Good Cliques Never Die!

I’ve always heard authors say it took years to complete a novel and assumed they were lazy. I mean, I wrote 31 books in ten years and I wrote them quickly!

Well, call me Judy because I was super judgy.

I have written half of The Dirty Book Club about nine times in the past four years. It’s an ambitious project that spans generations, includes secret rituals, funny conversations about dirty books, and great characters in their early 30s with lives that need some serious fixing. And it’s HARD!

My latest start-over was this January. Among other things I changed it from a novel with multiple points of view to a novel with one main voice. Now, seven months later I am on page 175 of a very crappy first draft. Some days are fun. Most suck. But I truly believe in this more than anything I’ve ever done. But those damn voices in my head!! They won’t stop yammering.

Lisi, you’re writing for grown-ups now. Lisi, your friends are going to read this. Lisi, your kids’ teachers are going to read it.

Oprah might. Your parents will for sure. So will the neighbors. And what about those opinionated book club members? You better not mess this up!!

Massie Block

This morning I wondered why I never went through this anxiety with the Clique. Sure, there were uninspired days and major burnout, but for the most part writing that series was pure joy. It’s not that I didn’t care about what you thought. It’s just that, well, I didn’t let myself care. I wrote what I wanted to write. Critics be damned! I let myself show up on those pages like some freak at a cheerleader’s party intent on dominating the dance floor.

The Clique

It’s been twelve years since the first Clique came out. You’re older now. Old enough to read The Dirty Book Club, that’s for sure. So I have named you my muses. The girls I’ve felt safe with since 2003. The ones who accepted me for the flawed and fabulous person that I am. I will think of you as I struggle to complete this first draft. Because you always understood me and you always supported me–way more than Oprah!

Long live My Clique!!!

TTYW,

Lisi

15 Comments

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  • Olivia Proehl says:

    Your books are ah-mazing and I’ve read them over and over and over again at least 10 times. I’ve even seen the movie at least 10 times as well. I own the cd, the DVD and also the game for Nintendo DS. That game is so much fun and much like the books and the movie. I miss the series but I hope that I will get to read more of your new series. You are my hero Lisi. I love you!

  • Taylor Grant says:

    I think it’s about time we get a clique high school/college version 😁 Since now we’re all old we wanna see our favorite characters grow up with us!!!

  • Jade says:

    i am going into the eighth grade and i started reading the clique in the middle of sixth. I still read the clique. I have read the series about 5 times cause im such a bookworm. i was 11 and im now 13. I didnt start reading it from the beginning but im still a humungous fan. the first book came out close to when i was born.

  • Lydia says:

    I was only 4 when the first Clique book came out and I didn’t start reading them until the 7th or 8th grade (on and off because it was hard to find them at the library). I’m 16 now and finally own the whole series (thanks to my local thrift stores 😉). I plan on finishing the series by the end of the summer and I already I’m gonna feel a void in my heart when I’m done.

  • Elizabeth says:

    You can do it Lisi!!! I cannot wait to read The Dirty Book Club. I grew up with The Clique and now I can continue to grow with your characters as you transition genres 🙂

  • Laila N says:

    The voices in your head! They’re the same as mine. They must be conspiring together.
    I’m amazed you still have these voices though. I would have thought that having been so successful thus far, you would no longer feel so afraid of being judged by those you know. I’m not sure whether I should feel daunted or comforted by this.
    Regardless, we’re all cheering for you 🙂

  • Go Lisi! Do what you want! I’m excited to get that dirty book club in my hands as soon as you’ve polished it and send it our way. You’ve got this.

  • Love love love the Clique series. Read every book from beginning to end. I wanted to be a part of the PC (and I maybe still do), and I even use the lingo around my other friends who read them. Such a great series for my middle school years, and I can’t believe it’s been that long since the first book! That’s incredible! I will definitely be picking up your new book when it come out!

    (P.S. Still patiently waiting for the Clique movie sequel😁)

  • Shaila Gottlieb says:

    Thanks!

  • Shaila Gottlieb says:

    You ALWAYS entertain!!

  • Rhea says:

    It’s so weird to know that I’ve practically read all your books! So when The Dirty Book Club comes out (and when I’m of the appropriate age hehehe), I’ll be sure to read it.
    And don’t worry about the draft! No matter how long it takes, it’ll turn out amazing I’m sure. 🙂

  • Kaitlyn says:

    YOU’VE GOT THIS LISI! Writing is a very difficult task. It’s something I love to do but struggle with all the time. Writing first drafts is hard, as I am now struggling with writing the first draft of a manuscript. I keep telling myself that the real magic happens in editing and that having a first draft that sucks is better than having no first draft at all. Typical writing advice, i know but it’s sadly true.
    In a way, I’m glad it’s taken you this long to write “The Dirty Book Club” because when you announced it four years ago, I was fifteen in tenth grade and way too young to read something titled “The Dirty Book Club”. Now, by time it comes out, I will be in my twenties and driving myself to the bookstore the day it comes out to buy it.
    I’ve loved your books ever since I first read the clique in 2009 for the first time and I very proudly own and display all 31 of them on my bookshelf and looking at them inspires me to write and to be a better writer. I look at them and imagine what it would be like to have my published book sitting on the shelf next to yours. Your writing has influenced mine and as I am starting the process to publish my book,I just hope that my book can mean something to a girl out there like yours have to me.
    Your books were the voice of my teen years. I proudly read your books, even monster high when i got laughed at for reading a “child’s book” (their words, not mine. I alwasy thought of MH like the clique but with monsters. A very voltage series in my opinion). I can’t wait for “The Dirty Book Club” to be one of the books of my adulthood.I’m glad you’re growing up with me. When you’re having trouble, or wondering if anyone will read your book, just know, that I, Kaitlyn, will be reading your books as long you write them.

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