Ali: Hello Laura! Welcome to Dazzled by Books. I am so excited to have you on the blog today. I wanted to kick things off with a fun question, so what is your favorite book of 2016 so far?
Laura: That’s such a hard one! The only thing that freaks me out more than picking favorites is ranking things on a scale of one to ten. I’ve read so many fantastic books this year — but some great YAs I’ve finished recently include: SCARLETT EPSTEIN HATES IT HERE, AMERICAN GIRLS, I WOKE UP DEAD AT THE MALL, and HOW TO DISAPPEAR. (Disclaimer: that last one was written by my amazing mother — but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s a twisty, turny, amazing read.)
A: How do you come up with the names for your characters?
L: Some names came easily - like McKayla Rae and Bobby McKittrick and Carter Bosh. But others required more back and forth. For example, I went between Christina, Cristina, and Kristina over and over again until the K won out. (Maybe it’s because I was watching a lot of Kardashians at the time). When in doubt, I would say names out loud to determine what had the best melody.
A: Did you always want to be a writer?
L: I did. My mom was transcribing my stories for me before I knew how to write.
A: That is so awesome! On that happy note, what inspires your writing?
L: I’m inspired by the random assortment of people and places and things I encounter in real life. Like my protagonist, Harper, I jot down random observations in a notebook and use all that stuff for material down the road.
A: Do you have any habits while writing? For example: a specific snack food you have to have or maybe music playing in the background.
L: I would never have been able to write this book without the help of Oreos, Diet Coke, and Taylor Swift. I’d listen to Taylor Swift’s 1989 album on loop during writing binges because a) it got me in the rom-com mood, b) I knew the songs so well I didn’t find it distracting, and c) at 48 minutes and 41 seconds long, it served as a great marker of time. I’d set goals for myself to finish a chapter or tough scene by the end of the album.
A: What is your favorite thing to do when you aren’t writing?
L: I love experiencing new things — it can be seeing an exhibition from an artist I’ve never heard of, exploring a city (or even street), or trying a regional cuisine. There’s so much out there to see and hear and taste. I want to sop it all up like a sponge.
A: Which character in LITTLE BLACK DRESSES, LITTLE WHITE LIES did you personally relate to the most and why?
L: I think that I related the most to Harper. I also was unsure of myself and kind of a disaster around boys in high school (although I think Harper ends up faring better on the boy front than I did!) It takes time to get comfortable and confident, and to find your true self and true voice — and it was really fun helping Harper find her way. (Granted she made a lot of wrong turns. I’m not a perfect person and neither is she).
A: What is the one thing you want readers to walk away from LITTLE BLACK DRESSES, LITTLE WHITE LIES with?
L: Harper says it best: “At the end of the day, the jerk you went to homecoming with won’t matter. Your friend who kicked him in the balls when he was a jerk to will. Because she’ll be kicking jerks in the balls for you for the rest of your life.”
A: If could describe your book in five words, what five would you use?
L: Sarcastic, Swoony, LOTS OF DOGS
A: Disney Princess or Disney Villain? Why?
L: Is it cheating to say Disney sidekick? Just like I know I’d be a Hufflepuff in the Harry Potter universe, I know I’d be a Flounder or Mushu in the Disney kingdom. Clumsy, comedic, but loyal.
A: I love it. No I don't think it is cheating. I love when people come up with their own creative answer. Thank you again for stopping by. It was so great to have you on the blog. This was a lot of fun. We will need to do it again!
L: Thanks so much for having me, and for all these great questions!
Giveaway:
- A hardcover copy of LITTLE BLACK DRESSES, LITTLE WHITE LIES to TWO (2) winners – US only
Must be 13 or older to enter. Giveaway is US only. Giveaway ends July 26th at 11:59 PM Pacific. Book will be ordered from Amazon. Prizing courtesy of Rockstar Book Tours.
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The Tour Schedule
Please post at least you’re stop’s week in your posts!
Week One
July 6th – Please Feed the Bookworm – Review
July 6th – Read Now Sleep Later – Guest Post
July 7th – Worth Reading It? – Review
July 7th – YA Book Madness – Review
July 8th – Awkwordly Emma – Review
July 8th – YA Reads – Character Interview
Week Two
July 11th – Fictional Fox – Review
July 11th – Curling Up With A Good Book – Author Interview
July 12th – Fiktshun – Review
July 12th – The Anatomy of a Bookworm – Review
July 13th – The Phantom Paragrapher – Review
July 13th – Whatever You Can Still Betray – Guest Post
July 14th – Creatyvebooks – Review
July 14th – Latte Nights Reviews – Review
July 15th – Here’s to Happy Endings – Review
July 15th – Books & Beauti – Guest Post
Week Three
July 18th – Swoony Boys Podcast – Review & Character Interview
July 19th – Book Briefs – Review
July 19th – A Dream Within A Dream – Guest Post
July 19th – All The Crannies – Review
July 20th – The Mind of a Book Dragon – Review
July 20th – Dazzled by Books – Author Interview
July 21st – Vibin With Books – Review
July 21st – The Recipe Fairy – Guest Post
July 21st – Oh, For The Love Of Stories - Review
July 22nd – Books and Bindings – Review
July 22nd – Underneath the Covers – Guest Post
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