tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post7519801817268948889..comments2024-01-05T05:32:54.346-05:00Comments on S.A. Larsen, Award-winning author of middle grade & young adult fiction: YA in the Alleyway! ALMOST THERE by Laurel GarverS.A. Larsenッhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06241633272588383935noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-56327181402434133702016-06-27T10:50:39.762-04:002016-06-27T10:50:39.762-04:00AND...we have a winner! Laurel used RAndomizer.org...AND...we have a winner! Laurel used RAndomizer.org and Kristen Smith's name was chosen. Kristen come up and get your prize!!! (No, really. We'll email you.)S.A. Larsenッhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06241633272588383935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-33597055126561073592016-06-18T22:26:44.400-04:002016-06-18T22:26:44.400-04:00I love the description of this book. I think the l...I love the description of this book. I think the last YA contemp I read was Dumplin. <br /><br />Thanks for the giveaway. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-67974580419904770402016-06-14T21:26:57.097-04:002016-06-14T21:26:57.097-04:00I've set aside a few in my reading days too, m...I've set aside a few in my reading days too, mostly characters who I didn't want to hang out with for 200+ pages, so I hear you. Maybe it's a pacing thing? Some contemporaries are a bit more thin on plot and very heavy on characterization and relationships. I write somewhat more complex plots than many YA authors, and try to move the story along at a pretty good clip, though not as fast as a thriller or fantasy might move. Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-16201713698113923752016-06-14T21:18:55.646-04:002016-06-14T21:18:55.646-04:00Thanks! I had a lot of fun designing it. Thanks! I had a lot of fun designing it. Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-66603463704198124232016-06-14T20:45:41.038-04:002016-06-14T20:45:41.038-04:00I haven't read a lot of YA contemporaries. I j...I haven't read a lot of YA contemporaries. I just haven't found one that seemed enticing enough. I recently started The Unexpected Everything but it really didn't grab my attention. Reeniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02728020455386731696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-48697082307385571102016-06-14T20:45:29.871-04:002016-06-14T20:45:29.871-04:00I haven't read a lot of YA contemporaries. I j...I haven't read a lot of YA contemporaries. I just haven't found one that seemed enticing enough. I recently started The Unexpected Everything but it really didn't grab my attention. Reeniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02728020455386731696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-23870778584769869702016-06-14T14:45:26.275-04:002016-06-14T14:45:26.275-04:00 I adore this cover. I adore this cover. Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-26557648847560204532016-06-11T14:05:45.695-04:002016-06-11T14:05:45.695-04:00I'm such a well-mannered and highly dignified ...I'm such a well-mannered and highly dignified author, I wouldn't dream of giving a sarcastic reply to that response. :-) Thanks for coming by!Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-65495566363667534642016-06-11T13:22:14.437-04:002016-06-11T13:22:14.437-04:00Hi Tara. Hope you're having a good time in my ...Hi Tara. Hope you're having a good time in my old stomping grounds. Lots of natural beauty, but also a universe away from my protagonist's NYC life. Glad you liked the playlist--I think it gives a pretty good sense of the emotions at play in Almost There.Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-11050168061233291552016-06-11T12:49:41.363-04:002016-06-11T12:49:41.363-04:00Who doesn't love a character with a strong sar...Who doesn't love a character with a strong sarcastic streak? :) This one sounds quite interesting, ladies, thanks. Great interview!Piecraft Bucharesthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07033299926919228774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-14549883106043265192016-06-10T19:06:40.674-04:002016-06-10T19:06:40.674-04:00i'm in north central PA for a sci fi con right...i'm in north central PA for a sci fi con right now! and i love the playlist - must be a great book!<br /><br />and sheri - i know how you feel about slow writing and feeling the need to get the next book done! some events need you to have a new book out to be able to attend. keep working it girl! and let me know if you want me to give your new one a shout!Tara Tylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07587802105993889515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-46817141441260384152016-06-10T15:57:06.331-04:002016-06-10T15:57:06.331-04:00Thanks, Kristin. There are other delicious descrip...Thanks, Kristin. There are other delicious descriptions tucked in the book, as well as pacy story with mystery and romance.Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-7341185532061015862016-06-10T15:54:42.886-04:002016-06-10T15:54:42.886-04:00Thanks, Beverly. The piles of letters on the cover...Thanks, Beverly. The piles of letters on the cover are as much part of the story as the Eiffel Tower memento. You never know what you'll find hidden at a grandparent's house!Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-87110903058108753522016-06-10T15:52:03.987-04:002016-06-10T15:52:03.987-04:00Thanks, Melissa. I know intergenerational stories ...Thanks, Melissa. I know intergenerational stories aren't that common in YA, but I see it a lot in real life and thought it would be an interesting direction to go. Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-38412626191016695232016-06-10T15:50:44.314-04:002016-06-10T15:50:44.314-04:00Thanks so much, Lee! Dani is prone to wax poetic n...Thanks so much, Lee! Dani is prone to wax poetic now and then, though the story moves along at a good clip. Conflict galore!Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-41880956223375054312016-06-10T15:48:29.890-04:002016-06-10T15:48:29.890-04:00Thanks, Nicola! Staying curious always leads to co...Thanks, Nicola! Staying curious always leads to cool places! Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-30132580933428029622016-06-10T15:47:12.457-04:002016-06-10T15:47:12.457-04:00Writing faith can be tricky. I strive to make it a...Writing faith can be tricky. I strive to make it a natural part of a character's life and thought process, and I hope as a result don't sound preachy or agenda-driven. Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-38457722271222745562016-06-10T08:47:30.312-04:002016-06-10T08:47:30.312-04:00Congrats to Laurel! This book does sound fantastic...Congrats to Laurel! This book does sound fantastic! I love that passage you shared—the words were so descriptive. I especially loved the part about crème brûlée—I LOVE crème brûlée!!Kristin Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15119967346326579747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-6082118367917753932016-06-09T18:56:29.792-04:002016-06-09T18:56:29.792-04:00Great interview, ladies. Looks like a wonderful st...Great interview, ladies. Looks like a wonderful story. Congratulations, Laurel. Best of luck to you. Neat cover too.Beverly Stowe McClurehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02176195451841801819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-53733151938619591242016-06-09T14:57:05.931-04:002016-06-09T14:57:05.931-04:00Love the premise. Sounds like a great read!Love the premise. Sounds like a great read!Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08516493326566981116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-51574136863419521592016-06-09T13:30:02.334-04:002016-06-09T13:30:02.334-04:00Thanks again for having me, Sheri! You ask great q...Thanks again for having me, Sheri! You ask great questions. Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-88891423891921445552016-06-09T12:00:35.855-04:002016-06-09T12:00:35.855-04:00I hadn't heard of Laurel's book. Thanks fo...I hadn't heard of Laurel's book. Thanks for telling us about it. Loved the passage. It took me back to Paris for a moment.cleemckenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15456109243453726483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-46968776354543834372016-06-09T04:17:30.853-04:002016-06-09T04:17:30.853-04:00This is going on my TBR list. I'm always drawn...This is going on my TBR list. I'm always drawn to the 'what ifs' in life too, especially during my writing. Congratulations to Laurel.Nicolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14674648154579013578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-47762480884305197752016-06-08T08:32:26.025-04:002016-06-08T08:32:26.025-04:00It's funny you mention that because I was thin...It's funny you mention that because I was thinking the same thing. Although I have a strong faith, I've veered away from directly using the theme in a book. I hint to the idea and it being a motivation factor in a life, but never used it full-on in a plot, etc... I'd love to try it soon. S.A. Larsenッhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06241633272588383935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4513702670120363707.post-58328252053515827732016-06-08T08:16:19.644-04:002016-06-08T08:16:19.644-04:00I like that the character has strong faith.I like that the character has strong faith.Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.com