Author Interview: Lisa Schroeder

Today, I have the one and only, Lisa Schroeder! Her most recent YA title, Chasing Brooklyn, was released on January 5! I've read I Heart You, You Haunt Me and it was amazing!


Did you always want to become an author?
I think so. My grandma saved a little book I made her, complete with illustrations, at the age of 8 and gave it to me awhile back. I couldn't believe she kept it all this time! So I certainly loved books and dreamt about writing books for a very long time. I didn't start writing seriously for kids and teens until about nine years ago or so. Everywhere I turned, people talked about how competitive it is and how hard it is to get published, but I kept trying, because I really wanted it to happen.

What inspired you to write I Heart You, You Haunt Me?
I had a dream about a girl whose boyfriend died and he loved her so much, he didn't want to leave her, and so he came back as a ghost. I got up the very next morning and started writing. The first pages of the book are very much the same as those first pages I wrote that day.

What about Far From You?
I have a journal where I write down words, phrases, things I like, etc. Many of my books come about from a few seeds of ideas and Far From You is one of those books. I'd always wanted to do something with Alice in Wonderland elements. I'd always wanted to do something where the main character is a singer/songwriter and actually writes a couple of songs for the book. And I had thought that a story taking place in the snow, in a blizzard, would work really well in verse. So, I combined those three things, and Far From You was born.
Who are your favorite authors?
I'm a huge fan of Laurie Halse Anderson. I think she is such a great writer. I also love Suzanne Collins, John Green, Sarah Dessen, Mary Pearson, Christine Fletcher, Tracie Zimmer, and Jennifer Donnelly.

What are some of your favorite books?
Definitely The Hunger Games series. Some books I was able to read early on from writing friends that aren't out yet - Flash Burnout by L.K. Madigan and Princess For Hire by Lindsey Leavitt. The Miles Between by Mary Pearson. The Floating Circus by Tracie Zimmer, as well as her novel in verse, Reaching For Sun. I could go on and on, but I'll stop there.

Are there any characters from the books you wrote have a similar personality with you? How?
Ava is probably a little like me in that when I was in high school, I had a group of girlfriends that were really special to me. Her and her friends remind me of us back then. I also love baking cookies and giving them to people, which Ava likes to do.

Do you have any upcoming books?
Yes, in January I'll have another YA novel coming out, another ghost story, called Chasing Brooklyn. I hope people who liked I Heart You, You Haunt Me will enjoy this one as well. In March, I have a mid-grade novel coming out for younger readers called It's Raining Cupcakes.

Thanks so much for having me here, it's been a real pleasure!!
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Thanks Lisa! Everyone, be sure to check out Lisa's books! =)