Lisa told me, “because of the bathroom question, I’m going to make you write the introduction” which is really kind of funny because if there’s one YA writer out there who needs no introduction, it’s Lisa McMann. So I’m getting off easy!

Okay, okay…I’ll do my job, just in case you’ve been living under a rock. Lisa is the author of the bestselling series which includes Wake, Fade, and Gone. We also share the same agent which is how I was able to get her to answer my email even though she gets thousands every day (okay, I don’t know that for sure, but I’m thinking it’s probably true). Welcome, Lisa, and thanks for playing!

Seven for Lisa McMann

1. What are your hobbies that don’t have to do with writing? I love to cook. There’s something about cooking that lets things loose in your brain, opens you up new ideas or how to fix problems in the book you’re working on. Maybe it’s that your hands are busy doing something else besides typing that does it. I also like to watch reality TV with my family. We are die-hard Survivor watchers since my 13-year-old daughter was three. We’ve only missed one episode since the end of season one.
2. So when you cook, what’s your specialty? I have a few specialties. My chicken corn chowder is silk perfection if I do say so myself. I also make a chicken and sausage chili that won a chili cook-off a few years ago. I finally perfected the art of a beautifully seasoned filet mignon, cooked properly every time (hint: rub the steaks with pesto and learn what medium rare feels like when you touch it). And my pork butt is fabulous.
3. What’s the riskiest thing you ever did, and how did it work out for you? Probably one of the riskiest things I’ve ever done was to send out that first query letter in hopes of getting an agent back in 2006. It felt like my whole life was at stake. I knew there would be tons of rejection. After 69 rejections (that was for my first manuscript, which remains unpublished) I got over that risky feeling and just moved on to the next book, which I’d written during the querying process. And that really paid off. I got my agent the same week and I’m so glad it was with WAKE, rather than my first manuscript. It worked out perfectly.
4. What author or book have you recently discovered that you want the world to know about? I just read Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler and it was terrific! So deep and emotional. Really a winner. Go buy it. Also? Fat Cat by Robin Brande. Changed my life. Oh! And Barry Lyga’s The Astonishing Adventures of Fan Boy and Goth Girl.
5. What do you read in the bathroom? Ha. I set myself up for this one, didn’t I, by telling you I’d answer anything. I suppose I can’t skirt the issue and simply say “shampoo bottles,” or “the art on the wall,” so I read whatever I can find. Travel magazines. Stephen Colbert’s I Am America and So Are You (the bathroom should be a jolly place, don’t you agree?) and an old Reader’s Digest from, like, 1998 or something.
6. What’s the coolest writing-thing that’s happened to you since you sold your first book? I got more book deals! Eight books total so far. Oh, and there’s that whole amazing NYT bestseller thing. OMG, that was a life-changer right there. Really awesome. I have the best fans ever. Mwah! Mwah!
7. If you could live anywhere for a year, where would it be? I actually really love my house and my bed, but if given the chance (and if I can bring my bed), I’d maybe spend a year in Greece or Italy.

Thanks, Lisa! Our agent Michael also chose Italy as his place to live for a year. I’m not opposed to Italy myself – sounds great, actually. Maybe we should take a group writing retreat – Michael and all his writers (I’ll cook for the vegetarians, you can cook for everyone else!).