Lisi Harrison's Blog, page 18

ELF-A FEMALE

Guess what? Today is Alisha’s one month anniversary as my ah-mazing Editorial Assistant. After 30 days of spying on her I have decided she is a FULL ON KEEPER! I ah-dore her.
We thought a nice way to celebrate this milestone was to have her guest blah-g. It’s the first time I’ve brought someone home to meet you all (kind of like introducing a crush to your parents) but I know you will approve. So…without further ado-here is Alisha’s take on her job as my office elf (her words, nawt mine).
Thanks Alisha!!! Happy Anniversary
My One Month Anniversary
Hi everyone,
So, this is really exciting. My first guest Blah-g post. Hopefully I don’t blow it and will be asked to come back and hang out here with you in Lisi’s Blah-gosphere again. I don’t know the emoticon for “fingers crossed,” but just know that it would be inserted here.
First things first: I’m Alisha and by some massive stroke of luck, and maybe some excellent timing, I now get to work with Lisi as her Editorial Assistant. Awesome, right? Very. It’s a little bit like VH1’s Best Week Ever, only it’s Best Job Ever featuring recaps of our meetings filled with ridiculousness and hysterical laughter. We do get a lot of work done, too, though. I promise. Still, could anyone ask for anything more?
It’s been a month and I’m reflecting on my time here with Lisi, the groove I’m falling into and all of the things I’ve already learned through assisting her. I have to say to any aspiring writers out there that getting the opportunity to work with an author is such a fantastic way of developing your own writing talent, and it is, of course, endlessly intriguing to get the inside perspective of Lisi’s development process. The things I’m sure I’ll learn through osmosis just by working for Lisi are incredibly valuable, and I’m privileged to have this position.
I’ve also enjoyed getting to know many of you out there through Lisi’s http://facebook.com/thelisiharrison.com/” target=”_blank”>Facebook page and here on her Blah-g. She has some of the best, most-die hard fans around, and I absolutely love “listening in” on your comment thread conversations. Sound creepy? It is. I look forward to getting to know as many of Lisi’s fans as I can while we share with you an insider’s view of the fun we’re having over here (while we’re getting our work done, of course). Oh, and did I mention that just a step outside of Lisi’s office door is a first-rate view of the ocean? Amazing!
Okay, so that’s the great news. The happy, shiny details. Now let’s get to the dirt:
THINGS HAVE BEEN NUTS! Nuts, I tell you. And they’re only going to get nuttier from here on out. See this picture of me holding two cups of coffee?
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Only my first round of several that I’ll make in a single day. Being Editorial Assistant truly epitomizes the idea of “wearing many hats.” I’m all over the place with jobs that set my brain in overdrive in one direction, then another, then another.
But guess what? I love it, and I know I’ll soon be better for it and I’m thanking my lucky stars every day.
Calling this my one month anniversary might sound a little weird to you, but Lisi did sneak in a comment once that I should probably just move a toothbrush into her office. I’m not really sure if she was kidding or not, but I’ve got that one locked in my brain space somewhere. What Lisi doesn’t know, however, is that I always bring my toothbrush with me, so I could be moving in any time now.
I’m just saying, things have been a blast, Lisi’s awesome and I’m moving in as the office elf. Stay tuned for all of the shenanigans Lisi and I are about to have!
Til next time [emoticon for "fingers crossed"],
Alisha

BRAND CAMP

Take notes Lindsay Lohan because I am making a serious comeback.

As you know I have recently apologized for my serious lack of fab over the past few months and have vowed to wow from this moment on. I will also be tending to my severely neglected Facebook page TheLisiHarrison (accept no substitutes, of which there are many) on a regular basis.

Those of you who concern yourselves with my stress status (currently on yellow–green is good red is brutal) might wonder how I plan to achieve such lofty goals while working on two new series.

This is how:

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Meet Alisha. She’s my new assistant and she’s going to help me stay on top of staying on top. She’ll be updating my Facebook page with fresh pictures and gossip and doing whatever she can to keep my stress light green.  So far soooo ah-mazing.

I gave her an assignment on her first day (April 30) to make sure she got me and more importantly-US. It was crucial that she understand what our clique stands for. So I gave her a mini test. I spent one minute writing down all the words that came to mind when I thought about my “brand” or rather, the things you and I represent together.

These are the words I gave her.

Down-to-earth, humor, style yay-fashion boo, city meets beach, real, honest, work-in-progress, sassy, supportive, fresh, evolving, cool girl with toilet paper on her shoe, non-competitive, laugh at your mistakes, we’re all messed up, we all want to be loved, we all want to be better, let your freak flag fly, don’t judge a book by it’s cover, the power of female friendship, change, create your own world, create your own language, make everything your own, live and let live, cliche-despiser (even though I just wrote live and let live and a few others), hypocrite (obviously), embrace your inner dork, trend-follower hater, sometimes I follow trends and then convince myself I made them up to avoid hating myself, delusional, creativity, inspiration, word-maker-upper, self-motivated, big-a## bal#s.

Then I told her to create a brand board that captures the essence of these words. This is what she came back with.

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How awesome is this??

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I look at my brand board every day before I start writing to make sure the things I write are in line with the values I want to project.

BTW this is a great (CHEAP!) gift to give a friend or crush. Cut out images and phrases that capture his/her spirit. It’s also good to do when you’re developing characters. Create a board for each main character that shows their style, home, pets, etc…

It’s endlessly helpful and fun. Just like the new me

TTYW

Lisi

First…The Winner!!!

CONGRATULATIONS ARIANNA!!!!!! You won last week’s Monster High Back and Deader Than Ever contest.

On May 16th at 1:35 pm PST you correctly named four of Lala’s pets: a dog named Teeny Turner, a bat named Count Fabulous, and two turtles Kale and Sprout, and a snake named Snake Gyllenhaal.

How does it feel to be the proud owner of a Monster High gift basket of goodies??? What? You didn’t get it yet? Well you will ghoulfriend. Jessica B. will send you an email and arrange to send it to you.

Please let your English teacher know you should get an automatic A for reading comprehension. If she has a problem she should contact me by a plaid dove. If I don’t hear from a plaid dove in the next five minutes I will assume it’s been dealt with.

YAYYY!!!!!

(okay another Blah-g is coming right up…I told you I was back!!!)

FANG PAGE!

Hey everyone,

Happy Wednesday.

I am all excited because I am getting into the groove of writing The Phoenix Five and I have that old feeling in my stomach. The one I used to get when I wrote The Clique. The one that assured me you were going to love these five new characters. I will spill details about them as I get a little further into it but you’re going to be psyched.

I have been reading your comments– as usual–and have noticed some of you have been feeling a little detached from me lately. While that makes me sad, I am also grateful for your honesty. It keeps me on my toes and helps me improve.

Looking back I can see why you would think that. My blah-gs haven’t been as loaded as the used to be. I can only guess that’s because I haven’t been writing. I have spent the last year in mental turmoil. Developing a new series is hard work. Developing two new series’ is insane. So of course, I decide to go the way of insanit and devleop The Phoenix Five and The Dirty Book Club at the same time. This is not an excuse. It’s an explanation. Developing is full of extreme highs and massive dig-to-China lows. I’d leave work one day thinking I was onto something major. The next morning scrap the whole thing and start over. My assistant eventually quit.

This madness has been going on since last July. It’s hard to get excited about something when you don’t know what that something is. Am I right?

But now I do know what it is!! And I’m finally, and LEGALLY, allowed to gossip about it. So I feel liberated x 2. So things are on the uptick around here. You’ll see.

Amber posted a question that I wanted to take a minute to answer.

“I just found out something interesting. I remember back when Monster High one came out, having read about being a six novel series. Now I just found out on the link above, about there being another series by a different author, with four more books…I wonder why Lisi hasn’t said anything, about the series being continued by someone else.”

For starters misinformation is a given when it comes to the press. You all know that. Maybe at one point they thought Monster High would be 6 books and then changed their minds. Maybe the person who leaked that has wax buildup in their ear and heard the wrong thing. Because I only signed up for four books. I was asked to continue the series and keep going with number 5. After a lot of thought I said no. I am VERY ready to go back to writing about humans.

As far as someone else continuing the series, I know there are Monster High books coming out for tweens by a different author. But my MH series is over.

I did, however, promise a big prize to the first sister (or brother) who correctly answers my Back and Deader Than Ever trivia question. So here it is.

LALA IS A BIG FANG OF ANIMALS. NAME FOUR OF HER PETS AND THE TYPE OF ANIMALS THAT THEY ARE.

The first one to post the correct answer will receive and email from my publicist. Her name is Jessica Bromberg. She will ask for your address so she can send you your bounty.

Ready…set…post!

I’M BACK!!!!

TTYW,

Lisi

MONSTER CRY

Massie: Hey Lisi are you a chicken from Kentucky?

Lisi: No.

Massie: Then why are you so fried?

Lisi: Well Massie, I’ll tell you. I just returned from Toronto, Canada like a second ago, and raced to the office to post this Blah-g. I didn’t anticipate this trip. But last Friday morning I got the dreaded call. My grandmother passed away.  I was on the next flight out.

I have read your comments long enough to know that many of you have experience with sick parents, friends, siblings, pets… and it’s gut wrenching. Or in my case; guilt wrenching.  Like, why didn’t I say more when they were well? Why didn’t I do a better job of staying in touch? How can I do better from this moment on? And that’s where I am. As you know I despise cliche, especially in my writing so I am hesitant to give a whole ‘life is short’ speech. Besides, you know that already. The question is what can you do right now to SHOW you know it.

No need to answer. It’s personal. Just think about it and try to do a little something every day. That way, if that dreaded phone call does come, and you are bombarded with emotions, guilt and regret will not be part of the mix.

One funny story about my late Bubbie Rose that I know you will appreciate. My mom did a great job of getting her my books. She read every single Clique book and ah-dored them. She was into fashion and mean girls because she said there were mean girls like the ones in the PC  at her condo in Florida (by “girls” she meant seniors. And not the high school or college kind. The ones who get discounted movie tickets and eat dinner at 4:30 pm.) She could relate to the drama in the Pretty Committee. What she couldn’t grasp was that these novels were not my memoirs. We would talk on the phone and she would say, “Lisi, I can’t believe this happened to you!” and “Why didn’t I know about this? Did your parents know this was happening?”  No matter how hard I tried to convince her that I made most of it up she refused to believe it.

In a way I am relieved she won’t be able to read The Dirty Book Club. Imagine what she would think of her precious granddaughter then?

***

Shout Out to Julie!! I love how you said the Brazille Boys from the Alphas are basically One Direction:

Melbourne- Zayn

Sydney- Liam

Darwin- Niall

Taz- Harrry

Dingo- Louis

And shout out to me because do you REALIZE I came up with the name iPad??? Yup. I completely forgot. When I was back home I started reading the Clique to my 8 year old niece Jaden. And right there in the first chapter it says Massie described her all white bedroom as the iPad. Um, that was 2003. The iPad wasn’t even a glimmer in Steve Jobs’ eye yet. He iJacked me! So how about a high-five sisters? Massie cut Apple to the core.

Keep reading Back and Deader Than Ever. Next week I am going to post an MH4 trivia question. The first ghoul to post the correct answer wins a MH gift package (t-shirt, doll, book mark, and signed book!)

TTYW

Lisi

RIP:BR

(The following Blah-g should be read in a whisper…)

There’s sooo much I’m dying to talk about but I know you’re reading Monster High 4: Back and Deader Than Ever-out yesterday-so I’ll do the considerate thing and leave you to it.

Sorry for the interruption. Okay, back to the book.

Enjoy.

TTYW,

LISI

XXXX

License To Spill

Izzy, Izzy, Izzy…how can you say I never post. I post every week. And when I don’t I tell you. I was in Napa last week on book tour and it was awesome. I had my own private backyard with an outdoor bathtub and heat lamps over the deck chairs and- WHO CARES!!!!!

A promise is a promise!!! It’s time to announce my new series. And let me tell you, this is the FIRST place to get the news. It has not been announced to the press or anything. You ghouls are getting the exclusive.

(TENSION BUILDING DIVERSION AHEAD)

Speaking of ghouls, Monster High 4- Back and Deader Than Ever will be out May 1!!!!  It’s the last book in the series. And It’s a goodie.

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The RADs are free and Draculaura (Lala) is flashing her fangs with pride.

But when Daddy Drac pays her a surprise visit everything goes batty. Mr. D.

thinks RADs should have their own school, but Lala isn’t ready to give up

the rights they fought so hard for.

It’s father against daughter in a battle for Salem’s student body. Despite

the many challenges, Lala is determined to save Merston High. But she might

die twice while trying.

Melody joins a band and falls for the rock solid roadie. Will she join the group on their summer tour or give up her dream job to spend the summer with Jackson?

It’s seam against queen when Frankie and Cleo fight to the finish in a school-wide popularity contest.

Find out how the series ends next Tuesday. Last one to read it vv (like my font-fangs? They’re code for SUCKS!)

How poetic. I am announcing the end of one series and the beginning of a new one in the same blah-g. How Lion King- cycle of life- am I?

Okay, ready?

It’s a four book series (for now) called The Phoenix Five. Volume one will be called License to Spill. And now for the brief synopsis.

The Phoenix Five: License To Spill.

It takes place at a high school in New Jersey. Summer is over. Sophomore year begins tomorrow. Outfits are being planned. Lunch buddies are being secured. Texts are flying. All seems normal when…ping! Everyone in the sophomore class gets an email.

SUBJECT: The Phoenix Five: License To Spill.

Attached is a mega document.

A letter from a mysterious student starts the book. It explains that at the end of each year the school yearbook- The Phoenix- names the five most outstanding freshman.  She (or he) always suspected that last years’ five ( 3 girls, 2 boys) were phonies. She (or he) always thought they tried too hard to be popular. But she (or he) never had the proof. Until now. She (or he) stole the secret diaries they were asked to keep by their English teacher. She (or he) has compiled them into a book.

This is that book.

What do you think??? Intrigued? Like the title? I spilled, now it’s your turn. Please give me your feedback.

TTYW

Lisi

VV

Back and Deader than Ever

The moon, she hath waned and I am BACK!!!!   That was a grim one my friends. Now that I have returned to my old self I have some fangtastic announcements to make.

1) Monster High 4- Back and Deader Than Ever will be LaLa-landing in stores May 1st. This is the last one in the series and the most action packed- fur-sure. Melody makes a shocking discovery that lures her away from Jackson and into the stone cold arms of a mysterious new rocker (puns intended). Lala is forced to fight her bad dad Vlad on behalf of the RADs. And Frankie and Cleo go all green-against-queen in a royal popularity contest.

What better time to celebrate a new MH book than on Friday 13th? That's right THIS FRIDAY. Go to www.freakyfab13.com this Friday to get:

** the missing chapter 13 that will appear in the paperback version of Monster High 2- The Ghoul Next Door.

** the rest of this brand new mystery pic. Any guesses?

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2) For those of you attending Harvest/River Middle School or Silverado in the Napa area I'll see you next week. I'm heading up to San Francisco to hang at your schools. We'll talk about writing, Monster High, The Clique, Alphas, and I might be tempted to leak a few details about my new series. Wine country makes me talk.

3) Since there will NOT BE A BLAH-G next Wednesday as I will be traveling I will make the one on April 25th super special. I will finally announce my NEW SERIES. Pinky Swear.

TTYW- April 25

Lisi

xxxxxxx

MOON GLOOM

Thank you all so much for understanding my blah-g mood last Wednesday. I had no personality.

Unfortunately, I can't blame it on the full moon–which weighs on my heart like the lead blanket my dentist heaves over my chest before she x-ray's my teeth–because it wasn't full last week.

But this week? This week I am absolutely blaming the moon for my malaise, my scatter brain, my manic mood swings, my inability to get out of bed. Because–look up!  There she is. All bloated and smug. Ready to shine her spotlight on my sallow skin.

The full moon does that to me too and she's-a-gonna-be-full on Friday. For some that means growing beast hair and howling. For others it means hyper activity. For me it means I cease to being funny. Once it wanes I become Coke and Pop Rocks. I am explosive. But now? Cuh-rickets. Now I feel like a phone battery that is about to hit the red zone. Not quite there yet but operating on 6%.

Do any of you feel like this during a full moon? Start paying attention. It's kind of freaky once you become aware of it. I mean, think about it. The moon affects the tides and more than half of our bodies are made of water. At least I tell myself it's water when my bellybutton peers over the top of my jeans to beg for another slice of pizza.

So, whether you develop mutton chops and a craving for squirrels OR the personality of a puddle don't blame yourself. Blame the moon. At least until Friday. Then it's on you again.

Happy Passover. Happy Easter. Happy Howling.

TTYW,

Lisi

xxxxx

Blah (G)

Would you absolutely hate me if I told you I have no personality today? None. I feel blag without the g which means I have nothing for you.  I really don't want to complain so I'm just going to keep quiet. Feel free to chat amongst yourselves.

TTYW,

Lisi