Monday, December 6, 2010

GRAFFITI WALL: Lisa & Laura Roecker, authors of LIAR SOCIETY

The Graffiti Wall has been on hiatus. So many wonderful authors were splattering their journeys on the wall, I needed some clean-up time.

But that time is over...at least for this week.

I'm thrilled to be featuring two amazing writers, mothers, wives, and all around great blogoteers!! Their blog posts share snippets about their writing experiences, some awesome fashion tips--our should I say FASHION DON'TS--and great food suggestions that can boost the average brain power of a writer. But my favorite is their  snark ~ some of the best I've ever read. If you're not following them, it's not too late! YOU can start today.
Lisa & Laura Roecker, authors of THE LIAR'S SOCIETY (due out March 1, 2011) 


When you made the decision to pair your writing, what did you initially write? Was there one writing moment that convinced you that you could do this together?

Honestly, the moment we determined that we could actually do this together came the morning after our late-night conversation where we decided we would try writing. We called each other and said, “Do you still want to do this?” “Yeah?” “Yeah.” and that was it!

We had the totally innovative idea (along with a million other writers) to modernize the classics. We began with THE NORTH SHORE, based loosely on PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. As the rejections began rolling in and some agents were kind enough to provide a bit of feedback, we learned that we nailed the voice, but our plot was broken.

You have a unique relationship...and you're lucky to have it. What team-strength do you bring to your love of writing? 

It’s funny because although we are sisters, and extremely similar, we bring very different strengths to writing. Because of this, we could never do it alone! Lisa is extremely witty and gifted with dialogue. Laura’s strength is in the details and setting. Lisa is also a marketing genius as well as the brains behind the bulk of our ideas. But as the younger sister, Laura appreciates being told what to do!

I know you've developed a system for writing together. Ever have any glitches?

When we are outlining together, Lisa loves to plot out chapters, spewing ideas left and right. She absolutely hates when Laura pokes holes in her plot. Laura loves it.

Hah! I bet she does.

I hear there's a frog fetish among you. Care to elaborate? Oh, please...

Lisa collects frog paraphernalia, she has since we were little. Her house is absolutely covered with frog stuff! She just can’t get enough! EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM LISA: This is the LAST time I let Laura answer our interview questions.

'K, major excitement about The Liar Society! Tell us a bit about the book. 

LIAR SOCIETY features Kate Lowry whose best friend Grace died the year before. On the anniversary of Grace’s death, Kate receives the following email from her:
Kate,
I'm here…
sort of. 
Find Cameron.
He knows.
I shouldn't be writing.
Don't tell.
They'll hurt you.

Kate has no choice but to play detective and prove once and for all that Grace’s death was more than just a tragic accident. The emails continue and Kate is forced to confront the school's resident druggie, a sketchy administrator and even her own demons. 

As she moves closer and closer to the truth, she teams up with a couple of knights-in-(not so)shining armor--the dangerously attractive, bad boy, Liam and her love-struck neighbor, Seth.

The three uncover an ancient secret lurking in the halls of their elite private school with the power to destroy them all.  

But the truth doesn’t always set you free. Sometimes it’s only the beginning.

Is Kate more like Lisa or Laura? 

Kate is definitely more like Lisa. She’s confident, witty and independent. Kate is super-brave though and we’re both afraid of the dark.  EDITORIAL NOTE FROM LISA: Ok, this answer totally makes me forgive Laura for that crap about the frogs.

Pluggy from me: You all have to check out their Liar Society website. It's way cool and you can even download the first chapter!!

Your blog posts always sound off the cuff and real. How do you decide who does what, when, and topics to cover? Any advice for writers just starting to blog? 

Lisa always, always, always wanted an excuse to blog. When we began writing that was one of the first things she did: start a blog! We usually discuss the week ahead and try to come up with topics we’d like to write about. We usually create posts the night before, unless we have an interview or giveaway scheduled. It seems a bit more timely that way. Our advice for newbie bloggers? Use the blog as a way to find your voice. 

Perfect advice, and a great exercise.

We represent ourselves as writers every time we tap the keyboard, write a piece or comment on a blog. What do you believe are the most important elements to creating a writer's platform? 

We have worked really hard to build a network of writers and readers online. Because there are two of us, we try to work as a team as much as possible—have even gone so far as to not sign our emails because we’re kind of a unit. It’s also incredible what can be done these days with social networking. For us, the biggest elements that have helped us build a platform have been blogging, vlogging and social networking. 

Sniggers. You mention Brenda Walsh on your website. Who's more like her?

Lisa all the way. She’s snarky just like B. Walsh. Laura is so Kelly. She loves culottes and unflattering haircuts.

Now this is spoken directly to YOU, MY FANGTASTIC FOLLOWERS! These lovely ladies are offering up a FIRST FIVE PAGES CRITIQUE! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post and on December 20th, I'll announce the winner, chosen by a random generator.

The lucky winner will also receive a package of these.

And a six pack of this.

Feel free to blog(+5) about this, sidebar post (+3) tweet it(+2 each time), or Facebook(+2 each time), or any other media (+2 each time) for extra entries. Just leave me the links with your comment. 

So yeah...I don't think I need to tell you how amazing this pair is. You can find them on their Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Teenfire, and Goodreads. AND please give them some support and pick up THE LIAR SOCIETY  it's released in March.

Have a question for the girls? Leave it in the comments.

30 comments:

  1. Great interview. I'm always so impressed when two writers can co-author a book and make it seem like it's only one person writing.

    I'd love to win. I commented on Facebook. Here's the link: http://www.facebook.com/home.php? Should be 3 entries.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I can't wait for this. I love these gals. I was so excited when they followed my blog. I will blog about tomorrow :) +5
    put in my sidebar +3
    I'll tweet it. +2 @mywritingjourne

    blog: www(dot)christinedanek(dot)blogspot(dot)com
    I would love to win this. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is the BEST interview EVER. LiLa are two of my fav bloggers. I can't believe I haven't checked out their website yet. I'm already planning to buy the book (that's a given), so I haven't read the first chapter yet.

    *runs off to check out website*

    ReplyDelete
  4. YAY LiLa--you know I <<<<<<333333 you, girls! So excited for you--and the first chapter is DA BOMB!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great interview, cant wait for this book!

    Tweet it(+2 each time): http://twitter.com/#!/sithereandread/status/11788101349281792
    Facebook(+2 each time): http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=183080858373346&id=143115032407903

    Thanks!!

    sithereandread(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Three of my favorite ladies in the same place? Awesome! Great interview, thanks all.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for having us Sheri! And thanks for all the fab comments guys! We'll check back throughout the day so if you've got questions leave 'em here! XOXO - L&L

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great interview! I'm always amazed that Lisa and Laura can write together. That takes some teamwork that I don't think I could do. They are awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love those two!! They always make me smile. You don't have to enter me in the contest, but I wanted to comment and say hello!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love these girls! They were one of the first blogs I found and I loved their voice. Not surprising that they found their voice on the blog--because the blog is that good! :o)

    Thanks for sharing, ladies. And thanks for sharing them, Sheri. :o) Have a great day!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Those two are awesome! I can't wait to read the book when it comes out! =)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Who doesn't adore LiLa?! Great interview, Sheri. I'll get some links up and let you know my pointage. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  13. that is too cool! And I bet it's fun to have a sister to write with... it made me fast-forward in my head to when my little girls might be old enough to do this. Awww! :o) <3

    ReplyDelete
  14. Fantastic interview. Great questions, awesome answers. I would love to win!

    Tweeted: http://twitter.com/NicoleZoltack/status/11894879093264384
    FB: http://www.facebook.com/nicole.zoltack

    So I think that's 5.

    Question for the lovely writing sisters: I've written several stories, so has my sister, and I've been toying with the idea of asking her to write a story with me. How does cowriting a story work?

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thanks for the great contest! You know about my Twizzler obses- *ahem* Twizzler Love
    rivkarno1(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  16. hi miss sheri! wow that was a neat interview. im thinking that book is gonna be too old for me but for sure i could tell more older ones about it. whats snark mean? i see that word lots. do you think miss laura and miss lisa ever get fighting with each other sometimes? it could be pretty had writing together if you get mad at each other.
    ...smiles and hugs from lenny

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'm so happy to see a co-author relationship create something awesome! I just wish my new co-author and I can co-exist in the same novel as well. Congratulations on the new release I can't wait to hear more about it.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Sounds like you two have a blast working together! Looking forward to your book!
    Sheri, another upbeat interview - great way to start the week! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  19. LOVE them Lovelovelove them. *wants to win*

    ReplyDelete
  20. Great interview. I love these girls- they crack me up.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Super interview. The book sounds fantastic. I tweeted the post. http://twitter.com/beverlymcclure

    ReplyDelete
  22. Okay, I had to come out of blogging hibernation for this opportunity. Love these girls! Great interview.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Awesome!! Love LiLa ;o) Nice to know a little more about ya ;o)

    Great interview!

    ReplyDelete
  24. You all are so wonderful for stopping by and supporting Lila. They were a blast to interview, but that was no surprise. Can't wait for The book release, either!

    Thanks again, ladies.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Wonderful interview. Now I gonna have to head over to the book store. Again. They're getting all my money. :-)

    Here's my links for 12 entries:
    Blog (will post contest tomorrow) & Sidebar [http://writesbymoonlight.wordpress.com/]
    Tweet [http://twitter.com/#!/NatashaHanova/status/12152328912117760]
    Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/profile.php?id=100001023199536]

    ReplyDelete
  26. Great interview! I love that you gals can actually get along. I don't think my sister and I would survive such a journey together. LOL.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Their book sounds great - this is the first time I've read what it's about though I've heard the title many times. And what a generous giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  28. This interview as awesome. You asked so many questions that I've wanted answered about writing duos. Thanks for the fun!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Great interview. Liar Society sounds wonderful.

    ReplyDelete

!SPLAT Your Awesomeness! I'd love to hear from you!

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails

MY STATS