Please join me in welcoming Crystal Allen, whose middle grade novel HOW LAMAR'S BAD PRANK WON A BUBBA-SIZED TROPHY debuted last month.
I had the privilege of meeting Crystal at the SCBWI conference in LA last summer. She is such a lovely person, I just knew I had to do a World's Quickest Interview (WQI) with her.
The rules for a WQI are simple. I ask short questions and she gives me short answers. So, without further ado....
Describe your book in one sentence.
Thirteen-Year-Old Lamar Washington always strikes out with the girls so he decides to change his image from dud to stud.How long have you been writing?
I've always loved to write, but it was more along the lines of rhyming poems.
Who or what inspired this book?
This book started as a sample for a ghost-writing opportunity and blossomed into a very fun novel!
How long did it take you to write this book?
Four years. (That includes edits from my agent!)
Besides writing, what do you like to do most?
Hang out with my family.
If you had to be an animal, what would you be?
A Lemur. I like to move it-move it!
Play it safe or out on a limb?
Out on a limb of course! I'm a Lemur!
Are you good at math?
No.
Tell us three things you would do in a perfect day.
cruise, write, laugh
Any advice for aspiring writers?
Do not listen to the little voice in your head that says "I can't." That is not the voice of truth.
Thank you, Crystal, for taking the time to be a World's Quickest Interviewee!
Doesn't her book sound great, people? Crystal doesn't have a blog (though she does have a very cool website), so take a few moments to tell her how cool she is in the comments. I know it will make her day.
Thanks for the interview! Crystal's novel looks like something the kids and I would enjoy. We love funny books.
ReplyDeleteI have this novel on order...I read a little excerpt and it really hooked me. Fresh and funny and middle grade...my very favorite things :D
ReplyDeleteLOL I love her response to the 'playing safe or writing on a limb' question.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of a WQI and Crystal sounds great. She's so right when she says to never listen to that little voice that says 'I can't' because we can, can't we!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! And that sounds like a very fun book.
ReplyDeleteWQI- I love it. Sounds like a fun book- I love to read books to the kids that get them laughing. Thanks Amy and Crystal!
ReplyDeleteYou had me from the title. I'll hae to check this out.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the interview, Crystal and Amy!
Thanks for the great interview. This book sounds like something my kiddos would enjoy!
ReplyDeleteSuper interview! I'll look for Crystal's book. It sounds like a fun read. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun interview! The book sounds great, and I'm looking forward to checking out her website.
ReplyDeleteWQI is brilliant! I love short interviews. This book sounds like so much fun. I'm going to tell my 11-year-old sons about it. And that title is the best EVER.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteChrystal lives in Houston (where I am.) She did a presentation a while ago at our local SCBWI chapter and had us all howling! AND, I had the honor of attending her book launch last month. She really is a delight and Lamar is a hoot.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing her interview with us!
Fun interview! Both Crystal and HOW LAMAR'S BAD PRANK WON A BUBBA-SIZED TROPHY sound great! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the great comments, everyone! I can't wait to get Crystal's book, too. :)
ReplyDeleteAmy
Thanks for the quickie interview. I'll have to pick this one up for my son ... it's great catching up on your blog. Have a beautiful and blessed Easter season.
ReplyDelete