Today we’re excited to chat with Brianna Shrum, author
of How To Make Out!
Below you’ll find more about Brianna, her book, plus a giveaway!
YABC: What surprised you most while writing your latest book?
Definitely the ending! I’m a plotter, and I won’t spoil and say who, but I actually changed who Renley ends up with halfway through the draft! That’s one of the biggest changes I’ve ever done in a novel, as lots of things change, but my endings are usually set in stone. But the characters want what they want. ;D
YABC: If you could live in any fantasy world, which one would it be?
This is the HARDEST question. Part of me wants to say the Shire from Lord of the Rings because how idyllic?? Or Ravka, provided I could marry the Darkling and co-rule it. I think ultimately, I’m gonna say the world of ACOTAR/ACOMAF. Dear lord, please make me a fae and stick me in the night court.
YABC: Do you have a mantra that gets you through the drafting phase?
Probably something along the lines of, “Bri, you don’t get to write that kissing scene until you get to chapter 17, so KEEP WRITING OR THEY WILL *NEVER* MAKE OUT.” That’s it. That’s the one. “KEEP WRITING OR NO MAKING OUT.”
YABC: What is your favorite hobby when you’re not writing?
Definitely video games. I’m totally obsessed with RPGs, particularly Bioware’s, so when I’m not writing, I’m gaming. Mass Effect is calling to me right nowwww, as a matter of fact.
YABC: Which character gave you the most trouble when writing your latest book?
I think Seth’s on-again, off-again girlfriend, Taylor, actually. She’s such a minor character, and kind of the resident Mean Girl of the book. But I actually really like Taylor? It’s tough to write kind of a semi-villain like her in a book, but also make her feel real and kind of sympathetic. OR at least to let others feel that sympathy that *I* feel for her,
YABC: Do you enjoy writing to music? If so, do you have a go-to playlist?
I find I have the hardest time writing to music! I write to silence. And by “silence” I mean my kids running around screaming about Pokemon all over the place. But no music. Sometimes when I’m writing fantasy, though, I write to the Game of Thrones, Outlander, or Dragon Age soundtracks. OR this website which is a ton of different ambient sounds and environments, and it is BALLERRRRR: tabletopaudio.com
YABC: Is there an organization or cause that is close to your heart?
I LOVE THIS QUESTION. So I care really deeply about LGBTQ youth, and whenever I shop on Amazon, I use Amazon Smile, which donates, at no cost to you, to a charity or organization of your choosing. I support The Trevor Project—a suicide and crisis-prevention organization for LGBTQ youth.
YABC: What’s a book that you’ve read recently that you would recommend to your readers?
I’ve been in SUCH a fantasy/sci-fi phase lately! One I would like to just throw into everyone’s hands is The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater. I’m super super jealous that I didn’t write it haha For YA contemp, I gotta go Simon vs. the Homosapiens’ Agenda by Becky Albertalli! Incredible book!
YABC: Which part of the writing process do you enjoy more: Drafting or Revising?
TEAM DRAFTING ALL DAY EVERY DAY. Kill revising with fire.
YABC: What would you say is your superpower?
Mind-reading haha! I mean…not really. But I am HIGHLY sensitive to others’ moods and subtle feelings around me. Which can be really stressful when I’m hanging around with people who might not be, and everyone’s great, and I’m like panicking and drinking my tea like, “DO YOU GUYS NOT REALIZE THAT HE IS VERY SLIGHTLY KIND OF UNCOMOFORTABLE THE WORLD IS ENDING” *sweats*
Meet How To Make Out!
Sixteen-year-old Renley needs three thousand dollars for the math club’s trip to New York City, and she knows exactly how to get it: she’s going to start a how-to blog where people pay for answers to all of life’s questions from a “certified expert.” The only problems: 1) She doesn’t know how to do anything but long division and calculus. 2) She’s totally invisible to people at school. And not in a cool Gossip Girl kind of way.
So, she decides to learn to do . . . well . . . everything. When her anonymous blog shifts in a more scandalous direction and the questions (and money) start rolling in, she has to learn not just how to do waterfall braids and cat-eye makeup, but a few other things, like how to cure a hangover, how to flirt, and how to make out (something her very experienced, and very in-love-with-her neighbor, Drew, is more than willing to help with).
As her blog’s reputation skyrockets, so does “new and improved” Renley’s popularity. She’s not only nabbed the attention of the entire school, but also the eye of Seth Levine, the hot culinary wizard she’s admired from across the home-ec classroom all year.
Soon, caught up in the thrill of popularity both in and out of cyberspace, her secrets start to spiral, and she finds that she’s forgotten the most important how-to: how to be herself. When her online and real lives converge, Renley will have to make a choice: lose everything she loves in her new life, or everyone she loves in the life she left behind.
Amazon * B&N *Indiebound
Meet Brianna Shrum!
Brianna Shrumhas been writing since she could scrawl letters and has worked with teens since she graduated, either in the writing classes she taught or within youth groups. Brianna digs all things YA, as well as all things geeky, superhero-y, gamer-y, magical, and strange. She lives in Englewood, Colorado, with her high-school-sweetheart-turned-husband and her two little boys.
Website * Twitter * Facebook * Instagram
How To Make Out
By: Brianna R Shrum
Release Date: September 6, 2016
Publisher: Sky Pony Press
*GIVEAWAY DETAILS*
This book’s cover is so cute, and I think the plotline is really relevant to modern times. I look forward to reading it.
The cover is so cute! As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to have it! The book seems like something I could easily get into.
The books cover is just so cute! I love the fact that this plot seems so modern and I guess relateable on some level
The cover is cute and the synopsis is unique. Seems like a fun book to read.
The cover is adorable. I love the tippy-toes!
I’m already into the idea of this story. Love that Renley is a blogger and math nerd. Lots of teens will be able to relate to this book!
How to make out sounds like a good read ♡ I think the cover is sooo cute! Thank you
The cover is great. I’m short and I love reaching on my toes to kiss and boyfriend so this is great. The synopsis is so up to date with our times and it’s set in New York which I love.:)
The cover is great for a feel-good contemporary and it matches the synopsis!
The cover is really cute! I love contemporary romances!
I like that the cover is different. I also love the shoe choices. This book sounds so fun!
The cover is cute and current (I love converse!!). the synopsis makes me want to read this book–the POV character reminds me of me except I didn’t have the courage to do what she does so I can live it through them.