Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Liz Gallagher


Hi, folks! I'm KELLY Couric. I'm as fun and informed and inquisitive and cute and perky as KATIE Couric. Just slightly less famous.

Today with me is LIZ GALLAGHER, the seriously talented author of THE OPPOSITE OF INVISIBLE.

If you want the chance to win an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of Liz's book, (and who wouldn't?), comment on today's post. Child #4 will don her famous choosing shoes and pick a name this weekend. Alright then, freebie ARC business out of the way, let's go straight to the fabulous interview a la Kelly Couric.


Do you outline before starting a book?







No! I'm a total plunger. I write whatever scene feels most immediate to me at the moment. Then I have a trick: I try to write my way into a scene, then stop. That way, I know where to pick up during my next writing session. That's how I wrote my first novel, anyway. Now I find that I've become a bit more of an outliner, though my outline is very general; it's basically just a list of scenes I've already written and an order they might go in.


Are you part of a critique group?







Not at the moment. I went to Vermont College, where I had amazing workshops and adviser feedback. Since graduating two years ago, I've been on my own, but I love writing communities and keep in touch with lots of friends. I would love to find a group that's right for me in Seattle.

Do you write everyday?







When I'm being good! I try to, yes. Sometimes only a few words, and sometimes my writing time is spent doing more thinking than actual writing. Luckily, once I get going, I'm a very fast writer.




What are you working on now?







I'm working on a companion to The Opposite of Invisible. It's set the summer before Opposite and it's about Vanessa, who is my main character's rival in Opposite. It's still set in Seattle, but feels very different because it's in a separate neighborhood and because it's sunny! Vanessa struggles with wanting to grow up too fast and finding a balance between what she wants to do and what she's actual comfortable doing.

What is your favorite cookie?







I'm such a cookie monster! I'd have to say, though, I'm pretty much a classic chocolate chip girl. Warm and gooey, with milk, please.




Here's a description of THE OPPOSITE OF INVISIBLE. Yes, I pretty much lifted it from Liz's author page on the Class of 2k8's website. Hey. I'm working like a dog, trying to make a go of this interview gig thing AND manning the drive-through window at In 'n Out Burger. It's not like I'm Katie Couric with a bunch of assistants.

THE OPPOSITE OF INVISIBLE: Alice is comfortable staying in the background at school, working on projects in the art room, or happily cocooned with her best friend, Jewel, a very cool boy she's known forever. She can talk to Jewel about almost anything. But she can't tell him about her secret crush. Or that she's ready to stop being so invisible, to take some chances with art, friends, even romance.

Love and friendship have big surprises in store for Alice in this irresistible debut novel set against the lively, quirky, backdrop of Seattle.

And here's Liz Gallagher's website and Liz's blog.

Thank you for the interview, Lizzie. You've been a great sport. After reading THE OPPOSITE OF INVISIBLE, I can say from the bottom of my Kelly Couric heart that this book is excellent!

So, leave a comment here for a chance to win the ARC of THE OPPOSITE OF INVISIBLE.

27 comments:

  1. Great interview! I always like to hear about the madness, er, process of writing ;-)

    LOVE the book cover, BTW!

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  2. What a great interview...and the cover of the book is really captivating. Well done :)

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  3. Seriously, you need to look into a second career. You are great at this interview stuff.

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  4. Fantastic interview - I particularly liked the cookie question.

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  5. I was going to say the same thing, this is totally career you should consider!

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  6. what a good interview! I always like to hear how authors write seeing as how I would love to be one myself some day!

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  7. Dear Katie and Liz,

    Great interview. I am so amazed that you are both so diciplined to write, write, write and publish, publish, publish.

    Good luck on your new books.

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  8. Hi Liz and "Kelly" *waves*

    Great interview and my favorite cookie is Sugar cookie with pink icing and sprinkles. :-)

    ~Brooke

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  9. Great interview and wow - how amazing is that cover? I love it!

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  10. What an eye-catching cover!

    Thanks for a great interview, Liz and, um, Kelly!!!

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  11. I have to comment because, well, I've become addicted to ARCs and galleys. I know, you shouldn't feed my addiction. Really.

    But, you see... I've just told my editors that I need to take a break from reviewing and, well, I need a fix!

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  12. Hey Fake Katie -- well done!! Another wonderful interview and Liz is a natural at being interviewed. How can you not like someone who loves chocolate chip cookies (warm!!) with milk -- my kinda writer!! Many best wishes with her new book!

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  13. Count me in! I'm always looking for new authors to read. Thanks Barry!

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  14. An excellent interview!
    Light hearted but full of useful information.
    I always long to know the actual process of writing and how it varies from person to person.
    As regards critique groups - do any of you online writer people know of any worthwhile groups?
    I am mostly in Morocco and need to find an online group.
    Not absolute beginners since I have published quite a bit - but I need support.
    don't we all?

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  15. I really appreciated this interview. I liked hearing that she just dives into writing. However, I do not believe that any teen anywhere should ever be the "opposite of invisible" - they should be invisible and silent. Just my professional opinion. Santee Babe

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  16. Count me in. Thanks for the interview.

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  17. I'm so glad you do this! This way I know what to look for at the bookstore and I help out a writer :)

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  18. Thanks for another great interview "Katie"!

    Jim D

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  19. What a GREAT cover and title! I hope I win!!!!

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  20. Marvelous interview! Now I can't wait to read the book :)

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  21. Great interview, Kelly! I'll bet Katie is getting jealous! :-)

    Child #4 will don her famous choosing shoes and pick a name this weekend

    Please pass on my thanks to child #4 as well for the fabulous book Unpredictable!

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  22. Nice interview and sounds like a good read.

    I tend to write the same way she does.

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  23. i love the hard hitting cookie question. brava!

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  24. I LOVE the sound of this book. Fab interview!!

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  25. Great job Kelly! Ever thought of interviewing Katie?

    Love the book cover, by the way.

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  26. Great interview! Thanks for sharing it. I was especially glad to see that I am not the only person in the world who does not write a book in order, but instead writes whatever scene seems most urgent at the time.

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Comments are always welcome!