TTYW,

Lisi

The post Forever Pretenders appeared first on Lisi Harrison.

Alisha here, guest blogging for Lisi today. We’ve decided to start posting the guest spots on her main page so you can find it at more than one site. The Office Elf blog is still up and will be the second home for these posts but, honestly, I was getting lonely over there and wanted a little more Lisi connectivity. Go Team LH! 

…

Some people love to throw around the adage “less is more” without knowing where that saying actually comes from. We saw it first in a Robert Browning poem  called Andrew del Sarto (Called The “Faultless Painter”), which tells the story of the Renaissance artist who possessed great technical skill in his craft, but lacked soul. You know… soul. That elusive aspect… that je ne sais qoui… that infusion of heart from the artist who created the work that hits you in the sweet spot and keeps you coming back for more. If you’re talking about a painting or interior design, I can understand how “less is more” is a popular critique. But if we’re talking about a story filled with the hearts and souls of its characters, more is most definitely more.

Ask any fangirl who just finished reading the very last page in one of her favorite author’s recent books. She wants MORE. We can practically go crazy waiting for the next installment of that lit goodness from a writer we love, and it’s heartbreaking when we’ve reached the end of a series. Like saying good bye to an old friend that’s come along with you on your journey; or more accurately, you’ve come along with them on theirs. Either way, you’ve connected with the heart of that story and you want more of it–plain and simple. Don’t believe me?

I rest my case. However, I think we’re on the same side of the gavel here so I know you’ll be as excited as I was to check out Barnes & Noble’s website for License to Spill, the second installment in the Pretenders series, and to see they’ve leaked a little more of the story for Lisi’s readers to devour. Want the first 24 pages and missed the reveal? Here you go. Want more? Thought so. License to Spill drops June 24th. We’re in the home stretch!

Lisi will be back next week with her usual post. We spoke this morning and she said she misses you guys. We’d love to see more of you here on the blah-g. What would you like to see more of each week?

xx,

Alisha

The post Series Strength appeared first on Lisi Harrison.

Do you think that makes me doubt my career choice? Question my ability to make my looming deadline? Make me wish I could get that clothing airstream I’ve always dreamed of and walk off the job?

YES! YES IT DOES.

And so I will quit. I will stop writing because I have nothing interesting to say. I will also stop because the word “interesting” is one of the least descriptive words in the world and I just used it. In public. So this is me quitting. Bye. Of course, I will be back at my desk tomorrow. Because I’m responsible and not the beneficiary of a trust fund? Maybe. Because I don’t have an airstream? Given. But mostly because talent doesn’t make a writer good. Desire does. And I have plenty of that. Starting tomorrow.

How was that for an off-the-top-of-my-head riff. Did I just compose jazz?

TTYW,

Lisi

The post Quit For Brains appeared first on Lisi Harrison.

Will there be homework? Uh, yeah. Sorry. I need to make it legit or they won’t take me seriously. But it will be cool homework.

Like this: Name three people in your life that you know really well. Now think of a single scenario. Write journal entries in all three characters’ voices about that one scenario.

For example: The three people I pick are my mom, by best friend, and BeeBee, my chihuahua.

The scenario: There is a wallet full of cash on the street. Now I have to become my mom and write what she would write about the wallet. Then I do the same thing as my friend, and then my dog. I’d do my best to use their expressions and process the scenario the way they would. It’s a great way to teach you about different “voices” and character distinction and it’s actually fun.

If this is something you guys would be into, let me know and I’ll be there. I’ll be the one driving the jazzy boutique truck.

Lots to look forward to in 2014! Have a Happy Holiday season and I’ll see you back here on January 8th with a brand new website. Keeping it fresh, baby.

Thank you Laila N. for making this incredible Pretenders post. I ah-dore it. Not pretending.

Impossibly-Tiger Blogspot

TTY1.8.14,

Mrs. Harrison (your teacher.)

The post Teach His Own appeared first on Lisi Harrison.

POST YOURS by messaging me on Facebook or Tumblr and submitting your confession, or just tweet it @LisiHarrison or comment on Instagram @Lisi4RealHarrison. That’s it!

TTYW,

Lisi

The post 10 PreTENders appeared first on Lisi Harrison.

On Monday everything was fine. But that Sunday night sadness always returned, bringing with it a giant hose that connected to my oddly deep belly button and sucked the happy right out of me.

Today things are different. Sunday is now Funday. How, you ask? Pretending, of course.

The Pretenders Guide To Loving The Day You Hate.

1.     Create a killer playlist with all of your favorite happy songs. Only play it on Day You Hate. 

This is Sheridan Spencer’s playlist from Pretenders.

How To Be A Heartbreaker – Marina and the Diamonds
Diamonds – Rihanna
Give Your Heart a Break – Demi Lovato
Beautiful – Christina Aguilera
Blue Jeans – Lana Del Rey
Obsessed – Mariah Carey
All I Want Is Everything – Victoria Justice
Popular – Wicked
Defying Gravity – Wicked
Never Alone – Fame
Body Electric – Fame
High Flying Adored – Evita
Light My Candle – Rent
Nothing – Chorus Line
What I did For Love – Chorus Line
Maybe – Annie

2. Settle on your outfit for the day before Day You Hate. Nothing kills a day faster than an outfit disaster. (I just made that up. Feel free to Tweet it.)

  *This graphic designer clearly hates Mondays. Keep reading Designer. I can help.

3. Be glad you’re not a baby animal. They’re cute, sure, but what guy is going to take one to prom?

4.  Plan one thing you can look forward to on Day You Hate. A bar usually helps me…Salad bar, of course.

5.  Pretend it’s not Day You Hate! (Note: This is for advanced Pretenders only. Clearly Graphics Designer is one of them.)

For more tips on pretending, pick up a copy of Pretenders, available wherever incredibly awesome books are sold.

TTYW,

Lisi

The post Pretenders Guide: Love The Day You Hate appeared first on Lisi Harrison.

Got homework? Pretend it’s done. #Wearepretenders

Got practice? Pretend you have cramps. #Wearepretenders

Got no ride? Pretend you have to buy an important book for school (#Wearepretenders) and tell the most gullible licensed driver you know to take you to…

Tuesday, October 15th

Barnes & Noble

7881 Edinger Ave.

Huntington Beach, CA

7pm – 9pm

Wednesday, October 16

Mrs. Nelsons Toy and Book Shop

1030 Bonita Ave.

La Verne, CA

5pm – 7pm

I can’t wait to see you!!

Lisi

The post California, Here I Come appeared first on Lisi Harrison.

Today is the day, my friends!!!! I am so excited to share this novel with you. Finally!!! This is why I am posting today instead of my usual Wednesday. I seriously can’t be contained. I have lived with these secrets long enough. I must share.

Being a Pretender is lonely. Like in a superhero sort of way. You have this public persona and then this whole other thing going on internally and if you’re any good at it, no one knows. You must become your own best friend. Your own voice of reason. And most importantly, your own photographer. Stay calm little P’s. My Pretender’s Guide to the Perfect Selfie will help. At least with the picture part.

1) Chin up, buttercup. Lift your face to the camera to avoid shar pei neck. Less is more when it comes to chins. If I wanted to see a pair of C’s I’d peek down my own shirt. #wearepretenders  (I’m a B.)

2) Choose your backgrounds wisely. There’s nothing wrong with having a toilet behind you if you’re relieving yourself. But if you’re selfie-ing yourself? There’s nothing hot about the pot. (There’s a “take a crop” joke in here somewhere. I’ll keep working on it and get back to you.)

3) Any seasoned Pretender knows it’s okay to get help as long as you get all the credit. Not a very kind thing to do when another human is involved, but an App? Please. Apps are born to please. In fact, did you know that App stands for Aim (to) please please?  So download a self-timer app, line up your pose, and take your sweet selfie-time. Then, 5… 4… 3… 2… 1… SMILE!

4) Don’t be a glass kisser. You won’t look sweet or cute or seductive. You will look like a quack. So duck off.

5) What do you mean my eyes aren’t green? The camera doesn’t lie. (Filters do. Know’m’sayin?)

Now fly, little P’s. Fly!!! Snap a selfie and show me what you’ve learned. Extra points if there’s a copy of PRETENDERS in the background.

If you live near Laguna Beach or have a private jet, come see me this Thursday, October 3rd from 5-6pm at Laguna Beach Books in Laguna Beach. I’ll be signing books, giving away S.W.A.P.s, and more secrets to faking your way to fabulous. If you can’t make it and must have a S.W.A.P you’re in luck. They’re out today!!!

http://www.gorjana-griffin.com/gorjana/jewelry/bracelets/lisi-harrison-piece.html

TTYNW,

Lisi

The post Selfie-Help: A Pretender’s Guide to the Perfect Selfie appeared first on Lisi Harrison.

We’ve all heard the phrase, fake it ’til you make it. But these master pretenders started after they made it. Or maybe fame gave them the means to become the people they were truly meant to be. It’s impossible to know. If only we had their journals…

5. Snooki from MTV’s Jersey ShoreFrom naughty to hottie.

4. Miley Cyrus

From ah-dore to hard core.

3. Justin Timberlake

From rapper to dapper.

2. Heidi Montag of MTV’s Laguna Beach

From girl-next-door to door-knockers.

1. Lady Gaga, queen of pretending

From prim to grim to him.

* * *

I’m off to L.A. to talk the talk. Gonna try and make Pretenders into a TV show, baby! Wish me luck!!!

And if you didn’t hear the news yesterday,  pre-order your copy of PRETENDERS now to find out which Noble High freshmen are faking amazing and why. The first 25 people to post a screen shot of their receipt on my Facebook page will win a sneak peek of book #2, License To Spill. Want me to sign your copy? Choose the VIP option at the link!

Pre-Order PRETENDERS here

TTYW,

Lisi

The post Fake It to the Limit appeared first on Lisi Harrison.

What do you say? Can we at least try it once and see how it goes?

Shhhhhh. Don’t speak. I’ll leave you with the details and you can think about it. But don’t think too long or someone else may come along and steal your spot. No pressure. Just saying…

If you’re feeling it–feeling us–click on this link: Little, Brown Live at the Lounge
on Tuesday, September 24th at 7pm EST / 4pm PST. I’ll be the one wearing the S.W.A.P. (Sealed With A Promise) bracelets and the shy smile. I’ll show you the colors and designs we chose and tell you how to get one for yourself. Of course we’ll chat about   PRETENDERS, boys, school, friends, fashion, my past series, my future series, our plans for the future.

Nervous? Don’t be. Megan McCafferty, author of Jessica Darling’s It List will be there too.

You will be able to submit questions for us to answer and you’ll also have the opportunity to ask us questions live, on video.

RSVP ASAP to guarantee a spot. I’m serious, hurry! (Too forward?) R.S.V.P.

Not only will we be giving away copies of PRETENDERS and JESSICA DARLING’S IT LIST, but you’ll have a chance to win a boxed set of the Monster High and Jessica Darling series and a new S.W.A.P. bracelet. We might even read from our old journals to prove how serious we are about taking this relationship to the next level. We’re talking real heart-on-the-sleeve stuff here.

All I’m asking is that you think about it. And that you decide to go for it. And that you RSVP right away. And that you ask us questions. And give us compliments. But only if you’re ready. Which you should be. Because I am. And we promised never to grow apart.

Think about it.

TTYTuesday (if you want.)

Lisi

(Please say yes.)

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