Welcome to the first snow day post! As
the weather forecasters predicted, we had a bit of a storm last night. A few inches of snow followed by a sleet - which left a nice thick crust of ice - followed by more snow - which is still coming down. Guess what? That combination is hard to shovel! Here's the view
out my back door... We'll see what it looks like when the storm is done.As a reminder, the countdown is still on for DUST OF 100 DOGS and the giveaway. Be sure to enter here before February 1 for your chance to win!
Meanwhile, I am pleased to bring you a snow day interview with my online friend and GCC sister, YA author Teri Brown. Teri's first book, READ MY LIPS just came out this past summer to critical acclaim.
Here's the official blurb:
Popularity is as easy as a good secret.
Serena just wants to fly under the radar at her new school. But Serena is deaf, and she can read lips really well—even across the busy cafeteria. So when the popular girls discover her talent, there’s no turning back.
From skater chick to cookie-cutter prep, Serena’s identity has done a 180…almost. She still wants to date Miller, the school rebel, and she’s not ready to trade her hoodies for pink tees just yet. But she is rising through the ranks in the school’s most exclusive clique.
Now on to the interview:
What inspired you to write READ MY LIPS?
My niece is profoundly deaf and my mother in law was very involved in deaf advocacy. The germs for the book started from my experiences. It actually began as a paranormal though!
Are any of your characters based on real people that you know?
Not really - more like a conglomeration of a lot of people I know. I meet a lot of interesting teens through my kids and I always pay attention to when they are around! When I go to the highschool to pick up my daughter, I often just sit and watch the students. I get a lot of my ideas from that.
What excites you?
A new season of The Biggest Loser! LOL Honest!
What turns you off?
People who aren’t honest with others or themselves. I feel bad for them and for everyone who has to deal with them.
What's the biggest lie you ever told, and what happened as a result of the telling?
Oh, wow. That’s a leading question. I wasn’t honest with my son about something, (Not telling you what it was!) and when he found out I was lying, all hell broke loose. He’s older now and totally forgives me, but at the time he was furious. I hate when my kids are mad at me… I don’t mind if it’s for normal parent stuff, but being in the wrong sucks… they hold it over your head forever!
If you could invite anyone you wanted - living or dead - to hang out with you at a weekend retreat, who would you invite and why?
Louisa May Alcott. I wanna see how she wrote all those books with a fountain pen!!!!
Another hard one. I’m pretty much an open book. I guess most people don’t realize I have an on again off again addiction to nicotine. Currently off again, thank goodness!
What's your favorite quote?
“That don’t make no sense.” (From the movie Oh Brother, Where Art Thou.) It’s a family favorite and we say it all the time. You have to say it like the guy did from the movie. Also from the same movie, “I have … no name.” (With drama and feeling, very James Earl Jonesess.) Only we use it for anything, like, “I have … no milk.” Or, “I have… no cash.”
We’re just weird like that.
Milk Chocolate or Dark?
Dark. Is there any other kind?
