MarPerez: Hi! Whew. Made it in. I was stuck with a white screen for a few minutes.

Host MaryP: hey! I was a bit worried too--I couldn't get in at first!

MarPerez: my connection is slow/iffy. Of course, it would be tonight.

MarPerez: Hi, Mary. I just had white screen for the longest time.

Host MaryP: oh, boy, I've already been bumped! I hope this is not a precursor of things to come . . .

MarPerez: It seems to be evening out a bit. I hope everyone else will be able to get. Oops. I spoke too soon. It looks like we'll have a few bumps tonight.

Kathleen: I'm back. I had trouble getting in, too. Hi everybody!

Kathleen: Maybe chatzy is too fatsy to keep up with us.

Host MaryP: Maybe it's the weather--can I blame that? It's been blistering hot here.

Kathleen: I'm waiting for rain from Frances.

Host MaryP: Maybe it's the weather--can I blame that? It's been blistering hot here.

Kathleen: Have we lost our guest speaker?

MarPerez: I'm here! Sweating like crazy.

Kathleen: Hey, maybe it's just me now and I can say whatever I want!

Kathleen: Marlene, you need a fan.

MarPerez: Say whatever you want! Kathleen, you usually have some good ones. Mary P just got bounced. I predict an interesting chat. If Mary gets bounced, at least I have mod experience. Kathleen, my a/c is on and I'm STILL sweating.

MarPerez: I think we're waiting. I'm guessing we're having technical difficulties.

Lara Z.: I'd gotten bumped. Yes, technical difficulties.

Kathleen: My whole life is a technical difficulty.

MarPerez: HA! We can wait a few more minutes and then start ad-libbing.

Host MaryP: I better start before I get bumped again!

Linda Joy: I can't stay long, but wanted to congratulate you, Mar

Host MaryP: Welcome to the YA Author's Cafe! Thanks for coming! I'm Mary Pearson, the guest host for tonight's chat. We are here to celebrate the debut of first-time novelist, Marlene
Perez and her YA book, UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT!

Kathleen: Yay!!!!!

Host MaryP: Hurray, Marlene! Virtual Gatorade is being poured over your head ; )

MarPerez: Melissa just e-mailed me and she can't get in the chat.

Kathleen: We're going to have to kick some chatzy butt.

Host MaryP: (darn! It is touchy tonight! If I get bumped again, yall carry on)

MarPerez: Oh, wow. Thanks guys! Virtual Gatorade. Where's the champagne?

Host MaryP: Champagne and chocolate for you, Marlene! For those of you who don't already know Marlene, let me tell you a little about her . . .

Host MaryP: Marlene Perez is the youngest of twelve children. She grew up in a small town in Iowa called (oddly enough) Story City. She waited tables at a pancake house during high school and college, and suffered through gouging bra straps, nasty bosses, and rude comments. She now lives in Southern California. UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT, being published by Roaring Brook, is her first book.

Host MaryP: I mean, FIRST BOOK!!!!

Host MaryP: Ready for some questions, Marlene?

Host MaryP: Marlene, there is nothing like having that first book published. Can you share with us that tingly moment when you first heard that RB wanted to publish UD? How did you find out? What was your reaction

MarPerez: People talk about getting the call, but I got the e-mail, then the call. My agent e-mailed me and said there were two houses potentially interested in UD. And that Deborah Brodie from Roaring Brook was one of those editors.

Host MaryP: Were you delirious? Unbelieving? Cautious? Flat out jumping up and down?

MarPerez: So I immediately started this please let it be Deborah Brodie mantra. You know how they talk about how it's when you least expect it? It was when I least expected it. But I was thrilled that Roaring Brook was even THINKING about it because I really admire the books they do and the authors they publish.

MarPerez: I was thrilled, but also a little numb. In disbelief I guess. I mean, I know getting published was the idea, but there was still a part of me that was surprised it was happening.

Host MaryP: How long did it take to publish once you got the word?

MarPerez: That's a LONG story, but even with a few bumps in the road, it happened quickly. My agent got the offer in March of 2003 and UD was originally scheduled for an April 04 release. But as you know, Roaring Brook was then put up for sale. That meant a delay in the book, but the time passed quickly.

Host MaryP: And it comes out this month right--any minute?

Tanya Lee Stone: I'm having major computer problems, but just wanted to send Big Congrats to Marlene!

MarPerez: The official publication date is September 1. And I've already received a gorgeous box of books with my name on it. It's an amazing feeling. Thanks Tanya. Everyone's having problems tonight. Several people can't even get in, but we're forging ahead.

Host MaryP: The back cover of UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT offers this little peek of the story:

Host MaryP: "Mrs. Westland, I'm not sure you really want to get into what I did this summer. Sex, Mrs. Westland. Sex is how I spent my summer."

Host MaryP: "Megan knows twenty different words for 'breasts,'a and she can recite them alphabetically--but she can't remember the last time a guy gazed into her eyes instead of her chest. Will Jake Darrow be different? Will Megan learn to trust him? It's a problem. Two big problems, actually."

Host MaryP: "In this funny, romantic, sardonic novel, developments take many unexpected turns."

Host MaryP: yowza! Well, Marlene, of course we have to ask . . . since you and "Megan" both grew up in small Iowa towns, waited tables, and suffered through "gouging bra straps," is how much of UD is autobiographical?

Host MaryP: GA (mar, can you write GA when you are done so I don't interrupt you?)

MarPerez: hmm. UD is and isn't autobiographical. There's definitely some of me in Megan. But she came to a place of acceptance about her body much earlier than I did. I'm proud of her. And I think she's LESS of a smart mouth than I am, if you can believe it. The waiting tables stuff was from true experience, including grabby boys & bosses. GA

Host MaryP: LOL! You? A smart mouth? nah. : )

MarPerez: HA!

Host MaryP: Who hasn't had to write what they did over summer vacation as a classroom assignment--at least a zillion times? Well, Megan gives her teacher a story that may put a stop to that assignment forevermore! ; ) I pictured Mrs. Westland squirming and holding her breath through the entire story. What inspired you to write this as an "assignment?"

MarPerez: You know, I had this really great English teacher in high school. Her name was Mrs. Raymond. And although I wasn't nearly as blunt as Megan is in Unexpected Development, I always felt I could talk to this particular teacher. And the sentence "sex is how I spent my summer vacation" just popped into my head.GA

Host MaryP: That was such a great opening line--sure to go down in history. And I loved the intimacy the assignment offers.

Host MaryP: UD has been nominated as a YALSA Quick Pick. Congratulations! Between the cover, the subject, and the intimacy of the "assignment" format, I can see this as a book teens would eagerly pick up. And then Megan's voice is just so compelling--sassy, humorous, vulnerable. Was it hard for you to let her "go" when the book was finished?

Lara Z.: Marlene - I'm not getting any of the chat, but I wanted to tell you CONGRATULATIONS and I can't wait to read your book!

MarPerez: It was hard to let her go. And there's a tendency to want to spend time with a favorite character. But you know, I'd spent a lot of time with her and I can still go back and visit whenever I want. That's one of the great things about a book.

MarPerez: Right now, I don't feel like I would want or need to visit Megan again, but who knows how I'll feel in a few years?GA

Host MaryP: I loved Megan's voice--I'm sure we will see her again.

Host MaryP: (All right gang, I am going to ask our guest one more question and then it will be time for you to ask your questions. Type your "?" at any time, and then get your questions ready to send and for me to call on you.)

Host MaryP: Can you describe your writing process for us? Any advice for writers who are still trying to break through with that "first" book?

MarPerez: Wow. I'm not sure if anybody wants to model their writing process after mine. I can say, however, that I use the "Norma Fox Mazer" method of writing. I saw her at SCBWI Nationals one year and she talked about how she types with a fedora over her head to get rid of that awful internal editor. That's how I finally managed to get a first draft out. If I let that nasty little internal editor of mine out, she just won't shut up and I won't write a thing.

Host MaryP: ah! That's how you shut her up! Put her in the dark! Interesting.

MarPerez: I also take a notebook and pen with me everywhere. Or a draft of a manuscript. My brain works in a different way when I use pen and paper, so sometimes I start that way. And I write in little bursts because I have a family who demand the occasional hot meal and clean underwear.

Kathleen: I'm wondering how being the youngest of 12 (ACK!!!!) children contributed to you becoming a writer. I'm the youngest of 3, but somehow I don't think that compares.

MarPerez: I used to think that the size of my family didn't contribute at all. But then I remembered that the television was never mine to command, so I read constantly. I was the little kid who would check out fifteen books at the library and be back for more a few days later.

MarPerez: And everyone in my family read, so I would read stuff way above what most kids were reading. My older siblings would leave a book lying around and I'd read it. I was never limited in subject matter or content. And I can't say that it hurt me one bit.

Host MaryP: I can attest that Marlene is a voracious reader. I don't think there is anything she hasn't read. I'm wondering Marlene, were there twins in your family? (since you have TWO sets in UD)

MarPerez: Mary, I stole the two sets of twins from my husband's side of the family. His grandmother had ten kids and out those ten kids, there were two sets of twin boys.

Host MaryP: My goodness, you have siblings coming out your ears! No lack of material for you!

Host MaryP: oh! oh! The COVER!! We have to talk about the cover! Who has seen it?

Host MaryP: Did it stop you in your tracks Kathleen? It is quite the head turner!

Kathleen: Yes indeed! And when I was at the Roaring Brook booth at ALA, lots of people passing by stopped to comment on it. I like the way it pulls you in and pushes you away at the same time.

Host MaryP: It definitely will not fade back on a shelf.

MarPerez: I love the cover. I like how it clearly signals that the novel is intended for a more sophisticated, older teen reader. And having my name in a strategically placed triangle was genius.

Kathleen: No. It's a keeper.

Kathleen: Of course, it does make me jealous.

Host MaryP: Oh yes! Your name! I will never view your name in quite the same way. I think it is interesting to note that YA's seem to be reaching to older audiences more and more.

Host MaryP: Have you had any reactions from teens or booksellers yet or is it too early?

MarPerez: I'm waiting patiently! Ha. Or impatiently.

Host MaryP: Our "official" time for tonight is up--some of us need to go--but the rest of you are welcome to stay and chat as long as you like. Thank you, Marlene! Congratulations to you and UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT!

MarPerez: Thanks, all.

Kathleen: Yes, waiting for those first comments is excruciating.

Host MaryP: Cheers, confetti, hurray! We are so happy for you!

Kathleen: Oops. Sorry. Marlene, congratulations on a really terrific first book!

Host MaryP: Don't forget next week's chat! Drumroll . . .

Host MaryP: Lara Zeises is hosting panelists, Alex Flinn (Nothing to Lose), Hillary Frank (Better Than Running at Night), and Kim Ablon Whitney (See You Down the Road) and the topic is HOW FAR IS TOO FAR? BREAKING BOUNDARIES IN YA. Don't miss it!

Kathleen: Bye!

Host MaryP: Good night! Thank you all for coming! See you next week!

Host MaryP: PS! A reminder: you can read past chats if you visit the Cafe homepage (yaauthorscafe.com) and go the "Chat Logs" page.

Amy M.: I have to run, Mar. Congratulations! I can't wait to read UD. Good night, everybody.

MarPerez: Bye, Amy! Thanks.

Host MaryP: Marlene, you were terrific. I hope you aren't too soaked by all the Gatorade I poured on you--but heck, a first book only comes along once!

Host MaryP: Night, Amy!

MarPerez: Well, since I'm not exactly athletic, it may be the only time Gatorade touches this body.

Host MaryP: ha! Let it be champagne then!

Host MaryP: Mar, what are you working on now?

MarPerez: Mary, I'm almost done with a revision of another funny (at least I hope it's funny) novel. I haven't quite figured out a way to describe it, but it's set in Orange County.

Host MaryP: Orange County. enuf said. All my relatives are from there. : )

MarPerez: well, I can hang out for about 5 minutes and then I have to run my daughter to soccer. Well, there's a reason that both The OC and Arrested Development are set in Orange County.

Host MaryP: LOL. Orange county is interesting. I lived there for about 5-6 years.

Host MaryP: I'll let you go. Thanks again, and congratulations!

Host MaryP: Have fun at soccer! Night!

MarPerez: Bye, Mary! Talk to you soon! Looking forward to Lara's chat next week.