Author Interview: Tina Ferraro

Recently, I reviewed The ABC's of Kissing Boys.  After it posted, I got this comment from the author, Tina Ferraro:

I am Tina...the author. I came upon this through a Google Alert, and I'd like to thank you for your thoughts and your support of my book. I, too, was rooting for Parker to find her sea legs and stand up to those girls while I was writing it...and while I won't give the story away, I'll just say that Parker is arguably my favorite heroine of all the books I've written! If anyone would like to chat more about this, please e-mail me at admin@tinaferraro.com!

Tina and I emailed back and forth after that comment, and she graciously agreed to let me interview her for this blog.  So, sit back, relax with your drink of choice, and enjoy as I introduce you to Tina Ferraro!

Tina, thank you so much for sitting down with me today for this interview!  I was so surprised to find your comment on my blog when I reviewed your book.  I am always honored when an author stops by!

Write for a Reader (WFAR): Please tell us a little about yourself.

Tina Ferraro (TF): I live in Los Angeles, am married with three kids. And I operate on one speed only: fast.

WFAR: When did you start writing?

TF: I started writing as soon as I could hold a pencil!

WFAR: What else have you written?

TF: Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress and How to Hook a Hottie are my earlier published works.

WFAR: Where did you get the idea for The ABC’s of Kissing Boys?

TF: The way I work is that I blend many random ideas. Once I decided on the main subject matters (soccer and kissing) and the theme (figuring out who are really your friends), I started writing it to see what other ideas would evolve, and one of those was the feud with the fathers.

WFAR: Was your first kiss a memorable one? Can you tell us about it?

TF: It was under a tree after school. The funny thing is that the guy told me it was his first kiss, too, but several years later, while recounting first kisses with a friend, I found out he was hers, as well--a whole year earlier. So now I wonder if he wasn’t a serial first kisser! :)

WFAR: I love the quote you use on your website: “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter,” by Mark Twain. What do you do, besides write YA novels, that keeps you feeling young?

TF: I live in the foothills and I go walking every day. Sometimes three times a day. I listen to music through headphones and when the fun songs come on, I weave and dance and sing as I go. You know the saying to “Dance like no one is watching?” I walk like no one is watching. And I don’t care if I look like a fool!

WFAR: What’s next for you as an author?

TF: In the summer of 2010, When Bad Flings Happen to Good Girls will be released by Delacorte Press. A short description is that it’s about a girl who goes looking for the perfect ex-boyfriend to “break her heart” so that her friends will feel sorry for her and stop trying to set her up. But what to do when a bad fling turns good?

WFAR: On the cover of ABC’s, is a profile of a girl putting on lipstick. Did someone pose for that or is it a created picture?

TF: Sorry, I have nothing to do with cover art, just know it was taken or provided by someone at Getty Images.

WFAR: What do you like to do when you are not writing?

TF: I mentioned walking. I also do a lot of volunteer work. I like to read and watch DVD’s. And I rarely miss Lost or The Office.

WFAR: Can you describe your writing area for us? Where do you write, when, what’s the atmosphere like, snacks while writing, music playing, etc.

TF: I love to write very early in the day, even before the sun has come up. No music, usually just me, the cat and some coffee. There’s nothing special about my writing area, just your basic computer set-up, although I have a lovely coffee coaster from Australia that I won in a blog contest!

WFAR: How do you feel about book bloggers reviewing your books?

TF: I love it! And of course, I respect people’s opinions, whether they like my books or not. (But I’m more likely to bookmark a blogger’s site who said favorable things about my books. )

WFAR: You list a lot of your favorites on your website, but I have two that I didn’t see: favorite book, favorite lipstick (thought it was appropriate because of the book cover).

TF: A-ha! Well, my favorite book changes all the time. But my favorite book at the moment is Good Enough by Paula Yoo. So funny and real. As far as lipstick, I generally veer toward a frosty rust color.

WFAR: What is a typical day like in the life of a YA author?

TF: It all depends on what’s on my plate at the moment. But I prefer to write early in the day, and then go walking, shower, and do errands. Then I do internet-related things, more errands, write some more, make and serve dinner, then usually more internet. My brain burns out as the day goes on, so morning is a great writing time for me.

WFAR: Is there anything else that you would like readers to know?

TF: Yes! Please check out my website, www.tinaferraro.com to see the cool trailer for The ABC’s of Kissing Boys! And thank you, Shelly, for hosting me here!

Thank you again for agreeing to this interview!  I'm looking forward to your next novel!