Welcome Guest Blogger Tina Ferraro

ferraro_pic1BEFORE I LEARNED MY ABC’S…

I have been asked several times by interviewers how I came up with the idea for my January release, The ABC’s of Kissing Boys.  A good question, whose answer—in a nutshell—is that I knew I wanted to do a soccer story, but then was struck with this title idea, and racked my brains to find a way to make it all work.

The truth, though, is that the idea was the easy part.  The real labor of love was bringing this story to life: finding the right tone, the right characters, the flow.

The book takes place in Minnesota, so it being the land of 10,000 lakes, it seemed natural to open the book on a lakeshore. And I loved the idea of a group of teens playing the kissing game, Dentist.  Every morning I got up before sunrise and started pounding away on it.  I felt sure if I worked long enough/hard enough, this “great idea” of mine would take shape.  Days passed.  Weeks.  I moved from page to page until I had to take Advil to ease eyestrain and headache.

ferraro_kissing_boysI started feeling like the living embodiment of that old joke about the writer who boasts that he wrote forty pages that week. Forty first pages. 

My critique partner, author Kelly Parra, was infinitely patient with me as the weeks turned into months, reading attempt after attempt, encouraging me, making suggestions, and holding my cold, clammy hand. 

Still, the day came when my agent, Nadia Cornier, called to find out why she still hadn’t seen a first chapter.  I caved.  I told her my eyes had gone blurry, my head blank.  The story wasn’t working, I was going to quit. 

Now, if any of you know Nadia, you will not be surprised by her reaction.  Instead of accepting this news, she basically got in my face and told me to go try again. It was a great idea, she insisted, I was a strong writer, I could do this.   

Dutiful client that I am, I wiped the tears and went back to the keyboard.  With nothing more to lose, I decided to throw caution to the wind.  I would abandon those elements I so wanted to use, and just let the characters take over.

I’d start…with dialogue.  Soon, a line came to me: “You’re late.”

I paused to feel my main character’s reaction to this accusation.  Because after all those hours of living inside this girl’s body, I knew her.

And there it was—yes.  I felt it.  I knew what she’d think, what she’d say, and wouldn’t say.  

I had a direction.  I had—maybe—a story.

From then on, it flowed pretty easily.  With some laughs and some unexpected turns, and the general feeling that I had told the right story the right way.

My agent loved it, my editor loved it, and as of this week, it’s on bookshelves.     

And for the record?  Remember that lakeside setting I just couldn’t get past?  Look for it in the opener to my next book, When Bad Flings Happen to Good Girls.  And who knows, a rousing game of Dentist may appear in one of my future books, too! 

***

Please leave a comment or question to enter to win a copy of THE ABC’S OF KISSING BOYS. Entries accepted until midnight PST.

To learn more about Tina and her books, please visit her website.

By Cindy

I'm irritated because my posts won't publish.

38 comments

  1. Hey Tina!

    GREAT story about plowing through the indecision and false starts. And love the title of your next book too! No need to enter me in the contest – you know I’m off to buy it this weekend – but wanted to say HAPPY RELEASE WEEK! 🙂

    Cheers,
    Kay

  2. Thank you, Kay! Can’t wait to hear more about your book when it releases, as well. And when you’re out shopping, if you can’t find ABC’s, please request it! I’m hearing not all stores are carrying it…

  3. Hi, Tina,

    Welcome to the blog! I always buy your books on Canadian Amazon, so that’s another option for your readers, too.

    Of course, nothing beats those spontaneous buys that occur in bookstores.

  5. Aw, thanks, Lauren. Okay, Dentist: need to have a big group of guys and girls. A guy sits in a chair, blindfolded, and three girls kiss him. He declares the winner, blindfold comes off, much embarrassment and hooting. Winner takes the seat…

    Not that I know this from experience, of course. 😉

  6. Hi Tina & Cindy,
    I love hearing how writers come up with their stories. Yours are always so interesting. Happy Release Day!

  7. Hi Tina,

    As the mother of 3 teenage dds, I had to check this out! I would so love to see some YA that appeals to the girls, but is not in the Gossip Girls mode. So I’m off to find an excerpt.

    Good luck with the release!
    Carly

  8. Hi Tina,
    Love, love, love how you crafted the abc’s of kissing boys! It’s amazing when you click with your character, which with the dialogue, you did. I wish you every success with your latest release.
    Sincerely,

    Diana Cosby
    http://www.dianacosby.com
    His Captive/Alexander MacGruder
    His Woman/Duncan MacGruder – 4 star Romantic Times review
    Title TBA/Seathan MacGruder – Date TBA
    Title TBA/Patrik [Cleary] MacGruder

  9. Thanks, Janie!

    And Carly, I hope you found the video and excerpt on my website. My editor and I strive to give all my books a “contemporary tone,” but keep things clean as far as language and sexual situations. I’ve actually been thanked by moms, teachers and school librarians, which has really delighted me.

  10. Terrific story! I’m going through some “stuff” with my wip, so it was interesting to hear. I didn’t know what Dentist was, either. Usually the name doesn’t have such fun connotations for me.

  12. Hey Tina – It’s so inspiring to hear how you kept going back to the drawing board on this one and finally came away with the winning combination. I’m so excited for this book – I pre-ordered it months ago and can’t wait until it arrives! I just love Tina books!

    Congratulations,
    Jessica

  13. Yep, Edie & Kimberley, we all go through this, I think. The brick walls, the doubts. I swear, the one thing that keeps me going through that stage is the knowledge of how good it feels once I break through…

    And aw shucks, thanks, Jessica! 😉

  14. Hi, Tina,

    I didn’t know what Dentist was, either, so thanks to Lauren for asking.

    Tina, what age range do your books suit?

  15. Congratulations on release week! Sounds like a great book. I’m glad you persevered – very inspiring.

  16. Many thanks, Diana! Somehow I missed your comment earlier.

    Cindy, my books are for 12 and up, or middle school and up, which is an American term.

    And thank YOU, Margaret!

  17. Tina,

    LOVE the premise of this book! I’m mum to three tween/teen daughters, and they still have Borders gift certs from Christmas to spend. We’ll look for you in the bookstore this weekend. 🙂

  18. Thanks for the encouraging story of your struggle. My WIP is going to be the story it needs to be–even if it’s in the millionth revision.

  19. Wow, your dentist sounds so much more fun than mine! *VBG*

    I appreciate the encouragement, Tina. Because I’m right there, right now, at the beginning of Chapter One of a new story…with no idea how to proceed.

    It’s great to hear that the Muse will eventually cooperate. (If you threaten enough? Bribes? What the heck works on those dang Muses?) *G*

  20. Tina, you have a way with the titles for your books. They are really fun and just make me want to open them. I think it is unique how that is a core part of your creation process.

    Nice post.

  23. Hello Tina, sometimes writing beginnings can feel like pulling teeth! Two words forwards, three words back… I’m happy to hear it all came together so well for you. This book sounds like lots of fun and I wish you all the best with it.
    xx Francesca

  24. Shelley, thanks! And if the store doesn’t have it (’cause I’ve heard some Borders don’t), please request it? =)

    Chris and Di–yeah, I am soooo there with you guys. Write until your eyes blur and your temples throb…but you’ll get there…

    Megan, Melissa and Francesca–thank you. Your support means so much to me.

    Kelly–well, as I said in the post, you were my ROCK. Thanks for everything.

  25. Hey Tina,

    Your book sound wonderful. I’m always on the lookout for a fun book for my youngest daughter, and this sounds perfect. What an encouraging story on how you got started with this book. Congratulations on the release.

  26. Hi Tina

    Loved your story behind your story. And the dame Dentist? Is this a new game? The only one I ever knew was Spin the Bottle. Your excitement is contagious. I too can not wait to read The ABC’s of Kising Boys. And btw, I LOVE the cover.

  28. Add me to those inspired by your struggle. I’m going through it right now, complete with the teary I-can’t-do-its and yes-you-cans from my agent. 🙂

    My daughter and I would both enjoy this, so if we don’t win, I’ll be buying it!

  30. Hi Tina,
    I loved the story behind the story, or would that be stories. I’m glad you’ll be able to use the lakeside scene in another book. It’s all good fodder, I suppose. Happy release day! I’ll keep my eye out for it and demand swift appearances if I don’t see it stocked!!!

  31. Thanks, Sherri and Tami, I hope your daughters get a hold of the book (FYI: libraries often carry my books) and that they enjoy!

    Janet Davis…THE Janet Davis? Weren’t you THERE for the game of Dentist! 😉 (Spoiler: Janet and I have been friends since 4th grade!)

    Thanks, Natalie, and best of luck to you as you try to scale that book opening wall!

    Melissa–you’re so sweet. Thanks! 😉

    Thanks, Jennifer, and I appreciate you checking the shelves for me!

  32. Tina,

    Thanks for the peak into your creative process. Gives me shivers thinking about months of muse-less musings.

    As the mom of a 13-year-old, who’s more worried about keeping her daughter from kissing all the boys, do you have advice on how to reinforce the positive? In your book, do the A,B,Cs include basic such as love and respect or are those values too old fashioned these days? It seems like the Britney Spears model is changing atttitudes and relationships between mothers and daughters these days.

    Thanks!

  33. Hi everyone!

    The Magic Safeway Grocery Bag has declared that Carly Carson is the winner of the free autographed copy of Tina Ferraro’s THE ABC’S OF KISSING BOYS. Congratulations, Carly! I’ll contact you by email, and once I have your snail mail address I’ll get it to Tina.

    Thank you again to Tina for guest blogging yesterday. Come back any time. We love ya!

  34. Linda,

    I haven’t yet read Tina’s ABC’s, but I have read her first two YAs, TOP TEN USES FOR AN UNWORN PROM DRESS and HOW TO HOOK A HOTTIE, and I can vouch that her books are chock full of the good stuff, tons of positive reinforcement for teens. I think your daugher would love them. Check them out!

  35. Wonderful questions, Linda! I am ALL ABOUT tolerance, self-esteem and waiting for the right person, the right time… In fact, that last sentence is practically a log line for my first book, TOP TEN USES FOR AN UNWORN PROM DRESS, so if you are checking out my books for your daughter, you might want to start there.

    In THE ABC’S OF KISSING BOYS, the “tips” are pretty mild (i.e., “E” is Eyes Closed is the preference of 66% of kissers”) and the heroine is learning all she can about kissing simply to accomplish the task of giving the prom king one perfect kiss in front of the school. This is an educational quest for the girl–not a way to please her boyfriend.

    I have been complimented for my “hidden morals” by teachers, librarians and parents. But please, take a look at my style for yourself. First chapters of all my books are up on http://www.tinaferraro.com.

    Thanks!

  37. Cindy and Tina,

    Thanks! I’m so excited to win. And chosen by the Magic Safeway Grocery Bag! I feel so special! (Umm, yeah that’s who would choose me.)

    I can’t wait to spread the word. The world of teenage girls needs more books of this type.

    Best, Carly

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