Tuesday, January 8, 2013

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


19 comments:

  1. Another great installment! So excited for this book! (And glad to hear about I DON'T KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT which I have always totally wanted to read. *shifts to top of TBR*)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Dahlia! I can't wait to get my hands on The Tragedy Paper tonight at Elizabeth's signing! :)

      Delete
  2. Awesome interview. I just nabbed an ARC of Tragedy Paper from Netgalley and this bumps it even faster up my list!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yay! I'm so excited for this book! Let me know what you think of it when you're done reading :)

      Delete
  3. Thanks for introducing me to new authors. This book is on my tbr.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for reading! And make sure you enter the giveaway! :D

      Delete
  4. What makes Elizabeth Laban like me? Well, we both sing show tunes when we're alone. haha Thanks for the awesome giveaway! Love this book!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I think singing--especially show tunes--is a "a writer thing" ;)

      Delete
  5. Thirteen Reasons Why is one of my favorite contemporary YA novels. If The Tragedy Paper is anything like it, I'd definitely want to read it :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I loved Thirteen Reasons Why too--so I can't wait to read Elizabeth's book!

      Delete
  6. Love this post!! THE TRAGEDY PAPER sounds amazing. Those are some good comps.

    "a situation when two people probably shouldn’t like each other but they clearly do." YES. I'm the same way!

    Great interview, you two <33

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love this .. sounds like a great read.
    Thx.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm really excited for this one! 13 Reasons Why is a great book to comp!

      Delete
  8. Yet another GREAT installment of this series. HOORAY!!! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh and I, too, take the long way to avoid highways!! Forgot to tell how Elizabeth and I are alike!

      Delete
    2. Thanks Hayley!! <3 I prefer highways though (get me there faster!!) haha.

      Delete
  9. Trouble with outlining... That is SO me! Thanks for the great interview. I can't wait to read Elizabeth's book!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Katy! Let me know when you read it! And I have a lot of trouble with outlining too--I'd rather pants the whole thing :)

      Delete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...