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Book Blurb & Info
The Mean Girl Apologies
By Stephanie Monahan
It’s about you.
Natalie Jamison has spent five years trying to forget the girl she was in high school: popular, pretty…and, okay, mean. Now in her twenties and living once again in her small town, she’s right back where she was: following Queen Bee Amber and keeping secrets from her best friend, Sarah.
Secrets like Jack Moreland.
Everyone knows Jack Moreland—his new album, Good Enough, is everywhere. He’s famous. Impossibly handsome. Completely untouchable. But what none of Natalie’s old clique knows is that in high school, Natalie and Jack fell in love. And their secret relationship was incredible, painful—and earth-shattering enough to inspire an entire album.
Facing friends and enemies isn’t easy, but Natalie will go to great lengths to prove she is good enough—to her friends, to herself, and most of all, to the small-town boy turned worldwide heartthrob she never forgot.
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Steals and Deals
Hi Stephanie,
Thank you so much for sitting down with Toot's for an interview. If you don't mind, I have some questions for you about your new book, The Mean Girl Apologies and your process for our budding authors as well as fans.
So first off, The Mean Girl Apologies Questions.......
In your own words, what is The Mean Girl Apologies about?
A former mean girl is forced to face the consequences of her actions after a song about her becomes a hit. She needs to make amends with the people she hurt and start living life as the person she wants to be.
How did you come up with the title of the book and can you tell us its significance?
The title came up organically while writing the book, once Natalie realizes she needs to go back and apologize to people she hurt in the past before she can really move forward.
Is The Mean Girl Apologies a standalone book or will it be part of a series?
It was written as a standalone, but I guess you never know!
What genre would you say The Mean Girl Apologies is and what sets your book apart for fans of the genre?
It is in the New Adult genre. I think the book differs from a lot of NA in that there was no big traumatic event in Natalie’s life that she’s overcoming. Her struggles are more internal and, I think, relatable to a lot of people.
What was your favorite scene to write in The Mean Girl Apologies?
I loved the whole prom sequence, it was definitely my favorite!
What was the hardest scene to write for The Mean Girl Apologies?
The hardest scene was probably the first time that Jack and Natalie see each other in the present, after 5 years of being apart.
What is your favorite line or quote from The Mean Girl Apologies?
I would say Jack’s line: “All I wanted was for you to want to be with me more than you were scared of what your friends would think.”
This line gets to me because it’s so honest and really boils everything down to that one thing that she couldn’t do—the one thing he wanted.
Writing.......
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated and what made you decide to pursue it as a career?
I’ve wanted to write for as long as I can remember. I was always the kid with her nose in a book. My interest in writing came out of my interest in reading, at a really young age.
What inspires you to put the pen to paper or fingers to the keyboard?
I get inspired a lot by music, and I listen to music all the time when I write. I also love dialogue and if I come up with a good piece of dialogue I sometimes come up with characters around that. Also, any time I read an amazing work of fiction, I get inspired!
What are some of the elements in/of your writing process?
I try to write 1,000 words per day when I’m working on a first draft. I also follow one important rule of a first draft: don’t be afraid to write badly. I write what I want to write and I really try not to edit as I go along. I’d never get anything done otherwise, and revision and editing is what the second (and third, and maybe fourth) draft is for.
Are you a Plotter or a Panster?
Both. I start as a panster. Once I get maybe 50 pages in or so I will usually stop and see where I’m at and were I’m going, which turns into a rough outline—my version of plotting.
Have you released anything under a different pen name, and if so, is there any difference between them?
I’ve never written under a pen name. If I’m going to put my heart and soul into my writing, I want people to know it’s me!
What's next for you?
I’m currently working on a couple of ideas, one about a minor league hockey team and a romantic comedy set at a bed and breakfast on the MA coast. These aren’t much more than ideas right now, so we’ll see what happens.
Is there anything you’d like to add or say to your fans?
THANK YOU!!!! The fact that anyone reads and enjoys what I write is really incredible to me. A dream come true!
Personal questions......
Now I know this is like asking you to choose between your own children, but out of all your amazing characters, who is your favorite and why?
Probably Sophie from 33 VALENTINES. She’s the heroine in my first ever published novel, which is pretty special. Also I find her hilarious and I’m sure we would get along if we ever met.
Are there any of your stories or characters that hold a special place in your heart?
I love Jack in THE MEAN GIRL APOLOGIES because he never felt the need to be anyone else other than himself. That’s the way I strive to live my life.
If the book had to have a theme song, what would it be?
It would definitely be Jack’s song, Good Enough. If I had to chose a real song, probably In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel because Jack sings it at prom and it’s iconic in terms of high school love.
Lastly, let's steal an idea from the magazines.....What 5 things do fans not know about you and 5 they don't know about the book?
5 things they don’t know about me:
1. I’m a huge worrier. If worry were a profession I’d make lots of money!
2. Cleaning calms me down. I actually enjoy washing the dishes, doing laundry, etc.
3. I’m a huge sports fan—hockey, football—but I can’t play sports to save my life.
4. I’ve only read my work twice in front of an audience. That kind of thing gets me incredibly anxious.
5. I once followed two members of one of my favorite bands (Wilco) around Niagara Falls State Park. I eventually caught up with them and had a conversation. They were extremely gracious and didn’t act like I was a stalker at all!
5 things they don’t know about the book:
1. This book began way back in 2009 and went through several drafts, and titles, before it became published.
2. In the first draft, Natalie had a brother who played in the band with Jack. I couldn’t get the character to work, though, so Shane went to cut character heaven.
3. In yet another draft, Natalie had a sister. She went away too! (I don’t even remember her name.)
4. The graduation speech that Natalie references is actually from a speech I wrote for my best friend who gave the salutatorian speech at our high school graduation.
5. I really wanted to start out the past chapters with song lyrics, which meant I had to write them. Seemed like a good idea at the time, but turned out it wasn’t so easy. I had no idea a few lines could cause so much stress!
Thanks so much for the fun questions and for having me!!
Stephanie Monahan received her degree in English Literature from Binghamton University. In addition to reading and writing, she is passionate about her dog and cat, British pop music, andthe beach. Born and raised in upstate New York, Stephanie now lives in central Massachusettswith her husband. Her first book, 33 VALENTINES, was nominated for a 2013 Book of theYear award at Coffee Time Romance & More. You can find her online at www.stephmonahan.com.
Website Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads
Interview
Thank you so much for sitting down with Toot's for an interview. If you don't mind, I have some questions for you about your new book, The Mean Girl Apologies and your process for our budding authors as well as fans.
So first off, The Mean Girl Apologies Questions.......
In your own words, what is The Mean Girl Apologies about?
A former mean girl is forced to face the consequences of her actions after a song about her becomes a hit. She needs to make amends with the people she hurt and start living life as the person she wants to be.
How did you come up with the title of the book and can you tell us its significance?
The title came up organically while writing the book, once Natalie realizes she needs to go back and apologize to people she hurt in the past before she can really move forward.
Is The Mean Girl Apologies a standalone book or will it be part of a series?
It was written as a standalone, but I guess you never know!
What genre would you say The Mean Girl Apologies is and what sets your book apart for fans of the genre?
It is in the New Adult genre. I think the book differs from a lot of NA in that there was no big traumatic event in Natalie’s life that she’s overcoming. Her struggles are more internal and, I think, relatable to a lot of people.
What was your favorite scene to write in The Mean Girl Apologies?
I loved the whole prom sequence, it was definitely my favorite!
What was the hardest scene to write for The Mean Girl Apologies?
The hardest scene was probably the first time that Jack and Natalie see each other in the present, after 5 years of being apart.
What is your favorite line or quote from The Mean Girl Apologies?
I would say Jack’s line: “All I wanted was for you to want to be with me more than you were scared of what your friends would think.”
This line gets to me because it’s so honest and really boils everything down to that one thing that she couldn’t do—the one thing he wanted.
Writing.......
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated and what made you decide to pursue it as a career?
I’ve wanted to write for as long as I can remember. I was always the kid with her nose in a book. My interest in writing came out of my interest in reading, at a really young age.
What inspires you to put the pen to paper or fingers to the keyboard?
I get inspired a lot by music, and I listen to music all the time when I write. I also love dialogue and if I come up with a good piece of dialogue I sometimes come up with characters around that. Also, any time I read an amazing work of fiction, I get inspired!
What are some of the elements in/of your writing process?
I try to write 1,000 words per day when I’m working on a first draft. I also follow one important rule of a first draft: don’t be afraid to write badly. I write what I want to write and I really try not to edit as I go along. I’d never get anything done otherwise, and revision and editing is what the second (and third, and maybe fourth) draft is for.
Are you a Plotter or a Panster?
Both. I start as a panster. Once I get maybe 50 pages in or so I will usually stop and see where I’m at and were I’m going, which turns into a rough outline—my version of plotting.
Have you released anything under a different pen name, and if so, is there any difference between them?
I’ve never written under a pen name. If I’m going to put my heart and soul into my writing, I want people to know it’s me!
What's next for you?
I’m currently working on a couple of ideas, one about a minor league hockey team and a romantic comedy set at a bed and breakfast on the MA coast. These aren’t much more than ideas right now, so we’ll see what happens.
Is there anything you’d like to add or say to your fans?
THANK YOU!!!! The fact that anyone reads and enjoys what I write is really incredible to me. A dream come true!
Personal questions......
Now I know this is like asking you to choose between your own children, but out of all your amazing characters, who is your favorite and why?
Probably Sophie from 33 VALENTINES. She’s the heroine in my first ever published novel, which is pretty special. Also I find her hilarious and I’m sure we would get along if we ever met.
Are there any of your stories or characters that hold a special place in your heart?
I love Jack in THE MEAN GIRL APOLOGIES because he never felt the need to be anyone else other than himself. That’s the way I strive to live my life.
If the book had to have a theme song, what would it be?
It would definitely be Jack’s song, Good Enough. If I had to chose a real song, probably In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel because Jack sings it at prom and it’s iconic in terms of high school love.
Lastly, let's steal an idea from the magazines.....What 5 things do fans not know about you and 5 they don't know about the book?
5 things they don’t know about me:
1. I’m a huge worrier. If worry were a profession I’d make lots of money!
2. Cleaning calms me down. I actually enjoy washing the dishes, doing laundry, etc.
3. I’m a huge sports fan—hockey, football—but I can’t play sports to save my life.
4. I’ve only read my work twice in front of an audience. That kind of thing gets me incredibly anxious.
5. I once followed two members of one of my favorite bands (Wilco) around Niagara Falls State Park. I eventually caught up with them and had a conversation. They were extremely gracious and didn’t act like I was a stalker at all!
5 things they don’t know about the book:
1. This book began way back in 2009 and went through several drafts, and titles, before it became published.
2. In the first draft, Natalie had a brother who played in the band with Jack. I couldn’t get the character to work, though, so Shane went to cut character heaven.
3. In yet another draft, Natalie had a sister. She went away too! (I don’t even remember her name.)
4. The graduation speech that Natalie references is actually from a speech I wrote for my best friend who gave the salutatorian speech at our high school graduation.
5. I really wanted to start out the past chapters with song lyrics, which meant I had to write them. Seemed like a good idea at the time, but turned out it wasn’t so easy. I had no idea a few lines could cause so much stress!
Thanks so much for the fun questions and for having me!!
Author Info
Website Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads
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An ecopy of 33 Valentines and a $10 Amazon gift card
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Tour Info
Thanks so much for having me on your site today! :)
ReplyDeletethanks so much the book sounds really good
ReplyDelete