Visit with Jennifer Jabaley

www.jenniferjabaley.com

Today we're visiting with author Jennifer Jabaley, whose debut novel, LIPSTICK APOLOGY, was published by Razorbill on 8/6/09!



Four Little Words Written in Lipstick...

mean Emily must say goodbye to everything she knows. Emily Carson has always been a good girl. So when she throws a party the night her parents leave for vacation, she's sure she'll get busted. What Emily doesn't know is that her parents will never return. That their plane will go down. And the only thing left amidst the wreckage will be a tray table with the words: Emily please forgive me scrawled in lipstick—her mother's last words.

Now it's fall in New York City and Emily's trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life. Her public tragedy captures the attention of more than just the media—and soon two very different boys at her new school are pursuing her: the cute, popular Owen and the quirky chemistry partner slash pastry-baker-by-night, Anthony. But even with such delicious distractions, Emily can't let go of her mother's mysterious apology. Does she have the courage to face the truth?

With help of a whole new kind of family—one that includes a make-up artist to the stars, a teen model, and a wacky hairdresser—Emily must choose between the boy who makes her forget it all, and the one who encourages her to remember, and ultimately, heal.

Sometimes goodbye is just the beginning.

I had the chance to ask Jennifer a few questions about her life and writing, so enjoy!

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

I think I would love to meet Trent, the eccentric hairstylist to the stars from LIPSTICK APOLOGY, in person. I think he’d be so much fun to hang out with!

Your own six-word memoir.

Happy mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend

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

17 year old Willow learns the consequences of using hypnosis to make a boy fall in love with her. CRUSH CONTROL – coming Summer 2011

You have the chance to spend the day with any character from one of your favorite books. Who would you choose and why?

I’d love to hang out with Cammie from the GALLAGHER GIRLS series by Ally Carter. I’d love to learn her spy maneuvers on a typical action packed day.

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

I always wanted to be a doctor. I loved the idea of helping people. I did not, however, love the idea of blood. And on call hours. That’s why I went to optometry school to become an eye doctor – all the helping, none of the blood. Or very little anyway. :)

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

My favorite subjects were always dependant on the teacher. If I connected with the teacher, I pretty much loved learning. (That’s why good teachers are so important!) My natural aptitude fell within the science and math classes, but I loved the reading for the English classes. My least favorite subject was always History. I guess I never paid too much attention in those classes and now my knowledge of history is pretty horrible. I wish I had listened better!

The book you wish you had written.

Wow, this is really hard because there are so many books I wish I had written. I just finished THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett and I was just blown away not only by her amazing storytelling, but the way she captured the southern dialect. The story is so easy to read, so action packed yet so deep in its message. Everyone should read it.

Your five favorite reads from 2010 (books you read during the year; they do not have to have been published during 2010).

I’ve read a ton of great books this year! Off the top of my head great YAs: ALONG FOR THE RIDE by Sarah Dessen; TWENTY BOY SUMMER by Sarah Ockler; THE REAL REAL by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus. Adult books I loved this year: THE OPPOSITE OF ME by Sarah Pekkanen, FIREFLY LANE by Kristin Hannah, TIME OF MY LIFE by Allison Winn Scotch, ARE YOU THERE VODKA? IT'S ME, CHELSEA by Chelsea Handler, THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett.

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

Jenny has always been such a creative girl. I remember when she was in third grade and she wrote a story about a pig. She ripped the pages out of her brother’s picture book, stapled her pages inside and wrapped the cover in brown paper. Then she drew a beautiful pink pig on the cover and put her third grade school photo on the back flap.

Your family has the chance to describe you for an interview. What ten words would they say describe you best?

My husband would say: talkative
My kids would say: energetic, nurturing
My sister would say: bubbly, loyal
My parents would say: dedicated, goal-oriented, creative
and if I let my brother give the final word choice he’d say ditzy :)

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??)

I knew this family back when I was in college and every year on Summer Solstice they threw a huge black tie party at this club on a beach in Connecticut. It was so much fun. I remember one time I asked the host, “What exactly are we celebrating?” and she answered, “The start of summer, of course.” I knew that Summer Solstice was the first day of summer, but I don’t know, I just LOVED the idea of making a huge deal over it. I’m a summer girl. I love a dress up party. I love the beach. It was perfect. Wish it was a national holiday.

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

JUDGING LENA WILLIAMS – Oooh, I like that, it’s kind of evocative, isn’t it?

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

Oh, so interesting! I’m a cancer and a lot of my personality fits this description. My life pursuit is listed as constant reassurance and intimacy. I’d say that’s pretty accurate. Element – water – I am very much a water person. Secret desire to feel safe – this is 100% right on. However I would not say my vibration is moody but I would agree to emotional which is not very far off. I don’t swing in my moods, I’m pretty much always upbeat but I am sensitive and tender hearted.

You’re going off your diet for one day and only eating food from restaurants. What do you eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? (Include the restaurant each meal comes from.)

This might change on a day to day basis, but today this is what my preferences would be:

Breakfast: a small café in the town where I live called L&L Beanery. I’d have a coffee and the apple stuffed French toast.

Lunch: Wendy’s number one combo with cheese no mustard. Diet coke to drink.

Dinner: Local restaurant here called Blue Jeans for house salad with their amazing house dressing. Garlic rolls and spaghetti and meat sauce.

Oh my goodness I think I just gained ten pounds.

But let’s not forget a late night run to Dairy Queen for a mint chocolate chip milk shake.

What is your ultimate vacation destination?

I love the beach. I’d be happy on any tropical beach. But I also hope one day to explore the Greek Islands, Italy and return to France.

The world has suffered from a one-day only loss of power. You have no cell phone, computer, lights, or anything else that requires a computer, cell battery, or electricity. What do you spend the day doing?

This just happened to us a few weeks ago! While paving our driveway they severed a line (on a Friday) and we had no internet/phone/TV for the weekend. My kids and I did a ton of Play-dough and books. We do this a lot anyway. And we are outdoor people so we spent a lot of time at the park and playing outside with our new dog. My husband and I had a truly competitive game of Scrabble.

If you weren’t an author, what job would you be doing?

I am an optometrist. I’m fortunate enough to be able to just work one day a week at the private practice where I’ve been for ten years. I love being an eye doctor. I love the socialization of it, the fascination children get when I clear their vision. I love that it provides a nice salary working just a very little bit so that I can dedicate the rest of my time to my two other jobs – being a full time mom to two little kids and writing books.

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.)

I would love to play Elle Woods in Legally Blonde. When that movie came out a lot of people said her character was a lot like me (intelligent yet oh so ditzy!) and I think I could nail the role! Not sure anyone could ever be as good as Reese, though! But I’d love to wear all those pink outfits. :)

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?

Mandatory eye exams for children before entering kindergarten. It is a crime that many states require a dental exam but not a thorough eye exam (Georgia, where I live is one of them). The majority of children learn visually and if they have poor vision they have such a huge burden to carry when trying to learn. Basic screenings often miss major visual problems such as near strain and muscle imbalance.

Someone tells you that you’ll never publish another book that you write. Do you still keep writing?

I do. :)

A group of teens ask you the best way to become a published writer. How do you answer the question?

Write a great story. It’s a simple answer and maybe not the nuts and bolts that someone wants to hear, but truly that is the best advice. Because after that, the tools are all available at the library or online to write a query letter and find an agent. But knowing those steps is not going to help you if you don’t have a great story to tell. So read a ton in your genre and then write.

**Thanks so much to Jennifer for visiting with us today! Be sure to check out her website listed above, or you can also find her on Facebook or email her directly at jennifer@jenniferjabaley.com.

Jennifer will be sending one lucky poster today a signed copy of LIPSTICK APOLOGY, so be sure to leave any comments or questions you have for her in the comments section!