Today I'm doing an interview post with Krysten Hager to celebrate the release of her latest book "Best Friends...Forever?". In addition to the questions, Miss. Hager provided me with a blurb and excerpt of her book.
On your book
1. What is a one-line synopsis for your book? And is this a stand-alone or part of a series?
1. What is a one-line synopsis for your book? And is this a stand-alone or part of a series?
--->Good
friends have your back, but Landry soon finds some friends will go behind it. Best Friends…Forever? is the second book
in the Landry’s True Colors Series.
2. How did you decide when and where to set Best Friends…Forever? What inspired the story itself?
--->It’s
based in current times in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I’m from Michigan, but I’m
from the other side of the state (an hour north of Detroit—a suburb of Flint).
I set the story in Grand Rapids because I have family there and my parents both
grew up there. I wanted to use that setting instead of my hometown because I
think Grand Rapids is more relatable than my hometown of Grand Blanc would have
been.
The story was inspired by the way the media
used to (and still does) portray groups of teen friends as having these
unbreakable bonds where everything was sunny and no one ever had a bad day and
me feeling like I couldn’t relate to that. I thought everyone had it all
together BUT me and so I wanted to create a character who shares the other side
of things (the awkward, anxious moments of growing up and trying to fit in) in
a funny way so readers know they’re not alone in having those thoughts.
3. What are your current projects? What are you planning for future projects? What are you working on next?
--->I’m
working on the third book in the Landry’s True Colors series and on another
younger YA story and rewriting an adult novel as well.
4. Can you tell us a little about your world-building process, and how you designed the setting for Best Friends…Forever?
--->I
actually use my grandmother’s house (in Grand Rapids, MI) as the house Landry
and her mom live in, but I have the house set on my aunt’s street. I used to
walk around there a lot and so in my mind I can picture Landry’s school
(Hillcrest Academy), where she goes for ice cream with her friends, and where
all her friends live. I even have Landry’s bus route written down and her
school schedule.
5. Did you outline it ahead of time, or wing it?
--->
The first book I had no outline for, but now that it’s a series and I have to
make sure to stay consistent, I did do a bit of plotting.
6. How is writing a book now different from writing your first book?
--->The
main thing is that now that it is a series, I had to put together what some
people have called a “series bible.” So now I have down Landry’s class
schedule, which teacher is for which subject, her friends’ siblings’’ names,
etc. so that I don’t make a mistake. I also have to make sure I keep the
characters all consistent.
7. What do you know now about being a writer that you wish you had known before you published your first book?
--->
Right after I signed the contract, I saw another author post on Facebook that
she loved being a writer, but hated being an author because it’s hard and scary
and I thought, “What am I in for?” And she was right—it can be hard and scary,
but this is what I chose to do. I wish I had known more about the business side
of things though.
8. What is the most common rookie mistake you see new authors make?
--->Trying
to do things to promote that are out of their comfort zone and they don’t come
off well. If a person isn’t great in live (or print) interviews, it shows and
they come off awkward and uncomfortable. One author who is an amazing writer
did an interview where she got nervous and ended up making her character and
book come off as a different genre all together. She was terrified going in and
she did herself a disservice doing the interview. Meanwhile, her blog posts are
great and that’s where she shines. So don’t force yourself to be something
you’re not.
9. What sort of author marketing have you found to be most effective?
On Writing
10. Do you use beta readers, and, if so, what qualities do you look for in a beta?
10. Do you use beta readers, and, if so, what qualities do you look for in a beta?
--->I
have. I like to pick people who will be honest and give feedback and not just
say, “Yeah, I liked it,” or say they weren’t crazy about it, but not able to
tell you why. I just had a conversation with one where they said they loved one
part and I asked why and they said, “I was riveted in the parts about Landry
dealing with the friendship misunderstandings. If more dads read this sort of
thing they’d understand why their daughters act that way instead of chalking it
all up to hormones. This was eye opening.” That was great feedback to get.
Personal
11. Where can we find your work?
--->Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/Best-Friends-Forever-Landrys-Colors-ebook/dp/B00UIP1N5S/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Barnes
and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/krysten-lindsay-hager
12. What book or books are you reading now?
--->
I just finished The Paris Wife with
my book club and a friend sent me The
Rainbow Club. I have been so busy editing that I haven’t started it yet,
but that’s on the list.
13.
What do you do when you’re not writing?
--->I read a lot and I really relax with the TV. I have moved a lot so keeping in touch with friends is a big thing for me. I like emailing and even sending little cards and things in the mail to connect with friends who live far away so we keep in touch.
--->I read a lot and I really relax with the TV. I have moved a lot so keeping in touch with friends is a big thing for me. I like emailing and even sending little cards and things in the mail to connect with friends who live far away so we keep in touch.
14. Name three of your favorite television
shows.
--->American Dad is my ultimate favorite. I re-watch episodes of it all the time. I also like Switched at Birth and Hart of Dixie
--->American Dad is my ultimate favorite. I re-watch episodes of it all the time. I also like Switched at Birth and Hart of Dixie
Best Friends…Forever?
(Landry’s True Colors Series) by Krysten Lindsay Hager
Tag line: Good
friends have your back, but some go behind it.
Blurb: Landry
Albright hopes the new year will start off in an amazing way—instead she has to
deal with more frenemy issues, boy drama, and having most of her best friends
make the cheerleading squad without her. Suddenly, it seems like all anyone can
talk about is starting high school next year—something she finds terrifying.
Landry
gets her first boyfriend, but then gets dumped just as things come to a head
with her friends. She feels lost and left out, but finds good advice about
dealing with frenemies from what she considers an unlikely source. Landry faces
having to speak up for what’s right, tell the truth (even when it hurts), and
how to get past the fear of failure as she gets another shot at competing in
the American Ingénue modeling competition.
Excerpt:
“Landry, it’s gotta
be so awkward for you to be going to Vladi’s school next year,” Tori said. “I
mean, what if you run into him during the tour?"
"It’s a huge place,ʺ Ashanti said. “People break up all
the time. It’s not a big deal.ʺ
Tori raised her eyebrows as if to say, “Yeah, right,” and
went back to her sandwich. Meanwhile my delicious homemade soup was no longer
sitting well. It never occurred to me Vladi might be around during the first
pre‑freshman
tour. I would be mortified if I ran into him and he was with a girl. Or worse
yet, running into him, and he was with Yasmin. Plus, I hadn’t told my mom about
the breakup, so if she saw him, she’d probably go over to talk to him. I could
already imagine it: “Landry, Vladi’s here! Hon? Why are you hiding behind the
garbage can? Your boyfriend, Vladi, is here. Come say, ‘hello.’ Stop trying to
run away. Why is everyone laughing and pointing at you and calling you a ‘loser
dumpee?’ What does that mean?”
Well, maybe the world would end and I wouldn’t have to deal
with high school or Vladi and my mother running into each other.
****
Sadly, the world did not end, and on Thursday, we all had to
go to the high school for a freshman information night from 6 to 9 p.m.
Author bio: Krysten
Lindsay Hager is the author of the Landry’s True Colors Series, a clean reads
young adult series. Krysten writes about
friendship, self-esteem, fitting in, middle school and high school,
frenemies, modeling, crushes, values, and self-image in both True Colors and Best Friends…Forever?
Krysten is an Amazon international bestselling author and
book addict who has never met a bookstore she didn’t like. She’s worked as a
journalist and writes middle grade, YA, humor essays, and adult fiction. She is
originally from Michigan and has lived in Portugal, South Dakota, and currently
resides in Southern Ohio where you can find her reading and writing when she’s
not catching up on her favorite shows. She received her master’s degree from
the University of Michigan-Flint.
What people are
saying about True Colors (Landry’s True Colors Series Book One):
From Teenage Book
Recommendations in the UK: "This is a fantastically relatable and real
book which I feel captures all of the insecurities and troubles which haunt the
modern teenage girl. It is about a young model who has to go through tough
times when she is torn between a life as a model and managing her friendships.
You learn which friends she can most trust and which will create the drama
typical of teenage life. Follow the life of Landry and try to see if you can
find out which are her true friends before their true colours are revealed.
This book is all about relationships, hopes and truth. I loved this book!"
From Books &
Authors Spot: “This book is such an inspiration for those who just care
about their looks and are tensed about them. This thing is looks aren't
everything. This book is related to every teen's problem. Hager has written a
very inspiring novel.”
Connect with Krysten:
Thank you for having me on today!
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