I get so many fun e-mails that I haven't had time to personally respond to them all. So, I thought I'd blog the most common questions with answers. I'm also pasting my FAQ from my Website.
FAQI'm a young writer and I want to get published! Advice?
I shared TONS of tips and tricks here!
Where has your writing been published?
You'll find over 100 of my articles, quizzes, short stories and more in magazines and newspapers such as: A Girls' World, AboutTeens.com, Beautiful Girl, Characters, Florida Trend's Next, FSView & Florida Flambeau, Girls' Life, Guideposts Sweet 16, Howl!, Kid Magazine Writers, Lake City Magazine, Listen, NE Chronicle, Positive Teens, Rainy Day Corner, Romance Writers Report, Teen Ink, Teen Scene, Teen Voices, Teenage Christian, The Famuan, The Next Step, The Tattoo, The Writer, Writing for Dollars, Young People's Press and Young Writer.
How did you get an agent?
In November 2006, at nineteen, I participated in National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo. The goal of the contest is to write a 50,000-word novel in 30 days. The prize? The writer has a completed first draft of a novel. I signed up and on December 1, I had a very, very rough draft of Take the Reins.
I blogged (the entry is still in the archives) that I'd finished a novel and was going to start editing it and looking for an agent.
That month, an agent stumbled onto my blog and read my entry about my book. She sent me an e-mail and offered to read it.
I sent it and--gasp--she liked it! She signed me as a client in January 2007 and we revised the manuscript for a few months before it went on submission.
Who are your favorite authors?
I have so many authors whose work I love that I couldn't come close to listing them all! But . . .
I adore anything by Kate Brian, Libba Bray, Stephenie Meyer, Sara Gruen, Maureen Johnson, Sara Shepard, Richelle Meade, Lauren Barnholdt, Meg Cabot, Ellen Hopkins, Cynthia Leititch Smith, Becca Fitzpatrick and Stephenie Meyer.
Fav movies?
Tough call between Moulin Rouge and Mean Girls. I heart them! I also love Easy A, Disney movies, National Velvet and The Devil Wears Prada.
Where have you lived?
Tennessee, Virginia, Florida, Illinois and now New York.
Things you can't live without?
Lip gloss. (It's everywhere. I, um, even have a lip gloss box beside my laptop.) Books. Kittens. Pink pens. Cozy sweaters. Tea. Best friend. BlackBerry. Twitter. Hello Kitty. PINK. Sephora.
Now some new questions . . .
Do you have a horse or ride?
I live in the city, so I can't. I'm also not able to ride because I had a spinal fusion for scoliosis (my spine turned S-shaped) when I was 13. If I ride and fall off, I could break the two titanium rods in my back and, worst case, be paralyzed. Best part? No back pain and no one can tell I had surgery. I think the scars are cool, too. :)
Is Canterwood becoming a movie or TV show? Can I audition?
It's my dream if that happened! First, a producer needs to "option" the books. Then, he/she hires a writer to produce a script. The producer then shops the script to networks (ABC Family, Disney, etc.,) and hopes one likes the idea. If the series gets optioned, Team Canterwood will be the first to know!
If it DID make it to production, I'd have no control over casting.
Will you come to my school?
I'd love to! I'm not traveling right now, but I am doing visits via Skype. Have your teacher contact me.
How many Canterwood books will there be?
I'm contracted for 20! Yay!
Are you writing other things?
Yes. I co-own a two-person packager, Violet & Ruby, with my best friend and Canterwood editor, Kate Angelella. We're writing an e-book novella horse series and working on many, many other projects. Check out our blog for details on dominate (Wellington Prep #1) our first project.
Can I send you my book to sign?
Of course! Directions are here.
Are there places I can talk to other Canterwood fans?
Yes! There are lots of forums that I love and participate with. Check out this for Canterwood and this one for Wellington Prep. You can also do role play here. So fun!
Is it REALLY you if I get an e-mail back?
Yes! I don't have an assistant (that sounds so crazy!) and any e-mail you get from me. I do have an auto-response on so you know I've received your message. I do my best to write back as soon as I can. Bear with me! :)
Will Wellington Prep be available in book form at a store?
No. E-book only. :)
Can I interview you for a school project?
It depends on where I am in my writing schedule. I'll try to let you know as soon as I can with a yes or a no so you're not waiting.
Will you read my book and tell me what you think?
If only I had the time! However, my editor Kate and I both offer freelance-editing services, so if you want your book to be read and edited (including a 15 minute phone call to discuss your project) get in touch with one of us.
When is your next event?
I'm not currently scheduled for any, but always check my blog for the latest news.
Will there ever be pictures of Eric or Jacob on the covers?
No, sorry! We want you to imagine the guys however you like. :)
Is Unfriendly Competition really the last book with Sasha as narrator?
Yes. At my publisher's imprint, there are rules about how old a character can be. To fit the guidelines, someone new had to "take the reins" and she will be starting with Chosen.
Argh! But I love Sasha! Will we see her at ALL?
She'll be popping in now and then, I'm sure. :)
So, I hope that answered some of your questions, if you've been waiting for an e-mail from me. Have a great night, guys!
