Thursday 4 July 2013

Interview with Lisa and Laura Roecker, authors of This is W.A.R

Today on the blog I am very lucky to play host to sisters-turned-writing-team Lisa and Laura Roecker who are celebrating the release of their latest novel This is W.A.R.

Lisa and Laura Roecker are sisters-turned-writing-partners with a love of all things Young Adult. Some call it arrested development, but the sisters claim it keeps them young. Plus, its cheaper than Botox. Lisa and Laura live in Cleveland, Ohio in separate residences. Their husbands wouldn't agree to a duplex.

Hello, and welcome to Always Lost in Stories!
Can you sum up This is W.A.R in just 5 words?
Bring the Gregory family down.
Are there any books currently in the YA genre that you would say the book is similar to?
As usual, we’re compared to Pretty Little Liars, but we love those books, so woohoo!
How did the idea for the story come about?
Our incredible editor, Dan Ehrenhaft introduced us to the concept of  girls’ fight club and we set out to make it our own. He was instrumental in the outlining process, sending it back with questions and comments and “think about this(es)”. It was so much fun.
I know you must get asked this all the time, but how do you cope being both sisters and writing partners?! You must get so passionate about the story and the characters, how do you resolve a dispute if you disagree on anything?
It is annoying when someone expresses concern over a plot point or character. We get a bit huffy on the phone while attempting to fix the book. Those conversations usually end with a promise to think about the issue separately and talk later. But honestly, that’s the extent of the arguments if you could even call them that. We are extremely close as sisters and I think that’s the only way writing together works. It would be difficult to have those huffy conversations with friends.
If the book was being made into a movie or TV series who do you picture as playing the main characters?  
Dianna Agron as Willa. Selena Gomez as Rose. Miley Cyrus as Lina.
The wealthy country club setting reminded me a little bit of the Pretty Little Liars series- with secrets, manipulations and scandals, and a clear divide between the rich patrons and those who work there. Which side of the divide is the easiest/ most fun to write from?
Despite knowing absolutely nothing about the incredibly wealthy, we always find it fascinating to write about them! We love our fair share of Us Weekly, so I’m sure it comes from following celebrity culture. The concept that money buys a whole lot of some things but also a whole lot of nothing is intriguing.
Are you planning any further books featuring these characters, or is this set to be a stand-alone novel?
The novel stands alone! But we do have a really cool idea for a spin off featuring some of the same characters and world.
What books have you read lately? What have you particularly enjoyed?
Laura absolutely LOVED ELEANOR AND PARK. Could not put it down or stop talking about it.

Thankyou so much for stopping by and answering all my questions!


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For further interviews, book reviews, extracts, and a chance to win a cute key necklace similar to that featured in the book, head on over to the website by clicking the link below-

This is W.A.R is out now!
Buy the book-

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