How cute are these girls?

Had a great time hanging out with lots of cool chicks at Little Shop of Stories in Decatur, Georgia, last weekend!  Author Jennifer Jabaley and I took turns interviewing each other about our writing process.  Jennifer shared how she got the idea for her novel LIPSTICK APOLOGY, and I shared why I can’t write when pigeons are present.  (If you missed it and would like to know where Jen got her original idea and/or how pigeons came into the conversation, check back for a video of the event to be posted soon.) 

We were thrilled to have JUSTINE magazine take part in the festivities.  All the girls got lots of cool swag, including a free copy of JUSTINE and a Lip Smacker.  One lucky girl even won a backpack filled with books, courtesy of JUSTINE.  (I am totally jealous!)

Big, big thanks to the folks at Little Shop of Stories–especially Krista, who took such great care of us that night, and Terra McVoy, the store’s manager and author of PURE.  Thanks also to my friend Phyllis, who set up such a nice table of refreshments.  I had fun getting to know Shelli Johannes Wells of Market My Words, children’s book illustrator and author Elizabeth O. Dulemba, bloggers Vania Stoyanova, Kelsey Fleming, Shalonda, Eli, and lots of other cool people.  And, of course, it was wonderful to meet so many teen girls who came out that night.  I hope you’ll enjoy BRAND-NEW EMILY, and I hope to meet up with you again next year when JUMP hits shelves (November 2010).