Lisi Harrison's Blog, page 23

WINNING ATTITUDE!

Before I post the winner of Figment's Clique writing contest I have something to say.  I read your stories and most of them were fantastic. Truly great. The covers! The titles! The vision!!!

Sadly, this contest wasn't solely based on talent. (Even though the winner happens to be a VERY talent writer). Popularity did come into play because the five finalists that were given to me had the most hearts. I know this is discouraging to those of you who wrote a brilliant piece but didn't get a boat load of people to vote for you. So let's look at the big picture. Yes winning the prize is always ah-mazing but it can't be what motivates you in life or you will spend the majority of your existence disappointed. More than anything this was a chance for up and coming writers to work your brains. To use your creativity and to hang out with the Pretty Committee a little longer. If you had fun, keep writing. If you didn't maybe this isn't the path for you. Because being a writer means putting yourself out there to be judged. And we aren't always judged fairly. Trust me on this. I know.

Sometimes we lose out to the more popular person (NOT FAIR!). Sometimes we lose out to the smarter person (BUT I TRIED SO HARD!) Sometimes we lose out because of a miscount (AL GORE!) sometimes we lose out to the bosses' daughter (NEPOTISM!) and sometimes we don't bother entering because we chose to watch Glee instead  (YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE!) So what are you going to do about it? Because that's all that really matters. That's what separates winners from whiners. Sure you can blame the results on  other people. Become bitter and say that life is unfair. Swear off writing and decide to become a hacker or a bank robber.  Or you can congratulate the winner and hope that when you get first prize, people are thoughtful enough to congratulate you.

Oh, and while I'm on the subject of winning attitudes I'd like to give a SHOUT OUT to GIZEMT. She confessed to being one of the cheaters. She is sorry and is taking responsibility for her actions. And I think that's ah-mazing. We all mess up. But not everyone has the courage to admit it.

AND NOW FOR THE WINNER!!!!

NAME: JENN SYMULA

http://figment.com/users/23054-Jenn-Symula

ENTRY: Remember: Some Things Just Clique.

PRIZE: A signed copy of every book in The Clique series and a set of Kate Spade notebooks. Figment will email you with instructions on how to claim your goodies.

WHY JENN: Jenn, your writing is very clean and thoughtful. I like how you kept Massie connected to the things she loved. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!   YOU ARE AH-MAZING!!!!!!!

And now for the masterpiece:

Remember: Some Things Just Clique.

You were nervous, that much was evident in your striking amber irises. The building was practically the same as it was when you attended it years ago.

Westchester, New York.

You walk through those mahogany doors, gripping the steel metal door-knobs, as you stride through those doors for thebillionth time; ten years later, of course.

A similar man that reminds you vaguely of your old science teacher, Mr. Mayer, Mr. Matter, Mr. Myner, greets you and your new classroom.

"This is where you will be teaching English," he said with young eyes. "If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask." Swiftly as he led you to the classroom, he departed.

You inhale the dust-free air, lids shut softly, with a small smiling playing on your gloss-less lips.

When you open your eyes again, you almost gasp with shock; this was the same classroom where the art room used to be.

An image of Alicia Rivera's beautiful young face pops into your mind. You mindfully disregard what she's wearing (because, let's face it, she looked good no matter what,) and you remember how enthusiastic she was about the fact that she managed to trick the art teacher that Claire Lyons had gotten her period on her brand new white jeans.

She was so proud then, her doe-eyes wide and awaiting for your praise. She wasn't disappointed though.

Your cheeks heat as your revelation hits.

-:-

Girls saunter into the classroom, taking seats with their new-found friends and previous BFF's. You can't help but widen your eyes in utter surprise as you gaze at a group of girls taking their seats, gossiping excitedly about their summer adventures.

There were four girls; a dirty blonde, a redhead, a brunette, and a raven-haired girl. You had the strong urge to chuckle when you realize how similar this felt; déjà vu much?

They were sitting close together, legs crossed, designer clothes crinkling slightly as they leaned over to whisper into each other's diamond studded ears with a cupped slender hand, protecting their gossip-worthy points.

It solemnly takes you back to the time you went out of your way to make Claire Lyons feel like a complete alien. It worked though, you think now. Turns out she became your best friend.

"Hello, class," you announced, hoping to hide the nervousness out of your usually steady voice. You stand up in front of them, pencil skirt and blouse intact; Alicia would've referred to your outfit as Ralph Lauren-chic. Kristen Gregory and Dylan Marvil would've given you at least a 9.7 if you were rating like you used to.

"I'm Miss Block," you state, a broad smile appearing on your pale skin, "and I will be teaching honors eighth grade English for the rest of the year at Octavian Country Day."

-:-

It doesn't surprise you one bit when you see that particular group of girls strutting down the hallways like it's their personal runway. In fact, you step aside with a giggle escaping past your nude lips.

Some things just don't change, do they?

You're not the least bit taken by surprise when you witness the brunette disown a petite blonde wearing Mary Jane's, calling her out on her outdated shoes.

"Excuse me, stah-ranger," the brunette with glossy stick straight hair snapped, hands on her small hips, "but do you read brail?"

The girls behind the brunette snickered into their manicured palms.

"No why?" The blonde's eyebrows crinkled.

"Bee-cause you're todally blind."

The brunette exchanged high-fives with the supportive girls behind her.

You wanted to wince in shame; you were that brunette at one point.

Noticing the helpless expression on the blonde girl's face, you make your way over to her; automatically repelling the group that just harassed this little blonde girl.

You wear a small friendly smile, "Hi, what's your name?"

The blonde sniffles, unshed tears in her big brown eyes, "Clarisse Bear,"

Your smile is bashful, "Come to room 218 if you ever need someone to talk to, okay?"

Clarisse manages a forced smile and you begin to walk away; secretly you wished there was someone to help Claire when you treated her so meanly.

-:-

When your first day of school is over, you rush back to your house. James greets you with a kiss upon your rosy cheeks and notifies you that it's your turn to pick out dinner. You just laugh.

Your fingers are flying across your keypad.

GET 2GETHER? WESTCHESTER, NY; 2MORROW? MY HOUSE @ 7? XOXO, M

Immediately responses flow your inbox.

SOUNDS GR8

ILL B THERE! LUV, D

CONSIDER ME THERE. LOVE, K

DONE, DONE, & DONE. –A

A satisfied grin overtakes your flawless face.

Who said being twenty-three wasn't fun?

-:-

"I work at our old school, now," you told the girls. You note Alicia has gotten even more beautiful—if possible—and you read in Seventeen that she was modeling for Ralph Lauren's daughter, Dylan.

"Is it weird?" Claire asked, her cornflower blue eyes even more blue than the last time you saw her. Who knew a month could make your eyes even bluer? She had told you when you two met up for coffee that Cam proposed to her only the other day. You had hugged her with open arms, beyond ecstatic. She promised you'd be her maid of honor.

"I bet it is," Kristen answered, taking a sip of her Smartwater, kicking out her toned muscled legs. No rumors were necessary because Kristen advanced from The Soccer Sisters years ago. She's the new Beckham—and she's got a hot old boyfriend; Kemp Hurley. Who knew?

"Those were amazing times," Dylan breathed, munching happily on a chocolate scone. Last time you called her, she told you she has been running The Dailey Grind pretty well, after Merri-Lee Marvil's passing.

"We were so silly," you added in agreement, eyes wandering curiously as Alicia whips out the old infamous Tiffany & Co. charm bracelet you gave to her before you left for England all those years ago.

"Remember when you threw salmon at me?" Claire busted out in giggles.

"Ehma—I remember," Dylan agreed, erupting in classic chuckles for using old lingo.

Kristen's phlegmy cackle resounded against your purple walls.

"We used to call everyone LBR's," you added for good measure, glancing around the entire room. Your move to England didn't change a thing. Big thanks to Skype, you managed to get everything; the best friends, the loyal right boyfriend, and your close family.

"And remember the Tiffany Robin trailer boxes?"

"What about GLU meetings?" Claire began to cry, her sweet laughter echoing.

"Remember Lake Placid? Lip-kissing was such a big deal," Alicia's frame shook with laughter, her abs hurting.

"Ehmagawd, you can't forget good ole' Hermia!"

Salty tears of laughter rolled down Kristen's tan face.

"You kicked me out a hundred times," Alicia recalled, blushing cheeks and a friendly grin.

"We really were best friends, weren't we?" You soberly conclude, glancing at very familiar faces.

"We still are," Claire blatantly and firmly stated, her arms folded defiantly.

"Always will be," Dylan burped which caused you to fall into another fit of giggles.

"Forever," Kristen vowed.

"Done,"

"Done,"

"Done,"

"Done,"

"And done."

The Fraud Squad

Massie: Hey Lisi, are you a diaper rash cream?

Lisi: No, why?

Massie: Because you are seriously bummed.

That's right, Massie. I am bummed. Today was supposed to be the day I announced the winner of the Figment Clique writing contest and thanks to a few girls (you know who you are) I can't. Why? Because they signed on with fake names so they could vote for their own stories a billion times. We eventually caught them and got rid of their votes but this slowed things down ah-lot. So instead of last Monday, the five finalists will be sent to my iPad 2 tomorrow (YEAH, I STOOD IN LINE FOR FIVE HOURS ON FRIDAY TO GET ONE.). I will spend my Thursday reading them and re-reading them and re-read them again to be sure I found the alpha writer.  I will post the winner on Friday.  I'm sorry. I wish the girls (those ones who know who they are) hadn't done this. But alas.

The bright side is this whole patience thing is good training for your writing career. Publishers rarely get back to you when they say they will. So congratulations. You are on your way to knowing what it feels like to be a professional. Fun, huh?

SHOUT OUT: To all the girls who entered the contest and didn't cheat.

TTYFriday,

Lisi

FIGMENT OF YOUR IMAGINATION

Is it me or are you all thinking I'm posting the Figment winner today? Because that's not until next week. I hate to disappoint but this week I'm talking about naked Korean women.

Last Friday my friend Steph took me to LA for a spa day. What started out as a belated holiday prezzy turned into quite a gift. You see, this wasn't your typical uptight, over priced, essential-oil scented, ambient music playing retreat.  It was a Korean spa. For one hundred dollars you get access to the wet steam, dry steam, four jacuzzi's -one filled with black tea- a heated floor for napping, a vigorous full-body exfoliation, massage, hair-wash, and facial. A fantastic value and amazing treatments? Yes and yes. But what really caught my attention was the down and dirty (but totally clean) naked free-for-all.

Women of all shapes, sizes, ethnicities, and backgrounds roamed freely and confidently. To put it mildly, I saw more than most OBGYNs.  Treatments weren't held in private rooms. Women lay side by side on massage tables covered only by the skin the good lord blessed them with. Skin that was being rubbed off their bodies by hefty women in black bras and underwear. We were more exposed than Charlie Sheen and yet no one seemed to care. I had never felt more vulnerable and less judged at the same time. I actually didn't know it was possible to feel both at once. And yet, something about that unabashed freedom and nudity made me realize how annoying we are as a culture.

We should take a cue from our Korean sisters.  I mean how much time do we waste scrutinizing our bodies?  No one was particularity toned, thin, or model-esque, and yet no one seemed to care. The crazy views, while shocking at first, quickly became something I stopped noticing. All I saw were bodies, different in some ways, but mostly the same. These women didn't care about their jean sizes.  Or the jean sizes of the others. They were there to hang with friends, shed some dead skin, and relax.

It made me wish I had a daughter. If I did I would take her there every month. Not for the massage but for the message. The less power we give to things the less they matter.

SHOUT OUT to Steph. Thanks for taking me. I hope you enjoyed the view.

TTYW,

LISI

TOUR TIME!

Hello my friends. Thanks for a fun Twitter party last Sunday. I always love a chance to catch up with you. Which is why I will be heading out on book tour again. I will be spreading the word on Monster High 2 – "The Ghoul Next Door" and of course signing anything my Sharpie can touch. So if you live in Miami or Los Angeles mark your calendars. If not, MOVE! You have two months. So get packing.

MIAMI, FL

Monday, April 4

7:00 PM

Reading and Signing
BARNES & NOBLE

591 South University Dr.

Plantation, FL  33324

(954) 723-0489

_______________________________________________________________________

MIAMI, FL

Tuesday, April 5

7:30 PM

Reading and Signing
BOOKS & BOOKS

265 Aragon Ave.

Coral Gables, FL  33134

(305) 442-4408

_______________________________________________________________________

LOS ANGELES METRO AREA

Wednesday, April 6

7:00 PM

Reading and Signing
BARNES & NOBLE

7881 Edinger Avenue

Huntington Beach, CA  92647

(714) 897-8781

_______________________________________________________________________

LOS ANGELES METRO AREA

Sunday, April 30

Time TBD

Panel
LOS ANGELES TIMES BOOK FESTIVAL

-YA Panel, details as soon as I get them

I can't wait to give you a squeeze!!! Sorry this is a short one. I have a meeting in ten minutes and I am trying very hard not to be late anymore.

TTYW,

Lisi

Party Scooper

Scoop is a term in journalism that refers to a magazine, paper, news broadcast, etc.. that breaks a story before its competitors. At least it did. Thanks to my mishap last Sunday the definition now includes authors who show up to Twitter parties one week before everyone else. I will now use it in a sentence.

I scooped you guys by showing up at the Twitter Party one week early.

The problem is, in journalism it's a good thing to scoop. When it comes to parties, especially ones you happen to be throwing, it's LAME! Yeah, that's right. There I was all logged on and ready to Tweet at 1pm PST. And no one showed. I was so depressed.  It took me a half-hour to figure out I had the wrong date.  So puh-lease tweet me this Sunday at @TheClique where we will be talking about a Tale of Two Pretties. Save me from being a party scooper two weeks in a row.

I am beyond impressed with the stories you guys are coming up with for the Figment.com contest. I was checking some out today and I was blown away. The artwork, the creativity! My Gawd it's going to be hard to pick a winner. I heart so many of them. I also loved the writing questions several of you submitted to the site. I answered  a bunch, which figment will post tomorrow. But here are the first three (because you know how I love to scoop.)

-How do you organize your work? Do you do a chapter by chapter outline or do you just go with it and hope for the best (that's what I do…haha:)  (Charlotte Rose)

Charlotte your brain and mine are wayyy different. I could never pull that off.  I spend about two weeks figuring out my story on index cards, napkins, and notebooks. Once I have it down I write an INSANE outline. Chapter by chapter it details every event, outfit, and moment of the book. This part of the process is where most of my work is done. It's always easier to change up a plot when its in bullet form rather than book form. My outlines are at least forty pages (Told you they were insane). I see them as the blueprints for a house. Writing is the decorating.

-Do you ever find yourself rushing through a story? Do you ever have trouble coming up with the 'little details"? (Heather Fails)

My monster outlines keep me from rushing and getting lazy with details.  This is key because details bring the story to life.  They are like fabulous accessories- they leave a lasting impression. Remember Angelina Jolie's green earrings at the Oscars a few years ago? Thought you might.

-What is your favorite why of showing characterization? For example, do you prefer to show characterization through dialogue, actions, descriptions, etc? (Annie)

All of the above. Think of your friends. They are all different and special and annoying and fabulous not because of one trait, but rather, a combination of different ones. Personal style, nervous habits, facial expressions, catch phrases, mannerisms, skills, hobbies, pet peeves…I could go on. The more of these you give to a character the more real they become.

For the rest of the Q&A log on to Figment.com tomorrow. And for those of you who aren't budding writers, take a look at the contest entries anyway. Each one is a quick read about one of the PC members and her life in the future. They are ah-mazing. So ah-mazing in fact they got me thinking about picking up the Clique series again and writing about the girls in college. But then I thought some more and I reconsidered. Why? I will tell you. Or rather, Teenreads.com will tell you. I just finished a blog about it which they will be posting some time this week. Once again, I am going to scoop them and give you the first two paragraphs.

All good things must come to an end. Leave while the party is still going. It's better to have loved and lost then never to have loved at …Ehmagawd, ENOUGH!

Cliches are even more ah-nnoying when we're upset, aren't they? Those smug little sentences think they're sooo much better than we are. Judging us for being emotional while passive-aggressively urging us to stop moping and get on with it. Like they have all the answers. Like they never lick their wounds. Like they aren't bummed the Clique Series is over. Puh-lease! Well, here's one for ya; easier said than done!

Go to teenreads.com for the rest.

SHOUT OUT to Cici for being the only person tweeting with me last Sunday.

TTYSunday

LISI

Your turn to write for me (Bonus Blah-g)

Talk about crying…Your comments are so sweet and ah-mazing. Seriously. I ah-dore you guys. Just to prove I've been paying attention I have gleaned two things from your posts a) you don't want the series to end and b) many of you want to be writers. SOOOOOOO let's make that happen, shall we?

It's time for YOU to decide what happens next! Imagine Claire, Massie, Dylan, Alicia, and Kristen 10 years from now. (They'll be 23) Where would they be? What would they be doing? Who would they know — and who would they have lost touch with?

In less than 1200 words, write a short story or scene from the point of view of Claire, Massie, Dylan, Alicia, or Kristen that takes place 10 years after the end of the series. Show us a snapshot of that girl's life. You get to make up everything, so don't forget the juicy details!

I will be one of the contest judges and will be giving away a signed copy of every book in The Clique series and I'll post the winner on my Blah-g. So gloss up your lips, clip your fingernails, and start creating. Once you have your idea:

-Create an account on Figment.com

-Go to the My Writing page and create something new

-Write your entry

-Press "Publish Now"

-Go to the Details tab

-Type "clique" in the Tags box

-Press "Save"

How do you know you're entry has been received? Just click "See entries" below. Entries can be submitted immediately, and the deadline is Friday, February 25.

How is the winner determined? By you! Just go to "See entries" below, browse through other people's entries, and heart your favorites. You can start reading and hearting now. The top hearted entries by Thursday, March 3 will be sent to me and I will make my decision on or before March 14th.

Good luck, my pretties! Dazzle me.

TTYW,

Lisi

UM, I HAVE A QUESTION…

I have a question: Is Great Lash in a Marathon?

You: Um, no.

Me: Then why is my mascara running?

It's true. Your comments have brought major tears to my eyes. This whole series ending thing is so bittersweet. The right ventricle of my heart says, "It's time. Leave while the party is still going." But the left ventricle says, "I don't wanna go!"

The good news is I'm really not going anywhere. I am still writing books for you and will continue to do so until birds peck out my eyes, scratch off my fingers, and tweet until my brain explodes all over my keyboard. And that won't even stop me. I've had rice between these keys, hangnails that needed medical attention, and eye twitches that have distorted my universe. Still, I wrote. Point is, I'm not going anywhere. You're stuck with me.

To prove it  I will be joining you this Sunday 2/27 for the last Twitter Party at 4pm EST/1pm PST. If you haven't read A Tale of Two Pretties yet hurry up and grab a copy so we can chat about it. Follow @TheClique on Twitter ay-sap so you can join the fun. Then, check out the questions for our Twitter chat below – and submit some of your own alpha-worthy questions in the comments. I won't be giving you my answers today because I'm saving them for Sunday.

Oh wait, I have one more question. This is for those of you who have already read the book.

Me: Are you a vat of yogurt that has been left in a steaming hot car for, like, a week?

You: Um, no.

Me: Then puh-lease, STOP SPOILING! Not everyone has read it yet so please stop posting the ending.

Questions:

1. How would you cope if your family were featured on a reality show?

2. Alicia is determined not to be an alpha again. Is achieving alpha status worth the work?

3. Kendra tells Massie that "a squint at thirteen makes a grown woman scream." What's your beauty mantra?

4. How do you deal when you have to keep secrets from your BFFs?

5. What did you think of the way Massie handled her family's financial situation?

6. How would you have contributed to Operation Middle-Class Makeover?

7. Did you think Massie would kick Claire out of the PC for moving?

8. If you were in Massie's Pradas, which PC member would you most like to live with?

9. Which would be worse – being poor or moving a whole ocean away from your Clique?

10. Was Merri-Lee's New Year's Yves the best Clique party yet?

11. Do you think Massie made the right choice in the end?

12. Do you think a Clique can survive without its alpha?

13. What shocked you most about the way The Clique series ended?

BONUS: To celebrate final Clique book week I will be posting a BONUS BLAH-G tomorrow. WRITERS PAY ATTENTION!!! It will be full of details on how to enter a Clique contest. I'm not going to spoil it (because I am no yogurt vat) but I will say it has to do with the Clique, you being a writer, a complete set of signed books from me and more…so check back tomorrow if you want the skinny.

SHOUT OUT: To all of you for sticking with me for the last eight years. This is only the beginning!

TTYTomorrow,

LISI

CRAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

I'm not going to even pretend to like Valentine's Day because I can't tell a lie and neither can my font. So I'll be honest; I ab-hore it. Any holiday that holds my heart in it's chocolate-covered hand, or rather, forces it into the hand of some dude, is setting me up for failure and disappointment.  And no, it's not because I'm a Vooge (Valentine's Scrooge). It's because I've survived (barely) enough of them to know that I'm going to be bummed no matter what. Because one of three things ends up happening;

1) I have a boyfriend. He happens to remember and we celebrate. I can't focus on having fun because the whole time I'm wondering if we're being "romantic enough" or "cute enough" or what romantic cute people are supposed to be talking about. So I usually end up over-thinking everything and causing a fight.

2) I have a boyfriend and he drops the heart-shaped ball. Listen to this particularly sad (but true) example. When I was in the 11th grade I met my boyfriend at Club Monaco (he worked there) after work so we could do something for Valentine's Day. As we were driving he smacked the steering wheel and exclaimed, "Sh*%! I forgot to pick up your flowers at the store. But I got them, I swear." He dug into the pocket of his Club Monaco chinos and flashed the receipt. "I paid for them and everything, see?" It brought me some comfort but not a lot. How could he forget me like that?

"Oh well. Don't worry about it," I said, trying to to look too disappointed. After all the holiday was about love, not gifts, right?

"I won't," he said. "Good thing I have the receipt. I can get my money back."

CRACK. (That was my heart breaking)

3) No boyfriend so I hung with my girlfriends. We pretended we didn't care and that we were above it all. But really we felt like LBRs.

I should give you some uplifting pep talk on how this holiday shouldn't matter because you have to love yourself and blah…blah…blah…but I'd be undermining your feelings if I did. I read your comments. You guys are stressing about it already. I should tell you that none of this Hallmark Holiday stuff means anything and that you should just get over it but why ruin your fun? Part of being in school is going through this. Falling in love. Getting your heart broken. Breaking hearts. I hope you all have better attitudes, better boyfriends, and better experiences than I did.  But if you don't just know that you're not alone.

SHOUT OUT: Ariana how did you get Tale Of Two Pretties already? It doesn't come out until Tuesday? Anyway, thank you for your ah-dorably sweet note. I'm glad you loved it. I'm sorry it made you cry. It made me cry too and I wrote it.

I can't wait to hear what the rest of you think. Let me know asap.

TTYW,

Lisi

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!! (A girl can dream, right?) NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!

How many times can I write the word "post"?

Get ready for the A TALE OF TWO PRETTIES pre-party!

The debut my final Clique book is just days away, so, like true alphas, we're commemorating the end of an ah-mazing era with a  a celebration! On Sunday 2/13 at 4pm EST/1pm PST, we're hosting A TALE OF TWO PRETTIES pre-party at Twitter.com/TheClique-and you get to decide what we'll be tuh-weeting about! Post Clique-worthy questions in the comments section below. Then we'll tweet the best ones during our party on the 13th so that everyone who attends can respond! Also, be sure to include your Twitter name so we can give you credit during the party!

On another note: I will be revamping my website over the next few months by making a FAQ section and positing answers. So start posting questions for me. Anything about the Clique, Alphas, Monster High, future projects, style, advice, personal questions…whatevs. You post it I'll answer it. Any other features you'd like to see? Speak now or forever hold your pee. I know it's "peace" but I like "pee" better.)

I was at Mattel last week and as promised I took tons of pictures of the new Monster High dolls for 2012 and beyond. Unfortunately I have been told I can't post them or I will rot in jail with other toy spoilers. I am trying to get early sketches of Frankie and other cool things to show you so stand by. These things take time, especially when I am manipulating large corporations to leak classified information.

Oh, one more thing… I am planning another book tour. A mini if you will. Los Angeles and Miami. I'l keep you posted.

Now remember:

1) post Twitter party questions.

2) post FAQ questions for me

3) post things you want me to add to my site.

4) Um, Lisi are you in the Superbowl?

No.

Then what's with all this goal posting?

Okay, sorry. I'll stop.

SHOUT OUT To: Kristen for hosting all of the ah-mazing Twitter parties.

TTYW,

Lisi

SECOND LAST BUT NOT LEAST…

In just two weeks, A Tale of Two Pretties will finally make its debut!  I just got my advanced copies and I have to admit it was very emotional. I wrote a letter to you guys in the front of the book and when I read it I got weepy. Pinky swear. But like I've always said, while the series may be winding down our real life clique is still going strong. To help keep the love alive and continue our celebration of the final book's arrival, we'll be tweeting again this Sunday, 1/30 at 4 PM EST/1 PM PST.

We first tuh-weeted about My Little Phony when it was released in August, and now that we're just days away from the debut of the final Clique book, we'll be revisiting Book #13 once again. So, if you haven't read My Little Phony yet, now's the time!

Follow @TheClique on Twitter ay-sap so you can join the fun. Then, check out the questions and my answers for this Sunday's party!

1. Is all fair in luh-v and war – or did Massie go too far with the lice scare?

PERSONALLY I THINK SHE WENT TOO FAR. RUINING SOMEONE'S REPUTATION MAKES YOU SMALLER THAN LICE. AND THOSE BUGGERS ARE SMALL…NOT THAT I'D KNOW FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. I SWEAR. OKAY I'M LYING. I WAS AN EGG CARRIER AT SUMMER CAMP ONE YEAR. ALL MY FRIENDS WERE. AND FOR THE RECORD THAT LICE SHAMPOO GIVES YOUR HAIR MORE BODY THAN PANTENE EVER COULD. JUST SAYIN'

2. How would you have prepped Massie for her Landon lip kiss?

I WOULD HAVE STARTED BY ASKING, "ARE YOU TRYING TO JOIN A SORORITY?" SHE WOULD SAY, "NO." THEN I WOULD SAY, "SO, WHY RUSH?"

3. Claire's revenge: unnecessarily cruel or just necessary?

UNNECESSARILY DISGUSTING.

4. Did you feel bad for Massie or think she deserved Claire's creepy crawler revenge?

BOTH.

5. Who's more crush-worthy: Cam or Landon?

CAM I AM. OKAY WAIT. THAT'S NOT TOTALLY TRUE EITHER. I LIKE CAM FOR CLAIRE. HE'S TOO SWEET FOR MASSIE. I LIKE LANDON FOR MASSIE. AT LEAST FOR NOW… (THAT'S ALL I'M SAYING)

6. How would you have dealt with the grammy-cam episode?

RUN! CALL MY FRIENDS. FREAK OUT. LAUGH. FREAK OUT. SHUDDER. PUNCH MY PILLOW. LAUGH. FREAK. VOW TO GLUE MY LIPS SHUT AND DEVOTE MY LIFE TO LEARNING SIGN LANGUAGE. TOSS AND TURN ALL NIGHT. WATCH THE SUNRISE. LAUGH. REALIZE IT'S NOT SO BAD. SWAP LIP GLUE FOR LIP GLOSS. GET READY FOR SCHOOL.

7. How would you have embraced the new Claire-a?

I WOULDN'T HAVE. I DON'T LIKE FOLLOWING ANYONE.

8. Massie-alls: hawt or nawt?

BLESS HER FOR TRYING TO MAKE THEM WORK.

9. Do you think Massie will be able to deal with her parents' cut-backs?

NOT TELLING.

10. What are your tips for looking stylish x 10 on a budget?

DON'T TRY TO LOOK TRENDY. TREND KNOCK OFFS LOOK CHEAP. DRESS TO FLATTER YOUR FIGURE AND EXPRESS YOUR PERSONALITY AND YOU'LL LOOK FAB.

11. What are your predictions for A TALE OF TWO PRETTIES?

THAT'S LEADING THE WITNESS. I PLEAD THE FIFTH.

I'm off to LA for a meeting with Mattel. They're going to show me the new Monster High dolls for 2011-2012. I'll take pics and post them next week.

SHOUT OUT TO TYLER AND LAUREN FOR DOING THEIR AUTHOR STUDIES ON ME. TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS MY PARENTS NAMES ARE SHAILA AND KEN GOTTLIEB. AND YOU BETTER BELIEVE SHAILA IS READING THIS RIGHT NOW SO GIVE HER A SHOUT OUT IF YOU CAN. SHE'S AN AH-MAZING MOM.

TTYW,

XXXXXX Lisi