Hi!
How is your Monday going? Mine has been chill, I only have a couple of classes today but I have an essay due for the end of this week that I am rushing to finish in time.
Anyway, around this time last year, I was doing quite a few interviews and I loved doing them. I missed it so I thought I would reach out and see if anyone was interested and low and behold, the author of one of my favourite books from last year: A Bad Boy Stole my Bra by Lauren Price, got in touch. I was on her blog tour last year and I was kindly sent the book in return for an honest review which you can find HERE.
I hope I managed to convey myself well cause I’m not going to lie, I was very very giddy when I found out I was allowed to interview her, so thank you so much for agreeing to this. She was so nice and helpful so you should definitely go check her out and send her some love.
Without further ado, I will get right on with the questions:
Firstly, can you tell us a little about yourself and how you started writing?
My name is Lauren Price, I am now just turned 20 years old and my debut novel was published in Summer 2018. I began writing ABBSMB at the age of fourteen and publishing it on the online writing community Wattpad. It became immensely popular, which is what gave me the courage to begin approaching literary agents for publication!
Favourite food?
I really like Cheerios.
Favourite movie:
I really like the film ‘Letters to Juliet’- I’m not really sure why! My favourite animated film is ‘Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron’ as I watched it so many times growing up: it reminds me of home.
Book other than my own:
I really like the Morganville Vampires series by Rachel Caine, and The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald.
What was your favourite subject when you were my age?
I was quite confused about which was my favourite when I was your age! I had no idea what I wanted to do. The two subjects I most enjoyed were English literature (which I’m currently studying at university) and media studies!
Who would you say was your biggest writing (and non-writing) inspiration as a child?
I used to absolutely love Jacqueline Wilson books- I wanted to write fiction that related to real child/ young teenage issues. She was definitely the inspiration behind a lot of my childhood writing. My mum is a primary school teacher, and she used to give me a list of objects to include in a story- so she was my second inspiration!
If you could say anything to your younger self what would it be?
I would tell her to write as much as possible, to improve and to work on what she loves!
My favourite character was Joe. Though it was a tough call cause I loved them all; but who is your favourite character you’ve written and why?
Emotionally, I’m very attached to Riley. She’s grown with me for the five years of work I put into ABBSMB, and changed massively from when I first created her. We’ve grown together, developed together. She’s a piece of me!
I fell in love with Alec and Riley’s adorable relationship, both as friends and as more – How did you create such a gripping romance that didn’t seem cliche?
That’s a very complex question! I’d definitely say it was a little bit cliche, but hopefully, I bring a bit of freshness, a new idea and twist to it. When I first planned the book I was thirteen- everything I wanted was cliche! I wrote what I wanted to read, but hopefully in the years developing drafts, I’ve managed to shape it into something more original and meaningful.
What was your favourite part of the book to write and why?
My favourite scenes to write were always the friendship scenes- the ones where all of the group are together and their conversation and jokes flow. It’s definitely one of the elements of the book I relate to most closely- the friendships and the way that the characters interact.
The humour and Alec’s one-liners had me in stitches throughout the book and it was probably my favourite part of it, how early on into the writing process did you decide to make that be an element of their banter?
It was a bit of an improvised thing actually! I knew I wanted the book to be light, but I didn’t realise until the Wattpad comments that people would actually find it funny. Alec’s pick up lines were originally included as I felt like they fitted his character and the particular scene, and it was only from commenters that I decided to keep them in and expand it into a wider part of his humour.
Another of my favourite elements was the bond between Alec and his sister because it reminded me so much of me and my brother. How did you manage to create such an authentic and adorable sibling relationship?
I have two little sisters so I know sibling relationships pretty well! I drew a lot of Jack from my closest sister- we bicker so much but I’m definitely still protective over her.
How do you keep/get inspired when starting something new or are having writer’s block?
I try to stay away from the issue for a couple of days and come back with a fresh mind. Then I mind map it as best as I can, ask for help and come up with as many solutions as possible- this helps me to choose the best possible outcome!
Are you working on anything right now?
I am currently working on a spin-off from ABBSMB- for Chase! It’s very much in the works, and we’ll see about publication!
And finally can you please tell readers how best to contact you?
Definitely instagram – @abbsmb,
or better yet my private account: @laurenpricee_x!
So, That was my interview with the very lovely Lauren Price. As I said earlier, thank you so much to Lauren for answering my questions. Thank you to Ink Road and Black and White Publishing for allowing me to be on the tour last year and read the incredible book that is A Bad Boy Stole My Bra. I have said this many times before, but if you haven’t read it yet you need to. It was my top read of last year by a mile. Lauren, is a huge inspiration to me too so thank you for being yourself? XD I’m getting a bit rambly now. Anyway, in short, Thank you to everyone. I hope you all have a brilliant week. See you soon.
Hawthorn Book Reviews 