Today's guest tip is from Jessica Brody, bestselling author of The Karma Club and My Life Undecided, as well as two books for adults: The Fidelity Files and Love Under Cover. Jessica's a TFC and GCC sister, and an amazing organizer, writer, and all-around positive force. Her latest book, 52 REASONS TO HATE MY FATHER, is a story about a spoiled teen heiress, famous for her party-girl antics and tabloid headlines, is forced by her ever-absent mogul father to take on a different low-wage job every week for a year, if she wants any hope of receiving her trust fund. To research for writing this one, she took on several minimum wage jobs, her favorite of which was working the drive-thru at a fast food restaurant. She splits her time between California and Colorado.
About 52 REASONS TO HATE MY FATHER:Being America’s favorite heiress is a dirty job, but someone’s gotta do it.
Lexington Larrabee has never to work a day in her life. After all, she’s the heiress to the multi-billion-dollar Larrabee Media empire. And heiresses are not supposed to work. But then again, they’re not supposed to crash brand new Mercedes convertibles into convenience stores on Sunset Blvd either.
Which is why, on Lexi’s eighteenth birthday, her ever-absent, tycoon father decides to take a more proactive approach to her wayward life. Every week for the next year, she will have to take on a different low-wage job if she ever wants to receive her beloved trust fund. But if there’s anything worse than working as a maid, a dishwasher, and a fast-food restaurant employee, it’s dealing with Luke, the arrogant, albeit moderately attractive, college intern her father has assigned to keep tabs on her.
In a hilarious “comedy of heiress” about family, forgiveness, good intentions, and best of all, second chances, Lexi learns that love can be unconditional, money can be immaterial, and, regardless of age, everyone needs a little saving. And although she might have 52 reasons to hate her father, she only needs one reason to love him.
Praise for 52 REASONS TO HATE MY FATHER:
“The #1 reason you’ll love this book? Because it’s tons of fun.”
-Bestselling author Meg Cabot
“Famous and spoiled teenage heiress Lexington Larrabee could give the Kardashians a run for their money in this opulent and fast-paced story…sharp writing and over-the-top scenes will appeal to readers looking for a fun summer read.”
-Publisher’s Weekly
“This unusual riches-to-rags tale is fun and interesting…the mysteries layered throughout, as well as the depth of the main characters, draw you in. Lexi is an obnoxious but lovable character you’ll root for!”
-Romantic Times Book Review (4 Stars!)
You can find Jessica online on her website, on twitter, on facebook, and on her youtube channel.Also, check out her celebration of the release, a fun giveaway for an “heiress prize pack!
Jessica's Tip:
This novel changed so much as I was writing it. Characters came and went, plot points were created and dropped, and details were being constantly shifted around in the story to make it work. I always outline before I start a book but I like to say that I outline just so I can have something to deviate from. I think it’s important to know where you’re story is going before you start writing but I also think it’s important to remind yourself that things WILL change. You don’t have to know every single detail before you start writing. In fact, I think it might be impossible. Characters will reveal themselves to you as you write. Things that you love won’t end up working out. So if you’re a plotter like me, find the balance. Don’t stress out to much. Let go of what you think you want the book to be and embrace what the book becomes.
Link Roundup:
In sunny Spain with Cassidy this week in the LIGHTS, CAMERA, CASSIDY Charmed Summer Giveaway #games #winning! (LightsCameraCassidy.Com)
Why You Should Choose Food You Don't Recognize (WritersButt)
15 Stock Characters and How to Restock Them (DailyWriteTip)
Top 10 Typography Crimes (Listography)
7 You-Know-What-I-Meant Mistakes (DailyTip)
5 Critical Things to Make a YA Story Stand Out (OutOfTheWordwork)
4 Keys to Writing an Unputdownable MG Adventure (WritersDigest)
Writing the Emotional Body Blow (RomanceUniversity)
Saving Your Sanity (LucienneDiver)
Write or Die - the APP (KarenWoodward)
The Escaping Character (LitReactor)
The Writers Guide to Twitter (InkyElbows)
Layers of Emotion (kidlit.com)
Where is Your Character Going? (WriteYourScreenplay)
Very Pinteresting (SLJ)
Worse Than a Cliche (Writers in the Storm)
Find Your Talisman (DIYMFA)
Writing Suspense in Science Fiction and Fantasy (Bryan Thomas Schmidt)
Defining Conflict in a Romance Novel (WritersDigest)
The Inconvenient Truths of our Our Own Writing (BeyondTheMargins)
Now find your balance, and go write!
