YABC:  What current YA book would you recommend to your teenage self?

I would totally recommend ONE OF US IS LYING by Karen M. McManus - wow that book is SO INCREDIBLY GOOD. I loved every minute of it, the story kept me guessing the entire time and the romance between Nate and Bronwen made me swoon (Nate is my current favorite YA hero). I would totally re-read this book. I read it in digital format and recently went to the bookstore and bought it in hardback too. I love it that much.

YABC:  Which social media site do you wish had been available to you as a teen and why?

Snapchat! I'm on there right now and I keep streaks with my daughter's friends. It's a great way for me to communicate with them too (yes, they actually want to talk to me LOL). My daughter and son are connected to so many of their friends (and sometimes people they're not that good of friends with), and that's where so many things happen. But let's be honest - some of these things are good, and some aren't so good. Like when I was in high school, if someone broke up with you via a note, that was pretty low. With social media, it's okay to get together, break up, fight, etc. all online. It's weird to me! If you're gonna break up with someone, you should at least do it to their face...but maybe I'm old school. ;)

YABC:  What advice would you give teens who might want to be a writer?

First, I'd tell them to never, ever give up. I'm not a dream crusher. I feel like my dream job came true and I can't discourage anyone from chasing after their goals -- I 100% believe in them. I've wanted to be a writer since I was a teen, and I know my teen self would be so thrilled that I actually made it come true.

My main bit of advice would be to finish the book. I dabbled for years, writing scenes here and there. Once I actually finished a book (and it was awful, let me tell you), I felt like I accomplished something. That's huge. It gave me the courage to keep on writing and keep trying. 

Last, I would say never stop learning about your craft. You need to keep growing as a writer. I've been at this for a long time, and I'm always striving to learn something new. I like listening to craft workshops on audio, I like reading articles on writing. I've never hit a point in my career where I think, "Okay, I know EXACTLY what I'm doing." There's always self doubt - but that doesn't stop me from writing.

As Journey would say, "Don't stop believing." ;) 

 

Pretty Dead Girls

By: Monica Murpy

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Release Date: January 2nd, 2018