Book Divas

Book Divas were able to interview the hilarious and divalicious Lisi Harrison, author of The Clique books and Cliquetionary.

How did you come up with the ah-mazing lingo the girls use in the books? Is this something that you knew would be there in the beginning or did it evolve as you wrote the first book?

I do alot of staring at the wall whe trying to come up with Clique lingo.  But I know how us girls love to talk in code, so it seems like a must. I tried very hard to make it all up so it would seem unique to the Pretty Committee and the reader would feel included in their inside jokes.
 

Given the way the girls are known for conversing, it seems a natural thing for you to write the Cliquetionary. What was it like to put that together?

It was a blast to put together! I am on such a mission to keep moving forward that it was nice to take a look back and laugh at the crazy world I created and remember all the good times. 
 

The Clique books are also pretty hilarious to read – do you crack yourself up when you are writing?

I really do! I used to share an office with a guy who assumed I was on the phone all day because I'd be laughing so hard!
 

Did you base the characters off of any teens you know or knew?

The characters aren't based on any one person. They are a mix of many people I know, then iced with imagination! I will admit that Layne and alot of her freaky food obsessions come from me. Popcorn dipped in Gulden's Spicy Brown Mustard is ah-mazing. Trust me...I mean Layne.

With what character do you identify most in the books?

I really identify with all of them for one reason or another. Here's the quick breakdown...
Massie:  Her love of fashion and drive to succeed.
Claire:  I’m pretty down to earth and often way too trusting. 
Alicia: I hate to run. (But my boobs are small)
Dylan: I think burps are funny.
Kristen: To be honest I am nothing like Kristen. Not into sports. Never had a scholarship. I'm a brunette. I don't lie to my best friends or pretend I'm somthing I'm not. But hey, she was fun for me to write because I got to explore unfamiliar characteristics.
 

How did your experience as a writer and producer MTV inform your writing?

I learned what appeals to teens. I learned how to hold someone's attention. I learned that everyone wants to fit in and be accepted, no matter how old they are.

You also recently published, Charmed and Dangerous: The Rise of the Pretty Committee. Why did you decide to write a prequel?

I couldn't help wondering what was going on with these girls before they came together, and the only way for me to find out was to write it. It took on a magical quality that surprised me. It's one of my all time favorites.

Tell us about a typical day in the life of writer Lisi Harrison.

I try to start the day with yoga, but that doesn't always happen. Then I get some tea and roll into my office at 10:00am. I check my email, then decide I better get to work so I turn on some music and get cranking. At around 11am I think about lunch (usually sushi). Then I write until 2pm and start thinking about snacks. Then I write more. At 5:30 I head home and think about dinner. Sensing a pattern here?
 

What are you working on now and what should we expect to see in the future?

More Clique and Alpha books. I am developing a brand new series but I'm going to keep that under wraps for now. Not because I don't trust you. But because it's time for my snack.
 

Finally, in your opinion, what does it mean to be a Book Diva?
It means clapping your hands twice and shouting, "Somebody fetch me some tea!" Then realizing I'm alone in a small office and getting it myself.

Thank you for this interview!