FULL DISS-CLOSURE

Heyyyyy,

I was all geared up to move past the low attendance thing. I promised myself I would not look at the number of comments this week (as of post time 107). And I vowed that if my eyeballs slipped and I saw the number (108 as of this second because I just approved someone new) that I would rise above it and not care. And I don't. Truly. Some weeks you're up and some you're down. It's only a number, right? Right! Still, I'm staring off into the distance…

You see, it's not the amount of comments (Still 108) that concern me, it's the content. Take Arianna's for example:

LISI!!!!!!

Can you please tell us if you're writing another series or not? The blah-g died after that first post of the year and The Clique ending. If you want your comments to rise again from the ashes then give us something to read an love like th Clique did. Monster High is great, but embracing my freaky only gets me scolded and shunned at school. I rather be myself and fit in than be myself and stand out. For me, the Clique had a better message and it was SO much more relatable. It also seemed more real because it came from YOU! Not a toy company. Yes, I realize you have creative freedom with the books, and they are good, but it doesn't feel the same when I read them. I felt closer to you with the Clique, and with Monster High I feel closer to nothing. I haven't learned any life lessons from Monster High, and maybe that's also because I've grown up, but shouldn't that make it where you would want to write something for your readers that have been with you since the beginning? 7 years, Lisi. That's how long I've been with you. Most o these girls were in kindergarten whenever I started reading your books. Couldn't you write a series dealing with the problems your original fans are dealing with? I feel forgotten Lisi because your books deal with tween problems, not teenager ones. I realize I haven't been the nicest person these past few weeks, but I've been forgotten and ignored and I can't stand that.

Please Lisi, write a another series for your original fans, not your new ones. I'll finish reading Monster High just because I love you and your writin that much, but I can't promise you I'll read another tween series. We grew up, I hoped you'd grow with us.

LLAP

Arianna

First, thank you for being constructive and for sharing your thoughts. I'm not in the habit of changing my agenda to suit others. But at the same time I don't want to stop connecting with you guys so I take these comments seriously. That said, I am giving you full disclosure on my plan, or what I thought it would be. Now I'm not so sure.

The whole idea was for me to take the summer off and recharge. 29 books in 8 years. I mean, who does that? Then I was going to start developing an adult series in the fall. But after reading your comments I can't help wondering if, with a few minor tweaks, my adult series could just as easily be a teen series. It would be way more risque than the Clique. And I'm not sure I want to go there with you guys. Then again, why shouldn't I? Ugh…I dunno.

These are the things I am contemplating on my break. Not very break-y is it?

Two years ago I got a spa gift certificate and just had time to cash in yesterday. I spent a glorious day alone, sitting by a pool reading Writer's Digest with a highlighter and making notes. Again, not very break-y. But I truly love what I do and realized it's not a break I'm looking for, just some air. A little space between projects so I have time to consider comment's like Arianna's and explore the possibilities. The goal being to make the right decision. Not the quick one. So that's what I'm going to do. I am going to explore my idea as a teen series. Then an adult series. Then I will come up with a bunch of other ideas-some good, most bad. I will announce the new project in the fall. In the mean time will you guys post topics you like to read about. Especially you Arianna. Help me help you. And together, with a little sunshine and air, we will grow something ah-mazing. Pinky Swear.

I'll keep you posted and you keep posting. Deal?

SHOUT OUT: To me and my life crush Kevy. It's our nine year anniversary today.

TTYW,

Lisi