| Interview with Liane Bonin |
First off, thanks so much for joining us for an up-close and personal interview for TeensReadToo.com! My
name is Jen, and I’ll be your server toda…oh, wait, wrong job! Anyway, thanks so much for taking time out of
your writing schedule—which I’m sure is busy!—and answering a few questions for your readers and fans.
Let’s get some of the typical interview questions out of the way first. When did you first know that you
wanted to be a writer?
Fourth grade. I had a teacher who pushed me to let my imagination run wild on every writing assignment she
handed out. In her class, there was no such thing as a “wrong” idea or an illogical plot point, and having that
kind of freedom at an early age was hugely important to me. At the time I think I wanted to be a rock
star/artist/actress/dog trainer/writer (we think Hollywood created the hyphenate, but the credit really goes to
little kids). But after that, I was pretty set on being a writer, period. Which was convenient, because I hate
math.
Can you tell us a little bit about your road to publishing?
I’ve been an entertainment journalist for roughly 150 years (or maybe it just feels that way), so it seemed
like a natural progression to write a book about what it’s really like in Hollywood. And hopefully doing so
under the protective cover of fiction will keep me from getting sued!
Tell us a little bit about either your latest or upcoming release. If you could only tell your readers one thing
about the story that had to convince us to buy the book, what would it be?
Most of us think we know what Hollywood is really like from reading Us Weekly and People magazine. We
feel like we know Lindsay, and Paris, and Nicole, and Scarlett. But the truth is, we only get half of the story.
I’ve drawn on my years of experience as an entertainment reporter (Entertainment Weekly, Teen People,
Maxim, The Los Angeles Times) to give readers a novel that’s true to the spirit of the “real” Hollywood. It’s
glamorous, it’s gritty, and it’s an honest-to-God roller coaster ride. But it’s not just about celebrity life. It’s
about a friendship that’s put to the test. It’s about falling dangerously in love. And it’s about the devastating
consequences of one character’s betrayal – not only of a friend, but of herself.
The book (Celebrity Skin) is in stores Feb. 6, 2007, but you can pre-order on Amazon now!
What, or who, has been the greatest inspiration for your stories?
I couldn’t possibly pick just one! A whole pack of my college friends inspired the character of Erin. And
Taylor? Well, pick up any celebrity-oriented magazine and you’ll see at least a few of her doppelgangers.
Let’s hear about your family, who I’m sure are thrilled to have a published author among them!
My husband is my muse. He reads everything I write, gives me incredibly insightful story notes, and cheers
me on from the sidelines when I’m tearing out my hair and threatening to toss my computer out the nearest
window. Plus, he’s really easy on the eyes. That’s a good thing to have in a muse, even when it’s somewhat
distracting.
Now for some fun facts. What’s your greatest comfort food?
Lately, it’s pho bo vien. I will crawl on my elbows for good Vietnamese food. Otherwise, Scharffen Berger
70% Cacao Bittersweet chocolate.
What are the first three things you do when you wake up in the morning?
Put on clothes. Walk three dogs who are much more awake than I ever will be. Eat breakfast.
If I came to your house and looked in your closet/attic/basement, what’s the one thing that would surprise
me the most?
That one person can own so many shoes.
Everyone asks the question about “if you could be a tree, which tree would you be?” so I want to know: If
you could be a color, which color would it be, and why?
Black. I’m a recovering goth kid. My closet looks like a black hole (with the exception of the occasional pink
t-shirt or pair of jeans). Growing up in Florida, it was always too hot to wear black, so now that I’m in
California I can’t get enough. On a deeper level, I have a black sense of humor, so it works inside and out.
Who is your favorite cartoon character? Which cartoon character is most like you?
Enid in Ghost World. She’s my favorite “cartoon” (I prefer graphic novel, ahem) character and she’s a lot like
who I was as a teenager. And hey, we’re both rocking the glasses.
If you could beam yourself to anywhere in the world (“Beam me up, Scotty!”), during any time in history,
where and when would it be—and why?
Whenever I fantasize about how much fun it would be to pop up during the Renaissance or ancient Egypt, I
remember how much I like modern plumbing. If pressed, maybe I’d choose the roaring ‘20s in New York or
Paris, because I hear F. Scott and Zelda knew how to throw a party.
So what’s your favorite type of music to listen to? Favorite musical artists? Do you listen to music while
you’re writing?
Mostly alternative, a category which means almost nothing but seems to include anyone who’s doing
anything even remotely interesting. I love Elvis Costello, Jon Brion, Sleater-Kinney, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs,
the Smiths, She Wants Revenge, Arctic Monkeys. Siouxsie and the Banshees. And, when I’m tired of lyrics,
Samuel Barber and Phillip Glass. I can’t listen to music when I’m writing, so right now that means I’m only
cranking the car stereo.
Do you have any favorite T.V. shows? Movies you watch over and over again? What was the last movie you
saw at the theater?
Lately, I’m watching The Office (American, not BBC). I can never get too much of “Harold and Maude” or
“Heathers.” The last movie I saw in theaters was horrible and I dare not speak its name (I go to a lot of
movies for free for my job).
You have the chance to give one piece of advice to your teen readers. What would it be?
Don’t let teachers squash the creativity and ambition out of you. Question authority. That’s more than one
piece of advice, but hey, I don’t like to follow the rules.
One last question. What stories can we look forward to from you in the future?
There are two sequels to “Celebrity Skin” due in stores in 2007. I can’t tell you too much about “Pretty on
the Outside” or “Idol Talk,” except to say Taylor and Erin continue their journey through a Hollywood that’s
sometimes dark, sometimes glitzy, and always an adventure.
Again, thanks so much for joining us at TeensReadToo.com!
name is Jen, and I’ll be your server toda…oh, wait, wrong job! Anyway, thanks so much for taking time out of
your writing schedule—which I’m sure is busy!—and answering a few questions for your readers and fans.
Let’s get some of the typical interview questions out of the way first. When did you first know that you
wanted to be a writer?
Fourth grade. I had a teacher who pushed me to let my imagination run wild on every writing assignment she
handed out. In her class, there was no such thing as a “wrong” idea or an illogical plot point, and having that
kind of freedom at an early age was hugely important to me. At the time I think I wanted to be a rock
star/artist/actress/dog trainer/writer (we think Hollywood created the hyphenate, but the credit really goes to
little kids). But after that, I was pretty set on being a writer, period. Which was convenient, because I hate
math.
Can you tell us a little bit about your road to publishing?
I’ve been an entertainment journalist for roughly 150 years (or maybe it just feels that way), so it seemed
like a natural progression to write a book about what it’s really like in Hollywood. And hopefully doing so
under the protective cover of fiction will keep me from getting sued!
Tell us a little bit about either your latest or upcoming release. If you could only tell your readers one thing
about the story that had to convince us to buy the book, what would it be?
Most of us think we know what Hollywood is really like from reading Us Weekly and People magazine. We
feel like we know Lindsay, and Paris, and Nicole, and Scarlett. But the truth is, we only get half of the story.
I’ve drawn on my years of experience as an entertainment reporter (Entertainment Weekly, Teen People,
Maxim, The Los Angeles Times) to give readers a novel that’s true to the spirit of the “real” Hollywood. It’s
glamorous, it’s gritty, and it’s an honest-to-God roller coaster ride. But it’s not just about celebrity life. It’s
about a friendship that’s put to the test. It’s about falling dangerously in love. And it’s about the devastating
consequences of one character’s betrayal – not only of a friend, but of herself.
The book (Celebrity Skin) is in stores Feb. 6, 2007, but you can pre-order on Amazon now!
What, or who, has been the greatest inspiration for your stories?
I couldn’t possibly pick just one! A whole pack of my college friends inspired the character of Erin. And
Taylor? Well, pick up any celebrity-oriented magazine and you’ll see at least a few of her doppelgangers.
Let’s hear about your family, who I’m sure are thrilled to have a published author among them!
My husband is my muse. He reads everything I write, gives me incredibly insightful story notes, and cheers
me on from the sidelines when I’m tearing out my hair and threatening to toss my computer out the nearest
window. Plus, he’s really easy on the eyes. That’s a good thing to have in a muse, even when it’s somewhat
distracting.
Now for some fun facts. What’s your greatest comfort food?
Lately, it’s pho bo vien. I will crawl on my elbows for good Vietnamese food. Otherwise, Scharffen Berger
70% Cacao Bittersweet chocolate.
What are the first three things you do when you wake up in the morning?
Put on clothes. Walk three dogs who are much more awake than I ever will be. Eat breakfast.
If I came to your house and looked in your closet/attic/basement, what’s the one thing that would surprise
me the most?
That one person can own so many shoes.
Everyone asks the question about “if you could be a tree, which tree would you be?” so I want to know: If
you could be a color, which color would it be, and why?
Black. I’m a recovering goth kid. My closet looks like a black hole (with the exception of the occasional pink
t-shirt or pair of jeans). Growing up in Florida, it was always too hot to wear black, so now that I’m in
California I can’t get enough. On a deeper level, I have a black sense of humor, so it works inside and out.
Who is your favorite cartoon character? Which cartoon character is most like you?
Enid in Ghost World. She’s my favorite “cartoon” (I prefer graphic novel, ahem) character and she’s a lot like
who I was as a teenager. And hey, we’re both rocking the glasses.
If you could beam yourself to anywhere in the world (“Beam me up, Scotty!”), during any time in history,
where and when would it be—and why?
Whenever I fantasize about how much fun it would be to pop up during the Renaissance or ancient Egypt, I
remember how much I like modern plumbing. If pressed, maybe I’d choose the roaring ‘20s in New York or
Paris, because I hear F. Scott and Zelda knew how to throw a party.
So what’s your favorite type of music to listen to? Favorite musical artists? Do you listen to music while
you’re writing?
Mostly alternative, a category which means almost nothing but seems to include anyone who’s doing
anything even remotely interesting. I love Elvis Costello, Jon Brion, Sleater-Kinney, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs,
the Smiths, She Wants Revenge, Arctic Monkeys. Siouxsie and the Banshees. And, when I’m tired of lyrics,
Samuel Barber and Phillip Glass. I can’t listen to music when I’m writing, so right now that means I’m only
cranking the car stereo.
Do you have any favorite T.V. shows? Movies you watch over and over again? What was the last movie you
saw at the theater?
Lately, I’m watching The Office (American, not BBC). I can never get too much of “Harold and Maude” or
“Heathers.” The last movie I saw in theaters was horrible and I dare not speak its name (I go to a lot of
movies for free for my job).
You have the chance to give one piece of advice to your teen readers. What would it be?
Don’t let teachers squash the creativity and ambition out of you. Question authority. That’s more than one
piece of advice, but hey, I don’t like to follow the rules.
One last question. What stories can we look forward to from you in the future?
There are two sequels to “Celebrity Skin” due in stores in 2007. I can’t tell you too much about “Pretty on
the Outside” or “Idol Talk,” except to say Taylor and Erin continue their journey through a Hollywood that’s
sometimes dark, sometimes glitzy, and always an adventure.
Again, thanks so much for joining us at TeensReadToo.com!