Author Review: Tina Ferraro

Name: Tina Ferraro
Age: (my agent won’t let me answer this!)
Best-Known book: Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress

1. Why did you want to start writing?
Because I didn’t know any better! J I was 7 and it was fun!

2. Fave Author:
I love the books that my critique partner, Kelly Parra, writes.

3. Fave Place to Write:
Here at the computer!

4. Fave Food:
Thanksgiving dinner: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie...

5. Fave Book Blog:
The two I participate on, YA Fresh (http://www.yafresh.blogspot.com/) and Buzz Girls (http://www.yawriters.blogspot.com/)

6. Fave Article of Clothing:
My “Stressed Out” sweatshirt.

7. Describe Your Room:
Well, my room being my office...two computer stations, a long, cluttered table, a couple couches, bookshelves and a treadmill.

8. Did you imitate the characters in your book from people in your life?
Not directly, no, but definitely there are stereotypes.

9. What Book are you reading now?

WAKE by Lisa McMann.

10. Do you like to write on the computer or in paper? Why?
Computer. My brain and my fingers are fast!

11. Where did your inspiration for “Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress”?
I saw a book called 101 THINGS TO DO WITH A BRIDESMAID DRESS and it started me thinking...what if it was a prom dress? An UNWORN prom dress. What if the guy dumped her 27 hours before the prom... And away I went! J

12. Are you at all like Kate DelVecchio? Were you inventive/creative as a teen?
NO! Kate and I are polar opposites. She’s directed and calm and methodical, and I’m, um, not. And as a teen, yes, I was very creative, writing stories and inventing games. My friends thought I was a bit weird (but they loved me anyway).

13. What is a bit of the plot from The ABC’s of Kissing Boys?
Parker Stanhope doesn’t make Varsity Soccer with all her JV friends. She devises a crazy-but-might-just-work scheme to encourage the coach to promote her, which requires her to kiss the socks off the prom king at the sports fair.

14. What would you say to a teen trying to get a novel finished and written? One who is trying to actually get it published?
I would tell her/him to remember that storylines are done again and again and again, but your voice is what makes it special. So play with your voice, take risks and have fun, and you can’t go wrong.

15. Anything that you’d have liked me to ask??
How about what’s my favorite TV show? I’m a LOST junkie!

CHOOSE ONE:
Coke or Pepsi: Tough one--I like Coke Classic and Diet Pepsi
Snickers or Kit-Kat: Snickers
L.A. or N.Y.C.: I see the beauty in both.
Roses or Daisies: Roses (‘cause they’re romantic)
Writing or Reading: Writing on good days; reading on bad
Dogs or Cats: I am a cat lady!
CoverGirl or Maybelline: Maybelline, ever since I learned models use their mascara
Texting or Calling: Both, but I’m a slow texter
Butterflies or Fireflies: Fireflies because I like the night!
Cooking or Take-out: Easy, take-out because I hate to cook
Flip-flops or Tennies: tennis, unless I’ve just had a pedicure!

Last One: What is the number 1 item to have with you at all times during the summer?

Um...my driver’s license?