June 14, 2017

WHY I LOATHE STERLING LANE by Ingrid Paulson {Interview/Giveaway}

Why I Loathe Sterling Lane by Ingrid Paulson
Publication Date: June 6, 2017
Publisher: Entangled Teen
  
Per her 537 rules, Harper Campbell keeps her life tidy—academically and socially. But the moment Sterling Lane transfers into her tiny boarding school, her twin brother gets swept up in Sterling’s pranks and schemes and nearly gets expelled. Harper knows it’s Sterling’s fault, and to protect her brother, she vows to take him down. As she exposes his endless school violations, he keeps striking back, framing her for his own infractions. Worst of all, he’s charmed the administration into thinking he’s harmless, and only Harper sees him for the troublemaker he absolutely is.

As she breaks rule after precious rule in her battle of wits against Sterling and tension between them hits a boiling point, she’s horrified to discover that perhaps the two of them aren’t so different. And maybe she doesn't entirely hate him after all. Teaming up with Sterling to save her brother might be the only way to keep from breaking the most important rule—protecting Cole.
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*What would you be doing right now if you were not an author?

International espionage. Or possibly star in a Disney show.  See, I’m definitely an author as my imagination is always unchecked.


*5 years ago: what were you doing?

I have a very fun app called shoebox that lets me look back to this day 5 years ago and see any photos I took. Five years ago I was visiting my Dad, who lives on the other side of the country. I kind of adore this question for prompting me to look back through the photos of that trip!


*Do you have a certain writing ritual?
I don’t have a specific ritual, since I usually grab whatever time I can shake loose. But I do love to chew gum while I write. The funny thing is, my husband absolutely cannot stand gum. To him, it’s like nails down a chalkboard, particularly when I love to blow bubbles and snap and pop them. So I have little stashes of gum hidden all over and when he comes into a room when I’m writing, I dispose of the evidence immediately.



*What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author?
The toughest criticism was also the one that made the biggest change in how I write. I didn’t know how to revise. I didn’t know how to make deep cuts, including favorite scenes that really weren’t needed or stretches of dialogue that I just didn’t want to tighten.  My first manuscript garnered some pretty harsh feedback that it just wasn’t ready. Accepting that feedback was a bitter pill to swallow as I thought it was brilliant. Every. Last. Word of it. And now that I look back at it, I’m mortified that I sent it out.  I still have a propensity to indulge my characters in gratuitous scenes, and cutting them is never easy. But it’s getting easier!



*Ever fangirled over another author? Who was it?
I met Holly Black at a writing conference years ago and she was so cool. I was such a tongue-tied weirdo. I said all the wrong things. She was incredibly gracious and kind, but she was one of the writers who first set me down the YA path. There was no way I could function around her! I also embarrassed myself in front of the amazing Sarah Dessen, because I can gush about THE TRUTH ABOUT FOREVER…well…forever.


*Is there an author you'd like to meet?
Too many to count! I love going to book signings and readings and want to meet as many authors as I can.


*Biggest writing pet peeve?
I have a lot of trouble writing endings. Many times I get three quarters of the way through and want to write “and then exciting stuff happened and they all lived happily ever after!”  Tying the threads of a manuscript back together and maintaining a normal pace (versus sprinting to the finish) can be quite challenging.



* Do you read other's reviews of your books?
I do. I know you’re not supposed to, but reviewers are smart readers and if I want to continue improving as a writer, I want all the honest feedback I am so grateful to every reviewer who takes the time to think through what I’ve written and provide that insight.



Fav Color: blue
Fictional Character you'd like to spend the day with: Sherlock Holmes. I was just thinking the other day that I wished I had his powers of observation.
Fav food: sushi, although lately poke has eclipsed it!
Fav song and/or singer:Lately, Taylor Swift. For after-dinner dance parties in the kitchen with my kids.
Guilty pleasure: chocolate. It’s not just gum I hide strategically around the house!





Ingrid Paulson does not, in fact, loathe anyone. Although the snarky sense of humor and verbal barbs in Why I Loathe Sterling Lane might suggest otherwise (and shock those who think they know her best).

Ingrid lives in San Francisco with her husband and children and enjoys long-distance running, eavesdropping, and watching science documentaries. She has always loved books and writing short stories, but was surprised one day to discover the story she was working on wasn’t so short any more. Valkyrie Rising, a paranormal girl power story was Ingrid’s first novel. Expect another humorous contemporary romance to join the list soon.




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1 comment:

  1. This sounds adorable! I love a good enemies-to-lovers story.

    I pulled a prank once when I worked at a grocery store deli. I got bored one day and put oregano in a plastic bag, then threw it out into the store. Someone actually thought it was drugs! What wasn't funny was when that customer called the drug task force and they swept the store, nearly costing me my job! Oops 😣🙈

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