Interview: Wendy Toliver, author of Lifted

Please welcome Wendy Toliver, the author of Lifted. You can read my review here. Wendy Toliver has explored a variety of jobs, from impersonating Marilyn Monroe for singing telegrams to impersonating a computer geek at an ad agency.

Now she calls Eden, Utah home and lives with her husband, three little boys, two dogs, cat, crab, and an occasional mole.

When not working on her next novel, Wendy enjoys reading, skiing, acting, traveling, volunteering, and shooting hoops. Though she’s never been mistaken for a Siren, she has been mistaken for the Wendy’s hamburger girl.

1. Describe your new book in 50 words or less.
Poppy hates moving to a Bible belt town, but then two popular girls take her under their wings. They’re shoplifters, and she learns their secret pastime gives her an amazing rush. When her entire world crashes down, Poppy must decide how far she’ll go to protect herself and those she loves.

2. What inspired you to write Lifted? What encouraged you to write about theft?
I was watching a show on TV about how shoplifting is a huge problem, especially with teens, and thought it would make an interesting topic for a book. Most people have either shoplifted themselves, have been tempted to try it, or know someone who has, so I think it’s something we can all relate to.

3. What are you guilty pleasures in life?
Diet Coke, chocolate covered cinnamon bears, sleeping in (or going to bed early), red wine, take-out pizza, Britney Spears's music, "The Vampire Diaries" on TV, car dancing, Aussie accents, lotions and potions, Facebook/Twitter, Target, Red Robin's French fries (can you tell by my answers that I'm hungry? LOL)

4. Everyone reads classics in high school English. Which ones did you love? Which ones should students never be forced to read?

I loved the ones by Oscar Wilde and Charles Dickens. Hated Moby Dick (sorry, Melville).

5. One book you would recommend to absolutely everyone?

Green Eggs and Ham.

6. Are you working on anything at the moment? If so, please tell us a little about it.
I'm working on a paranormal YA but it's in the very beginning stages right now so there's really not much to tell except that it will be very different from anything else I've written.

7. Any last words?

Thanks so much for interviewing me, McKenzie! If anyone wants to check out the book trailer for Lifted (or get more info), take a peek at my web-site: http://wendytoliver.com/lifted.htm
Also, I blog for several amazing YA group blogs, and we love visitors.
http://www.teenfictioncafe.blogspot.com/
http://www.booksboysbuzz.com/
http://www.pulserocom.com/

Finally, I just wanted to mention that I love visiting schools, libraries, bookstores, and book clubs (in person or via Skype) so contact me if you're interested. http://www.wendytoliver.com/contact.htm

Thanks so much for joining us Wendy!