Back and Dumber Than Ever

Massie: Hey Lisi are you a slack mail-carrier?

Lisi: No, why?

Massie: Then what's with the late post?

(OMG that's not even funny. I've got total beach brain.)

It's not midnight yet, which means technically, I am not late. But if I'm being totally honest I'll admit It's taking longer than usual to get my motor running. I guess that's the price one pays for spending three weeks straight on a beach. The brain is still salty and weighted with barnacles. I've been back in Laguna since Monday and just realized the fig leaf I have been rocking is not appropriate for city living. And I need not spear fish for protein. There are sushi bars for that.

How quickly one forgets.

Speaking of Comicon, (I know we weren't but I'm too brain dead to come up with a good segue) I have missed our weekly banter and would love to see you guys before my tan fades. So please. Go to Comicon in San Diego this Friday. I will be there from 3:30-4:30 signing books, Nooks, Kindles, iThings, and arms. You bring it and I'll sign it. Pinky swear. If you can't make it I will do my best to post pics next week of the freak flag flying fans who attend the annual comic book convention. Everyone is in costume paying homage to their favorite characters–or are they taking their alter egos out for a stroll? Whatever their motivation it's a blast. Try to be there if you can.

Speaking of refreshing websites (I know we weren't but I told you, it's the salty-barnacle brain.) have you noticed the changes I* made to LisiHarrison.com? If not, click on each heading in the navigation bar and hit "reload". I* added an FAQ section, a 4 U/From U/ Of U section, more wallpaper and icons and pics. As the weeks go on I* will be adding more content so please keep reloading and refreshing.

* (by I, I mean Webmaster JJ, she did all of the webby stuff. She was up until 3:00 am last night working on it. Shout out to webmaster JJ)

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And speaking of Formspring (salty-barnacle segue)–remember before I left? You guys asked me questions via the Formspring widget? Well, as promised, here are my answers. If you have any other questions please post them in 'leave a reply' and I will answer them in the FAQ section.

1. When will your 3rd book of Monster High be out?

A: The third Monster High will be out on September 20th, 2011. It's called, Where There's A Wolf There's A Way. Big things happen for the RADs in this one. Along with Frankie and Melody, you also get to know Clawdeen Wolf better.

2. Which character in the Monster High series are you most like?

A: Frankie. She has this innocence about her that I definitely had when I was growing up. She thought her green skin was voltage (which it is) and didn't realize it's something to be ashamed of (which it's not) until society made her feel that way (evil society). I remember when I was in 7th grade I got a retainer. You know those geeky wires that come around the side of your face and then attach to the back of your braces? Well, I thought it was the coolest thing so I wore it to school even though it was only for night time. Everyone made fun of me. It was a major Frankie moment. Also she has a strong sense of what's right and wrong and doesn't give in just because people tell her to. I'm like that. I never follow if I don't believe in what I'm doing. Even if it means I'm not part of the cool crowd. I believe no matter what I'm doing it's the thing to do. Frankie is like that.

3. What was the hardest part about writing Monster High?

A: The deadlines. I've had to write 4 books in 19 months. It's been really challenging. Other than that it's been incredibly fun.

4. Is Melody a siren?

A: Um, do you honestly think I'm going to tell you that?

5. Hey Lisi! What inspired you to write the series? I know, for the Clique, it was your job at MTV, but what about this one?

A: The monster genre was becoming so popular, but all of the books felt so similar in tone. I wanted to write the kind of monster book Clique fans would like. The kind I would read. Ghouls for Glams. I wanted humor, pop culture, and sass. Dark and brooding is not my thing.

6. Hi my name is Holly and I'm from Australia. I love to read books especially your Monster High series I am counting down till the next one comes out. I have been inspired by authors like you to write my own book. Any advice?

A: Hey, mate. Write the kind of book you'd like to read. Forget about what's popular at the time or what feels like literature. Just do your thing. Own it. It's not your story that people will love, it's your characters, their personalities, and your voice. So you have to be you in an unapologetic way. Trends change. Good writing is good writing. G'day.

7. How do you find your voice?

A: JOURNAL! Use a pen and paper, not a computer. And write freely. Forget about spelling and grammar. This is not a test. It's about hearing what you sound like. Don't let anyone read your journal ever. If you do, you will be inhibited. And that's no fun. Also read. Again, don't read what you think you should read. Read what you want to read. The idea is to love this.

8. What is one thing you want your readers to "get" from the books? Message? Theme?

A: The Clique was about fitting in. Monster High is about standing out. Letting your freak flag fly. Embracing our differences instead of trying to cover them up. And appreciating the differences in others without judging. If we we're all the same this would be one boring, unproductive world.

For more check out my profile at http://www.formspring.me/LisiHarrison.

I will spend the next few days working on my segues and hope to be sodium-barnacle free by next week.

TTYWOAC (Talk To You Wednesday Or At Comicon)

Lisi

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