It started with a *BANG* with the sale of my third book to FSG, JUST YOUR AVERAGE PRINCESS. JYAP comes out in the fall of 2011 so watch for it!
In mid-January I did an event at The Book Stall in Winnetka, IL, with Julie Halpern and Beverley Patt. It was one of my favorite signings with such a fun group and at a lovely store! I'll be back there again on January 29th at 2pm with Elizabeth Eulberg (The Lonely Hearts Club) and Kristin Walker (A Match Made in high School) which I think will be an absolute blast!
February was packed with first the launch party of my friend Kristin Walker's funny book.
And of course the super fun Valentine's Day signing I did with Kristin and Kimberley Pauley.
In March I did a fun visit with the Westmont Junior High Writer's Club, attended the Joliet Library Author Fair, met fellow Deb Carrie Ryan at her Anderson's Bookstore signing (yep, with Kristin Walker again. If you can't tell yet we hang out a lot!),
April consisted of more fun author events like the Fountaindale Library Authors Festival (I'm going back again this April!) in Bolingbrook, IL, and a Reader Meet Author chat at the Borders in Bolingbrook (my fave Borders).
In May I did my first ever Skype school visit (loooove the skype visit! Happy to do them free for schools-- e-mail me for info) and visited with a Young Writers Studio group. And I was revising like crazy (and I do mean crazy. Me and revision-- not so cool. It's probably the hardest part of the whole writing process for me).
June was a blur of end of year school stuff with my kids, swim lessons, and baseball games. And I swore off checking my Amazon rank.
In July I had one long anxiety attack as I realized my book, MY FAKE BOYFRIEND IS BETTER THAN YOURS, was coming out in August and I needed to order promo, plan a launch book signing, and fill out about a million interviews and guest blog posts. And I launched my new super cute Web site!
And two more author fairs in Aurora and Homer Glen.
In October I worked hard at copyedits for JUST YOUR AVERAGE PRINCESS, attended the ISLMA Author Showcase, got older (birthday month!), and I about died when my author idol Meg Cabot mentioned me on her blog.
And in November? Things got EVEN BETTER when Meg Cabot wrote a blurb for my book!! I still get giddy even thinking about it! I also had a seriously amazing time on vacation with my family and friends. Looooooove Disney!
And of course this month: a big whirl of fun holiday celebrations with family and friends, the Young Chicago Authors Holiday Book Bash, and my new book trailer celebrating The Espressologist releasing in paperback next week.
Other cool things in the past month or so: The Espressologist was named a 2010 honor book by the Society of School Librarians, Scholastic Book Fairs bought My Fake Boyfriend is Better Then Yours (I can't tell you how much I LOVE the school book fairs and how I can't wait to see my book there!!!) and I also saw the Japanese and Russian versions of THE ESPRESSOLOGIST release (German released in '09). And I sold My Fake Boyfriend is Better Than Yours to Germany too! Foreign sales are the coolest, I'm telling ya.
And moving into 2011 I have one book I'm writing now, one I'm revising, and three more that I've started and need to get back to. Which sometimes feels overwhelming to me but then I remind myself that it's a good place to be: busy!
Happy Holidays to you! I hope you're all having a lovely Christmas Eve! So far mine has been great. Started with some major cooking at my mom's with the ladies in the family. Lots of fun and I finally learned how to make Pierogi and Bohemian Braid Bread. And I'm so looking forward to tonight when everyone comes over for pizza and Christmas movies. And of course the big day tomorrow! I wish Christmas could last for weeks!
I love this time of year! All of the decorating, shopping, cookie making, AND yummy coffee drinks! I’m going to share a fave around my house: Egg Nog Lattes!
Kristina’s YUMMY Egg Nog Latte
1) Combine ½ cup of egg nog with ¼ cup of milk in a steaming pitcher.
2) Pour the steamed egg nog/milk into a mug.
3) Make two shots of espresso.
4) Pour the shots of espresso into the mug of milk.
5) Stir.
6) Garnish drink with a pinch of nutmeg.
It’s soooooo good! Here’s a picture of one I made my hubby.
Dance is Soledad Reyes’s life. About to graduate from Miami’s Biscayne High School for the Performing Arts, she plans on spending her last summer at home teaching in a dance studio, saving money, and eventually auditioning for dance companies. That is, until fate intervenes in the form of fellow student Jonathan Crandall who has what sounds like an outrageous proposition: Forget teaching. Why not spend the summer performing in the intense environment of the competitive drum and bugle corps? The corps is going to be performing Carmen, and the opportunity to portray the character of the sultry gypsy proves too tempting for Soledad to pass up, as well as the opportunity to spend more time with Jonathan, who intrigues her in a way no boy ever has before.
But in an uncanny echo of the story they perform every evening, an unexpected competitor for Soledad's affections appears: Taz, a member of an all-star Spanish soccer team. One explosive encounter later Soledad finds not only her relationship with Jonathan threatened, but her entire future as a professional dancer.
Our Interview:
KRISTINA: In my book, THE ESPRESSOLOGIST, Jane, a coffee barista, matchmakes people based on their favorite coffee drinks. What’s your favorite coffee drink? (If you don’t like coffee, tell me what your favorite drink in general is. But I am sorry, you’ll never find love. Kidding!)
CARIDAD:I'm fairly boring in that I like my coffee strong, with a bit of cream and sugar. My favorite beans are Sumatra or Kona-- anything really rich and powerful. My other favorite that I don't have all that often anymore is the traditionalCuban cafe con leche. It's a shot or two of sweet Cuban coffee (AKA Cuban jet fuel) mixed into steaming hot milk. Forget your lattes and espressos-- that mixture will keep you running fast than theEnergizer Bunny!
KRISTINA: What is the title of the first book you ever wrote?
CARIDAD:The first book I ever wrote was a romance called LATE FOR YOUR LIFE. I made tons of newbie mistakes, starting with it was way, WAY too long, but I recently pulled it out from under the metaphorical bed and took a look at it and two things really struck me: one was that as a story, it's really pretty darned good. Good arc, despite its length, the pace is pretty good, and no loose ends were left unanswered. The second thing that struck me was there was a sort of ease in the writing-- I just sat and wrote that thing with no concept of "rules" or whether or not it would work for publication. I just wrote the story because it demanded to be written and I simply sat and wrote. I think I need to try to recapture some of that same freedom-- it's really a joyful feeling.
KRISTINA: What three things must you have while you’re writing?
CARIDAD:Diet Cokeor coffee, music, and a notebook nearby for jotting down notes.
KRISTINA: What are you reading right now?
CARIDAD:Armistead Maupin's MARYANN IN AUTUMN, his newTales of the Citynovel, and my reward for completing my release week promo duties is going to be Victoria Dahl's new novella, MIDNIGHT ASSIGNMENT.
KRISTINA: Are you on twitter? Where can we follow you?
CARIDAD: I'm @BarbFerrer and I'd love for people to follow. I do tweet frequently, so I'm always chattering away.
About the Author:
Caridad Ferrer is a first generation, bilingual Cuban-American, whose young adult debut, Adiós to My Old Life won the Romance Writers of America’s 2007 RITA® for Best Contemporary Single Title Romance as well as being named to the 2009 Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults list, awarded by the ALA. Her second novel, It’s Not About the Accent was released in 2007 with Publisher’s Weekly stating, “…this twisting book amply rewards readers.”
She has also contributed to the anthology, Fifteen Candles: 15 Tales of Taffeta, Hairspray, Drunk Uncles, and Other Quinceañera Stories. Her newest young adult novel, When the Stars Go Blue, is a contemporary retelling of Bizet’s Carmen, and will be released by Thomas Dunne Books in November 2010. Booklist calls it, “Beautifully written, with contemporary characters and an engaging story line.”
Happy Thanksgiving!! I hope you're planning on having a fun relaxing day today! I heard somewhere this week that 66% of all families have a fight on Thanksgiving day. I'm determined to not be in that 66%! I'm already thinking about the day after. Not the Black Friday shopping (I'm swearing off that this year too) but getting ready for Christmas. I want to get our tree and start the marathon of Hallmark and Family Channel cheesy Christmas movies!
But first, things I'm thankful for right this very second:
My sweet family! Everyone is happy and healthy and silly as ever!
Warm home, food, and income! The economy is seriously depressing and I hate that so many people are struggling. We are donating to as many food drives, toy drives, coat drives etc. as we can.
And finally, our big Disney trip last week went wonderfully! We survived the 20 hour drive there and back and had so so so much fun at all the theme parks. In fact, we are suffering from serious Disney withdrawal and want to go back as soon as possible. Here's just a few shots:
(The castle lit up for Christmas. Isn't it SO pretty? It changed colors too-- blue, pink, green etc. LOVED it!)
(The Osbourne light show at Hollywood Studios. This was AMAZING! Loved the "snow" falling too.)
("Germany" at Epcot. The kids loved all the different countries!)
(The tree of life at Animal Kingdom. So cool and huge!)
I'm having a really great day. A REAAAAAAAALLY great day. Reason #1:
You know my young adult literary idol MEG CABOT? She had posted on her blog that she liked my book, MY FAKE BOYFRIEND IS BETTER THAN YOURS. Well, she wrote me a blurb!!! I'm so so so excited! Here it is:
"Irresistible as a fluffy kitten. I laughed out loud and so will you!"
Meg Cabot, author of the Airhead and Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls series
Isn't that awesome?! And Reason #2:
We just sold My Fake Boyfriend to Germany! Yay, that's my first foreign sale for this book!
I'm 35 today! I'm not sure how I feel about this yet. On one hand ohmygodI'm35! That always seemed so freaking old! Especially when I was a teen. 35 was like right before retirement wasn't it? No longer can I say late twenties (ok I shouldn't have been saying that anyway) or early thirties. Now I have to say mid-thirties. Ew. Sounds so old. I still don't feel old though. And no joke, a grocery clerk carded me a few months ago at Mejer. I wanted to tip her.
Anyway, what are my grand plans for my 35th birthday? I thought, maybe I should start the day with a workout to get the year in a good direction. Then I thought, pssh, I workout 4-5 days a week anyway so it's not like I need to go on my birthday. Nope, a relaxing day is the only way to go. I set 1/2 of my kids off on the school bus and took the two little ones to Starbucks for a mocha. A venti (it IS my birthday after all). Then I came home and cracked open my first ever anti-aging cream, for women 35 and older. Oh yeah, big time stuff. Next? I don't know. I desperately want to vacuum (the carpet looks gross) but keep telling myself I shouldn't do housework on my birthday. I keep hoping that maybe my next big book idea will come to me today. Ah screw it, I'm going for the vacuum. Later!
Congrats Julie! E-mail me your mailing address and the book will be shipped to you.
And p.s., I'm sorry I didn't announce this on Saturday as promised! It was a 4 party weekend (one of which was a double birthday party we were hosting) and the weekend got away from me fast. Speaking of which,
Question: If you need to make a card for your friend's 6th birthday party and you don't want to bother asking anyone for a piece of paper, what should you do?
Answer: Take a page of Mommy's manuscript! In this case it looks like page 27 of Pumpkin Princess. :-)
Denise Jaden is here to talk about her debut novel, LOSING FAITH. She's also offered to giveaway a copy of the book on my blog (U.S. entries only). Just comment on this entry for a chance to win and I'll post the winner Saturday.
About the Book:
When Brie's sister, Faith, dies suddenly, Brie's world falls apart. As she goes through the bizarre and devastating process of mourning the sister she never understood and barely even liked, everything in her life seems to spiral farther and farther off course. Her parents are a mess, her friends don't know how to treat her, and her perfect boyfriend suddenly seems anything but.
As Brie settles into her new normal, she encounters more questions than closure: Certain facts about the way Faith died just don't line up. Brie soon uncovers a dark and twisted secret about Faith's final night...a secret that puts her own life in danger.
Our Interview:
KRISTINA: In my book, THE ESPRESSOLOGIST, Jane, a coffee barista, matchmakes people based on their favorite coffee drinks. What's your favorite coffeedrink? (If you don't like coffee, tell me what your favorite drink ingeneral is. But I am sorry, you'll never find love. Kidding!) DENISE: I'm a little boring when it comes to coffee. I love a niceAmericano. Or if I'm really feeling fancy, a mocha. KRISTINA: I am always curious about when and where writers write. Can you tellme about your schedule and your favorite place to work? DENISE: I almost always work at my tiny desk in the corner of ourliving room. My son and I work at homeschool in the mornings, then hit thegym and he has a short quiet time while I write in the afternoons.
KRISTINA: When did you know that you wanted to be a writer? DENISE:Only recently. About seven years ago, I started typing awaywhat started as a journal, but quickly became fictional. It was so much fun,I couldn't stop, and within the year, I knew I wanted to become a writer.
KRISTINA: How do you come up with the names of yourcharacters?
DENISE: I'm always picking up names from new places. If I'm out at arestaurant or grocery store and notice a clerk with an interesting name, ora name full of character, I always jot it in my phone. With Losing Faith,the main character, Brie, was actually named after my husband's birthsister, who we just met for the first time a few years ago.
KRISTINA: Are you on twitter? Where can we follow you?
DENISE: Yes, I loveTwitter! I'm on there under @denisejaden
KRISTINA: What are you working on now?
DENISE: I'm working on another YA novel called Appetite For Beauty.It's about a cheeky and forthright girl who discovers a dangerous,self-destructive side in her sister, and has to decide between helping hersister and a powerful and unfamiliar desire to become appealing to amysterious boy.
Rave Reviews:
“Strong in its characterization…satisfying…a thoughtful read.”
-VOYA
"This book is wonderful. I stayed up way too late because I couldn't put it down. Tessa is one of my all-time favorite characters - fascinating, nuanced - she lived for me, jumped right off the page. Terrific read!" - Janet Fox, author of Faithful (Penguin/Speak, 2010) and Get Organized Without Losing It (Free Spirit Publishing, 2006)
"Suspense, religion, romance, teenage angst—this book has it all and it is all well done. Losing Faith was an amazing read that hooked me in the beginning and when it was done I was well-satisfied with the conclusion. Great from start-to-finish!" - Crystal at myreadingroom-crystal.blogspot.com
Bio:
Denise Jaden lives just outside Vancouver, Canada. When she’s not writing, she can often be found homeschooling her son or dancing with her Polynesian dance troupe. Losing Faith is her first novel. Find out more at denisejaden.com. View her book trailer here.
Almost everyone has wished that they could take a glimpse into the future—but what if such visions came unbidden, and they only foretold danger? Linda Gerber weaves this idea into a chilling and satisfying young adult novel with TRANCE (Speak; 9780142414156; October 14, 2010; Ages 12 up; $7.99). Perfect for fans of Wake, Gerber’s latest paranormal thriller is a dark but addictive tale of one girl’s curse to unwillingly foresee future tragedies, and the debilitating toll that it takes on her present life—until she realizes that her unwanted power may be more of a gift than a curse.
About the Author:
Linda Gerber (www.lindagerber.com) is the author of the popular Death by Bikini, Death by Latte, and Death by Denim as well as two books in the S.A.S.S. series. She lives with her family in Dublin, Ohio.
Our interview:
KRISTINA: In my book, THE ESPRESSOLOGIST, Jane, a coffee barista, matchmakes people based on their favorite coffee drinks. What’s your favorite coffee drink? (If you don’t like coffee, tell me what your favorite drink in general is. But I am sorry, you’ll never find love. Kidding!)
LINDA:My favorite, have-to-have-it-while-I’m-working drink isDiet Cokeover crushed ice, with a splash of Cherry Coke Zero (straight Cherry Coke Zero is to strong/sweet for me) and a generous squeeze of lime. So. Good.
KRISTINA: Why do you write MG/YA as opposed to other types of fiction?
LINDA:I love reading YA, so it’s a natural fit for me to write it. Besides, I think my voice is more suited to MG and YA. Maybe because I never grew up.
KRISTINA:What is the title of the first book you ever wrote?
LINDA:BETWEEN THE PAGES. It resides under my bed.
KRISTINA:What is your most favorite (or, weirdest, craziest, funniest, most touching etc.) comment you’ve received from a fan?
LINDA: I’ve had half a dozen girls send me resumes and headshots for when we start casting Aphra for the Death by Bikini Mysteries movie. I keep wondering what they know that I don’t!
KRISTINA:What are you reading right now?
LINDA:A TENSION OF OPPOSITES by Kristina McBride. Fabulous.
KRISTINA:Are you on twitter? Where can we follow you?
LINDA:HACKED, book three in my upcoming Middle Grade series, LIGHTS, CAMERA, CASSIDY, about the daughter of popular TV travel show hosts, and the trouble (and cute guys) she finds whenever she goes on location with them.
KRISTINA:Thanks so much for stopping by! Good luck with your book!
Oh. My. God. Something HUGE just happened. Something that would make me do kartwheels around my house (if I was like, 20 years younger, and didn't have this stinking tendinitis in my ankle, and could actually do a kart wheel. Wait, I don't think I've ever even done a kart wheel. Never was much the gymnast. That's kind of sad isn't it? Moving on...).
Ok, let me preface what I'm going to say by reminding you (if you've been reading me for awhile) that I'm a huge Meg Cabot fan. That she's one of my literary idols. That she's the author I always list as my fave in interviews (along w/ Lauren Myracle of course, luv her too!). That whenever I have an author etiquette question (such as to blog this or not to blog this?) I think WWMCD, What Would Meg Cabot Do? That...ok, move on Tina, get to the point!
MEG CABOT THINKS I'M FUNNY!!!!!!
For real! I swear!! One of my friends just saw this on her blog and sent it to me:
"This funny book, which has a hilarious title, and an even more hilarious cover (the insides are pretty hilarious, too)." Click here for full post.
She's talking about My Fake Boyfriend is Better Than Yours!! Wheeeee!!!! I'm SO EXCITED!!!! Wait, I have to go dance around the room again, brb.
Ok, I know I'm gushing but authors are fan girls too and I'm such a Meg Cabot fan! This totally made my day!!
So, from here on out, any rejection I get I will reply with "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Apparently you haven't heard that MEG CABOT THINKS I'M FUNNY!!!!!!" :-)
I’m so excited a new girlfriend is visiting! Lauren Strasnick’s book, Her and Me and You, just came out and isn’t the cover amazing?
About the Book:
Her and Me and You
Simon Pulse/Simon & Schuster, October 2010
First love, broken friendships, and heartache all play a part in this evocative, voice-driven novel about Alex, a girl whose world is ripped apart when her father’s affair splits her family in two.
Alex moves with her mess of a mother to a new town, where she is befriended by hot, enigmatic Fred–and alternately flirted with and cold-shouldered by Fred’s twin sister, Adina. Others warn Alex to steer clear of the twins, whose sibling relationship is considered abnormal at best, but there’s just something about Fred–and something about Adina–that draws Alex to them and makes her want to be part of their crazy world, no matter the consequences.
“Strasnick’s slim second offering packs a lot into its short chapters: divorce, broken friendships, crushes, the lines between love and sex and more. Characterization, scenes, dialogue and setting are seamlessly distilled into so few sharp, image-rich phrases that the novel reads almost as if it were written in verse. Less is definitely more here, and readers are plunged into Alex’s physical and emotional world within three to four words. Although the plot moves swiftly, the author’s ability to capture Alex’s inner world in so few words give the novel depth and balance. Complex and thought-provoking.” –Kirkus
Our Interview:
KRISTINA: In my book, THE ESPRESSOLOGIST, Jane, a coffee barista, matchmakes people based on their favorite coffee drinks. What’s your favorite coffee drink? (If you don’t like coffee, tell me what your favorite drink in general is. But I am sorry, you’ll never find love. Kidding!)
LAUREN:What?!!Nooooo!Loveless? JWell, coffee makes me hurt, so I don’t drink it.But is there anything more intoxicating then the smell of freshly ground beans?!
I’m a tea girl.St. Dalfour Strawberry Rose Green Tea, my fave.I order it by the case.
KRISTINA:How do you come up with the names of your characters?
LAUREN:I have a baby name book.I do first name and surname searches online.I spend days naming characters when I first start a project – the names have to sound believable, but I also want them to suit my taste and fit each character.First names are fun.Last names, impossible.I frequently steal last names from friends and friends of friends.I used the last name of a girl I went to high school with for a character in my first book, NOTHING LIKE YOU, and I can’t tell you how many emails I get from old friends wondering why I turned such a nice girl into such an unlikable character!Each time this happens I get wildly paranoid that this girl will read the book and think the character is based on her, when nothing could be farther from the truth!I just really, really liked her last name!Doh.
KRISTINA:What is the title of the first book you ever wrote?
LAUREN:“Yours Truly, The Girls From Bunk Six”. 5th grade!My unfinished masterpiece.
KRISTINA:Are you on twitter? Where can we follow you?
LAUREN:I am!You can follow me at: http://twitter.com/laurenstrasnick
KRISTINA:What are you working on now?
LAUREN:Another book for Simon Pulse: DAKOTA WEBB IS MISSING (out Spring 2012).Messy relationships, mystery, music and… Wow, too many M’s.I wasn’t even trying to be cute!
KRISTINA:Thanks Lauren! I can’t wait to read your book!
We LOVE going to Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL whenever we can. It's over 1700 acres of 4000 different kinds of trees and it has one of the best children's areas anywhere for the kids to play at. So today we went to see if the trees have started changing colors (a little, will have to go back in a week or so I guess!) and got to do the Scarecrow trail. How fun! There were 44 scarecrows spread throughout around the lake so we visited each one and chose our favorites. Mine was the Shrek and Fiona scarecrows. But this one was pretty cute too--it's a librarian scarecrow. Can you see Mockingjay and Twilight in the books?
I attended a great author fair at the Aurora Public Library in Aurora, IL, this weekend. There were I think about 48 authors there and it was pretty cool! I loved seeing all of the different authors and types of books. And after seeing some of the costumes people were wearing I'm thinking I need something snappier to wear to these things! The newspapers kept taking pics of the guy in the greek warrior get up and the chick in the beanie. Here's a shot of me and my bud Kristin Walker.
While chatting with lots of fun people at the fair I did agree to be on a local writing cable TV show in January so stay tuned for that fun!
I'll be at the Homer Glen Author Fair tomorrow night so if you're anywhere in the area, please stop and see me! Here are the details:
September 20, 2010 - 6-8:45pm 5th Homer Township Public Library's Author Fair Homer Township Public Library 14320 W. 151st St. Homer Glen, IL
Thank you SO much to all of the friends, family, and fans that came out to my first signing for My Fake Boyfriend is Better Than Yours! I had a blast! Now for pics...
Getting ready.
The super cute cookies my friend Renee made for the signing.
Telling tales of my own 7th grade fake boyfriend.
Staring to sign.
Signing is so fun.
Still going.
My eternally silly friend (and author) Kristin Walker doing her, "OMG! It's THE Kristina Springer!" act. You can bet I'll be returning the favor at her next signing!
The beautiful flowers my friend Kerry gave me!
Ok, one more because they were so darn cool.
Thanks again for coming everyone! I'll be at the Author Fair in Aurora, IL, on Saturday and the Author Fair in Homer Glen, IL, on Monday it anyone is out that way!
Yay, a new girlfriend is visiting! Lucienne Diver is here to talk about the second book in her Vamped series, REVAMPED.
About the book:
In Vamped, Gina and her minions defeated a vampire vixen, a psycho-psychic and the vampire council of Mozulla, Ohio.Gina was all ready to expose vampires to the world in all their fanged fabulosity…until the Feds arrived to sweep everything under the rug and make them an offer they couldn’t refuse.
In ReVamped, Gina and her boyfriend Bobby are sent undercover to infiltrate a New York high school where some seriously weird stuff is going down. Worse than that, Gina’s new super-secret identity is as goth-girl Geneva Belfry. No color palette to speak of. More chains than a bike rack. And don't even get her started on the shoes. At least she won’t be too worried about blood spatter when kicking the butt of her newest nemesis, who’s decided that the high school makes a perfect playground.
Rave Reviews:
“This is a witty vampire romance/adventure with plenty of heart and action.Diver has written a supernatural sequel to Vamped (Flux, 2009/VOYA August 2009) that will attract even reluctant readers.It is filled with wry twists, such as the difficulties of trying to apply mascara when, asvampire, you don’t have any reflection in the mirror, as well as the typical agonies of being young and trying to fit in.”—VOYA
“Gina, the 17-year-old fashionista of the undead, is back and as sassy as ever (Vamped, 2009). Thoroughly enjoyable, this sequel is a light, fizzy read… listening in on Gina’s thoughts and quick-witted dialogue is what makes this such a treat.” —Kirkus Reviews
Our Interview:
KRISTINA: In my book, THE ESPRESSOLOGIST, Jane, a coffee barista, matchmakes people based on their favorite coffee drinks. What’s your favorite coffee drink? (If you don’t like coffee, tell me what your favorite drink in general is. But I am sorry, you’ll never find love. Kidding!)
LUCIENNE: If I don’t like coffee…(faints).
Okay, I’m back. It’d be harder to find a coffee drink I don’t like than list the endless parade of those I do. My favorite would have to be an iced latte with sugar and cinnamon on top. (My heroine, btw, is very bummed that her all-blood diet, though very slimming, puts an end to her mochachinos. She keeps craving the blood of a caffeine addict, so beware!)
KRISTINA: What is the title of the first book you ever wrote?
LUCIENNE: Wow, the first one I ever wrote? I don’t even remember. I was eleven and it was terrible, as were the next three. Some of those I remember, but I’ll never tell!
KRISTINA: What is your most favorite (or, weirdest, craziest, funniest, most touching etc.) comment you’ve received from a fan?
LUCIENNE: I’ve received so many great comments that I kinda hate to pick one over another! One that really stood out was a full-page letter that came viasnail mailfrom a fan who really got Vamped…understood my heroine and her strengths, got what I was trying to do. I’ve kept the letter in my writing folder, because it absolutely made my week. Every fan letter I receive, snail mail or otherwise, absolutely makes my life. Writing, like any art, is meant to be experienced, so it’s only when it’s viewed that the circuit is complete and we know if we’ve really done our job expressing what it was we wanted to express.
KRISTINA: Are you on twitter? Where can we follow you?
Hi and welcome to my blog! I'm the YA/MG fiction author of The Espressologist, My Fake Boyfriend is Better Than Yours, Just Your Average Princess, The Paparazzi Project, and Boy Swap. I'm also the mom to four little ones and a coffee fanatic. Find me on twitter @TinaSpringer.
.JPG)
.JPG)
