arrive at bookstores still standing in the summer of 2014.

www.robertlettrick.blogspot.com

www.twitter.com/robertlettrick

www.robertlettrick.com (coming soon)

My Top Five Book Boyfriends

I was going to wait until February for this one, but sometimes you just have to write a blog post naming your...

Top Five Book Boyfriends.

1. John After from Jennifer Echols' Going Too Far

From GoodReads: One crazy evening involving a dare and forbidden railroad tracks, Meg goes way too far...and almost doesn't make it back. John made a choice to enforce the rules. To serve and protect. He has nothing but contempt for what he sees as childish rebellion, and he wants to teach Meg a lesson she won't soon forget. But Meg pushes him to the limit by questioning everything he learned at the police academy. And when he pushes back, demanding to know why she won't be tied down, they will drive each other to the edge.

Why he's my book boyfriend: I hereby declare that John After will never not be my #1 book boyfriend. Hear that all other future book love interests? Do you know why? Because the description above only portrays him as a hard ass. And don't get me wrong, he was for the first 30 or 40 pages. But then, during the ride alongs Meg was sentenced to go on with him, he softened up. He's an artist and can tell the difference between indigo and cyan. And he's funny, and says things like, "I love Cops. It’s like my life, but with the boring parts taken out.”

Am I not doing a good enough job convincing you? WELL GOOD. Because I want him all to myself. Go pick another book boyfriend or there'll be a smackdown in the girl's bathroom.

“And the rest is happily ever After.”

2. Travis from Trish Doller's Something Like Normal

From GoodReads: When Travis returns home from a stint in Afghanistan, his parents are splitting up, his brother’s stolen his girlfriend and his car, and he’s haunted by nightmares of his best friend’s death. It’s not until Travis runs into Harper, a girl he’s had a rocky relationship with since middle school, that life actually starts looking up. And as he and Harper see more of each other, he begins to pick his way through the minefield of family problems and post-traumatic stress to the possibility of a life that might resemble normal again. Travis’s dry sense of humor, and incredible sense of honor, make him an irresistible and eminently lovable hero.

Why he's my book boyfriend: I know, I know. I won't shut up about this book! Seriously though, if you haven't read it, please don't speak to me until you do. Who can resist a nice guy like Travis? He just needs a girl like Harper me in his life! I would totally tell his dad off and then trip his brother. Funny and irresistible, if John After were to ever leave me for some incredibly attractive girl, I'd completely run into Travis's very strong Marine arms.

3. Owen from Sarah Dessen's Just Listen

From GoodReads: Last year, Annabel was "the girl who has everything" — at least that's the part she played in the television commercial for Kopf's Department Store. This year, she's the girl who has nothing: no best friend because mean-but-exciting Sophie dropped her, no peace at home since her older sister became anorexic, and no one to sit with at lunch. Until she meets Owen Armstrong. Tall, dark, and music-obsessed, Owen is a reformed bad boy with a commitment to truth-telling. With Owen's help, maybe Annabel can face what happened the night she and Sophie stopped being friends.

Why he's my book boyfriend: Um, hello? He was the only boy who would sit with her on the wall at lunch time and made her SEVERAL mixed CDs to help widen her taste in music. For those reasons alone, I love Owen. Throw in an adorably precocious sister who tells it like it is and a beat-up van to listen to all your tunes in, and I am sold on Owen as a book boyfriend.

4. Adam from Gayle Forman's Where She Went (also, If I Stay)

From GoodReads: It's been three years since the devastating accident . . . three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever. Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Juilliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future-and each other.

Why he's my book boyfriend: So...I have this thing for guys in bands. I don't think that's a secret. But a bona-fide rock star boyfriend? Who writes entire hit albums about me? Mia is crazypants to leave that! But that's okay, Adam. I'm right here.

5. Ed / Shadow from Cath Crowley's Graffiti Moon

From GoodReads: Senior year is over, and Lucy has the perfect way to celebrate: tonight, she's going to find Shadow, the mysterious graffiti artist whose work appears all over the city. He's out there somewhere—spraying color, spraying birds and blue sky on the night—and Lucy knows a guy who paints like Shadow is someone she could fall for. Really fall for. Instead, Lucy's stuck at a party with Ed, the guy she's managed to avoid since the most awkward date of her life. But when Ed tells her he knows where to find Shadow, they're suddenly on an all-night search around the city. And what Lucy can't see is the one thing that's right before her eyes.

Why he's my book boyfriend: Dark, mysterious and full of depth and artistic vision, that's how I'd describe Shadow, Ed's graffiti artist alter ego. I'd totally sneak out late at night to watch him paint the side of a building, but I'd probably be horrible at watching out for the cops.

So, now's your turn. Who's your book boyfriend(s)???

Writers Like Us - Trish Doller

Whenever I read author interviews, I'm always looking for that one thing that tells me whatever it is I'm going through--rejection or acknowledgment or insecurity or excitement--is totally normal and just a part of the process. I want to know what makes that author like me.

You have no idea how completely THRILLED I am to have Trish Doller, the author of Something Like Normal (oh, you know, just that book I've been fangirling about all year and threatening people with bodily harm if they haven't read it yet. Speaking of which? Have you? If not, you better!)

Her answers are below in bold. Let us know what makes Trish like you in the comments.

Trish on Writing

• I've written three complete books, and two have seen the light of day (but I do have a big file of unfinished projects that will remain dead and buried).
• My favorite type of scene/character/setting to write is fluid. My favorites change whenever I write something I especially love.
• No matter how long I've been writing, I still have issues with my characters showing up without a plot.
• A typical comment from my critique partner is "keep going" because she knows I have procrastinatory issues and that I can spend too much time revising when I should be moving forward.
• The book I wished I wrote is The Sharp Time by Mary O'Connell.

Trish on Getting Published

• If my agent (or editor) really knew how crazy I was, s/he would find out I make mock book covers for all my projects. 
• When I was querying, I felt completely clueless. 
• The biggest mistake I ever made querying was when I accidentally hit send on an email before I was finished, then followed-up with a second email to apologize and finish. Never heard from that agent.
• When I got "The Call," my first thought was "Oh my God, this is really happening." I couldn't tell you what was said in that conversation because I was walking back and forth under the bleachers of a high school soccer game, but I remember going back up to my seat and saying, "Holy shit. I have an agent."
• When I saw my book sale in Publishers Marketplace, I had to sit for a minute and process because even though the offer is the real deal, seeing it in PM makes it feel real.

Trish on Life Outside Writing

• If I weren't a writer, I'd probably be a bookseller. (I am both, actually.) 
• Secretly, I'm terrified of palmetto bugs and spiders and that giant-headed Burger King.
• My secret girlfriend/boyfriend is Colin Farrell. I know. I can't help myself.
• Sometimes, when no one is around, I watch the Doctor Who episodes that make me cry.

Trish Doller has worked as a newspaper reporter and radio personality and is now a bookseller. She lives in Ft Myers, Florida with her husband, two dogs, and two mostly grown children. Also, Trish has about a dozen Marines she'd like to adopt.

Top 3 Blog Series To Follow

There's been so much great feedback after Writers Like Us debuted this month that I thought it's only fitting to give some shout outs to some other new blog series...

Real Men Read YA - Not only is Aaron (@RealMenReadYA) reading YA books, but he's reviewing them from a man's point of view on his blog. If you haven't read his take on Anna and The French Kiss (even Stephanie Perkins approved!) or Hush, Hush, you are in for such a treat! I can't wait to see what he reads next–and if maybe I can convince him to read my favorite book, Something Like Normal...

When I'm Not Writing - Stacey Lee (@Stacey_Lee) started a new series to showcase what writers do when they aren't in front of their laptops. So far she's interviewed Sharon M. Johnston (who revealed her super hero obsession) and my wonderful agency sister, Monica BW (who showed us her Crocs and her favorite beach). I can't wait to see who's next!

The Big Reveal - Albeit not new, I don't feel enough people know about Suzi Retzlaff's (@SuziRetzlaff) awesome blog series, The Big Reveal. She asks a series of questions to featured writers from all levels, un-agented to published. Questions vary from "Do you do a lot of research for your novels?" to "Do you like to re-read books?" and it's always interesting to see how answers vary–or are the same! Also, *cough cough* I have signed on to give my answers for her next installment!

Make sure you're following these new series, and let me know in the comments if you've found any good ones I need to follow back!

Currently Reading - January 2013

Did everyone set their GoodReads Reading Challenge Goals for 2013?? I read 45 books last year, so I'm going to try for 50 this year. To kick that 50 off, my January reading looks like this...

• ENDLESS SUMMER by Jennifer Echols (Admittedly, I'm finishing this up from December.)
• ASUNDER by Jodi Meadows (It's an ARC but it comes out next month!)
• THE TRAGEDY PAPER by Elizabeth LaBan (A good friend of mine–and I'm excited to finally read her book!)

This is a pretty crazy month writing wise so my reading pile is a little light–but I'm planning to read a whole lotta romance next month for February! I'm even thinking of doing a Top 5 List again.

What are you reading this month?

Writers Like Us - Elizabeth LaBan

Whenever I read author interviews, I'm always looking for that one thing that tells me whatever it is I'm going through--rejection or acknowledgment or insecurity or excitement--is totally normal and just a part of the process. I want to know what makes that author like me.

Elizabeth LaBan's The Tragedy Paper is out TODAY! If you haven't heard of Elizabeth yet, you're in for a treat. Not only is she one of the nicest authors I've ever had the pleasure to meet, but her book is getting a lot of buzz! The Tragedy Paper is said to be "perfect for fans of Thirteen Reasons Why and Looking for Alaska." Not only did Elizabeth want to participate in Writers Like Us–she gave a SIGNED book to give away (Rafflecopter below)!

Elizabeth on Writing

• I've written nine books, and two – one fiction and one nonfiction – have seen the light of day.
• My favorite type of scene to write is a situation when two people probably shouldn’t like each other but they clearly do.
• No matter how long I've been writing, I still have issues with outlining the story.
• A typical comment from my critique partner is “stop saying and then,” as in and then he turned around or and then she left the room.
• The book I wished I wrote is I Don’t Know How She Does It by Allison Pearson.

Elizabeth on Getting Published

• If my agent really knew how crazy I was, he would find out that I usually drive the long way to avoid highways.
• When I was querying, I felt hopeful.
• The biggest mistake I ever made querying was taking rejections personally, and thinking each rejection was the end of my career.
• The craziest thought I've ever had while writing was to set my first (not-yet-published) novel – which is called The Restaurant Critic’s Wife – inside of the world my friend Jennifer Weiner created in her amazing best-selling book Good In Bed. After all, there was already a restaurant critic and his wife. I didn’t do it, of course!
• When I got "The Call," my first thought was finally!
• When I saw the advance copies of my book for the first time I wanted to stop people on the street to show them.

Elizabeth on Life Outside Writing

• If I weren't a writer, I'd probably be a teacher.
• Secretly, I'm terrified of elevators or any really small spaces you can get stuck in.
• Sometimes, when no one is around, I sing show tunes really loud.

Elizabeth LaBan worked at NBC News, taught at a community college, and has written for several magazines and newspapers. The Tragedy Paper is her first young adult novel. She lives in Philadelphia with her family.

~*PLUS A GIVEAWAY!*~

Sorry guys--must be U.S.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Writers Like Us - Jodi Meadows

Whenever I read author interviews, I'm always looking for that one thing that tells me whatever it is I'm going through--rejection or acknowledgment or insecurity or excitement--is totally normal and just a part of the process. I want to know what makes that author like me.

Agency sister Jodi Meadows volunteered to be the first in my new blog series, Writers Like Us. Jodi's second book in her INCARNATE trilogy–out January 29, 2013 is available for pre-order. And INCARNATE is out in paperback today!

Her answers are below in bold. Let us know what makes Jodi like you in the comments.

Jodi on Writing

• I've written 21 books, and 2, eventually 3 have seen the light of day.
• My favorite type of scene/character/setting to write is something mundane that becomes slightly magical.
• No matter how long I've been writing, I still have issues with spelling.
• A typical comment from my CP is "Didn't you check for typos?"

Jodi on Getting Published

• If my agent really knew how crazy I was, she would find out nothing. She already knows. I try not to hold anything back, that way she's prepared for any other crazy client who comes at her. 
• When I was querying, I felt depressed.
• The biggest mistake I ever made querying was when I sent requested pages...for the wrong manuscript.
• The craziest thought I've ever had while writing/querying/subbing/being published is "I should quit."
• When I got "The Call," my first thought was "They're going to say it's a joke any minute now."
• When I saw my book sale in Publishers Marketplace, I cried.

Jodi on Life Outside Writing

• If I weren't a writer, I'd probably be a unicorn. 
• Secretly, I'm terrified of GERMS.
• My secret boyfriend is fictional.
• Sometimes, when no one is around, I sing to the ferrets (they wish I wouldn't).

Jodi Meadows lives and writes in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, with her husband, a Kippy*, and an alarming number of ferrets. She is a confessed book addict, and has wanted to be a writer ever since she decided against becoming an astronaut.

*A Kippy is a cat.