Author Interview: Lauren Bjorkman

YAY!Today I'm thrilled to be interviewing the awesome author Lauren Bjorkman about her debut novel, My Invented Life. Which is now available!  She Is currently working on her new book(YA) Miss Fortune Cookie!

                                                            

What part of your novel was the most fun to write? Any Challenges?

I adore my characters. While I’m writing dialog, quirky scenes, or personal thoughts I’m having almost too much fun. The hardest part is when I make a minor change to the plot, and have to go through to fix every related detail. I need an accountant.

Did you base any characters off of friends or family?

The spark for a new character most often comes from people watching. I based the main character in my WIP on a scene I witnessed at a local café, when two friends were ordering a drink. One girl said to the other, “What am I having?” Her friend said, “A latte.” And that’s what she ordered! This got me thinking about friendship and dependence on others.

I’ve tried creating characters based on a friends and family, but ended up feeling constrained by fairness. Every time I try, the character falls flat. That said, I sometimes borrow events, particular thoughts, or tendencies from my life and the lives of those around me.

Favorite comeback?

We have a house rule that swear words earn you a 25 cent fine. It applies to kids and parents alike. My patience often wears thin while I’m driving, and the fines can rack up. Which forces me to get creative. I might yell, “That was a stop sign, you fen-sucked clotpole!” Shakespeare is the master. Create your own Shakespearean insults here: http://trevorstone.org/curse/

In My Invented Life, I love when Roz makes the Bryan voodoo doll and takes her power back.

If you could make up a dance, what would you name it?

I just invented one the other day for my WIP. It’s a version of the Electric Slide for a girl who is decisiveness-challenged. It’s called the Electric Waffle.

What can your readers look forward to next?

My new YA, Miss Fortune Cookie, will come out in spring of 2011. It is the story of a friendship triangle gone wrong—with an Asian wannabe, bad advice, teen pregnancy, a Mini Cooper, and fortune cookies thrown into the mix. My agent is calling it a Chinese-American Juno.

                                                                         
Thanks Lauren!your awesome! I want to try the Electric waffle! lol.