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I agree with that. When people ask what books I blog about and I say YA or young adult. I usually get this expression that says "Meh." And then after that, I usually explain how YA is like. How it's passionate, thoughtful and focused on the metamorphosis in various aspects of a teen.

I would love to be included in the giveaway if this is open internationally. Thanks!

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I'm going to take away that fact that she didn't read muh as a teen! That's kinda rare to find in an author.

foltzsfantasticbooks at gmail.com

how wonderful you found a great crit parner through your agent!
nice interview. This book sounds amazing!

Denise raises such a good point. Teens are actively thinking and searching for a sense of self, making them even more aware. I love reading YA more than any other genre. Great authors, great books... what more can a reader ask for?

Thanks Caroline and BIG thanks Denise!

Marissa

graffkidlit at gmail dot com

I just love the author's comment that many people perceive YA to be simple because that's so not true. Just this week, I've read quite a few YA books and I've been amazed how complex the characters are.

bookingmama(at)gmail(dot)com

I'll take the fact that siters have a secret. They do! At least me and my sister have some secrets, they aren't big but we like to keep it to ourselves. And of course, I do too have a secret of my own that I can't share with my sister but for some reason I trust my two BFF with that. Bizarre, huh? Some things are meant to happen that way, but when it comes to trust I always think my sister will be there for me no matter what.

The other thing I can relate to Denise is that she didn't read as much as a kid. I didn't either. The other day my father was talking about me because he saw me jumping up and down about books I wanted to read. He smiled and said: "It was worthy". Then I asked him what it was and he said: "When you were little I was afraid you'll never read any books seeing that you only did your homework because the school said so. I'd be sitting in the sofa reading while you'd be pouting with an angry expression on your face because you had to read a story the school sent you to read. I'd then tell myself that it didn't matter if you weren't into books like I am because somehow I knew one day you'll develop a love for them"
And it happened. Two years ago, when I was sixteen I suddenly had the urge to get my nose into books. I craved for them as I ache for reading any books now. I thanked my father then, it's because of him I love reading and won't ever stop doing it so. :)

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Caroline,
Thanks so much for posting this interview with Denise. I've been following both of your blogs with great interest.

I'll take away that while the first draft took 21 days, the revision took 9 months!
To me, this shows that Denise's original idea flowed AND she is really serious about the craft of writing (and re-writing).

I can't wait to read Losing Faith when I buy it on Tuesday (and May B next year).

Best of luck to both of you!
Amanda

Wow, I barely awake and look at all of these thoughtful comments already! Thanks, everyone! And thank you to Caroline for hosting me and to Robyn for the great bag (sad face that *I* can't win it!)

Very cool to see Denise mention Kane and Abel. I remember reading that when I was probably around fifteen or so and really loving it.

I'm in awe that she wrote her first draft of Losing Faith in only twenty-one days!

I love that you realize YA's can read deeper than grade school fiction. My 15 year old granddaughter has waned in her faith and I have been looking for some fiction that would hold her attention, yet speak to her heart. Thank you for writing!
jancline [at]ymail [dot] com

I found a new way to argue about YA titles in the summer reading program(s) at the school and library. Often the teachers will say that there is no meaningful or 'serious' YA out there because that which they hear about--Twilight, Vampire Diaries, Hunger Games--aren't 'serious' lit in terms of story and focus (they may have serious themes however, but that isn't the bulk of the story).

I will make them understand! ::determined pose::

Lexie C.
Lexie.Cenni(@)gmail.com

I actually did read while I was a child (R.L. Stine!) but not while I was a teen. I think the required reading in high school tortured me and I couldn't handle reading anything else for fun. :P Once I picked up a few YAs as an adult, I fell in love. It's one of my favorite genres to read.

nalynboni[at]gmail[dot]com

Thanks so much for this! It's good to know that I'm not the only one who didn't read a lot as a teen :)

kaitlynkline[at]gmail[dot]com

Denise would probably be happy to know that she, as an accomplished author, is instilling in her own mother, a love for reading.

I love the premise of this - it had me hooked straight away! Thanks for the interviews.

Denise is sooo right. I really hate the way people down-play the quality of YA books. Honestly, I think they're the best kind out there. :D Awesome interview.

~Briana :D

I agree with Denise. When I tell people that I read YA books they give you this look and always whats so good about it. I used to read a lot of romance books then slowly started reading YA and now mostly every book I read is YA.

jen4777[at]hotmail.com

Great interview, Caroline. I always appreciate the "how" stories - how did they get their agent and how long to write, to edit, to publish. Thanks.

And that book bag is fabulous!! :-)

I'm going to check out the book Kane and Abel that inspired her love of reading! Also check into Sarra Manning's book since I'm not familiar with her.

Thanks for entering me!

wonderful interview! I took away the fact that she has lots of "practice novels" as well. It's nice to hear that not everyone hits it right away. :)

-Lauren
lauren51990 AT aol DOT com

I love that your first draft was for NaNoWriMo! I tried my first one last year and found it was fantastic for focussing my writing time. Sadly I didn't finish but your story breathes more hope into the process! Congratulations on your release and I can't wait to read Losing Faith! All the best! :)

I loved Judy Blume growing up. I was a big reader until high school and then I only read for classes. I can't wait to read Losing Faith!

dragonzgoil at gmail dot com

I LOVED Judy Blume! If you weren't going to read a lot, that's a good author to have ;)

Also WAH publication processes sound terrifyingly complicated! *hides* I'll just remain unpublished, it's easier! ^_^

It's so amazing that the first draft was written in 21 days. I always thought that process took months, as I'm sure it does for some.
And I'm excited she is working on another book!

totalbookaholic[at]hotmail[dot]com

I can't believe Denise was able to write her first draft in 21 days! I've been participating in NanoWrimo for 3 years now and its always been a struggle to finish anything in 30 days since I get distracted easily.

And I agree with Denise, YA isn't simple, in fact its the genre I most love. A lot of YA books are deep, and its always a joy to read them.

Awesome interview, and congratulations on your book, Denise! I'm so excited for it!

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I didn't read much until this year, 17 years of age. I'm glad I got into it at least now...when I think about what I'd still be missing if I'd not begun reading . . .

Laurie Halse Anderson is good, as is Sarra Manning. I'll keep these two authors in mind when I read LF. :P

cc932005 at hotmail dot com

It's always great to get insights on authors' journeys. I love that the draft was created during NaNo - my current story started during NaNo too! :)

Great interview. I'm so impressed that the first draft was done in such a short time. The whole process-2 years-wasn't that long.

21 days to finish a first draft! Sounds like my kind of writer! We have something in common!

I would love a copy of this novel! Making it to my TBR list :)

It amazes me that your book was completed in two years. Talk about focus!!! I think my sister would really enjoy this book. I may have to pick it up for her...

It think it's awesome the writing came from NaNoWriMo!

Hi Caroline- This is great and the book looks awesome AND that bag is so so cute! I think the one thing I learned from that interview is that teen/YA fiction isn't "dumbed down" fiction... it's real stories with real adult concepts only written a little differently.

I would love to take away that the book is about sisters and a secret about one of them.
Its really surprising to know that the author didn't read much till her teens. Like her, I love Kane and Abel too.

Misha
[email protected]

I love this: "In my opinion, many teens have the time to be more introspective and in some ways deeper than adults."

Mostly because it is so, so true.

I was surprised she didn't read much as a teen, I love reading and encourage my children to read too.

I just love how there is no one way to do it. Not being a reader early on didn't doom her (and she's rectified that). She followed her heart, and found that exploring teen stories was what it was calling her to do. To each their own (story)! (And I'd love to win!) amy[dot]malskeit[at]gmail[dot]com

Great interview! I love the play on words in the title. Congrats on your publication. Hope you sell a jillion copies!

Thanks for sharing!

I loved being reminded that publishing is S.L.O.W.

But two years is totally do-able!

Congrats on your sale!

great interview! publishing is so slow! but fun!

I like YA, as well, and read a lot of my children's books. No, teens do not like being talked down to. Plus, they have hardworking BS meters!

Thank you for the book referral- I will check out Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer.

That's such a great interview... I'm taking away two key things :) The first is that Denise outlined in detail (and got feedback and critique on the outline) before dashing the whole thing out at NaNoWriMo - I'm experiencing a similar, although less organized, process! The second is very interesting and true - teenagers do have more time to be introspective. It's a very keen observation... and now I think about it - absolutely true.

What a cute bag! And that book sounds good too. I love books about sisters.

I loved reading about Denise's journey to publication. Encouraging to know she has practice books on her hard drive -- makes me want to keep going, keep trying. :)

Thanks for a great interview, Denise and Caroline, and the prizes look/sound amazing!

Amy