Blog Tour: Pretty Amy by Lisa Burstein (Interview)

Series: Standalone
Genre: YA Contemporary
Publication Date: May 8, 2012
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Pages: 304

Amy is fine living in the shadows of beautiful Lila and uber-cool Cassie, because at least she’s somewhat beautiful and uber-cool by association. But when their dates stand them up for prom, and the girls take matters into their own hands—earning them a night in jail outfitted in satin, stilettos, and Spanx—Amy discovers even a prom spent in handcuffs might be better than the humiliating “rehabilitation techniques” now filling up her summer. Worse, with Lila and Cassie parentally banned, Amy feels like she has nothing—like she is nothing.

Navigating unlikely alliances with her new coworker, two very different boys, and possibly even her parents, Amy struggles to decide if it’s worth being a best friend when it makes you a public enemy. Bringing readers along on an often hilarious and heartwarming journey, Amy finds that maybe getting a life only happens once you think your life is over.

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Interview with Lisa Burstein

Hi, Lisa! Thanks so much for stopping by! 

First of all, are any of the adventures in PRETTY AMY inspired by some of your crazy teenage times?

 I was arrested during my senior year of high school, not for the same reason Amy was, but that was where the kernel came from. I also knew I wanted to write a "shocking" book from a teenage girl's point of view. I feel like you can get away with your character being a murderer, or a jerk, or just a smart ass more easily if your book isn't contemporary and I wanted to try to break that mold with PRETTY AMY. I also wanted to write a contemporary YA book that was about what real teens go through. I feel like teenage girl's lives are complex and I hoped to show that in PRETTY AMY.

How does it feel to know that PRETTY AMY is going to be hitting the shelves in less than A WEEK!? 

CRAZY! I have been waiting for this moment for my whole life and I cannot believe it is finally here. It is beyond anything I could have dreamed!

If you had to write a book about one of the secondary characters, which would you choose? 

Cassie. Well, I am writing a book about her. A companion novel to PRETTY AMY, titled DEAR CASSIE about the aftermath of the girls’ arrest and its effect told through diary entries of Amy’s best friend Cassie.

Did you spend a lot of time caring what others thought about you in high school? 

OMG yes! I still care what others think about me. But high school is the worst. I think being a teenage girl is torture. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. 

What was your favorite part of writing PRETTY AMY? 

Her voice, she is so funny and cynical. She makes me laugh.

You win a lifetime supply of your favorite candy, what do you pick? 

Skittles

You get the lead role on your favorite TV show, which show would you want to star in? 

Well my favorite TV show in Seinfeld. I would definitely love to be Elaine.

You get to kiss one major hottie from a YA book, who's lips are you locking with? 

Daemon Black from Obsidian

Lisa, you are made of so much win! Any thing to add? 

No, just that I hope everyone enjoys reading PRETTY AMY as much as I enjoyed writing it.

It was great having you on the blog!