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Twitter-view: Suzanne Young

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We’re back with another round of Twitter-view. This time, the lovely Suzanne Young, author of The Naughty List series and the forthcoming A Need So Beautiful (Balzer & Bray, 2011) stopped by to talk a little summer heat, cute boys, and more.
You used to teach middle school. What got you into writing? I’ve been writing short stories since 7th grade & never stopped. After moving to Oregon I wrote my first novel.

How did THE NAUGHTY LIST come about?

IMing with a friend, I made a joke about ninja cheerleaders throwing sparkly death stars. Then I figured out they were tracking cheating boyfriends.

What inspires your writing? Random ideas pop in my head, scenes, & conversations. Mostly it’s about super hot guys if I’m being honest

In THE NAUGHTY LIST, you purposefully avoid a lot of foul language. Are you
that way in real life?

Um.. no. Not at all. I cuss a lot, but I thought it would be cute if Tessa didn’t even though others do. She creates her own reality.

Your first books were the Naughty List series (which I really liked). Can
you talk about your forthcoming A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL, due in Summer 2011?

A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL comes out 6/1-it’s about a girl who’s compelled to do good deeds,but every time she does, her existence begins to fade

When you sit down to write, what are your essentials?

Reese’s Pieces, Diet Pepsi and something salty. OH! And a computer.

Who are some of your favorite writers / who do you look to for inspiration?

Super into Cassandra Clare right now. I also adore Carrie Ryan & Lili St. Crow. Stephanie Perkins new book blew me away .She’s right up there.

Do you GoogleStalk yourself? I have google alerts, but I never get anything good!! I’m waiting for something scandalous or awesome to pop up.

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

Wasn’t my 1st or 2nd book that got published. Hell, it wasn’t even my 3rd. It was my 5th & Need so Beautiful is my 9th. So keep writing books!

It’s hot in the midwest in August. It’s nice in the northwest. But if you were in the midwest, how would you stay cool?

I’m not really a great swimmer, so I wouldn’t really jump in a lake, but a backyard BBQ with frosty beverages sounds about right.

How has being involved in Twitter/Goodreads/Blogging helped you as a writer?

I feel more connected with my audience. I love when people send me questions or the occasional “NO. HE. DIDN’T!”

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?

I don’t really like ice cream…. Sorry! If I’m eating frozen it’s probably Italian Ice.

What’s the worst thing you ever did as a teenager?

I maybe…. Sort of… possibly… egged a girl’s car. I might have.

What’s one totally embarrassing thing about you or that you’ve done that you would never tell anyone else?

Can’t say the REALLY embarrassing 1, but I broke my finger while acting as the white rabbit in a play in college. Me & Backflips don’t mix.
Thanks for stopping by, Suzanne!
We’ll be back again next month with another Twitter-view — keep your eyes peeled!

Twitter-view & Giveaway

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Welcome to our first Twitter-view. What’s that, you ask? It’s an author interview, done Twitter-style. Our first victim, err, guest is none other than Cybils Award winner Courtney Summers. In addition to her books, Courtney’s a pretty regular blogger on topics relating to teen lit and writing, and this week, she posted a powerful piece about unlikable characters (which, ahem, she knows a bit about writing).

You’ve seen my review of her Some Girls Are, published in January of this year, and you’ll be excited to hear she’s got a third book coming out in December titled Fall for Anything. Want to win a copy? Read to see how you can win your choice of either of her current titles or a preorder of Fall for Anything.

Tell me a bit about your end-of-year title, Fall for Anything. What should we be prepared for?
It’s an exploration of grief. Prepare for a different kind of protagonist and hopefully lots of heartache! And people falling for things.

As a reader, your unflinching details make me uncomfortable. But it doesn’t stop me. I find the honesty refreshing. How do you feel writing them?

Thanks! I feel good writing them. I like to test my limits. I want people to respond to my text, for better and for worse.

Who are your favorite writers / who do you look to for inspiration?

Robert Cormier for his fearlessness. CK Kelly Martin for her realism.

Where do your stories come from? How do you know what you want to tackle?
Usually I start out with a specific scene flashing in my head and build from there. I know what idea to pursue when I feel a “click.”

Do you have a place you go when you’re writing? Mentally or physically is fine.
I work wherever I can. Mostly in my bedroom, sometimes in the kitchen. As long as I have my headphones on, it’s all good.

What are you listening to?
Lady Gaga, of course!

Tell me a bit about the celebration you had when Cracked Up to Be was this year’s Cybils winner.

The day was a blur. I happy-danced around the house, spilled coffee on myself & it didn’t hurt one bit. Well, it hurt later. But that’s ok!

If you were to write a series, how would you make the vampire story different (since, you know, all series books are about vampires)?

It would be called JEBEDIAH & THE VEREVOLVES. A boy named Jebediah. Vampire/werewolf hybrids that must be destroyed. That is all I can say.

I’m an unabashed ice cream addict. What’s your flavor of choice?

Ice cream = beautiful. I love mint chocolate chip or just plain chocolate (with maple syrup on top!).

When you aren’t writing, what are you doing?

Looking for inspiration.

Do you GoogleStalk yourself?
Why? Who have you been talking to? If they said I had a problem they’re lying! Lying! I can stop anytime I want to! I mean–no. Never.


What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
Don’t let anyone talk you out of it.


I know you like to draw. Will you share a drawing?

My latest is a peacock (representing justice) attacking a werewolf (representing all that is wrong with the world).

You’re stuck on a deserted island. What’s the first thing you do?

Cry for many hours and build a sand castle of tears.

What’s the worst thing you ever did as a teenager?

I was the goodiest goodie-goodie that ever gooded a goodie. That sounds so wrong. I MAY have cheated on some tests…

Tell me the wildest thing about you that would be totally embarrassing for others to know. Please.
Next question, please! 😉

Thanks Courtney for visiting and talking to us!

Now on to the goods — want to win one of Courtney’s books? Fill out the form below before July 25. We’ll pick a winner at random, who will get their choice of either winning Cracked Up to Be, Some Girls Are, or a preorder of Fall for Anything.