Visit with Shelia M. Goss

http://thelipglosschronicles.com

Today we're visiting with Shelia M. Goss, author of THE LIP GLOSS CHRONICLES published by Urban Books, a division of Kensington. The newest installment, volume 3, PAPER THIN, was just released today on 1/26/10!



Sierra’s weight isn’t the only issue in this page-turner.

Drama follows the three friends into their sophomore year. Once again, their friendship is tested. During the growth process, Sierra learns the importance of being average-size and healthy, rather than starving to be paper thin.

I had the chance to ask Ms. Goss a few questions, which she graciously answered so that I can share them will all of you...

1) If you could bring any character from one of your books to life, who would it be and why?

Any one of the girls from THE LIP GLOSS CHRONICLES series. They seemed real to me as I was writing their story. I can see the characters in some of the teens that I’ve been fortunate to meet.

2) Your own six-word memoir.

Compassion, Loyal, Dependable, Creative, Avid-Reader, Wordsmith.

3) Twitter your newest or upcoming release in 140 characters or less.

PAPER THIN tackles an important issue of teens and their weight. Sierra is the lead character in this book. I decided to tackle this issue because many teenage girls are struggling trying to look like unrealistic images they see in various forms of the media.

4) What was your favorite book growing up as a teen?

Any book with Trixie Belden or Nancy Drew in it. I loved mysteries.

5) When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be an FBI Agent. My first real job outside of college was in law enforcement.

6) Your favorite subject in high school – and your least favorite.

My favorite subject was math and least favorite was science because I didn’t like touching frogs or any of the other lab animals.

7) The one book everyone in the world should read.

The Bible.

8) The book you wish you had written.

The TWILIGHT series.

9) If your mom wrote the author profile for the jacket of your next book, what would she write?

Shelia Goss is compassionate about her work and helping others. She’s been reading and writing since she was a little girl. Her vivid imagination makes writing stories easy for her.

10) You’ve invented a new national holiday. What is it called, and what does it celebrate? (Plus, would we get the day off of school and work??)

National Book Reading Day and it would celebrate past and present authors and their books. People would get half a day off from work and school to read a book they already own and/or participate in events at their local libraries.

11) Using the letters J L W (my initials!), create the title of your next bestseller. (For example, Jumping Love Walrus.)

Justice Lives Within

12) What is your astrological sign? How closely does it match your personality?

Virgo. It matches almost perfectly. Some of the things fit a recent situation in my life.

13) You get the chance to star in an upcoming film release. What movie would you star in for your acting debut? (If you can’t choose an upcoming film, you can choose a past release.)

Alice in Wonderland

14) You’re invited to a White House function, and you have the chance to give a 10-minute speech to the President and everyone else attending. What do you speak about?

I would speak about literacy. I would talk about ways to encourage teens and adults to read and how important it is to utilize local libraries.

15) Remember those “classics” that you were made to read in high school English class? What was your favorite?

I had two favorites. A TALE OF TWO CITIES by Charles Dickens and GONE WITH THE WIND.

...Which title should students never have to be subjected to reading?

I can’t think of one right now. I think students should read a variety of books so they will at least have an idea of what they like or don’t like. I want teens to keep an open mind about the books they read.

**Thanks so much to Shelia for joining us today! Be sure to check out her website listed above, or you can find her at her Blog, on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, or email her directly at sheliagoss@aol.com.

Be sure to leave any comments or questions you have for her in the comments section!